JOY AT THE NEWS Then the Porter rang his bell, as at such times he is wont, and there came to the door one of the damsels, whose name was Humble-mind. And to her the Porter said, Go tell it within, that Christiana, the wife of Christian, and her children, are come hither on pilgrimage. She went in, therefore, and told it. But, oh, what noise for gladness was there within, when the damsel did but drop that out of her mouth! So they came with haste to the Porter, for Christiana stood still at the door. Then some of the most grave said unto her, Come in, Christiana, come in, thou wife of that good man; come in, thou blessed woman, come in, with all that are with thee. So she went in, and they followed her that were her children and companions. Now when they were gone in, they were had into a large room, where they were bidden to sit down so they sat down, and the chief of the house were called to see and welcome the guests. Then they came in, and, understanding who they were, did salute CHRISTIANS' LOVE 18 KINDLED AT THE SIGHT OF ONE ANOTHER. each other with a kiss, and said, Welcome, ye vessels of the grace of God, welcome unto us your friends.* Now, because it was somewhat late, and because the pilgrims were weary with their journey, and also made faint with the sight of the fight and of the terrible lions, they desired, as soon as might be, to prepare to go to rest. Nay, said those of the family, refresh yourselves first with a morsel of meat; for they had prepared for them *Here is a blessed mark of being vessels of the grace of God, when we delight in the sight of, salute, and welcome others in the way to Zion, and mutually have our hearts and affections drawn out to each other in love. O how sweet is the fellowship of pilgrims below! what must it be above! Infinitely beyond conception. Lord, fire our souls with the thought of ever being with thee, and each other, in thy kingdom! a lamb, with the accustomed sauce belonging thereto."* For the Porter had heard before of their coming, and had told it to them within. So when they had supped, and ended their prayer with a psalm, they desired they might go to rest. But let us, said Christiana, if we may be so bold as to choose, be in that chamber that was my husband's, when he was here. So they had them up thither, and they all lay in a room. When they were at rest, Christiana and Mercy entered into discourse about things that were convenient. CHR. Little did I think once, when my husband went on pilgrimage, that I should ever have followed him. CHRIST'S BOSOM 18 MER. And you as little thought of lying in his bed, and in his chamber to rest, as you do now.† CHR. And much less did I ever think of seeing his face with comfort, and of worshipping the Lord the King with him; and yet now I believe I shall. MUSIC. MER. Hark, don't you hear a noise? CHR. Yes, 'tis, as I believe, a noise of music, for joy that we are here. m Exod. xii. 3. John i. 29. *The Lamb is the food of pilgrims, and the end of their conversation. Reader, can you feed upon Christ by faith? Is the Lamb the nourishment of thy soul, and the portion of thy heart? Canst thou say, from sweet and blessed experience, his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed? Is it thy delight to think of him, hear of him, speak of him, abide in him, and live upon him? O bless him, and praise him for this distinguishing mercy, this spiritual appetite. It is peculiar to his beloved ones only. Pray, mind the above sweet note, "Christ's bosom is for all pilgrims." It is there the weary find rest, and the burdened soul ease. O for more reclinings of soul upon the precious bosom of our dear Lord! We can be truly happy nowhere else. MER. Wonderful!- Music in the house, music in the heart, and music also in heaven, for joy that we are here!* Thus they talked a while, and then betook themselves to sleep. So in the morning, when they were awaked, Christiana said to Mercy, What was the matter, that MERCY DID LAUGH you did laugh in your sleep to-night? I suppose you was in a dream. IN HER SLEEP. MER. So I was, and a sweet dream it was; but are you sure I laughed? CHR. Yes, you laughed heartily: but pr'ythee, Mercy, tell me thy dream. DREAM. MER. I was dreaming that I sat all alone in a soliMERCY'S tary place, and was bemoaning of the hardness of my heart. Now, I had not sat there long, but methought many were gathered about me to see me, and to hear what it was that I said. So they hearkened, and I went on bemoaning the hardness of my heart. At this, some of them laughed at me, some called me a fool, and some began to thrust me about. WHAT HER DREAM WAS. With that, methought I looked up, and saw one coming with wings towards me. So he came directly to me, and said, Mercy, what aileth thee? Now, when he had heard me make my complaint, he said, Peace be to thee: he also wiped mine eyes with his handkerchief, and clad me in silver and gold. He put a chain about my neck, and ear-rings in mine ears, and a beautiful crown upon my head." Then he took me by the hand, and said, Mercy, come after me. So he went up, and I followed, till we came n Ezek. xvi. 8-13. * O what precious harmony is this! how joyful to be the subjects of it, and to join in it! The free, sovereign grace of God is the delightful theme; and glory to God in the highest, the universal chorus. It is the wonder and joy of sinners on earth, and of angels in heaven. at a golden gate. Then he knocked; and, when they within had opened, the man went in, and I followed him up to a throne, upon which one sat, and he said to me, Welcome, daughter. The place looked bright and twinkling, like the stars, or rather like the sun, and I thought that I saw your husband there. So I awoke from my dream. But did I laugh ?* CHR. Laugh! ay, and well you might, to see yourself so well. For you must give me leave to tell you, that it was a good dream; and that, as you have begun to find the first part true, so you shall find the second at last. "God speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not; in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumbering upon the bed." We need not, when a-bed, to lie awake to talk with God; he can visit us while we sleep, and cause us then to hear his voice. Our heart oftentimes wakes when we sleep; and God can speak to that, either by words, by proverbs, by signs and similitudes, as well as if one was awake.† o Job xxxiii. 14-16. * Pray observe this dream: it is a most precious one indeed. We find it true in the broad day of sweet experience; for then it is we get the most blessed visits from our dear Lord, when we get by ourselves, and bemoan the deadness of our poor hearts. True, we may be laughed at, called fools, and despised by the profane and self-righteous, who do not feel the hardness of their hearts, nor bemoan themselves for it; yet the loving, compassionate, tender-hearted Saviour is ever near to us, he feels for us, sympathizes with us, will manifest himself to us, and revive us with the sense of peace, the joy of hope, and the comforts of love; and assure us, that where he is, there we shall soon be, where pain of heart, and sorrow of soul, shall be no more for ever. Therefore, so far from thinking yourself not to be a pilgrim, because you feel hardness of heart, and bemoan it, be assured that it is a most blessed sign that Christ's heart of love is set upon you. + O how blessed are they who are watching and waiting continually to hear the small, still voice of the Spirit, speaking rest and peace to MER. Well, I am glad of my dream, for I hope ere long to see it fulfilled, to the making of me laugh again. MERCY GLAD OF HER DREAM. CHR. I think it is now high time to rise, and to know what we must do. MER. Pray, if they invite us to stay a while, let us willingly accept of the proffer. I am the willinger to stay a while here, to grow better acquainted with these maids: methinks Prudence, Piety, and Charity have very comely and sober countenances. CHR. We shall see what they will do. So when they were up and ready, they came down, and they asked one another of their rest, and if it was comfortable or not? Very good, said Mercy; it was one of the best night's lodgings that ever I had in my life. Then said Prudence and Piety, If you will be persuaded to stay here a while, you shall have what the house will afford. Ay, and that with a very good will, said Charity. So they consented, and staid there about a month or above, and became very profitable one to another. And, because Prudence would THEY STAY HERE SOME TIME. see how Christiana had brought up her children, she PRUDENCE DESIRES asked leave of her to catechise them: so she gave her free consent. Then she TO CATECHISE CHRIS- began with the youngest, whose name was James. JAMES CATECHISED. PRUD. And she said, Come, James, canst thou tell me who made thee? JAMES. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. their souls by the blood of the Lamb! O how condescending is our Lord, thus to visit us, and converse with us in the way to his kingdom! |