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informed, that this our city will be burned with fire 66 from heaven; in which fearful overthrow, both myself, "with thee my wife, and you my sweet babes, shall miserably come to ruin, except (the which yet I see "not) some way of escape may be found, whereby we 66 may be delivered." At this his relations were sore amazed; not for that they believed that what he said to them was true, but because they thought some frenzy distemper had got into his head; therefore it drawing towards night, and they hoping that sleep might settle his brains, with all haste they got him to bed: but the night was as troublesome to him as the day; wherefore, instead of sleeping, he spent it in sighs and tears. So when the morning was come, they would know how he did; he told them, worse and worse; he also set to talking to them again, but they began to be hardened. They also thought to drive away his distemper by harsh and surly carriage to him: sometimes they would deride, sometimes they would chide, and sometimes they would quite neglect him. Wherefore he began to retire himself to his chamber, to pray for, and pity them; and also to condole his own misery: he would also walk solitarily in the fields, sometimes reading and sometimes praying; and thus for some days he spent his time.

Now I saw, upon a time, when he was walking in the fields, that he was (as he was wont) reading in his book, and greatly distressed in his mind; and as he read, he burst out, as he had done before, crying, What shall I do to be saved?

I saw also that he looked this way and that way, as if he would run! yet he stood still, because (as I perceived) he could not tell which way to go. I looked then, and saw a man named Evangelist,* coming to him, and asked, Wherefore dost thou cry?

He answered, Sir, I perceive by the book in my hand, that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to

* A man named Evangelist] The first convictions of an unregenerate person are here strikingly delineated: the book in Christian's hand, (that is, the Holy Scriptures) is sealed book unto him, until by the agency of the Spirit, he is taught his lost state and condition,

judgment; and I find that I am not willing to do the first, nor able to do the second.'

Then said Evangelist, Why not willing to die, since this life is attended with so many evils? The man answered, Because I fear that this burden that is upon my back, will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall into Tophet. And, Sir, if I be not fit to go to prison, I am not fit to go to judgment, and from thence to execution; and the thoughts of these things make me cry.

Then said Evangelist, If this be thy condition, why standest thou still? He answered, because I know not whither to go. Then he gave him a parchment roll, and there was written within, Fly from the wrath to come !3

The man therefore read it, and looking upon Evange list very carefully, said, Whither must I fly? Then said Evangelist, pointing with his finger over a very wide field, Do you see yonder Wicket-gate 4 The man said, No: then said the other, Do you see yonder shining light 5 He said, I think I do. Then said Evangelist, keep that light in your eye, and go up directly thereto, so shalt thou see the gate; at which, when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do.

CHAP. II.

Christian proceeds on his journey.-Obstinate refuses to accompany him, but Pliable goes as far as the slough,

and returns.

OI saw in my dream that the man began to run ;—

6

wife and children perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on crying, Life! life! eternal life! So he looked not behind him, but fled towards the middle of the plain.7

The neighbours also came out to see him run; and as he ran, some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to return; and amongst those that did so, there were two that were resolved to fetch him back

1 Heb. ix. 27. Job xvi. 21, 22.

3 Matt. iii. 7.

6 Luke xiv. 26.

Ezek. xxii. 14. 2 Isa. xxx. 33. 4 Matt. vii. 13, 14. 5 Psal. cxix. 105. 2 Pet, i. 19. 7 Gen. xix. 17

by force. The name of the one was Obstinate, and the name of the other, Pliable.* Now by this time the man was got a good distance from them; but however, they were resolved to pursue him, which they did, and in a ittle time they overtook him. Then said the man, Neighbours, wherefore are ye come? They said, To persuade you to go back with us; but he said, That can by no means be: You dwell, said he, in the city of De struction,† the place also where I was born: I see it to be so; and dying there, sooner or later, you will sink lower than the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone Be content good neighbours, and go along with me.

What, said Obstinate, and leave our friends and our comforts behind us!

Yes, said Christian, for that was his name, because that all which you shall forsake is not worthy to be compared with a little of that which I am seeking to enjoy ;' and if you will go along with me, and hold it, you shall fare as myself; for there where I go, is enough and to spare. Come away and prove my words.

Obst. What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them?

Chr. I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away,3 and it is laid up in Heaven, and safe there, to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on them that diligently seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my book.

Obst. Tush, said Obstinate, away with your book: Will you go back with us or no?

Chr. No, not I, said the other; because I have laid my hand to the plough.s

12 Cor. iv, 18. 2 Luke xv. 17. 3 1 Pet. i. 4. 4 Heb. xi. 16. 5 Luke ix. 62.

* Name of the other, Pliable,] While the character of Obstinate denotes one of those who openly scoff at religion, Pliable represents those easy, good-natured, almost Christians, who have no stability, and whose principles of religion are directed by times and circumstances. The city of Destruction,] This world, which lieth in sin and wickedness: and the inordinate love of which will infallibly lead to everlasting destruction.

Obst. Come then, neighbour Pliable, let us turn again, and go home without him: there is a company of those crazy-headed coxcombs, who when they take a fancy by the end, are wiser in their own eyes than seven men that can render a reason.

Pli. Then said Pliable, Don't revile; if what the good Christian says be true, the things he looks after are better than ours; my heart inclines to go with my neighbour.

Obst. What! more fools still? Be ruled by me, and go back; who knows whither such a brain-sick fellow will lead you? Go back, go back, and be wise.

Chr. Nay, but do thou come with thy neighbour Pliable; there are such things to be had which I spoke of, and many more glories besides; if you believe not me, read here in this book, and for the truth of what is expressed therein, behold all is confirmed by the blood of him that made it.1

Pli. Well, neighbour Obstinate, (saith Pliable) I begin to come to a point; I intend to go along with this good man, and to cast in my lot with him: but my good companion, do you know the way to this desired place?

Chr. I am directed by a man, whose name is Evangelist, to speed me to a little gate that is before us, where we shall receive instructions about the way.

Pli. Çome then, good neighbour, let us be going. Then they went both together.

Obst And I will go back to my place, said Obstinate: I will be no companion of such misled fantastical fellows. Now I saw in my dream, that when Obstinate was going back, Christian and Pliable went talking over the plain; and thus they began their discourse :

Chr. Come, neighbour Pliable, how do you do? I am glad you are persuaded to go along with me; had even Obstinate himself but felt what I have felt of the powers and terrors of what is yet unseen, he would not thus lightly have given us the back,

Pli. Come, neighbour Christian, since there are none but us two here, tell me now farther what the things are, and how to be enjoyed whither we are going? Chr. I can better conceive of them with my mind, 1 Heb. ix. 17, 21.

than speak of them with my tongue: but yet, since you are desirous to know, I will read of them in my book.

Pli. And do you think that the words of your book are certainly true.

Chr. Yes verily, for it was made by him that cannot lie.' Pli. Well said; what things are they?

Chr. There is an endless kingdom to be inhabited, and everlasting life to be given us, that we may inhabit that kingdom for ever.a

Pli. Well said; and what else?

Chr. There are crowns of glory to be given us; and garments that will make us shine like the sun in the firmament of heaven.3

Pli. This is very pleasant; and what else?

Chr. There shall be no more crying, nor sorrow; for he that is owner of the place will wipe away all tears from our eyes.*

Pli. And what company shall we have there?

Chr. There we shall be with seraphims and cherub3ms, creatures that will dazzle your eyes to look on them there also you shall meet with thousands and ten thousands that have gone before us to that place; none of them are hurtful, but loving and holy; every one walking in the sight of God, and standing in his presence with acceptance for ever. In a word, there we shall see the elders with their golden crowns: there we shall see the holy virgins with their golden harps :7 there we shall see men, that by the world were cut in pieces, burnt in flames, eaten of beasts, drowned in the seas, for the love that they bore to the lord of the place; all well, and clothed with immortality, as with a gar

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Pli. The hearing of this is enough to ravish one's heart: but are these things to be enjoyed? How shall we get to be sharers thereof?

Chr. The Lord the governor of the country, hath recorded that in this book; the substance of which is, if

1 Titus i. 2. 2 Isa. xlv. 17. John x 27, 28, 29. 3 Rev. xxii. v. Matt. xiii. 43. 4 Isa. xv. 8. Rev. vii. xxi. 4. 5 Isa. vi. 2. 1 Thes. iv. 16, 17. Rev. v. 11. 7 Rev. xiv. 1,---5. 8 John xii. 25. 2 Cor. v. 2, 3, 4.

2 Tim. iv. 8.

16, 17. and 6 Rev. iv. 4.

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