I do to be saved?"-If you are a stranger to this experience, all the rest of the Pilgrim's Progress will be a sealed book to you; and can please you only as a romance, or religious novel. Nevertheless, be assured that real godliness begins in feeling the burden of sin.

The Author has judiciously represented Christian, as in a state of perplexity "He would have run-yet stood stillnot knowing which way to go." Convinced of sin, and full of terror, the soul would do any thing, however difficult, that seemed to promise help, Mic. vi. 6, &c.

In this condition, Evangelist meets with Christian. The meaning is, that Christ, in compassion to an awakened sinner, brings him under the sound of the preached gospel. The Ministers of Christ (signified by Evangelist), of whatever denomination, love their Master, and their fellow-sinners; and they rejoice, when favoured with an opportunity to direct inquiring souls to the Lamb of God. The Christian Mmister, not only exhorts his hearers to "fly from the wrath to come," but can tell them whither to fly. And where can the heavy-laden sou! find rest? Where can the wounded spirit obtain peace?—In the pleasures of sense? In the haunts of dissipation? In the merit of works? No, no. In Jesus Christ, and in him alone. This is intended by the Wicket-gate. A wicket-gate is a narrow one: and Christ is thus represented; not as if his power or will to save, were contracted; but because those, who come to God by him, must renounce both sinful-self and righteous-self; and because those, who do so, are few indeed, compared with the multitude who press through the wide gate, and throng the broad way to eternal death.

Christian, when asked, if he saw the Wicket-gate, answered, "No" but " he thought he saw the shining light" about it. That is to say, A person lately awakened may not yet have distinguishing views of the person, work, and glory of the dear Redeemer; but he has some apprehension of these things, which, like the dawning light, shall increase more and more to the perfect day. By the diligent use of the means, of grace, and the aid of the Holy Spirit, such a one shall be effectually led to Jesus, the sinner's hope, the believer's friend, and the only " Door" to heaven.

B 3

CHAP. II.

Christian proceeds-Obstinate refuses to accompany him, Pliable goes as far as the Slough, and returns.

So I saw in my dream that the man began to run;

now he had not run far from his own door, but his wife and children perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put his fingers in his ears (a), and ran on crying, " Life! life! eternal life!" So he looked not behind him, but fled towards the middle of the plain (b).

The neighbours also came out to see him run; 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 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 little 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 be, in the city of Destruction, 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 (c); and if you will go along with me,

(a) Luke xiv. 26. (b) Gen. xix. 17. (c) 2 Cor. iv. 18.

and hold it, you shall fare as myself; for there where I go, is enough and to spare (d.) 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 (e), 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 (g).

Obst. Come then, neighbour Pliable, let us turn again, and go home without him: there is a com-pany of these crazy-headed coxcombs, that 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 is 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 (h).

Pli. Well, neighbour Obstinate (saith Phable), I begin to come to a point; I intended 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?

(d) Luke xv. 17. (g) Luke ix. 62.

(e) I Pet. i. 4.
(h) Heb. ix. 17, 22.

(f) Heb. xi. 16.

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. Come 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.

Pii. Come, neighbour Christian, since there are none but us two bere, 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, 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 (i).

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 (k).

Phi. 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 (/).

(i) Titus i. 2. (k) Isa. xlv. 17. John x. 27, 28, 29.
(1) 2 Tim. iv. 8. Rev. xxii. 5. Matt. xiii. 43.

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 (m).

Pli. And what company shall we have there?

Chr. There we shall be with seraphims and cherubims; creatures that will dazzle your eyes to look onthem (2): 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 (o): there we shall see the holy virgins with their golden harps (p): there we shall see men, that by the world were cut in pieces, burut 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 garment (q.)

Ph. 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 substane of which is, it we be truly willing to have it, he will bestow it upon us freely (› ).

Pi. Well, my good companion, glad am I to hearof these things: Come on, let us mead our pace. Chr. I cannot go so fast as I would, by reason of this burden that is on my back,

Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk, they drew nigh to a very miry slough that was in the midst of the plain; and they beg heedless, did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of the slough was Despond. Here therefore

(m) Isa. xv, 8. Rev. vii. 16, 17, and xxi. 4. 1 Thes. iv 16, 17. Rev. v. 11. 1-5.(q) John xii. 25. John vii. 37, and vi. 37.

(2) Isa. vi 2,

(p) Rev xiv.. (r) Isa. lv, 12.

(0) Rev. iv. 4.
Cor. v. 2, 3, 4.
Rev. xxi, 6. and xxii. 17..