that there was no dwelling, but with the danger of ruin, any longer in our town. But yet I came away with a heavy heart, not for that I was unwilling to come away, but for that so many of my relations were left behind.

And I come with all the desire of my heart, and will go, if I may, with Christiana, unto her husband, and his King.

Inter. Thy setting out is good, for thou hast given credit to the truth; thou art a Ruth who did, for the love she bare to Naomi, and to the Lord her God, leave father and mother, and the land of her nativity, to come out and go with a people that she knew not before, Ruth, ii. 11, 12. The Lord recompense thy work, and full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust."

66

Now supper was ended, and preparation was made for bed: the women were laid singly alone, and the boys by themselves. Now when Mercy was in bed, she could not sleep for joy, for that now her doubts of missing at last, were removed farther from her than ever they were before. So she lay blessing and praising God, who had such favour for her.

EXPLANATORY NOTES;

CHRISTIANS have need of watchfulness as they pass through this evil world; for so many are its pleasing snares, that it may well be called, The Devil's Garden. Young pilgrims are especially in danger, for they are apt to cast a wishful eye on its tempting fruit; which, however sweet in the mouth, will prove painful and poisonous in its effects. The Lord defend our youth, and enable parents to be faithful and diligent in cautioning their children against the pleasures of sin.

Too many ill-favoured ruffians lurk about the Devil's garden, in this age of debauchery, whose diabolical delight consists in the seduction of female virtue. Their too frequent success emboldness them to attempt even the most religious characters; for such abandoned wretches persuade themselves, that none are proof against importunity and opportunity: but where grace reigns they will find themselves mistaken. Fervent prayer will insure the interference of Christ the great Reliever, who is ever at hand to assist his people, and will, with the stongest temptations, make a way for their escape. Let all, who feel their own weakness, or behold the dangers of others, learn by our pilgrims' negligence to petition their Lord for a Conductor. Christiana and Mercy profited bytheir mistake: they were ready to confess their folly, while they ascribe their deliverance to the riches of grace," and "the mere good pleasure of Christ."

Our pilgrims were gladly received at the Interpreter's house. Such is the love of the Spirit," that he freely receives and fully instructs all who apply for his teaching. Every inhabitant of the house rejoiceth, for "old saints are glad to see young ones walk in the ways of God."—" One smiled, and another smiled, and they all smiled," while humbled Christiana reproaches herself as that hard-hearted. woman," who suffered her husband to become a pilgrim alone.

Besides the improving lessons which Christian received at this place, several new ones are here added; but they are so illustrated by the Interpreter, as to stand in need of no farther explanation. Let us only mention them in a practical

manner.

The man with the muck-rake is a character too common even in the church of God. Awful thought! Straws, and sticks, and dust, preferred to Christ and salvation!”

"If angels weep, it is at such a sight!"

Let every reader cry, Lord, deliver me from this muck-rake!

The spider is a striking emblem of our sinful nature: we are ready to shudder when we see a spider, but if we are taught of God, we shall, with Job, abhor ourselves. The hen and chickens is a similitude used by our Lord himself, Matt. xxiii. 37. And happy are they who have much an acquaintance with the loving-kindness of Jesus, as induces them to put their trust under the shadow of his wings. The patient sheep reminded the pilgrims of their suffering Saviour,

who was led as a lamb to the slaughter. May the Lord direct our hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Jesus Christ, that the lamb-like spirit, which was in him, may be in us. The garden adorned with a variety of flowers, afforded a lesson of christian candour and forbearance-Let us bless God for whatever we see of good in any, though it may not exactly suit our standard of taste. The fruitless field was a caution against barrenness of soul-Let every reader remember, that it is by bringing forth much fruit, that our heavenly Father is glorified. The pretty robin, feeding on a spider, is a strong emblem of those deceitful professors of religion, who appear in public as the followers of the Lamb, and the friends of holiness, but who, in secret, can "gobble up spiders"-can feed on the empty vanities and the poisonous lusts of the world. The Lord deliver us from this hypocrisy !

Thus were our pilgrims entertained and profited at the Interpreter's house; and thus happy are the scholars of the Holy Ghost. Blessed are the spiritually-minded, for they have life and peace!

CHAP. IV.

The Pilgrims, conducted by Great-heart, proceed on their journey.

IN the morning they rose with the sun, and pre

pared themselves for their departure; but the Interpreter would have them tarry awhile, for, said he, You must orderly go from hence. Then said he to the damsel, that first opened unto them, Take them and have them into the garden to the bath, and there wash them and make them clean from the soi!, which they have gathered by travelling. Then Innocent, the damsel, took them, and led them into the garden, and brought them to the bath; so she told them, That there they must wash and be clean, for so her master would have the women to do, that called at his house, as they were going on

pilgrimage. Then they went in and washed, yea, they and the boys and all; and they came out of that bath, not only sweet and clean, but also much enlivened and strengthened in their joints. So when they came in, they looked fairer a deal, than when they went out to the washing.

When they were returned out of the garden from the bath, the Interpreter took them and looked upon them, and said unto them, "Fair as the moon.' Then he called for the seal, wherewith they used to be sealed that are washed in his bath. So the seal was brought, and he set his mark upon them, that they might be known in the places, whither they were yet to go: Now the seal was the contents and sum of the passover which the children of Israel did eat (a), when they came out of the land of Egypt; and the mark was set between their eyes. This seal greatly added to their beauty, for it was an ornament to their faces. It also added to the gravity, and made their countenance more like those of angels.

Then said the Interpreter again to the damsel that waited upon the women, Go into the vestry, and fetch out garments for these people so she went and fetched out white raiment, and laid it down before him; so he commanded them to put it on. "It was fine linen, white and clean." When the women were thus adorned, they seemed to be a terror one to the other; for that they could not see that glory each one had in herself, which they could see in each other. Now, therefore, they began to esteem each other better than themselves. For you are fairer than I am, said one; and you are more comely than I am, said another. The children also stood amazed, to see into what fashion they were brought.

The Interpreter then called for a man-servant of his, one Great-heart, and bid him take sword, and helmet, and shield; and take these my daughters,

said he; conduct then to the house called Beautiful,
at which place they will rest next. So he took his
weapons and went before them; and the Interpreter
said, God speed. Those also that belonged to the
family sent them away with many a good wish.
they went on their way, and sang:

This place has been our second stage,
Here we have heard and seen

Those good things that from age to age,
To others hid have been.
The dunghill-raker, spider, hen,
The chicken too, to me

Hath taught a lesson, let me then
Comformed to it be.

The butcher, garden, and the field,
The robin, and his bait,
Also the rotten tree doth yield
Me argument of weight;

To move me for to watch and pray,
To strive to be sincere ;

To take my cross up day by day,
And serve the Lord with fear.

So

Now I saw in my dream, that those went on, and Great-heart before them; so they went and came to the place where Christian's burden fell off his back, and tumbled into a sepulchre. Here then they made a pause; here also they blessed God. Now, said Christiana, it comes to my mind, what was said to us at the gate, to wit, That we should have pardon by word and deed; by word, that is, by the promise; by deed, to wit, in the way it was obtained. What the promise is, of that I know something: but what it is to have pardon by deed, or in the way that it was obtained, Mr. Great-heart, I suppose you know, which, if you please, let us have your discourse thereof.

Great-heart. Pardon by the deed done, is pardon obtained by some one for another that hath need thereof: not by the person pardoned, but in the way, saith another, in which I have obtained it. So