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the contrary, must be partakers of the fevereft judg

ment.

Hope. Doubtless thou haft faid the truth; but what a mercy is it, that neither thou, but especially I, am not made this example? This miniftereth occafion to us to thank God, to fear before him, and always to remember Lot's wife.

I faw then, that they went on their way to a pleafant river, which David the King called the River of God, but John, the River of the Water of Life, Now their way lay just upon the bank of this river: here therefore Christian and his companion walked with great delight; they drank alfo of the water of the river, which was pleasant, and enlivening to their weary spirits: besides, on the banks of this river, on either fide, were green trees, for all manner of fruit; and they eat the leaves to prevent furfeits, and other diseases that are incident to thofe who heat their blood by travels. On either fide of the river was also a meadow, curiously beautified with lilies; and it was green all the year long. In this meadow they lay down and flept: for here they might lie down fafely. When they awoke, they gathered again of the fruit of the trees, and drank again of the water of the river, and then lay down again to fleep. Thus they did several days and nights. Then they fang:

Behold ye, how these crystal streams do glide,

To comfort pilgrims, by the highway fide.

The

The meadows green, befides their fragrant fmell,

Yield dainties for them: and he that can tell

What pleasant fruit, yea, leaves, these trees do yield,
Will foon fell all, that he may buy this field.

So when they were difpofed to go on (for they were not as yet at their journey's end), they eat and drank, and departed.

Now I beheld, in my dream, that they had not journeyed far, but the river and the way for a time parted, at which they were not a little forry, yet they durft not go out of the way. Now the way from the river was rough, and their feet tender by reason of their travels: fo the fouls of the pilgrims were much discouraged because of the way. Wherefore ftill as they went on, they wished for a better way. Now, a little before them, there was on the left hand of the road a meadow, and a ftile to go over into it; that meadow is called By-Path Meadow. Then faid Chriftian to his fellow, If this meadow lieth along by our way-fide, let us go over into it. Then he went to the ftile to fee, and be

hold

That which is not right must be wrong: no lie is of the truth; therefore, if we abide not in Chrift, who is the true and living way, if we depart from him ever fo little, we must certainly get into a by-path. There is many a by-path which feems right to a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.. If we follow our carnal reasoning, and judge from outward appearance, we shall certainly get into fome by-path, where our feet will be entangled. The best caution I can give others, or take myself, is, not to look for doctrines the commandments

hold a path lay along by the way, on the other fide of the fence. 'Tis according to my wish, said Chriftian, here is the easiest going; come, good Hopeful, and let us go over.

Hope. But how if this path fhould lead us out of the way?

Chr. That's not likely, faid the other. Look, doth it not go along by the way-fide? So Hopeful, being perfuaded by his fellow, went after him over the ftile. When they were gone over, and were got into the path, they found it very eafy for their feet; and withal, looking before them, they espied a man walking as they did (his name was Vain Confidence), fo they called after him, and asked him, whither that way led? He faid, to the celeftial gate. Look, faid Chriftian, did not I tell you fo? By this you may fee we are right; fo they followed, and he went before them. But behold, the night came on, and it grew very dark; fo that they who were behind loft the fight of him who went before.

He therefore who went before (Vain Confidence by name) not seeing the way before him, fell into a deep pit; which was made there on purpose by the prince of those grounds, to catch vain-glorious fools withal; and was dashed in pieces with his fall.

of men, nor to build our faith upon the opinion of men; but to make the scriptures our only rule of faith and practice; to look up to God for the teaching of his bleffed Spirit, that he might lead us into all truth, give us a right judgment in all things, and keep our feet from the ways of death.

Now

Now Chriftian and his fellow heard him fall. So they called to know the matter, but there was none to answer, only they heard a groaning. Then faid Hopeful, Where are we now? But his fellow was filent, as mistrusting that he had led him out of the way and it now began to rain, and thunder and lighten in a most dreadful manner, fo that the waters rose amain.

Then Hopeful groaned in himself, faying, Oh, that I had kept on my way!

Chr. Who would have thought that this path would have led us out of the way?

Hope. I was afraid of it at the very first, and therefore gave you that gentle caution. I would have spoken plainer, but that you are older than I.

Chr. Good brother, be not offended, I am forry I have brought thee out of the way, and that I have thee into fuch imminent danger: pray, my broput ther, forgive me; I did not do it with an evil in

tent.

Hope. Be comforted, my brother, for I forgive thee; and believe too, that this shall be for our good. Chr. I am glad I have met with a merciful brother but we must not ftand thus; let's try to go back again.

The thunder and lightning plainly fhews where this bypath leads; not to Zion, but to Sinai. If you fet one step over the ftile, by giving way to the workings of a legal and felf-righteous fpirit, you are immediately within the territories of defpair.

Hope.

Hope. But, good brother, let me go before.

Chr. No, if you pleafe, let me go firft; that, if there be any danger, I may be firft therein; because by my means we are both gone out of the way.

Hope. No, faid Hopeful, you fhall not go first; for your mind being troubled, may lead you out of the way again.

Then, for their encouragement, they heard the voice of one faying, "Let thine heart be towards the high-way; even the way that thou wenteft, turn again." But, by this time, the waters were greatly rifen, by reason of which the way of going back was very dangerous, (Then, thought I, it is eafier going out of the way when we are in, than going in when we are out.) Yet they adventured to go back, but it was fo dark, and the flood was fo high, that in their going back they had like to have been drowned nine or ten times. Neither could they, with all the skill they had, get again to the stile that night, Wherefore at laft, lighting under a little shelter, they fat down there till the day-break; but, being weary, they fell asleep.

There was, not far from the place where they lay, a caftle, called Doubting-Caftle', the owner whereof

There is a difference between Doubting-Caftle, in which thefe pilgrims were confined, and the iron cage, in which Chriftian faw the man at the Interpreter's houfe. The man confined in the iron cage had no hope; but this was not the case with thefe pilgrims. Though forely beaten by Despair, and

confined

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