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with a beckon of farewell to thofe who followed her to the river-fide. The last words that fhe was

heard to say, were, I come, Lord, to be with thee, and bless thee.

Her children and friends returned to their place, for those who waited for Chriftiana had carried her out of their fight. And fhe went and called, and entered in at the gate with all the ceremonies of joy that her husband Christian had entered with before her.

At her departure the children wept. But Mr. Great-heart and Mr. Valiant played upon the welltuned cymbal and harp for joy. So all departed to their refpective places.

In process of time there came a poft to the town again, whose business was with Mr. Ready-to-halt. He enquired him out, and said, I am come to thee in the name of him whom thou haft loved and followed, though upon crutches. My meffage is to tell thee, that he expects thee at his table to fup with him in his kingdom the next day after Easter: wherefore prepare thyself for thy journey.

Then he also gave him a token that he was a true meffenger, faying, I have broken the golden bowl, and loofed the filver cord.

After this, Mr. Ready-to-halt called for his fellow pilgrims, and told them, faying, I am fent for, and God fhall furely vifit you also. So he defired Mr. Valiant to make his will. And because he had nothing to bequeath to them who should survive

him,

him, but his crutches, and his good wishes, therefore he faid thus, Thefe crutches I bequeath to my fon, that fhall tread in my fteps, with an hundred warm wishes that he may prove better than I have been.

Then he thanked Mr. Great-heart for his conduct and kindness, and fo addreffed himself to his journey. When he came to the brink of the river, he faid, Now I fhall have no more need of these crutches, fince yonder are chariots and horfes for me to ride on. The laft words which he was heard to fay were, Welccine life. So he went his way. After this, Mr. Feeble-mind had tidings brought him, that the poft founded his horn at his chamberdoor; who came in, and told him, faying, I am come to tell thee, that thy Master hath need of thee, and that in a very little time thou must behold his face in brightness: and take this as a token of the truth of my meffage, Thofe that look out at the windows fhall be darkened.

Then Mr. Feeble-mind called for his friends, and told them what errand had been brought to him, and what token he had received of the truth of the meffage. Then he faid, Since I have nothing to bequeath, to what purpose fhall I make a will? As for my feeble mind, that indeed I will leave behind, for I have no need of it in the place whither I am going; nor is it worth bestowing upon the poorest pilgrims: wherefore, when I am gone, I defire that you, Mr. Valiant, will bury it in a dunghill. This Ff

done,

done, and the day being come in which he was to depart, he entered the river as the reft: his laft words were, Hold out, faith and patience. So he went over to the other fide.

When many days had paffed away, Mr. Despondency was fent for; a poft came, who brought this meffage to him: Trembling man, these are to summon thee to be ready with the King by the next Lord's day, to fhout for joy, for deliverance from all thy doubtings. And, faid the meffenger, that my meffage is true, take this for a proof: fo he gave him a grafshopper to be a burden unto him. Now Mr. Defpondency's daughter, whofe name was Muchafraid, faid, when he heard what was done, that fhe would go with her father. Then Mr. Despondency faid to his friends, As to myself and my daughter, you know what we have been, and how troublesome we have behaved ourfelves in every company: my will, and my daughter's, is, That our defponds and flavish fears be by no man received, from the day of our departure, even for ever. But I know that after my death they will offer themfelves to others; for, to be plain with you, they are guests which we entertained when we first began to be pilgrims, and we could never shake them off entirely after they will walk about, and feek entertainment among pilgrims; but for our fakes, fhut the doors upon them.

When the time was come for them to depart, they went up to the brink of the river. The last

8

words

words of Mr. Defpondency were, Farewell, night; welcome, day. His daughter went through the river finging, but none could understand what fhe faid.

Then it came to pass a while after, that there was a post in the town, who inquired for Mr. Honeft. So he came to the house where he was, and delivered into his hands thefe lines: Thou art commanded to be ready, against this day fevennight, to present thyself before thy Lord, at his Father's house. And for a token that my meffage is true, All the daughters of mufic fhall be brought low. Then Mr. Honeft called for his friends, and faid unto them, I die, but fhall make no will. As for my honefty, it shall go with me; let him who comes after be told of this. When the day came that he was to go, he addreffed himself to pass over the river. Now the river at that time overflowed the banks in fome places; but Mr. Honest in his lifetime had spoken to one Good-conscience to meet him there, which he did, and lent him his hand, and fo helped him over. The laft words of Mr. Honest were, Grace reigns: fo he left the world.

After this, it was noifed abroad that Mr. Valiantfor-truth was served with a fummons by the fame poft as the other; and had this for a token that the fummons was true, That his pitcher was broken at the fountain. When he understood it, he called for his friends, and told them of it. Then, faid he, I am going to my Father's, and though with great difficulty I have got hither, yet now I do not repent me

of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him who shall fucceed me in my pilgrimage; and my courage and skill to him who can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be witneffes for me, that I have fought his battle who now will be my rewarder. When the day came that he must go hence, many accompanied him to the river-fide, into which as he went, he faid, Death, where is now thy fting? And as he went down deeper, he faid, Grave, where is now thy victory? So he paffed over, and all the trumpets founded for his arrival on the other fide.

Then came forth a fummons for Mr. Standfast. This Mr. Standfaft was he whom the pilgrims found upon his knees in the Enchanted Ground. The poft brought it him open in his hands. The contents whereof were, That he must prepare for a change of life, for his Mafter was not willing that he fhould be so far from him any longer. At this Mr. Standfaft was put into a mufe: Nay, faith the mesfenger, you need not doubt the truth of my meffage; for here is a token of the truth thereof, Thy wheel is broken at the ciftern. Then he called to him Mr. Great-heart, who was their guide, and faid unto him, Sir, although it was not my hap to be much in your good company in the days of my pilgrimage, yet, fince the time I knew you, you have been profitable to me. When I came from home, I left behind me a wife, and five fmall children; let me entreat you, at your return (for I

know

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