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CHRISTIAN'S SORROWFUL REFLECTIONS.

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back to look for his roll. But all the way he went back, who can sufficiently set forth the sorrow of Chris.. tian's heart? Sometimes he sighed, sometimes he wept, and oftentimes he chid himself for being so foolish to fall asleep in that place, which was erected only for a little refreshment for his weariness. Thus, therefore, he went back, carefully looking on this side and on that, all the way as he went, if happily he might find the roll that had been his comfort so many times in his journey. He went thus till he came again in sight of the arbour where he sat and slept; but that sight renewed his sorrow the more, by bringing again, even afresh, his evil of sleeping into his mind.* Thus therefore he now went on bewailing his sinful sleep, saying, "O wretched man that I am!" that I should sleep in the day time! (a) that I should sleep in the midst of difficulty! that I should so indulge the flesh, as to use that rest for ease to my flesh, which the Lord of the hill hath erected only for the relief of the spirits of pilgrims! How many steps have I took in vain! Thus it happened to Israel, for their sin they were sent back again by the way of the Red Sea and I am made to tread those steps with sorrow, which I might have trod with delight, had it not been for this sinful sleep. How far might I have been on my way by this time! I am made to tread those steps thrice over, which I needed to have trod but once :† yea, now also I am like to be benighted, for the day is al. most spent ;-O that I had not slept!

Look to your spirits, Christians. See if you have not after-sorrow for former indulgences. But it is far better to be crying “O wretched man that I am," than to be alive to carnal confidences, and dead to the desire of spiritual comforts.

+ Christian's perplexity, fear, sorrow, remorse, redoubled earnestness, complaints, and self-reproachings, when he missed his roll, and went back to seek it, exactly suit the experience of numbers, who through unwatchfulness, are brought into a state of uncertainty. Nothing can afford com,

(a) 1 Thess, v. 7, 8. Rev. ii. 4, 5.

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CHRISTIAN SEEKS AND FINDS HIS ROLL.

Now by this time he was come to the arbour again, where for a while he sat down and wept; but at last (as God would have it,) looking sorrowfully down under the settle, there he spied his roll; the which he with trembling and haste catched up and put in his bosom. But who can tell how joyful this man was when he had gotten his roll again? For this roll was the assurance of his life, and acceptance at the desired haven. Therefore he laid it up in his bosom, gave God thanks for directing his eye to the place where it lay, and with joy and tears betook himself again to his journey.* But O how nimbly now did he go up the rest of the hill!-Yet before he got up, the sun went down upon Christian; and this made him again recall the vanity of his sleeping to his remembrance; and thus he again began to condole with himself: "O thou sinful sleep! how for thy sake am I like to be benighted in my journey! I must walk without the sun, darkness must cover the path of my feet, and I must hear the noise of doleful creatures, because of my sinful sleep!" Now also he remembered the story that Mistrust and Timorous told him of, how they were frighted with the sight of the lions. Then said Christian to himself again,

fort to a mind that has enjoyed an assurance of the favour of God; but that love which is "better than life :" and such is the abundant mercy of Jeho vah, that he imparts light and power to the humble soul, who, by means of extraordinary diligence, with renewed application to the blood of Jesus, will in time recover his warranted confidence which.he lost, and God will "restore to him the joy of his salvation :" but he must as it were, pass repeatedly over the same ground with sorrow, which had it not been for his negligence, he might have passed at once with comfort.

This means a fresh sense of the love and peace of God, and joy in the Holy Ghost, through faith in Christ Jesus. Mind with what alacrity and speed Pilgrim now pursues his journey. O this rich blessing of assurance is not enough prized, and too little sought for by professors. But how can any be content without it? It is impossible for them to be happy, and to rejoice in the Lord, without a real, scriptural assurance of his love and favour. It is this which adds wings to faith, liveliness to hope, joy to love, and cheerfulness to obedience. Plead the precious promises: be not content without the enjoyment of the blessings contained in them. Says our Lord, "Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full." John xvi. 24.

THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL.

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These beasts range in the night for their prey; and if they should meet with me in the dark, how should I shift them? how should I escape being by them torn in pieces? Thus he went on. But, while he was bewailing his unhappy miscarriage, he lifted up his eyes; and, behold, there was a very stately palace before him, the name of which was Beautiful, and it stood by the highway side.

Hitherto Christian has been a solitary pilgrim: but we must next consider him as admitted to the communion of the faithful, and joining with them in the most solemn public ordinances. This is represented under the emblem of the House BEAUTIFUL, and the pilgrim's entertainment in it, as described in the subsequent pages. Mr. Bunyan here manifests much candour and liberality of sentiment; and his representations may suit the admission of any new members into the society of professed Christians in any communion, where a serious regard to spiritual religion is in this respect maintained.

It certainly would be very desirable, that Christian societies should be formed according to the principles here exhibited: such would indeed be very beautiful, honourable to God, conducive to mutual edification, and examples to the world around them. Different expedients have been adopted for thus promoting the communion of saints; the advantages resulting therefrom has been incalculable: but surely even more might be done, than is at present, perhaps any where, were all concerned to attempt it boldly, earnestly, and with united efforts.

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THE PORTER QUESTIONS CHRISTIAN.

CHAPTER VIII.

CHRISTIAN SAFELY PASSES THE LIONS; AND ARRIVES AT THE HOUSE CALLED BEAUTIFUL, WHERE HE IS KINDLY RECEIVED, AND AGREEABLY ENTERTAINED,

SO I saw in my dream, that he made haste and went forward, that if possible he might get lodging there. Now before he had gone far he entered into a very narrow passage, which was about a furlong off the Por ter's lodge; and looking very narrowly before him as he went, he spied two lions in the way,* Now, thought he, I see the danger that Mistrust and Timorous were driven back by. (The lions were chained, but he saw not the chains.) Then he was afraid, and thought also himself to go back after them; for he thought nothing but death was before him. But the Porter at the lodge, whose name is Watchful, perceiving that Christian made a halt, as if he would go back, cried unto him, saying, "Is thy strength so small?(a) Fear not the lions, for they are chained, and are placed there for trial of faith where it is, and for discovery of those that have none: keep in the midst of the path, and no hurt shall come unto thee."

Then I saw that he went on trembling for fear of the lions; but taking good heed to the directions of the Porter, he heard them roar, but they did him no harm. Then he clapped his hands, and went on till he

The two lions may signify to us, the roaring of the devil and the world against us: but both are chained, they cannot go one link beyond what our God permits. Sometimes we may see the chain, and unscriptural fearg may beset us. But this is the watch-word of our Lord, FEAR NOT,

(a) Mark iv. 40.,

DISCRETION COMES OUT TO HIM.

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came and stood before the gate where the Porter was.* Then said Christian to the Porter, Sir, what house is. this? and, may I lodge here to-night? The Porter answered, This house was built by the Lord of the hill, and he built it for the relief and security of pilgrims. The Porter also asked whence he was? and whither he was going?

CHR. I am come from the city of Destruction, and am going to mount Zion; but, because the sun is now şet, I desire, if I may, to lodge here to-night.

POR. What is your name?

CHR. My name is now Christian, but my name at the first was Graceless :† I came of the race of Japheth, whom God will persuade to dwell in the tents of Shem.(a)

POR. But how doth it happen that you come so late? The sun is set.

CHR. I had been here sooner, but that, wretched man that I am! I slept in the arbour that stands on the hill-side. Nay, I had, notwithstanding that, been here much sooner, but that in my sleep I lost my evidence,‡ and came without it to the brow of the hill; and then feeling for it, and finding it not, I was forced, with sorrow of heart, to go back to the place where I slept my sleep; where I found it, and now I am come.§

POR. Well, I will call out one of the virgins of this place, who will, if she like your talk, bring you in to

A minister of Christ, one who is watchful for the good of souls. O how precious are they to pilgrims' hearts! See the sweet encouragement and blessed advice Pilgrim obtained from him.

O soul, did you ever know that this was your name? Hast thou tasted that the Lord is rich in grace to graceless sinners? O then sing of free grace and unmerited love, every step of thy pilgrimage.

Look well to your roll. Beware of losing your assurance. See the evil of it; it keeps the soul back. Many have lost it, and have never found it. None ought to be admitted into the church of Christ, but such as can give good evidence that they are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, and are sincere pilgrims in the way to the heavenly city.

(a) Gen. ix. 27.

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