he bid them go on their way, and take good heed to the other directions of the Shepherds. So they thanked him for all his kindness, and went softly along the right way singing: Come hither, you that walk along the way, EXPLANATORY NOTES. A NEW but a very common character presents itself in this chapter. Ignorance is the name of every natural man. We are all born in the country of Conceit. Being igno"rant of the righteousnesness" required by the law, and the righteousness of Christ revealed in the gospel, "we go about (as the Jews did), to establish our own righteousness, not submitting ourselves to the righteousness of God," Rom. x. 3. Such persons think to be saved as well as others, because they are good livers;-pay every man his own, and perform some religious duties; but they know nothing of Christ, as the Door and the Way; and will be accounted thieves in the day of God; because they rob him of the glory of his grace, as it reigns in a sinner's salvation, through faith in the righte ousness of Christ. An awful scene was beheld by Christian and his companion. A professor named Turn-away, being bound with seven cords, was led by devils to the door of the by-way to hell. On his back was written, "Wanton professor, and "damnable apostate." Let this striking passage impress every reader's mind! Who is a wanton professor?-The man, who wishing to be thought a christian, discovers a light, trifling, worldly, wanton spirit ;-goes to the utmost bounds of every thing lawful:-dreads not the appearance of evil;-pleads for compliance with the spirit, fashions, and amusements of the carnal world;-freely associates with the enemies of the Lord; and cries out amidst all, What harm ;— This is the wanton professor; and it is an hundred to one, if, in a little time, he become not a dainnable apostate. From such a beginning, and such an end, good Lord deliver us! A very useful lesson may be learned from the robbery here related. A good man, cailed Little-Faith, happened to sleep on the road. Just as he awaked, three sturdy fellows attacked him, knocked him down, and robbed him of all his silver; and had not Great-Grace interposed, he had been murdered. The meaning is, that weak believers are very liable to lose their spiritual comforts. Faint-heartedness in the cause of Christ, and Mistrust of God's faithfulness, often bring Guilt upon the conscience, and deprive a sincere christian of his sensible comforts (here compared to pocket money). But his jewels were yet safe. His new nature, and his precious faith, were in the custody of Christ, and out of the reach of thieves. It may be observed, that LittleFaith, though weak, was sincere. He mourned for the loss of God's presence, and his affliction did not drive him to the world for comfort. His affections were set upon things above: " he could not live upon Esau's pottage," nor "feed on car"rion like the crow." True faith, however weak, distinguishes its possessor from the world; though it may not place him above fear and discouragement. But let the weakest of the flock take courage; they are as dear to Christ as the strong and his “Great-Grace” is engaged to keep them to the end, and make them more than conquerors. Poor Hopeful boasted a little too much; as those are apt to do who never were exercised as Little-Faith was. But the best improvement we can make of the falls of others is to mistrust ourselves, watch and pray; "take care to go out "harnessed, and to beg of Christ for a convoy, or rather "that he would go with us himself.” : Thus edifying each other, by useful conversation, who could have thought our pilgrims in danger? But they had forgotten "the note of the way," and the caution of the Shepherds, "to beware of the Flatterer." Their road seemed to branch out into two, that appeared parallel. Had they examined the note of the way, or the word of God, they had kept the right path. But the Flatterer was consulted, whose advice and example they followed, till they were entangled in his net. By this we may understand the danger of those principles or practices which promote pride and selflove. The Arminian notion of self-righteousness leads us from Christ; and the Antinomian idea, that we are so strong in the faith that we need not be so precise and scrupulous as others, is equally dangerous. These, or the praise of men, puff up the mind, and sadly entangle the soul. But, happy for the pilgrims, the Shining One appeared, and set them free. Christ will not leave his people in the net, but "visit "their transgression with the rod," and so "restore their soul." Often thus, thro' sin's deceit, CHAP. XVIII. The Pilgrims meet with Atheist, and pass over the Enchanted Ground. Now after awhile, they perceived afar off, one coming softly, and alone, all along the highway to meet them. Then said Christian to his fellow, Yonder is a man with his back towards Zion, and he is coming to meet us. Hope. I see him; let us take heed to ourscives now, lest he should prove a flatterer also. So he drew nearer and nearer, and at last came up to them. His name was Atheist, and he asked them whither they were going? Chr. We are going to Mount Zion. Then Atheist fell into a very great laughter. Ath. I laugh to see what ignorant persons you are to take upon you so tedious a journey, and yet are like to have nothing but your travel for your pains. Chr. Why, man! do you think we shall not be received? Ath. Received! there is no such place as you dream of in all this world. Chr. But there is in the world to come. Ath. When I was at home in mine own country, I heard as you now affirm, and from that hearing went out to sec, and have been seeking this city these twenty years, but find no more of it than I did the first day I set out (a). Chr. We have both heard, and believe that there is such a place to be found. Ath. Had not I, when at home, believed, I had not come thus far to seek; but finding none, (and yet I should, had there been such a place to be found, for I have gone to seek it farther than you) I am going back again, and will seek to refresh myself with the things that I then past away, for the hopes of that which I now see is not. Chr. Then said Christian to Hopeful, his companion, Is it true which this man hath said? Hope. Take heed, he is one of the Flatterers; remember what it hath cost us once already for our hearkening to such kind of fellows. What! no Mount Zion! Did we not see from the Delectable Mountains the gate of the city? Also, are we not now to walk by faith (b)? Let us go on, said Hopeful, lest the man with the whip overtake us again. You should have taught me that lesson, whica Is will round you in the ears withal: "Cease, my son,. "to bear the instruction that causeth to err from "the words of knowledge (c)." I say, my brother, cease to hear him, and let us believe to the saving of the soul (d). Chr. My brother, I did not put the question to thee, for that I doubted of the truth of your belief myself; but to prove to thee, and to fetch from thee á fruit of the honesty of thy heart. As for this man, I know that he is blinded by the god of this world. Let thee and I go on, knowing that we have belief · of the truth," and no lie is of the truth (e)." Hope. Now I do rejoice in hope of the glory of God: so they turned away from the man; and he, laughing at them, went his way. (a) Eccl. x. 15. (c) Prov. xix. 27. (b) 2 Cor. v. 7. I saw then in my dream, that they went till they came into a certain country, whose air naturally tended to make one drowsy if he came a stranger into it. And here Hopeful began to be very dull and heavy to sleep; wherefore he said unto Christian, I do now begin to grow so drowsy that I can scarcely hold open mine eyes: let us lie down here and take one nap. Chr. By no means (said the other) lest sleeping, we never awake more. Hope. Why, my brother? sleep is sweet to the labouring man; we may be refreshed if we take a nap. Chr. Do you not remember that one of the Shepherds bid us beware of the Enchanted Ground? He meant by that, that we should beware of sleeping: "wherefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us "watch and be sober (ƒ).” Hope. I acknowledge myself in a fault; and had I been here alone, I had by sleeping run the danger of death. I see it is true that the wise man saith: "Two are better than one (g).” Hitherto hath thy company been my mercy, and thou shalt have a good reward for thy labour. Chr. Now then, said Christian, to prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse. Hope. With all my heart, said the other. Chr. Where shall we begin? Hope. Where God began with us. But do begin if you please. Chr. I will sing you first a song. When saints do sleepy grow, let them come hither, Thus to keep ope their drowsy slumb'ring eyes; you (f) 1 Thes. v. 6. (g) Eccl. iv. 9. |