and it is as common, said they, as this hill is to and for all the pilgrims. And when thou' comest there, from thence thou mayst see to the gate of the cœlestial city; as the shepherds that live there will make

appear.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

THE house called Beautiful, signifies a visible church of Christ, or a society of regenerate persons, who voluntarily associate to enjoy the means of grace, for the glory of God, and their mutual edification. Such a church is beautiful indeed; far surpassing all the painted glories of this vain world. Christian, who had as yet pursued his journey alone, is now introduced to the communion of saints. Man was formed for society; and it is both the duty and privilege of real christians to glorify God, by a professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, in joining with his people in all his appointments.

In his approach to the house, he was terrified with the sight of two lions; which may signify, the world and the devil, who ever oppose a full profession of religion, and frequently deter timorous professors from church fellowship. They were chained indeed, but not seeing the chains, he was filled with fear. Many of the fears of sincere persons are needless and unscriptural; and they would cease, if faith were in exercise to see, that all enemies are restrained by Divine Power. It is well for the feeble-minded, if they enjoy the ministry of some faithful pastor, like Watchful, to encourage them in such circumstances.

The conversation between the pilgrim and several persons belonging to the family, intimates the necessity of Discretion in the admission of church members. None but such who make a credible profession of faith in Christ, and obedience to him, are proper subjects of communion; and in forming a judgment of their qualifications, Prudence, Piety, and Charity are indispensably necessary.

Christian relates to Piety a brief account of his conversion, and ascribes it only to the distinguishing grace of God, saying, "It was as God would have it." Prudence asked several questions (quite in character); to which he answers in a

manner sweetly experimental. The methods he adopted to vanquish carnal thoughts, deserve particular regard: namely, "thinking on what he saw at the cross," or dwelling on the dying love of Christ; "looking upon his embroidered coast," or contemplating the all-glorious and perfect righteousness of the adorable Redeemer, which clothed his naked soul;— "looking into his roll," or reviewing his evidences of interest in Christ :-and, lastly, meditating on the glory and happiness of the heavenly world, to which he was hastening Happy souls, who thus oppose their corruptions! The hope he ex-presses of glory is founded on right views. For while carnal men wish for heaven, only that they may avoid hell, the believer desires it, because he " hopes to be with Jesus; to see "him alive who once hung dead on the cross; to be perfectly "free from sin, and enjoy the company he likes best."

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Charity asks Christian one question, which every one, who professes to wish for the salvation of others, should ask him self. Christian had used many arguments to persuade his family and friends to accompany him: "But did you not (said she) with your vain life damp all your persuasions?" Happy is the man who can answer with him: “Nay, I think "I may say, that if what they saw in me did hinder them, it "was my great tenderness in sinning against God, or doing "any wrong to my neighbour." O for more of his holy love to God and souls!

Their supper, at the house Beautiful, seems to intend the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, which is a feast of fat things, &c. Their whole conversation was about the Lord of the hill, and his unparalleled love to poor sinners; and it would be happy, if christians, when they meet together, would labour to promote spiritual and edifying conversation, to the exclusion of levity and scandal.

Christian slept in the chamber of peace with God, and was led in the morning into the study. Christians are biblestudents; and the morning is a very proper time to read the word of Christ, that it may dwell in us richly all the day. From the top of the house he beheld the Delectable Mountains. Lively christians, in the diligent improvement of ordinances, are sometimes favoured with such views of greater attainments and richer privileges yet before them, that they are animated to "press forward toward the mark, for the "prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Great is the Lord our God,
And let his praise be great;
He makes his churches his abode,
His most delightful seat.

These temples of his grace,

How beautiful they stand!
The honours of our native place,
And bulwarks of our land.

WATTS.

CHAP. IX.

Christian enters the Valley of Humiliation, where he is fiercely assaulted by Apollyon, but overcomes him.

Now Christian bethonght himself of setting for

ward, and they were willing he should. But first, said they, let us go again into the armory: so they did: and when he came there, they harnessed him from head to foot, with what was of proof, lest perhaps he should meet with assaults in the way. He being therefore thus accoutred, walked out with his friends to the gate, and there he asked the porter, if he saw any pilgrim pass by? then the Porter answered, Yes.

Chr. Pray did you know him? said he.

Porter. I asked his name, and he told me it was Faithful.

Chr. O, said Christian, I know him; he is my townsman, my near neighbour; he comes from the place where I was born: How far do you think he may be before?

Port. He is got by this time below the hill.

Chr. Well, said Christian, good porter, the Lord be with thee, and add to all thy blessings much increase for the kindness that thou hast showed to me.

Then he began to go forward; but Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence, would accompany him down to the foot of the hill. So they went on together, reiterating their former discourses, till they

came to go down the hill. Then said Christian, As it was difficult coming, so, so far as I can see, it is dangerous going down. Yes, said Prudence, so it is; for it is a hard matter for a man to go down into the Valley of Humiliation, as thou art now, and to catch no slip by the way; therefore, said they, are we come out to accompany thee down the hill. So he began to go down, but very warily; yet he caught a slip or two.

Then I saw in my dream, that these good companions (when Christian was got down to the bottom of the hill) gave him a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, and a cluster of raisins: and then he went his way.

But now in this Valley of Humiliation, poor Christian was hard put to it; for he had gone but a little way before he espied a foul fiend coming over the field to meet him: his name is Apollyon. Then did Christian begin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind whether to go back or to stand his ground. But he considered again, that he had no armour for his back, and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him greater advantages, with ease, to pierce him with his darts; therefore he resolved to venture, and stand his ground: for, thought he, had I no more in mine eye than the saving of my life, itwould be the best way to stand.

So he went on, and Apollyon met him: Now the monster was hideous to behold; he was clothed with scales like a fish (and they are his pride); he had wings like a dragon, feet like a bear, and out of his belly came fire and smoke, and his mouth was as the mouth of a lion. When he came up to Christian, be behold him with a disdainful countenance, and thus began to question him.

pollyon. Whence come you? and whither are you

bound?

Chr. I am come from the city of Destruction,

which is the place of all evil, and am going to the city of Zion.

Apol. By this I perceive thou art one of my subjects; for all that country is mine, and I am the prince and god of it. How is it then that thou hast run away from thy king? Were it not that I hope thou mayst do me more service, I would strike thee now, at one blow, to the ground.

Chr. I was born indeed in your dominions, but your service was hard, and your wages such as a man could not live on; "For the wages of sin is death (a)." Therefore, when I was come to years, I did as other considerate persons do, look out, if perhaps I might mend myself.

Apol. There is no prince that will thus lightly lose his subjects, neither will I as yet lose thee; but since thou complainest of thy service and wages, be content to go back; what our country will afford, I do here promise to give thee.

Chr. But I have let myself to another, even to the King of princes, and how can I, with fairness, go back with thee?

Apol. Thou hast done in this according to the proverb, "Change a bad for a worse:" but it is ordinary for those that have professed themseves his servants, after a while to give him the slip, and return again to me: do thou so too, and all shall be well.

Chr. I have given him my faith, and sworn my allegiance to him: how then can I go back from this, and not be hanged as a traitor?

Apol. Thou didst the same to me, and yet I am willing to pass by all, if now thou wilt yet turn and go back.

Chr. What I promised thee was in my non-age; and besides, I count that the Prince under whose banner now I stand, is able to absolve me; yea, and to pardon also what I did as to my compliance with thee: And besides, O thou destroying Apollyon!

(a) Rom. vi. 23.