road in this place was, and how many that had come even thus far on pilgrimage, had here been stopt and been destroyed. I thought also of the manner of death with which this place destroyeth men. These that die here, die of no violent distemper: The death which such die, is not grievous to them. For he that goeth away in a sleep, begins that journey with desire and pleasure; yea, such acquiesce in the will of that disease.

Hon. Then Mr. Honest interrupting of him, said, Did you see the two men, asleep in the arbour?

Stardust. Ay, ay, I saw Heedless and Too-bold there; and for ought I know, there they will lie till they rot (d). But let me go on with my tale: As I was thus musing, as I said, there was one in very pleasant attire, but old, who presented herself unto ine, and offered me three things, to wit, her body, her purse, and her bed. Now the truth is, I was both weary and sleepy: I am also as poor as a howlet, and that perlas the witch knew. Well, I repulsed her once and again: but she put by my repulses, and smiled. Then I began to be angry, but she mattered that nothing at all.-Then she made offers again, and said, If I would be ruled by her, she would make me great and happy. For, said she, I am the mistress of the world, and men are made happy by me. Then I asked her name, and she told me it was Madam Bubble. This set me farther from her; but she still followed me, with enticements. Then I betcok me, as you saw, to my knees, and with hands lifted up, and cries, I prayed to him that had said he would help. So just as you came up, the gentlewoman went her way. Then I continued to give thanks for this great deliverance; for I verily believed she intended no good, but rather sought to make a stop of me in my journey.

Hon. Without doubt her designs were bad. But stay, now you talk of her, methinks I either have *seen her, or have read some story of her.

(d) Prov. x. 7.

Standfast. Perhaps you have done both.

Hon. Madam Bubble! is she not a tall, comely dame; something of a swarthy complexion?

Standfast. Right, you hit it. She is just such an

one.

Hon. Doth she not speak very smoothly, and give you a smile at the end of every sentence? Standfast. You fall right upon it again, for these are her very actions?

Hon. Doth she not wear a great purse by her side; and is not her hand often in it, fingering her money, as if that was her heart's delight?"

Standfast. 'Tis just so; had she stood by all this while, you could not more amply have set her forth before me, and have better described her features. Hon. Then he that drew her picture was a good limner, and he that wrote of her said true.

Great-heart. This woman is a witch; and it is by virtue of her sorceries, that this ground is enchanted [i. e. the world]: Whoever doth lay their head down in her lap, had as good lay it down upon that block -over which the axe doth hang; and whoever lays their eyes upon her beauty, are counted the enemies of God. This is she that maintaineth in their splendour, all those that are the enemies of pilgrims. Yea; this is she that hath brought off many a man from a pilgrim's life (e). She is a great gossipper; she is always, both she and her daughters, at one pilgrim's heels or another, now commending, and then preferring the excellencies of this life. She is a bold and impudent slut; she will talk with any man. She always laughed poor pilgrims to scorn, but highly commends the rich; if there be one cunning to get money in a place, she will speak well of him from house to house. She loveth banqueting and feasting mainly well: she is always at one full table or another. She has given it out at some places, that she is a goddess, and therefore some do worship her.

She has her time, and open places of cheating; and she will say, and avow it, That none can show a good comparable to her's. She promiseth to dwell with children's children, if they would but love and make much of her. She will cast out of her purse, gold like dust, in some places, and to some persons. She loves to be sought after, spoken well of, and to lie in the bosoms of men. She is never weary of commending her commodities, and she loves them most that think best of her. She will promise crowns and kingdoms, if they will but take her advice; yet many hath she brought to the halter, and ten thousand times more to hell.

Standiast. Oh! said Standfast, What a mercy it is that I did resist her; for whither might she have drawn me?

Great-heart. Whither! nay, none but God knows. But, in general, to be sure she would have drawn thee into "many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition (f)."

It was she that set Absalom against his father, and Jeroboam against his master. It was she that persuaded Judas to sell his Lord; and that prevailed with Demas to forsake the godly pilgrim's life: none can tell us of the mischief that she doth. She makes variance betwixt rulers and subjects, betwixt parents and children, betwixt neighbour and neighbour, betwixt a man and his wife, betwixt a man and himself, betwixt flesh and the spirit.

Wherefore, good Master Standfast, be as your name is, and when you have done all, Stand.

At this discourse there was, among the pilgrims, a mixture of joy and trembling: but at length they brake out and sang:

What danger is the pilgrim in !
How many are his foes!

How many ways there are to sin,
No living mortal knows.

(ƒ) 1 Tim. vi. 9.

Some in the ditch spoil'd are; yea can
Lie tumbling in the mire.

Some, though they shun the frying pan,
Do leap into the tire.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

THE christian's life, is a life of faith: hence, the word of God is exceedingly useful and precious to him; and therefore our author most wisely recommends it, by a variety of useful images. In the last chapter it was represented as a looking-glass of inestimable worth and excellence-the object of a believer's longing desires. Here it is compared to a sword of peculiar value-a right Jerusalem blade. A sword whose edge can never be blunted, and with which a skilful and bold believer might venture on an opposing angel. With this Mr. Valiant resisted unto blood, and vanquished all his wild-headed, inconsiderate, and pragmatic opposers.

The word of God is also compared to a map; with this he who was to guide others, was careful to guide himself, and thereby the pilgrims, when at a stand, were taught the right way, when in the midst of difficulties and dangers.

The word of God is farther compared to a lantern; to this we shall do well to take heed, as to light that shineth in a dark place. Let this be the pilgrim's guide, when the light of spiritual joy or sensible comforts is withdrawa.

Above all, Christian, beware of the Enchanted Ground-→ this present evil world. O how many are its infatuating objects! How many professors have slept their last sleep in its pleasing arbours! The flesh loves sloth and ease, and pleads hard for indulgence; but true pilgrims, like Mr. Standfast, will fall on their knees, and watch and pray, lest they enter into temptation. How properly is this vain world called Madam Bubble! "Vanity of vanities, vanity of vanities (said the royal experienced, inspired preacher); all is vanity, and vexation of spirit!" Many, indeed, are her fair promises. and golden dreams, but 'many hath she brought to the halter, and ten thousand times more to hell." O for precious faith, to overcome the world, and to pass through it, in pursuit of a nobler portion as strangers and pilgrims!

66

CHAP. XV.

The Pilgrims arrive at the Land of Beulah; where they wait for the Summons of their King—Christiand and several of her Companions pass the River, and are admitted into the City of God.

AFTER this, I beheld until they were come unto

the land of Beulah, where the sun shineth night and day. (Sce Part 1. p. 185.) Here, because they were weary, they betook themselves awhile to rest. And because this country was common for pilgrims, and because the orchards and vineyards that were here belonged to the King of the coelestial country, therefore they were licensed to make bold with any of his things. But a little while soon refreshed them here; for the bells did so ring, and the trumpets continually sounded so melodiously, that they could not sleep, and yet they received as much refreshing, as if they had slept their sleep never so soundly. Here also all the noise of them that walked the streets was, "More pilgrims are come to town.” And another would answer, saying, "And so many went over the water, and were let in at the golden gates to-day.” They would cry again, "There is now a legion of shining ones just come to town; by which we know, that there are more pilgrims upon the road: for here they come to wait for them, and to comfort them after their sorrow." Then the pilgrims got up and walked to and fro; but how were their eyes now filled with coelestial visions! In this land they heard nothing, saw nothing, felt nothing, smelt nothing, tasted nothing that was offensive to the stomach or mind; only when they rasted of the water of the river, over which they were to go, they thought that it tasted a little bitterish to the palate, but it proved sweet when it was down.