showed them, for the land of Sodom was now like "the garden of Eden heretofore (7)." This therefore provoked him the more to jealousy, and made their plague as hot as the fire of the Lord out of heaven could make it. And it is most rationally to be concluded, that such, even such as these arc, that shall sin in the sight, yea, and that too in despite of such examples, that are set continually before them to caution them to the contrary, must be partakers of the severest judgments.

Hope. Doubtless, thou hast said the truth; but what a mercy is it, that neither thou, but especially I, am not made myself this example? This ministreth occasion to us to thank God, to fear before him, and always to remember Lot's wife.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

HOW true is that old observation, "The blood of the "Martyrs in the seed of the church!" Persecution has generally this blessed effect; for the patience and fortitude of suffering saints, afford stronger testimony to the truth of the gospel, than all the arguments in the world. By this means Christian was favoured with a new and excellent companion, whose character answers his name, Hopeful. So kind is the Lord to pilgrims, that if he removes a faithful friend by death, he usually raises up another in his stead.

Several new characters are introduced in this chapter, in whose specious conversation, and fallacious arguments, the love of the world, and the deceitfulness of worldly hearts in pleading for it, are finely exposed. The maxim, by which the whole conduct of By-ends was directed, was this, "10 "be zealous only when religion walked in silver slippers," or so far, as it may be professed without the loss of reputation. But this maxim exactly contradicts the declaration of scripture, that "all who will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution," 2 Tim. iii. 12.

(1) Gen. xiii. 10.

By-ends, and his companions, used many arguments in defence of their carnal practices, and such as might deceive unwary and worldly minds: but, as Christian observed, “ "babe in Christ may answer ten thousand of them." The love of God shed abicad in the heart, will make the plainest Christian an able casuist, and enable him to defeat the most subtile sophistry of hell.

Others

Christian and Hopeful passed over a delicate plain, called Ease; but it was very narrow; intimating, that " pilgrims "have but little ease in this life :" even that little ease is attended with danger, for, at the farther side of the plain, was a silver mine, where some had been maimed, and others killed. Even good Hopeful had an inclination to go and see it, but was happily prevented by a word in season from his faithful companion. Most of the Lord's people are poor, and by poverty are exempted from many snares. are rich, and a happy few of them are kept humble, watchful, and useful, in the midst of temptation: But the greater part of them suffer much loss, and are as poor in spirituals, as rich in temporals. So true it is, that "the love of money “is the root of all evil; which, while some have coveted afte;, "they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows," 1 Tim. vi. 10. So necessary is our Saviour's caution, "Take heed, and beware of covet"ousness."

Reader, remember this caution-remember Demas-remember Lot's wife.

CHAP. XV.

Christian and Hopeful mistake their way, and fall into the hands of Giant Despair.

I SAW then, that they went on their way to a plea

safit river, which David the King called; "the river "of God;" but John, "the river of the water of "life (a)." Now their way lay just upon the bank of this river: here therefore Christian and his companion walked with great delight; they drank also

(a) Psal. Ixv. 9. Rev, xxii. 1.

of the water of the river, which was pleasant, and enlivening to their weary spirits: besides, on the banks of this river, on either side, were green trees, for all manner of fruit; and the leaves they eat to prevent surfeits, and other diseases that are incident to those that heat their blood by travels (6). On either side of the river was also a meadow, curiously beautified with lilies; and it was green all the year long. In this meadow they laid down and slept: for here they might "lie down safely (c)." When they awoke, they gathered again of the fruit of the trees, and drank again of the water of the river, an i then lay down again to sleep. Thus they did several days and nights. Then they sang:

Behold ye how these crystal streams do glide,
To comfort pilgrims by the highway side.
The meadows green, besides their fragraut smell,
Yield dainties for them: And he that can tell
What pleasant fruit, yea, leaves, these trees do yield,
Will soon sell all, that he may buy this field.

So when they were disposed to go on (for they were not as yet at their journey's end) they eat and drank, and departed,

Now I beheld in my dream, that they had not journeyed far, but the river and the way for a time. parted, at which they were not a little sorry, yet they durst not go out of the way. Now the way from the river was rough, and their feet tender by reason of their travels: so" the souls of the pil"grims were much discouraged because of the

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way (d)." Wherefore still as they went on, they wished for a better way. Now a little before them, there was, on the left hand of the road, a meadow, and a stile to go over into it; and that meadow is called By-path meadow. Then said Christian to his fel

Isa, xiv. 30.

(b) Ezek. xlvii.

(c) Psalm xxiii. (d) Numb, xxi, 4.

low, if this meadow lieth along by our way-side, let us go over into it. Then he went to the stile to see, and behold a path lay along by the way on the other side of the fence. Tis according to my wish, said Christian, here is the easiest going; come, good Hopeful, and let us go over.

Hope. But how if this path should lead us out of the way?

Chr. That's not likely, said the other. Look, doth it not go along by the way-side? So Hopeful, being persuaded by his fellow, went after him over the stile. When they were gone over, and were got into the path, they found it very easy for their feet; and withal, they looking before them, espied a man walking as they did, and his name was Vain-confidence; so they called after him, and asked him whither that way led? He said to the cœlestial gate. Look, said Christian, did not I tell you so? By this you may see we are right; so they followed, and he went before them. But behold, the night came on, and it grew very dark; so that they that were behind lost the sight of him that went before.

He therefore that went before, (Vain-confidence by name) not seeing the way before him, fell into a deep pit, which was on purpose there made by the prince of those grounds, to catch vain-glorious fools withal, and was dashed in pieces with his fall(e).

Now Christian and his fellow heard him fall. So they called to know the matter, but there was none to answer, only they heard a groaning. Then said Hopeful, Where are we now? Then was his fellow silent, as mistrusting that he had led him out of the way; and now it began to rain, and thunder and fighten in a most dreadful manner, and the waters rose amain.

Then Hopeful groaned in himself, saying, Oh, that I had kept on my way!

Chr. Who would have thought that this path should have led us out of the way?

(e) Isa, ix. 16.

Hope. I was afraid on't at the very first, and therefore gave you that gentle caution. I would have spoke plainer, but that you are older than I. ·

Chr. Good brother, be not offended, I am sorry I have brought thee out of the way, and that I have put thee into such imminent danger; pray, my brother, forgive me; I did not do it of an evil intent.

Hope. Be comforted, my brother, for I forgive thee; and believe too, that this shall be for our good. Chr. I am glad I have met with a merciful brother: but we must not stand thus ; let's try to go back again. Hope. But, good brother, let me go before.

Chr. No, if you please, let me go first, that if there be any danger, I may be first therein, because by my means we are both gone out of the way.

Hope. No, said Hopeful, you shall not go first: for your mind being troubled, may lead you out of the way again. Then for their encouragement, they heard the voice of one saying, "Let thine heart be "towards the highway: even the way that thou "wentest: turn again (f)." But by this time the waters were greatly risen, by reason of which, the way of going back was very dangerous. (Then I thought, that it is easier going out of the way, when we are in, than getting in when we are out.) Yet they adventured to go back, but it was so dark, and the flood so high, that in their going back, they had like to have been drowned nine or ten times.

Neither could they, with all the skill they had, get again to the stile that night. Wherefore at last, lighting under a little shelter, they sat down there, till the day-break: but being weary, they fell asleep. Now there was, not far from the place where they lay, a castle, called Doubting-castic, the owner whereof was Giant Despair, and it was in his grounds they now were sleeping; wherefore he getting up in the morning early, and walking up and down his fields, caught Christian and Hopeful asleep (f) Jer. xxxi. 21.