believe in Christ for justification?" But let their condition be truly examined, and it will appear, "that they never had one good or right thought of themselves in their lives ;-that their faith is false. fantastical, and deceitful, and that they do not trust in Christ, but in themselves." How many

deceive their own souls in this matter? They say they believe in Christ, and trust in him, though they never saw their lost condition, and consequently their need of him; are unacquainted with the nature of his righteousness, and ridicule the idea of his imputation to the believer. Their dependence is on what they do, or (which is nearly the same) on whet is done in them. They despise christian experience as enthusiasm, and think that trusting to the righteousness of Christ, leads to licentiousness. Such is the language both of the parlour and the pulpit in this day; and yet, though it is here so justly exposed, every body admires the Pilgrim's Progress! How sad, yet how true, is the reflection of Hopeful" Alas! there are abundance in every town in this condition; whole families, yea, whole streets, and that of professed christians too!" The Lord lessen their number daily by the light of his glorious gospel.

Another character, if possible, more awful than that of Ignorance, next claims our attention. One Temporary, "a forward man in religion many years ago." It is said, when we are constrained to speak of any person's religion, as a past thing, not a present one; for that religion which is cf God, will continue and abide. Divine grace in the heart, is compared by our Saviour (John iv. 14.) to "a well of water springing up to everlasting life." Final apostates prove on the other hand, that they never possessed real grace: for St. John thus argues, "They went out from us but they were not of us: for if they had been of us, they would, no doubt, have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us," 1 John ii. 19. The cause of Temporary's backsliding was, becoming acquainted with one Saveself. Reader, beware of him, for he has been the ruin of many. Nothing but a new and divine nature, is sufficient to make a man persevere to the end. Temporary convictions and fears of hell often wear away. The dog and the swine, though sick, or washed, are brutes still; and will, sooner or later, return to their natural courses. The author has judiciously described the steps by which an apostle goes back;-Reader, please to review them; observe and remember them; and watch and pray, lest thou enter into temptation.

CHAP. XX.

The Pilgrims travel the pleasant Country of Beulah Safely pass the River of Death, and are admitted into the glorious City of God.

Now

OW I saw in my dream, that by this time, the pilgrims were got over the Enchanted Ground, and entering into the country of Beulah (a), whose air was very sweet and pleasant, the way lying directly through it, they solaced themselves hereffor a season. Yea, here they heard continually the singing of birds, and saw every day the flowers appear on the earth, and heard the voice of the turtle. in the land (6). In this country the sun shineth might and day; wherefore it was beyond the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and also out of the reach of Grant Despair; neither could they from this place so much as see Doubting Castle. Here they were within sight of the city they were going to; also here met then some of the inhabitants thereof: for in this land the Shining Ones (Angels) commonly walked, because it was upon the borders. of heaven, In this land also the contract between the bride and the bridegroom was renewed: yea, here, as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so did their God rejoice over them (c)." Here they had no want of corn and wine; for in this place they met abundance of what they had sought. for in all their pilgrimage (d). Here they heard voices from out of the city, loud voices, saying, "Say ye to the daughter of Sion, Behold thy salvation cometh! Behold his reward is with him (e).” Here all the inhabitants of the country called them,

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(a) Isa. Ixii. 4. (b) Cant. ii. 10–12. (c) Isa. Ixii. 5.. (d) Isa. Ixii. 8. (e) Isa, Ixii. 11

"The holy people, The redeemed of the Lord, Sought out, &c. (f)."

Now, as they walked in this land, they had more rejoicing than in parts more remote from the kingdom to which they were bound; and drawing nearer to the city yet, they had a more perfect view thereof: It was built of pearls and precious stones, also the streets thereof were paved with gold; so that by reason of the natural glory of the city, and the reflection of the sun-beams upon it, Christian with desire fell sick; Hopeful also had a fit or two of the same disease; wherefore here they lay by it awhile, crying out because of their pangs, 6. If you see my Beloved, tell him that I am sick of love.

But being a little strengthened, and better ableto bear their sickness, they walked on their way, and came yet nearer and nearer, where were orchards, vineyards, and gardens, and their gates opened into the highway. Nor as they came up to these places, behold the gardener stood in the way, to whom the pilgrims said, Whose goodly vineyards and gardens are these? He answered, They are the King's, and are planted here for his own delight, and also for the solace of pilgrims. So the gardener had them into the vineyards, and bid them refresh themselves with dainties; he also showed them there the King's walks and arbours, where be delighted to be: and here they tarried and slept (g).

Now I beheld in my dream, that they talked more in their sleep at this time, than ever they did in all their journey; and being in a muse thereabout, the gardener said even to me, Wherefore musest thou at the matter? It is the nature of the fruit of the grapes of these vineyards to go down so sweetly, as to cause the lips of them that are asleep to speak. So I saw that when they awoke, they addressed

(f) Isa. Ixii, 12. (g) Deut. xxiii. 24.

themselves to go up to the city: but as I said, the reflections of the sun upon the city (for the city was pure gold) was so extremely glorious, that they could not as yet with open face behold it, but through an instrument made for that purpose (h). So I saw that as they went on, there met them two men in raiment that shone like gold, also their faces shone as the light.

These men asked the pilgrims whence they came? and they told them. They also asked them, where they had lodged, what difficulties and dangers, what comforts and pleasures they had met with in the way? And they told them. Then said the men that met them, You have but two difficulties more to meet with, and then you are in the city.

Christian then and his companion asked the men to go along with them, so they told them that they would: But, said they, you must obtain it by your own faith. So I saw in my dream, that they went on together 'till they came within sight of the gate.

Now I farther saw, that betwixt them and the gate was a river, but there was no bridge to go over, and the river was very deep. At the sight therefore of this river, the pilgrims were much stunned, but the men that were with them, said, You must go through, or you cannot come at the gate.

The pilgrims then began to inquire, if there was no other way to the gate; to which they answered, Yes, but there hath not any, save two, to wit, Enoch and Elijah, been permitted to tread that path, since the foundation of the world, nor shall until the last irumpet shall sound (i). The pilgrims then, especially Christian, began to despond in their minds, and looked this way and that, but no way could be found by them, by which they might escape the river. Then they asked the men, if the waters were all of a depth? They said, No; yet they could not (i) 1 Cor. xv. 51, 52.

(h) Rev. xxi. 18. 2 Cor. iii. 18,

help them in that case: for, said they, you shall find it deeper or shallower, as you believe in the King of the place.

They then addressed themselves to the water, and entering, Christian began to sink; and crying out to his good friend Hopeful, he said, "I sink in deep waters; the billows go over my head; all the waves go over me. Selah."

Then said the other, Be of good cheer, my brother, I feel the bottom, and it is good. Then saidChristian, Ah, my friend! the sorrow of death hath compassed me about, I shall not see the land that flows with milk and honey. And with that a great darkness and horror fell upon Christian, so that he could not see before him. Also here he in a great mesure lost his senses, so that he could neither renebjer nor orderly talk of any of those sweet refreshments that he lud met with in the way of his pilgrimage. But all the words that he spake still tended to discover, that he bad horror of mind and heart-fears that he should die in that river, and never obtain entrance in at the gate. Here also, as they that stood by perceived, he was much in the troublesome thoughts of the sins that he had committed, both since and before he began to be a pilgrim. 'Twas also observed, that he was troubled with apparitions of hobgoblins, and evil spirits; for ever and anon he would intimate so much by words. Hopeful therefore here had much ado to keep his brother's head above water; yea, sometimes he would be quite gone down, and then ere a while he would rise up again half dead. Hopeful did also endeavour to comfort him, saying, Brother, I see the gate, and men standing by to receive us; but Christian would answer, 'Tis you, 'tis you they wait for; you have been hopeful ever since I knew you. And so have you, said he to Christian. Ah, brother! said he, surely if I was right, he would now rise to help me, but for my sins he hath brought me into the snare, and left me. Then said Hopeful, My