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First, Because God hath promised it; secondly, Because he is able to perform it.

Then said Prudence to the boys, You must still hearken to your mother, for she can learn you more. You must also diligently give ear to what good talk you shall hear from others; for your sakes. do they speak good things. Observe also, and that with carefulness, what the heavens and the earth do teach you; but especially be much in the meditation of that book that was the cause of your father's becoming a pilgrim. 1, for my part, my children, will teach you what I can while you are here, and shall be glad if you will ask me questions that tend. to godly edifying.

EXPLANATORY NOTES..

OUR Pilgrims proceed on their journey; when, behold the formidable hill, called Difficulty, presents itself to their view! This is to teach us, that difficulties are unavoidable in the way to heaven. Self-denial, morufication of sin, with the opposition of the world and the devil, are necessary trials of faith, however unpleasing to nature. Hence, those who love their ease more than their souls, choose a smoother path. This narrow way is however the king's high-way, and he who has appointed it, has graciously consulted the benefit of his tried people, by providing a refreshing spring at the bottom. of the hill, and an harbour for rest in the mid-way. Before, in, and after difficulties, the dear children of God find refreshment from the precious promises: and amidst the greatest hardships, are supported by this conviction, that going down the hill will eventually prove the hardest of all; therefore they would rather go up a ladder to life, than down the hill to death.

The

Another trial is prepared for the faith of the pilgrims. lions appear! or, the World and the Devil, as we have before explained them. (Part I. p. 50.) The danger of a christian from these enemies, is increased by the prevalence of unbe

lief; which is fitly represented by Giant Grim. If we forget that the world and the devil are chained foes; or, in other words, that their power is limited, and under divine control, we give way to distressing fears: this is intimated by the shrinking and cringing of the boys, or those who were weak in faith. But the sword of the Spirit, wielded by the hand of strong faith, laid the haughty Giant low, and the pilgrims avoided the threatened danger. "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory, through Jesus Christ our Lord!'

The kind inhabitants of the house Beautiful, or, a church of Christ, gave a joyful welcome to Christiana and her companions. It is said of Barnabas, that "when he saw the grace of God, he was glad ;" and this is the temper of every real Christian. Whenever we behold the trophies of invincible grace, we, like the angelic host, should rejoice, and say, Welcome, ye vessels of the grace of God! And if spectators should be glad, how much more reason have the subjects of grace to rejoice? Little, said Christiana, did I think of following my husband in his pilgrimage-enjoying the privileges of a church of Christ, or the assured hope of seeing my Saviour's face in glory. O happy souls that are in such a frame, admiring the rich, free, and sovereign grace of God! Then there is music in the house, music in the heart, and music in heaven.

A circumstance in this chapter, respecting Christiana's children, deserves the notice of all serious ministers and parents. When she was admitted into the house Beautiful (a church of Christ), care was taken to inquire into the religious knowledge of her children. They were catechised by Prudence. This is an important branch of parental and ministerial duty, too little practised in this day: But would we wish and rationally hope, that the good effects of the present revival of religion should extend to future generations, a greater attention must be paid to the instruction of youth, in the fundamentals of gospel doctrine. The answers given by Christiana's children do her honour, and prove she had not laboured in vain. Let every pious parent imitate her example, and hope for her success.

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CHAP. VI.

Mr. Brisk pays his Addresses to Mercy-Matthew taken ill, but recovers, &c.

Now by that these pilgrims had been at this

place a week, Mercy had a visiter, that preten ded some good will unto her, and his name was Mr. Brisk; a man of some breeding, and that pretended to religion; but a man that stuck very close to the world. So he came once or twice or more, to Mercy, and offered love unto her. Now Mercy wasof a fair countenance, and therefore the more alluring.

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Her mind also was, to be always busying of her self in doing; for when she had nothing to do for herself, she would be making of hose and garments for others, and would bestow them upon them that had need. And Mr. Brisk not knowing where or how she disposed of what she made, seemed to be greatly taken, for that he found her never idle. I will warrant here a good housewife, quoth. he to himself.

Mercy then revealed the business to the maidensthat were of the house, and inquired of them concerning him, for they did know him better than she. So they told her, That he was a very busy young man, and one that pretended to religion; but was, as they feared, a stranger to the power of that which is good.

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Nay then, said Mercy, I will look no more, on him, for I purpose never to have a clog to my soul, Prudence then replied, That there needed no great matter of discouragement to be given to him;

for continuing so as she had begun to do for the poor, would quickly cool his courage.

So the next time he comes, he finds her at her old work, a making of things for the poor. Then said he, What! always at it? Yes, said she, either for myself or for others. And what canst thou earn a day, quoth he? I do those things, said she, "That I may be rich in good works, laying a good foundation against the time to come, that I may lay hold of eternal life (a)." Why, prithee, what dost thou with them? said he. Clothe the naked, said she. With that his countenance fell. So he forbore to come at her again. And when he was asked the reason why, he said, that Mercy was a pretty lass, but troubled with ill conditions.

When he had left her, Prudence said, Did I not tell thee, that Mr. Brisk would soon forsake thee; yea, he will raise up an ill-report of thee for notwithstanding his pretence to religion, and his seeming love to Mercy, yet Mercy and he are of tempers so different, that I believe they will never come together.

Mercy. I might have had husbands before now, though I spoke not of it to any but they were such as did not like my conditions, though never did any of them find fault with my person. So they and I could not agree.

Prud. Mercy in our days is little set by, any further than as to its name: the practice, which is set forth by the conditions, there are but few that can abide.

Mercy. Well, said Mercy, if nobody will have me, I will die a maid, or my conditions shall be to me as a husband. For I cannof change my nature; and to have one that lies cross to me in this, that I purpose never to admit of as long as I live. I had a

(g) 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19.

sister named Bountiful, married to one of these churls, but he and she could never agree: but be. cause my sister was resolved to do as she had begun, that is, to show kindness to the poor, therefore her husband first cried her down at the cross, and then turned her out of his doors.

Prud. And yet he was a professor, I warrant you. Mercy. Yes, such a one as he was, and of such as the world is now full: but I am for none of them all.

Now Matthew, the eldest son of Christiana, fell sick, and his sickness was sore upon him, for he was much pained in his bowels, so that he was with it, at times, pulled as it were both ends together. There dwelt also not far from thence, one Mr. Skill, an ancient and well-approved physician. So Christiana desired it, and they sent for him, and he came: When he was entered the room, and had a little observed the boy, he concluded that he was sick of the gripes. Then he said to his mother? What diet bath Matthew of late fed upon? Diet, said Christiana, nothing but what is wholesome. The physician answered, This boy has been tampering with something that lies in his maw undigested, and that will not away without means. And I tell you he must be purged, or else he will die.

Sam. Then said Samuel, Mother, what was that which my brother did gather and eat, so soon as we were come from the gate that is at the head of this way? You know that there was an orchard on the left hand, on the other side of the wall, and some of the trees hung over the wall, and my brother did pluck, and did eat,

Christ. True, my child, said Christiana; he did take thereof and did eat; naughty boy as he was, I chid him, and yet he would eat thereof.

Skill. I knew he had eaten something that was

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