Timorous forsakes her; but Mercy cleaves to

her.

Wherefore she said within herself again, I will yet have more talk with this Christiana, and if I find Truth and Life in what she shall say, myself with my Heart shall also go with her. Wherefore Mercy began thus to reply to her Neighbor Timorous.

MERCY. Neighbor, I did indeed come with you to see Christiana this Morning, and since she is, as you see, a taking of her last farewell of her Country, I think to walk this Sun-shine Morning, a little way with her to help her on the way. But she told her not of her second Reason, but kept that to herself. TIM. Well, I see you have a mind to go a fooling too: but take heed in time, and be wise: while we are out of danger we are out; but when we are in, we are in. So Mrs. Timorous returned to her House, and Christiana betook herself to her Journey. But when Timorous was got home to her Friends her House, she sends for some of her Neighbors, to wit, Mrs. Bats-eyes, Mrs. Inconsiderate, Mrs. Light-mind and Mrs. tlana intends Know-nothing. So when they were come to her House, she falls to telling of the story of Christiana, and of her intended Journey. And thus she began her Tale.

Timorous

acquaints

what the good Chris

to do.

Mrs. Knownothing.

ΙΟ

20

TIM. Neighbors, having had little to do this morning, I went to give Christiana a visit, and when I came at the door, I knocked, as you know 'tis our Custom. And she answered, If you come in God's name, come in. So in I went, thinking all was well. But when I came in, I found her preparing herself to depart the Town, she and also her Children. So I asked her what was her meaning by that, and she told me in short, that she was now of a mind to go on Pilgrimage, as did her Husband. She told me also a Dream that she had, and how the King of the Country where her Husband was, 30 had sent her an inviting Letter to come thither.

Then said Mrs. Know-nothing, and what do you think she will go?

TIM. Ay, go she will, what ever come on't; and methinks I know it by this, for that which was my great Argument to perswade her to stay at home, (to wit, the Troubles she was like to meet with in the way) is one great Argument with her to put her forward on her Journey. For she told me in so

many words, The bitter goes before the sweet. Yea, and for as much as it so doth, it makes the sweet the sweeter.

eyes.

MRS. BATS-EYES. Oh this blind and foolish Woman, said Mrs. Batsshe, will she not take warning by her Husband's Afflictions? For my part, I see if he was here again he would rest him content in a whole Skin, and never run so many hazards for nothing.

siderate.

Mrs. Inconsiderate also replied, saying, Away with such Mrs. InconFantastical Fools from the Town, a good riddance, for my 10 part, I say, of her. Should she stay where she dwells, and retain this her mind, who could live quietly by her? for she will either be dumpish or unneighborly, or talk of such matters as no wise body can abide. Wherefore for my part I shall never be sorry for her departure, let her go and let better come in her room; 'twas never a good World since these whimsical Fools dwelt in it.

mind, Ma.

had like to a

for Faithful

Then Mrs. Light-mind added as followeth. Come put this Mrs. Lightkind of Talk away. I was Yesterday at Madame Wanton's, dam Wanwhere we were as merry as the Maids. For who do you ton, she that 20 think should be there, but I, and Mrs. Love-the-flesh, and been too hard three or four more with Mr. Lechery, Mrs. Filth, and some in time past, others. So there we had Musick and dancing, and what else was meet to fill up the pleasure. And I dare say my Lady herself is an admirably well bred Gentlewoman, and Mr. Lechery is as pretty a fellow.

part, page

64-65.

betwixt

By this time Christiana was got on her way, and Mercy went along with her. So as they went, her Children being there also, Christiana began to discourse. And, Mercy, said Chris- Discourse tiana, I take this as an unexpected favour, that thou shouldest 30 set foot out of Doors with me to accompany me a little in my way.

Mercy and good Christiana.

clines to go.

MERCY. Then said young Mercy (for she was but young,) If I Mercy sn thought it would be to purpose to go with you, I would never go' near the Town any more.

would have

CHRIS. Well Mercy, said Christiana, cast in thy Lot with Christiana me. I well know what will be the end of our Pilgrimage, my her NeighHusband is where he would not but be, for all the Gold in the bor with Spanish Mines. Nor shalt thou be rejected, tho' thou goest

her.

Mercy doubts of acceptance.

Christiana

allures her

which is

Christ, and

but upon my Invitation. The King who hath sent for me and my Children, is one that delighteth in Mercy. Besides, if thou wilt, I will hire thee, and thou shalt go along with me as my servant. Yet we will have all things in common betwixt thee and me; only go along with me.

MERCY. But how shall I be ascertained that I also shall be entertained? Had I this hope, but from one that can tell, I would make no stick at all, but would go being helped by him that can help, tho' the way was never so tedious.

CHRIS. Well, loving Mercy, I will tell thee what thou shalt 10 to the Gate do; go with me to the Wicket Gate, and there I will further enquire for thee, and if there thou shalt not meet with enpromiseth couragement, I will be content that thou shalt return to thy place. I also will pay thee for thy Kindness which thou shewest to me and my Children in thy accompanying of us in our way as thou doest.

there to en

quire for

her.

Mercy prays.

Christiana glad of Mercy's company.

Mercy

MERCY. Then will I go thither, and will take what shall follow, and the Lord grant that my Lot may there fall even as the King of Heaven shall have his heart upon me.

Christiana, then was glad at her heart, not only that she had a 20 Companion, but also for that she had prevailed with this poor Maid to fall in love with her own Salvation. So they went on together, and Mercy began to weep. Then said Christiana, wherefore weepeth my Sister so?

MERCY. Alas! said she, who can but lament that shall but

grieves for at rightly consider what a State and Condition my poor Relations are Relations. in, that yet remain in our sinful Town? and that which makes my grief the more heavy, is because they have no Instructor, nor any to tell them what is to come.

Christian's
Prayers

were an

swered for his Rela

he was dead.

CHRIS. Bowels becometh Pilgrims. And thou dost for 30 thy Friends, as my good Christian did for me when he left me; he mourned for that I would not heed nor regard him, tions after but his Lord and ours did gather up his Tears, and put them into his Bottle, and now both I, and thou, and these my sweet Babes, are reaping the Fruit and benefit of them. I hope, Mercy, these Tears of thine will not be lost, for the truth hath P9. 126. 5, 6. said; That they that sow in Tears shall reap in Joy, in singing. And he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall

doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his Sheaves with

bim.

Then said Mercy,

Let the most blessed be my guide,

If't be his blessed Will,

Unto his Gate, into his fold,

Up to his Holy Hill.

And let him never suffer me,
To serve, or turn aside

From his free grace, and Holy ways,
What ere shall me betide.

And let him gather them of mine,

That I have left behind.

Lord make them pray they may be thine,

With all their heart and mind.

16. 17

Now my old Friend proceeded and said, But when Chris-1 part, page. tiana came up to the Slough of Dispond, she began to be at a stand: For, said she, This is the place in which my dear 20 Husband had like to a been smothered with Mud. She perceived also, that notwithstanding the Command of the King to make this place for Pilgrims good, yet it was rather worse than formerly. So I asked if that was true? Yes, said the Old Gentleman, too true. For that many there be that pretend to be the King's Labourers; and that say they are for mending the King's Highway, that bring Dirt and Dung Their own instead of Stones, and so mar instead of mending. Christiana therefore with her Boys, did make a stand: said Mercy, come let us venture, only let us be wary. 30 they looked well to the Steps, and made a shift to get stagger-Slough of ingly over.

Here

Carnal Conclusions, in

but stead of the word of life. Then Mercy the

boldest at the

Dispond.

Yet Christiana had like to a been in, and that not once nor twice. Now they had no sooner got over, but they thought they heard words that said unto them, Blessed is she that Luke 1. 45 believeth, for there shall be a performance of the things that have been told her from the Lord.

Then they went on again; and said Mercy to Christiana, Had I as good ground to hope for a loving reception at the

Prayer

should be

made with Considera

tion, and Fear: as well as in

Hope.

25.

Wicket-Gate, as you, I think no Slough of Dispond would discourage me.

Well, said the other, you know your sore, and I know mine; and good friend, we shall all have enough evil before we come at our Journey's end.

For can it be imagined, that the people that design to attain such excellent Glories as we do, and that are so envied that Happiness as we are; but that we shall meet with what Fears and Scares, with what troubles and afflictions they can possibly assault us with, that hate us?

ΤΟ

And now Mr. Sagacity left me to Dream out my Dream by my self. Wherefore me-thought I saw Christiana, and Mercy and the Boys go all of them up to the Gate. To which when they were come, they betook themselves to a short debate, about how they must manage their calling at the Gate, and what should be said to him that did open to them. So it was Faith and concluded, since Christiana was the eldest, that she should knock for entrance, and that she should speak to him that 1 part, page did open, for the rest. So Christiana began to knock, and as her poor Husband did, she knocked, and knocked again. But 20 instead of any that answered, they all thought that they heard, The Dog, the as if a Dog came barking upon them. A Dog and a great one too, and this made the Women and Children afraid. Nor durst they for a while to knock any more, for fear the Mastiff Christiana should fly upon them. Now therefore they were greatly tumbled up and down in their minds, and knew not what to do. Knock they durst not, for fear of the Dog: go back they durst not for fear that the Keeper of that Gate should espy them, as they so went, and should be offended with them. At last they thought of knocking again, and knocked more 30 vehemently then they did at the first. Then said the Keeper of the Gate, who is there? So the Dog left off to bark and he opened unto them.

Devil an

Enemy to
Prayer.

and her

companions perplexed about

Prayer.

Then Christiana made low obeisance, and said, Let not our Lord be offended with his Handmaidens for that we have knocked at his Princely Gate. Then said the Keeper, Whence come ye, and what is that you would have?

Christiana answered, we are come from whence Christian