and predictions of things that have their certain accomplishment, both to the dread and amazement of enemies, and the comfort and solace of pilgrims. The next day they took him and had him into the armoury, where Christian had in- they showed him all manner of furniture, which their Lord to the armoury. had provided for pilgrims, as sword, shield, helmet, breastplate, all-prayer, and shoes that would not wear out.52 And there was here enough of this to harness out as many men for the service of their Lord as there be stars in the heaven for multitude.5 53 Christian is made ancient things. They also showed him some of the engines with which some of his servants had done wonderful things. They showed him Moses' rod; the hammer and nail with which Jael slew Sisera; the pitchers, trumpets, and lamps too, with which Gideon put to see to flight the armies of Midian. Then they showed him the ox's goad wherewith Shamgar slew six hundred men. They showed him also the jaw-bone with which Samson did such mighty feats. They showed him, moreover, the sling and stone with which David slew Goliath of Gath; and the sword, also, with which their Lord will kill the Man of Sin, in the day that he shall rise up to the prey. They showed him, besides, many excellent things, with which Christian was much delighted. This done, they went to their rest again.54 Mountains. Then I saw in my dream, that on the morrow he got up to go forward; but they desired him to stay till the next day also; and then, said they, we will, if the day be clear, show you the Delectable Mountains, which, they said, would yet further add to Christian showed his comfort, because they were nearer the desired haven the Delectable than the place where at present he was; so he consented and stayed. When the morning was up, they had him to the top of the house, and bid him look south; so he did and behold, at a great distance, he saw a most pleasant mountainous country, beautified with woods, vineyards, fruits of all sorts, flowers also, with springs and fountains, very delectable to behold. (Isa. xxxiii. 16, 17.) Then he asked the name of the country. They said it was Immanuel's Land; and it is as common, said they, as this hill is, to and for all the pilgrims. And when thou comest there from thence, said they, thou mayest see to the gate of the Celestial City, as the shepherds that live there will make appear. Christian sets Now he bethought himself of setting forward, and they forward. were willing he should. But first, said they, let us go again into the armoury. So they did; and when they came there, they Christian sent harnessed him from head to foot with what was of proof, lest, perhaps, he should meet with assaults in the way. He being, therefore, away armed. thus accoutred, walketh out with his friends to the gate, and there he asked the Porter if he saw any pilgrims pass by. Then the porter answered, Yes. CHR. Pray, did you know him? said he. POR. I asked him his name, and he told me it was Faithful. CHR. Oh, said Christian, I know him; he is my townsman, my near neighbour; he comes from the place where I was born. How far do you think he may be before? POR. He has got by this time below the hill. How Christian CHR. Well, said Christian, good Porter, the Lord be and the Porter with thee, and add to all thy blessings much increase, for greet at parting. the kindness that thou hast showed to me. Then he began to go forward; but Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence, would accompany him down to the foot of the hill. So they went on together, reiterating their former discourses, till they came to go down the hill. Then said Christian, As it was difficult coming up, so, so far as I can see, it is dangerous going down. Yes, said Prudence, so it is, for it is a hard matter for a man to go down The Valley of into the Valley of Humiliation, as thou art now, and to Humiliation. catch no slip by the way; therefore, said they, are we come out to accompany thee down the hill. So he began to go down, but very warily; yet he caught a slip or two.55 Then I saw in my dream that these good companions, when Christian was gone to the bottom of the hill, gave him a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, and a cluster of raisins; and then he went on his way. But now, in this Valley of Humiliation, poor Christian was hard put to it; for he had gone but a little way before he espied a foul fiend coming over the field to meet him; his name is Apollyon. Christian back. no Then did Christian begin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind armour for his whether to go back or to stand his ground. But he considered again that he had no armour for his back; and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him the greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts. Therefore he resolved to venture and stand his ground; for, thought he, had I no So he went on, and Apollyon met him. Christian's resolution at the approach of Apol Now the lyon. monster was hideous to behold; he was clothed with scales, like a fish (and they are his pride), he had wings like a dragon, feet like a bear, and out of his belly came fire and smoke, and his mouth was as the mouth of a lion.56 When he was come up to Christian, he beheld him with a disdainful countenance, and thus began to question him. APOL. Whence come you? and whither are you bound? CHR. I am come from the City of Destruction, which is the place of all evil, and am going to the City of Zion. Discourse be APOL. By this I perceive thou art one of my subjects, for all that country is mine, and I am the prince and god of it. How twixt Christian is it, then, that thou hast run away from thy king? Were and Apollyon. it not that I hope thou mayest do me more service, I would strike thee now, at one blow, to the ground. CHR. I was born, indeed, in your dominions, but your service was hard, and your wages such as a man could not live on, "for the wages of sin is death" (Rom. iv. 23); therefore, when I was come to years, I did as other considerate persons do, look out, if, perhaps, I might mend myself. APOL. There is no prince that will thus lightly lose his subjects, neither will I as yet lose thee; but since thou complainest Apollyon's flattery. of thy service and wages, be content to go back: what our country will afford, I do here promise to give thee. CHR. But I have let myself to another, even the King of princes; and how can I, with fairness, go back with thee? APOL. Thou hast done in this, according to the proverb, "Changed a bad for a worse;" but it is ordinary for those that have Apollyon undervalues Christ's professed themselves his servants, after a while to give him the slip, and return again to me. Do thou so too, service. and all shall be well. CHR. I have given him my faith, and sworn my allegiance to him; how, then, can I go back from this, and not be hanged as a traitor? Apollyon pre APOL. Thou didst the same to me, and yet I am willing tends to be mer- to pass by all, if now thou wilt yet turn again and go ciful. back. CHR. What I promised thee was in my nonage; and, besides, I count the Prince under whose banner now I stand is able to absolve me; yea, and to pardon also what I did as to my compliance with thee; and, besides, O thou destroying Apollyon! to speak truth, I like his |