Skill. I knew he had eaten something that was not wholesome food; and that food, to wit, that fruit, is even the most hurtful of all. It is the fruit of Beelzebub's orchard. I do marvel that none did warn you of it; many have died thereof.*

Then Christiana began to cry; and she said, "O naughty boy! and O careless mother! what hall I do for my son?"

Skill. Come, do not be too much dejected; the boy may do well again, but he must purge and vomit.

than honey. If thou lovest thy mother, if thou lovest thy brothers, if thou lovest Mercy, if thou lovest thy life, take it." So with much ado, after a short prayer for the blessing of God upon it, he took it, and it wrought kindly with him. It caused him to purge, it caused him to sleep, and to rest quietly; it put him into a fine heat and breathing sweat, and it quite rid him of his gripes.‡

Skill. Nay, I hope I shall be reasonable. So he made him a purge, but it was too weak; it was said it was made of the blood of a goat, the ashes of a heifer, and with some of the juice of hyssop, &c. Heb. ix. 13, 19; x. 1, 4. When Mr. Skill had seen that that purge was too weak, he made him one to the purpose: it was made ex carne et sanguine Christi,† (John vi. 54, 57; Heb. ix. 14;) you know physicians give strange medicines to their patients: and it was made up into pills, with a promise or two, and a proportionable quantity of salt. Mark ix. 49. Now he was to take them three at a time, fasting, in half a quarter of a pint of the tears of repentance. Zech. xii. 10. When this potion was prepared and brought to the boy, he was loth to take it, though torn with the gripes as if he should be pulled in pieces. "Come, come," said the physician, “you must take it." "It goes against my stomach," said the boy. "I must have you take it," said his mother. "I shall vomit it up again," said the boy. “Pray, sir," said Christiana to Mr. Skill, "how does it taste?" "It has no ill taste," Bays the doctor; and with that she touched one of the pills with the tip of her tongue. "Oh, Matthew," said she, "this potion is sweeter

Here is conviction for the mother in not warning of sin and chiding for it. She takes it home, falls Lier the sense of it, and is grieved for it. A tender BCLscience is a blessed sign of a gracious heart. Ye parents who know the love of Christ, watch over your children; see to it lest ye smart for their sins in not warning and teaching them that the fear of the Lord is to depart from all evil; yea, to abstain from the very appearance of it.

† Mr. Bunyan's great modesty and humility are truly admirable; though he quotes Latin, yet, as he did not understand it, he tells us in the margin, "The Latin I borrow." The English is, "Of the flesh and of the blood of Christ." This is the only potion for sin-sick souls. Feeding upon Christ's flesh and blood by faith keeps us from sinning, and when sick of sin

So, when the boy was healed, Christians asked Mr. Skill, saying, “Sir, what will content you for your pains and care to and of my child?" And he said, "You must pay the Master of the College of Physicians according to rules made in that case and provided." Heb. xiii. 11-15.

But, sir, said she, what is this pill good for else?

Skill. It is an universal pill; it is good against all diseases that pilgrims are incident to; and when it is well prepared will keep good time out of mind.

Christiana. Pray, sir, make me up twelve boxes of them; for if I can get these I will never take other physic.

Skill. These pills are good to prevent diseases, as well as to cure when one is sick. Yea, I dare say it, and stand to it, that if a man will but use this physic as he should, it will make him live for ever. John vi. 58. But, good Christiana, thou must give these pills no other way but as I have prescribed; for if you do they will do no good. So he gave unto Christiana physic for herself and her boys, and for Mercy, and bid Matthew take heed how he ate any more green plums, and kissed him and went his way.

See the blessed effects of receiving Christ when under the sense of sin and distress for sin. Oh what a precious Saviour is Jesus! what efficacy is there in his blessed flesh and precious blood to purge the conscience from guilt! It is this sense of Christ's love and grace which heals, restores, and makes our hearts happy and joyful in God.

O pilgrims! let not a day pass without having recourse to the life and death of the Son of God, and live by faith upon Him who shed his blood to save us, and gives his flesh to nourish us, and who says, My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed."

"

It was told you before that Prudence bid the boys that if at any time they would they should ask her some questions that might be profitable, and she would say something to them.

Then Matthew, who had been sick, asked her, Why, for the most part, physic should be bitter to our palates?

Prudence. To show how unwelcome the word of God, and the effects thereof, are to a carnal heart.

Matthew. Why does physic, if it does good, purge and cause to vomit?

Prudence. To show that the word, when it works effectually, cleanseth the heart and mind. For look, what the one doth to the body the other doth to the soul.

Matthew. What should we learn by seeing the flame of our fire go upwards, and by seeing the beams and sweet influences of the sun strike downwards?

Prudence. By the going up of the fire we are taught to ascend to heaven by fervent and hot desires. And by the sun sending his heat, beams, and sweet influences downwards we are taught that the Saviour of the world, though high, reaches down with his grace and love to us below.

Matthew. Whence have the clouds their water?

Prudence. Out of the sea.

Matthew. What may we learn from that? Prudence. That ministers should fetch their doctrine from God.

Matthew. Why do they empty themselves upon the earth?

Prudence. To show that ministers should give out what they know of God to the world.

Matthew. Why is the rainbow caused by the sun?

Prudence. To show that the covenant of God's grace is confirmed to us in Christ.

Matthew. Why do the springs come from the sea to us through the earth?

kindle upon the heart there will be no true light of life in us.

Matthew. Why is the wick, and tallow, and all spent to maintain the light of the candle?

Prudence. To show that body, and soul, and all should be at the service of, and spead themselves to maintain in good condition, that grace of God that is in us.

Matthew, Why doth the pelican pierce her own breast with her bill?

Prudence. To nourish her young ones with her blood, and thereby to show that Christ the blessed so loved his young, hig people, as to save them from death by his blood.

Matthew. What may one learn by hearing the cock to crow?

Prudence. Learn to remember Peter's sin and Peter's repentance. The cock's crowing shows also that day is coming on; let then the crowing of the cock put thee in mind of that last and terrible day of judgment.

Now about this time their month was out, wherefore they signified to those of the house that it was convenient for them to up and be going. Then said Joseph to his mother, "It is proper that you forget not to send to the house of Mr. Interpreter, to pray him to grant that Mr. Great-heart should be sent unto us, that he may be our conductor for the rest of the way." "Good boy!" said she, "I had almost forgot." So she drew up a petition, and prayed Mr. Watchful, the porter, to send it by some fit man to her good friend Mr. Interpreter; who, when it was come and he had seen the contents of the petition, said to the messenger, "Go tell them that I will send him."

When the family where Christiana was saw that they had a purpose to go forward, they called the whole house together to give thanks to their King for sending of them such profitable guests as these. Which done, they said unto Christiana, "And shall we not show thee

atthew. Why do some of the springs rise out of the top of high hills?

Prudence. To show that the spirit of grace shall spring up in some that are great and mighty, as well as in many that are poor and low.

on which thou mayest meditate when thou art on the way?" So they took Christiana, her children, and Mercy into the closet and showed them one of the apples that Eve ate of, and that she also did give to her husband, and that for the eating of which they were both turned out of Paradise, and asked her what she

Prudence. To show that unless grace doth

is food or poison, I know not which." So they opened the matter to her, and she held

up her hands and wondered.* Gen. iii. 1, 6; Rom. vii. 24.

Then they had her to a place and showed her Jacob's ladder. Now at that time there were some angels ascending upon it. So Christiana looked and looked to see the angels go up; so did the rest of the company. Gen. xxviii, 12. Then they were going into another place to show them something else; but James said to his mother, "Pray bid them stay here a little longer, for this is a curious sight." So they turned again, and stood feeding their eyes with this so pleasant a prospect. After this they had them into a place where did hang up a golden anchor; so they bid Christiana take it down; for, said they, you shall have it with you, for it is of absolute necessity that you should, that you may lay hold of that within the veil and stand steadfast in case you should meet with turbulent weather: so they were glad thereof.† Joel iii. 16; Heb. vi. 19. Then they took them, and had them to the mount upon which Abraham, our father, offered up Isaac his son, and showed them the altar, the wood, the fire, and the knife; for they remain to be seen to this very day. When they had seen it they held up their hands and blessed themselves, and said, "Oh what a man for love to his Master and for denial to himself was Abraham!" After they had showed them all these things, Prudence took them into a dining-room, where stood a pair of excellent virginals; so she played upon them, and turned what she had showed them into this excellent song, saying

"Eve's apple we have showed you;

Of that be you aware;
You have seen Jacob's ladder too,
Upon which angels are:

An anchor you received have;
But let not these suffice,

Until with Abra'm you have gave

Your best for sacrifice."

Now about this time one knocked at the

It is not enough that the Holy Spirit convinces us of sin previous to our first setting out on pilgrimage, and makes us sensible of our want of Christ, but he also keeps up a sight and a sense of the evil of sin in its original nature, as well as our actual transgressions. This often makes us wonder at sin, at ourselves, and at the love of Christ in becoming a sacrifice for our sins. †This is the anchor of hope. This keeps the soul safe and steady to Jesus, who is the only object of our hope. Hope springs from faith. It is an expectation of the fulfilment of those things that are promised in the word of truth by the God of all grace. Faith reeives them, trusts in them, relies upon them, and

door: so the porter opened, and behold, Mr. Great-heart was there. But when he was come in, what joy was there! for it came now afresh again into their minds how but a while ago he had slain old Grim Bloody-man, the giant, and had delivered them from the lions.

Then said Mr. Great-heart to Christiana and to Mercy, My Lord has sent each of you a bottle of wine, and also some parched corn, together with a couple of pomegranates; he has also sent the boys some figs and raisins; to refresh you in your way.‡

Then they addressed themselves to their journey, and Prudence and Piety went along with them. When they came at the gate, Christiana asked the porter if any of late went by. He said, No, only one, some time since, who also told me that of late there had been a great robbery committed on the King's highway as you go; but, said he, the thieves are taken, and will shortly be tried for their lives. Then Christiana and Mercy were afraid, but Matthew said, Mother, fear nothing as long as Mr. Great-heart is to go with us and to be our conductor.

Then said Christiana to the porter, Sir, I am much obliged to you for all the kindnesses that you have showed to me since I came hither; and also for that you have been so loving and kind to my children; I know not how to gratify your kindness: wherefore pray, as a token of my respects to you, accept of this small mite. So she put a gold angel || in his hand, and he made her a low obeisance and said, "Let thy garments be always white, and let thy head want no ointment. Let Mercy live and not die, and let not her works be few." And to the boys he said, "Do you fly youthful lusts, and follow after godliness with them that are grave and wise; so shall you put gladness into your mother's heart, and obtain praise of all that are sober-minded." So they thanked the porter and departe 1.

Hope waits for the full accomplishment and enjoy.

ment of them.

Oh how reviving and refreshing are those love. tokens from our Lord! Great-heart never comes empty-handed. He always inspires with courage and confidence.

No wonder that the pilgrims were thankful for their kind entertainment, or that they testified their esteem of the Gospel and its glorious Author by the present they made to the porter; for says St. Paul, in behalf of the ministers of the word, "If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?"

Now I saw in my dream that they went forward until they were come to the brow of the hill, where Piety, bethinking herself, cried out, Alas! I have forgot what I intended to bestow upon Christiana and her companions: I will go back and fetch it. So she ran and fetched it. While she was gone, Christiana thought she heard in a grove, a little way off, on the right, a most curious melodious note, with words much like these:

"Through all my life thy favour is

So frankly show'd to me That in thy house for evermore My dwelling-place shall be."

And listening still she thought she heard another answer it, saying,

"For why? The Lord our God is good,

His mercy is forever sure:

His truth at all times firmly stood,

And shall from age to age endure."

So Christian asked Prudence what it was that made those curious notes. They are, said she, our country birds: they sing these notes but seldom, except it be at the spring, when the flowers appear and the sun shines warm, and then you hear them all the day long. I often, said she, go to hear them: we also ofttimes keep them tame in our house. They are very fine company for us when we are melancholy; also they make the woods, and groves, and solitary places, places desirous to be in.* Sol. Song ii. 11, 12.

By this time Piety was come again; so she said to Christiana, Look here, I have brought thee a scheme of all those things that thou hast

You see these joyful notes spring from a sense of nearness to the Lord and a firm confidence in his divine truth and everlasting mercy. Oh when the Sun of righteousness shines warmly on the soul and gives us clearly to see these, it makes the pilgrims sing most sweetly and shout most joyfully indeed. These songs approach very nearly to the heavenly music in the realms of glory.

After being thus highly favoured with sensible comforts in the views of faith, the comforts of hope, and the joys of love, see the next step those pilgrims are to take; it is down the hill Difficulty, into the Valley of Humiliation. What doth this place signify? A

seen at our house, upon which thou mayest look when thou findest thyself forgetful, and call those things again to remembrance for hy edification and comfort.

Now they began to go down the hill to the Valley of Humiliation. It was a steep hill and the way was slippery, but they were very careful; so they got down pretty well. When they were down in the valley,† Piety said to Christiana, This is the place where your husband met the foul fiend Apollyon, and where they had the great fight that they had: I know you cannot but have heard thereof. But be of good courage; as long as you have Mr. Greatheart here to be your guide and conductor, we hope you will fare the better. So when these two had committed the pilgrims unto the conduct of their guide, he went forward and they went after.

Then said Mr. Great-heart, We need not be so afraid of this valley, for here is nothing to hurt us unless we procure it ourselves. It is true Christian did meet here with Apollyon, with whom he had also a sore combat; but that fray was the fruit of those slips that he got in going down the hill, for they that get slips there must look for combats here. And hence it is that this valley has got so hard a name. For the common people, when they hear that some frightful thing has befallen such an one in such a place, are of opinion that that place is haunted with some foul fiend or evil spirit; when, alas! it is for the fruit of their doing that such things do befall them there.‡

This Valley of Humiliation is of itself as fruitful a place as any the crow flies over; and I am persuaded, if we could hit upon it, we might find somewhere hereabout something

deep and abiding sight and sense of ourselves, of our ruined state, lost condition, and desperate circumstances as fallen sinners.

What a great blessing it is to have Great-heart in the Valley of Humility! How sad it is for pilgrims to procure evils for themselves by their sin and folly! How joyful is it to know that "like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them who fear him!" Ps. ciii. 13. Yet if we slip we shall be sure to smart If we do not hold fast faith, hope, love, and obedience, Satan will attack, distress us in some sort, and prevail against us, and then we shall bring up an evil report of the safe and fruitful Valley of Humiliation.

that might give us an account why Christian was so hardly beset in this place.

Then James said to his mother, "Lo, yonder stands a pillar, and it looks as if something was written thereon; let us go and see what it is." So they went and found there written, "Let Christian's slips before he came hither, and the burden that he met with in this place, be a warning to those that come after." "Lo," aid their guide, "did I not tell you that there was something hereabouts that would give intimation of the reason why Christian was so hard beset in this place?" Then, turning to Christiana, he said, No disparagement to Christian, more than to many others whose hap and lot it was. For it is easier going up than down this hill, and that can be said but of few hills in all these parts of the world. But we will leave the good man: he is at rest; he also had a brave victory over his enemy: let Him that dwelleth above grant that we fare no worse when we come to be tried than he!

But we will come again to this Valley of Humiliation. It is the best and most fruitful piece of ground in all these parts. It is a fat ground, and, as you see, consisteth much in meadows; and if a man was to come here in the summertime, as we do now, if he knew not any thing before thereof, and if he also delighted himself in the sight of his eyes, he might see that which would be delightful to him. Behold how green this valley is, also how beautiful with lilies. Sol. Song ii. 1; James iv. 6; 1 Pet. v. 5. I have also known many labouring men that have got good estates in this Valley of Humiliation, (for "God resisteth the proud, but giveth more grace to the humble,") for indeed it is a very fruitful soil, and doth bring forth by handfuls. Some also have wished that the next way to their Father's house were here, that they might be troubled no more with either hills or mountains to go over: but the way is the way, and there is an end.*

Now, as they were going along and talking, they espied a boy feeding his father's sheep. The boy was in very mean clothes, but of a

Though this Valley of Humiliation may be very terrifying to pilgrims after they have been favoured with peace and joy, and comforted by the views of faith and hope, yet it is a very safe place; and though at first entering into it, and seeing more of themselves than was ever before showed them, they may fear and tremble, yet after some time continuing here they are more reconciled and contented; for here they find the visits of their Lord, and in the depths of their humility they behold the heights of his love and the depths of his merey, and cry out, Though I am emptied

fresh and well-favoured countenance; and as he sat by himself he sang. Hark, said Mr. Greatheart, to what the shepherd's boy saith. So they hearkened, and he said—

"He that is down needs fear no fall;
He that is low, no pride:
He that is humble ever shall
Have God to be his guide.

"I am content with what I have, Little be it or much :

And, Lord, contentment still I crave, Because thou savest such.

"Fulness to such a burden is

That go on pilgrimage: Here little, and hereafter bliss, Is best from age to age."†

Then said the guide, Do you hear him? 1 will dare to say this boy lives a merrier life, and wears more of the herb called heart's ease in his bosom, than he that is clad in silk and velvet. But we will proceed in our discourse.

In this valley our Lord formerly had his country-house; he loved much to be here: he loved also to walk in these meadows, and he found the air was pleasant. Besides, here a man shall be free from the noise and from the hurryings of this life; all states are full of noise and confusion, only the Valley of Humiliation is that empty and solitary place. Here a man shall not be let and hindered in his contemplation, as in other places he is apt to be. This is a valley that nobody walks in but those that love a pilgrim's life. And though Christian had the hard hap to meet with Apollyon and to enter with him a brisk encounter, yet I must tell you that in former times men have met with angels here, have found pearls here, and have in this place found the words of life. Hos. ii. 4, 5.

Did I say our Lord had here in former days his country-house, and that he loved here to walk? I will add in this place, that to the people that love and trace these grounds he has left a yearly revenue, to be faithfully paid them of all, yet I have an inexhaustible fulness in Jesus, to supply me with all I want and all I hope. † Heb. xiii. 5.

Ever remember the word of our gracious Lord, “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his Master." If your Lord made it his chief delight to be in this Valley of Humiliation, learn from his example to prize this valley. Though you may meet with an Apollyon or a destroyer here, yet you are safe in the arms and under the power of your all-conquering Lord; for though the Lord is high. yet bath he respect unto the lowly.