Chapter VI

Now I saw in my dream, that the highway up which Christian was to go, was fenced on either side with a wall, and that wall was called Salvation (a). Up this way therefore did burdened Christian run, but not without great difficulty, because of the load on his back.

He ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending, and upon that place stood a cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulchre. So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the cross, his burden loosed from his shoulders, and fell from off his hack, and began to tumble, and so continued to do, till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more.

Then was Christian glad and lightsome, and said witii a merrv heart, he hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death. Then he stood still a while to look and wonder; for it was very surprising to him, that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden. He looked therefore, and looked again, even till the springs that were in his head sent the waters down his cheeks (b). Now as he stood looking and weeping, behold three Suining Ones came to him and saluted him, with " Peace be to thee;" so the first said to him, " Thy sins be forgiven thee (c);" the second .smpt him of his rags,, and clothed him with change ot raiment (d); the third also set a mark on his forehead, and gave him a roll, with a seal upon it (e), which he hid him look on as he ran, and that he should give it in at the cceiestial gate: so they went their way. Then

(n) T*a. xxvi. 1. (b) Zfch. xii. 10. (c) Mark ii. 5, {d) Zech. iii. 4. (e) Epk. i. 13.

Christian gave three leaps for joy, and went oa singing:—

Thus far did I come laden with my sin;
Nor could ought ease the grief that I was in,
Till I came hither. What a place is this!
Must here be the beginniag of my bliss?
Must here the burden fall from «if my hack?
Must here the strings I hat bind it to me crack?
Blest croas ! blest sepulchre! blest rather be
The man thu there was put to shame for me!

Explanatory Notes.

THIS short chapter contains one of the most important event in the whole work. Here we are figuratively shown,' the happy effect of faith, as to the believer s consc^:ence; or the way in which he obtains deliverance from guilt. The pi'grim was certainly a christian when he entered the Wicketgate, but he was not a joyful and happy christian, till he arrived at the cross. The soul that sees Jesus as the only wajr to the Fa-her, and walks in him as such, is in a safe condition, though destitute of assurance as to personal interest. Faith, or believing, lias always n spect to something revealed, but that Christ died for me hi particular, is not revealed, and therefore the believing of it is not faith. Nevertheless, this blessed knowledge of personal interest in Christ, is both desirable and attainable: and a real christian cannot be s ilifW .without it. Header, would you obtain this happiness, look to Jesus; consider the love of his heart in dying tor the chief of sinners; remember that he fully satisfied (or sin on the cross, and '. redeemed us from the curse of the law, being "made a curse for us," Gal Hi 13.

Here look till love dissolve your heart, ^k
And bid invading fears depart.

Christian, now a strong believer, is favoured with three distinguishing blessings, which are the fruits of faith. First, The knowledge of forgiveness through the death of Christ. Secondly, The acceptance of his person, through the imputation of the Redeemer's righteousness: and, Thirdly, The Holy Spirit, as a sanctifier, impressing ihe holy image of Christ upon him, so as to be visible to all; and, as a Comforter, in giving him a roll, containing the evidences of his adoption. No wonder, that thus blessed, he gave three leaps for joy, for such a joy is " unspeakable, and full of glory!"