Chapter III

Now there was on the other side of the wall, that fenced in the way up which Christiana and her companions were to go, a garden, and that belonged to him whosi was that b irking dog, of whom mention was made before. And some of the fruit trees that grew in the garden shot the rbranches upon the wall; and being mc low, they that found them did gather them up and e..t of them to their hurt. So Christiana's boys, as boys are apt to do, being pleased with the trees, and with t ie fruit that did hang thereon, did pluck them, and began to eat. Their mother did also chide tuem tor so doing, bat still the boys Went on.

Well, s..id she, my sons, you transgress, for that fruit is none ot ours; but she did not know that they did belong to the enemy: I'll warrant you, if she had, she would have been ready to die for tear. Bui that passed, and they went on their way. Now, by that they were £One about two bows-shot Irom the place that led iheui into the way, they espied two very ill-favoured ones coming down apace to meet them. With that Christiana, and Mercy, her friend, covered themselves with tueir veils, and kept also on their journe\ : the ch ldien also went on belo.c; so a last they met together. Then they that

came down to meet t'lein, came just up to the women, as if tiiey would embrace the n ; but Chii tuna said, Stand back, or go peaceably as you should. But these two, as men that are de..f, ^regarded not Christiana's words, but began to lay li 'n is upon them ; at thai Christiana waxed very wrotn, ;.n I spurned at them with her feet. Meicy also, as well as she could, did what she could to sink them. Cnristiana ajain said to them, Sttrtd back, and ha gone, tor we have no iwonev to lo--e, being pilgrims, is you see, and sucli too as live upon tiie cuarity of our friends.

JU-Fav. Then said oi'e of the two men, Wemaka no assault upon yon for money; but we are co ne out to tell you, t iat if you will but grant one small request, which we shall ask, we will make women of yon lor ever.

Christ. Now Christiana, imagining what they ■hould mean, made answer a^ain, We will neither hear, nor regard, nor yield to what you shall a.sk. We are in has'e, aiv1 cannot stav.: our business is of the last importance: so again s ie and her companions made a fresh essay to go p..st them; but they letied them in their way.

llt-Fuv. And they said, We intend no hurt to your lives; 'tis another thing we would have.

Christ. Av, quoth Christiana, fou would have us body and soul; tor 1 kiow 'tis lor that you are co.ne; but we will rather die upon the spot, than suffer ourselves to be brought into such snares, a* shall hazard our well-being hereafter ; and with mat they both shrieked out and cried, Niurder, murder! and so put themselves under'hose la" s thai are provided for the protection ot women (a). But the men still made their approach upon them, with a design to prevail against them. They theretoie cr.edou: a^ain.

(a) Deut. xxii. 23, 2P, 27.

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Now they being, as I said, not far from the gate, in at which they came, their voice was heard from where they were, thither: wherefore some of the house came out, and knowing that it was Christiana's tongue, they made haste to their relief. But by that they were got within sight of them, the women were in a very great scuffle; the children also stood crying by. Then did he that came in for their relief, call out to the ruffians, saying, What is that thing you do? would you make my Lord's people to transgress? He also attempted to take them, but they did make their escape over the wall into the garden of the man to whom the great dog belonged; so the dog became their protector. This Reliever then came up to the women, aud asked them how they did ? So they answered, We thank thy Prince, pretty well, only we have been somewhat affrighted; we thank thee also, for that thou comest in to our help, for otherwise we had been overcome.

Believer. So efter a fi t more words, this Reliever said as followeth: I murvelied much, when you was entertained at the gate above, seeing, you know, that ye were but weak women, that you petitioned not the Lord for a conductor: then might you have avoided these troubles and dangers; he would have granted you one.

Christ. Alas! said Christiana, we were so taken with our present blessing, that dangers to come were forgotten by us: beside, who could have thought, that so near the King's palace, there should have lurked such naughty outs? Indeed, it had been well for us, had we asked our Lord for one; but since our Lord knew it would be for our prafk, I wonder be sent not one along with us.

Rel. It is not al« ays necessary to grant things not asked for, lest by so doing they become of little esteem : but when the want of a thing is felt, it then comes under, in the eyes of him that feels it, that estimate, that properly is its due, and so consequently will be hereafter used. ' Had my Lord granted you a conductor, you would not neither so have bewailed that oversight of yours, in not asking for one, as now you have occasion to do. So all things work for good, and tend to make you more wary.

Christ. Shall we go back again to my Lord, and confess our folly, and ask one?

Kel. Your confession of your folly I will present him with: to go back again, you need not; for in all places where you shall come, you will find no want at all; for in every of my Lord's lodgings, which he has prepared tor the reception of his pilgrims, there is sufficient to furnish them against all attempts whatsoever. But, as I said, he will be inquired of by them that do it for them (b). And it is a poor thing that is not worth asking for. When he had thus said, he went back to his place, and the pilgrims went on their way.

Mercy. Then said Mercy, What a sudden blank is here! I made account we had been past all danger, and that we should never sorrow more.

Christ. Thy innocency, my sister, said Christiana to Mercy, may excuse thee much; but as for me, my fault is so much the greater, for that I saw this danger before I came out of the doors, and yet did not provide for it, when provision might have been had. I am much to Ue blamed.

Mercy. Then said Mercy, How knew you this before you came from home? Pray open to me this riddle.

Christ. Why, I will tell you: before I set foot out of doors, one night, as I lay in my bed, I had a dream about this : for methought I saw two men, aslike these as ever the world they could look, stand at my be i's feet, plotting how they might prevent nly salvation. I will tell you their very words: they said, (it was when I was in my troubles) What shall we do with this woman? for she cries out

waking and sleeping, for forgiveness; if s'ie be suffered to go on as >he begins, we shall lose her, Hs \vf have lost her husband. This, you know, might have m»de me take heed, and have pro.ided when provision might have been had.

Mercy. Well, said Mercv, as by this neglect we have an occasion ministered umo us, to behold our imperfections: so our Lord has token occasion thereby to make m .nife^t the riches or his grace; for he, as Wv' see, h*s followed us with unasked kindness, and has del.vered us from their .hands that were stronger thaii we, oi h.s mere good pleasure.

Thus now when they had talked away a little rnore time, thev drew near to a house which stood in the wav, which house was built for the relief of pilgrims, as you wdl find more fully relaied in the first part of the records of The Pilgrim's Progress.— See Part I. p. 28, &c. So they drew on towards the house (the house of the Interpreter), ami when they came to the door, they heard a great talk in the house; then they gave e.ir, and beard, as they thoug. t, Christiana mentioned by name. For you must know, th.il there went along, even before her, a talk of her and her children gomg on pilgrimage. And this was the more pleasing to them, because they had heard that she was Christian's wife, that woman who was sometime ago so unwilling to hear of going on pilgrimage. Thus therefore they stood still, and heard the good people within to ntrending her, who they little thought stood at the door. At last Christiana knocked, as she had done at t:.e gate before. Now, when she had knocked, there came to the door a young damsel, named Innocent, and opened the door, and looked, aud behold, two women weie there.

Damsel. Then said the damsel to them, With vJiom would jou speak in this place?

'Christ. C hristiana answered, We understand that-, this t*'a privileged place for iho e tlwt arc become

pilgrims, and we now at this d or are such: wherefore we pray that we may be partakers of tliat for which »eai this time are come; for thes day, as thou seest, is very far spe.t, and we arc loath tonight to go any f .rther.

Damsel. Pray, what may I call your nam?, that I may tell it ti> my Lord within?

Christ. My name is Christiana; I was the wife of that pilgrim ttiat some years ago did travel this wav, and these he his four children. t his maiden is also my companion, and is going on pilgr mage too.

Innocent. Then ran Innocent in, (tor that was her name) and said to those within, Can you think who is at the door? there is Christiana and her children, and her companion, all waiting for entertainment here. Then they leaped for joy, and went and told their master. So he came to the door, a^r'd looking upon her, he said, Art thou that Christiana whom Christian the good man left behind him, when he betook himself to a pilgrim's life? - .' Christ. 1 am that woman that was so hard-hearted as to slight my hushand's troubles, and that left him to go on his journey alone, and th se are his four children; but now I also am tome, for 1 am convinced that no way is right but this.

Inter. Then is fulfilled that which is written of the man that said to his son, "Go, work to-day in my vineyard;" and he said to his father, " I will not; but afterwards he repented, and went (c)."

Christ. 1 hen said Christiana, So be it, Amen. Cod make it a true saying upon me, and «;rant that J may be found at the last of him in peace, without spot, and bl.meless.

Inter. But why standest thou at the door? Come in, thou daughter of Abraham; we were talking i f thee but now, for tidings have come to us before, how thou are become a pilgrim. -Come, children,

(c) Matt. xxi. 28, 29.

come in; come, maiden, come: so be had them all
into the house.

So when they were within, they were bidden to
sit down and rest them; the which when they had
done, those that attended upon the pilgrims in the
bouse, came into the room to see them. And one
smiled, and another smiled, and another smiled, and
they all smiled, for joy that Christiana was become a
pilgrim : and they also looked upon the boys ; they
stroked them over their faces, with their hands, in
token of their kind reception of them; they also car-
ried it lovingly to Mercy, and hid them all welcome
into their master's house.

After a while, because supper was not ready, the / Interpreter took them into hjs^ignifaCimt^cKHns, and showed them what Christian, Christiana's husband, had seen some time before. Here, therefore, they saw the man in the cage, the man and hi> dream, the man that cut his way through his enemies, and the picture of the Biggest of all, together with the rest of those things that were then so profitable to Christian.

This done, and after those things had been somewhat digested by Christiana and her company, the Interpreter takes them apart again, and has theai first into a room, where was a man that could look no way but downwards, with a muck-rake in his hand: there stood also one over his head/ with a ceelestial crown in his hand, and proffered him that , crown for his muck-rake; but the man did neither look up, nor regard, but raked to himself the straws, the small sticks, and dust of the floor.

Then said Christiana, I persuade myself that I know somewhat the meaning of this: for this is the figure of a man of this world; is it not, good Sir? Inter. Thou hast said right, said he, and his muck. rake doth show his carnal mind. And whereas thou . \ '* seest him rather give heed to take up straws, and ''' sticks, and the dust of the floor, than do what he says, that calls to him from above, with the ccelestial crown in his hand ; it is to show that heaven is but a fable to some, and that things here are counted the only things substantial. Now, whereas it was also showed thee, that the man could look no way but downwards; it is to let thee know that earthly things, when they are with power upon men's minds, quite carry their hearts away from God.

Christ. Then said Christiana, Oh! deliver mn from this muck-rake.

Inter. That prayer, said the Interpreter, has lain by till it is almost rusty; "Give me not riches [d)" is scarce t he prayer of one in ten thousand. Straws, and sticks, and dust, with most, are the great thing's now looked after.

With that Mercy and Christiana wept, and said, It is, alas! too true.

When the Interpreter had showed them this, he had them into the very best room in the house (a very brave room it was) ; so he hid them look round about, and see if they could find any thing profitable there. Then they looked round and round: for there was nothing to be seen but a very great spider on the wall; and that they overlooked.

Mercy. Then said Mercy, Sir, I see nothing: but Christiana held her peace.

Inter. But, said the Interpreter, look again: she therefore looked again, and said, Here is not any thing but an ugly spider, who hangs by his hands upon the wall. Then, said he, Is there but one spider in all this spacious room? Then the water stood in Christiana's eyes, for she was a woman quick of apprehension: and she said, Yea, Lord, there are more here than one. Yea, and spiders, whose venom is far more destructive than that which is in her. The Interpreter then looked pleasantly on her, and said, Thou hast said the truth. This made

Mercy blush, and the boys to cover their faces, for thev all began now to understand the riddle.

Then said tlie Interpreter again, " The spider taketh hold with her hands (as you see), and is in kings' palaces." And wherefore is this recorded, but to show you, that how full of the venom of sin soever you be, yet you may, by the hand of faith, lay hold of, and dwell in the best room that belongs to the king's house above?

Christ. I thought, said Christiana, of something of this; but I could not imagine it all. I thought, that we were like spiders, and that we looked like ngly creatures, in what fine rooms soever we were: but that by this Spider, that venomous and ill-favoured creature, we were to learn how to act faith, that came not into my thoughts, that she worketh with her hands, and, as I see, dwells in the best room in the house. God has made nothing in vain.

Then they seemed all to be glad: but the water stood in their eyes: yet they looked one upon another, and also bo»ed before the Interpreter.

f He had them then into another room, where was / a hen and chickens, and bid them observe awhile. "~ So one of the chickens went to the trough to drink, and every time she drank, she lifted up her head and her eyes towards heaven. See, said he, what this little chick doth, and learn of her to acknowledge whence your mercies come, by receiving them with looking up. Yet again, said he, observe and look; so they gave heed, and perceived that the hen did walk m a fourfold method towards her chitkens. 1. She had a common call, and that she hath all the day long. 2. She had a special call, and that she had but sometimes. 3. She had a brooding note. And, 4. She had an out-cry (e).

Now, said he, compare this heu to your King, and these chickens to his obedient ones. For, answerable to her, himself has his methods, which he walk

eth in towards his people; by his common call, he gives nothing; by his special call, he always has something to give. He has also a brooding voice, for they that are under his wing. And he has an out-cry, to give the alarm, when he seeth the enemy come. I choose, my darlings, to lead you into the room where such things are, because you are women, and they are easy for you.

Christ. And, Sir, said Christiana, pray let us see some more : so he had them into the slaughter-house, where was a butcher killing a sheep: and behold the sheep was quiet, and took her death patiently. Then said the Interpreter, you must learn of this sheep to suffer, and to put up wrongs without murmurings and complaints. Behold how quietly she takes her death, and without objecting, she suffereth her skin to be pulled over her ears. Your king doth call you his sheep.

After this, he led them into his garden, where was great variety of flowers: and he said, Do you see all these? So Christiana said, Yes. Then said he again, Behold the flowers are diverse in stature, in quality, and colour, and smell, and virtue; and some are better than others: also where the gardener hath set them, there they stand, and quarrel not one with another.

Again, he had them into his field, which he had sown with wheat and corn: but when they beheld, the tops of all were cut off, only the straw remained; he said again, This ground was dunged, and ploughed, and sowed, hut what shall we do with the crop? Then said Christiana, Burn some, and make niuck of the rest. Then said the Interpreter again: Fruit, you see, is that thing you look for, and for want of that, you condemn it to the fire, and to %e trodden under foot of men: beware that-in this you condemn not yourselves.

Then, as they were coming in from abroad, they espied a robin with a great spider in his mouth: so the Interpreter said, Look here: so they looked,

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and Mercy wondered ; but Christiana said, What a disparagement is it to such a little pretty bird as the robin-red-breast is! he being also a bird among many, that loveth to maintain a kind of sociableltess with men: I had thought they had lived upon crumbs of bread, or upon other such harmless matter; I like him worse than I did.

The Interpreter then replied, this robin is an emblem, very apt to set forth some professors by; for to sight they are, as this robin, pretty of note, colour, and carriage; they seem also to have a very great love for professors that are sincere; and, above all others, to desire to associate with them, and to be in their company, as if they could lite upon the good man's crumbs. They pretend also, that therefore it is, that they frequent the house of the godly, and the appointments of the Lord: but when they are by themselves, as the robin, they can catch and gobble up spiders j they can change their diet, rdrinkand swallow down sin like vvjter.

So when they were come again into the house, because supper as yet was not ready, Christiana again desired that the Interpreter would either show .or tell of some other things that are profitable.

Then ttie Interpreter began and said :—The fatter the sow is, the more she desires the mire; the fatter the ox is, the more gamesomely he goes to the slaughter; and the more healthy the lusty man is, the more prone he is unto evil.

These is a desire in women to go neat and fine; and it is a comel" thing to be adorned with that, rthat in God's s'glit is of great price.

'Tis easier watching a night or two, than to sit up* whole year together: so 'tis easier for one to begin to profess well, than to hold out as he should to toe end.

Every ship-master, when in a storm, will willingly cast that over-board that is of the smallest value in the vessel; but who will throw the best out first^? None but he that feareth not Go,!.

One leak will sink a ship, and one sin will destroy a sinner.

He that forgets his friend, is ungrateful to him; but he that forgets his Saviour, is unmerciful to himself.

He that lives in sin, and looks for happiness hereafter, is like him that soweth cockle, and thinks to fill hisbarn with wheat or barley.

If a man would live well, let him fetch his last day to him, and make it always his company keeper.

Whispering and change of thoughts, prove that sin is in the world.

If the world, which God sets light by, is counted a thing of that worth with men, what is heaven that God commendeth?

If the life, that, is attended with so many troubles, is so loath to be let go by us, what is the life above?

Every body will cry up the goodness of men: but Who is there, that is, as he should be, affected w;th the goodness of God?

We seldom sit down to meat, but we eat, and leave. So there is in Je:'us Christ, more merit and righteousness than the whole world has need of.

When the Interpreter had done, he takes them out into his garden again, and had them to a tree, whose inside was all rotten and gone, and yet it grew and had leaves. Then, said Mercy, What means this? 1 his tree, said he, whose outside is fair, and whose inside is rotten, it is, to which many may be compared that are in the garden of God: who with then- mouths speak high in behalf of God, but indeed will do nothmg for him; whose leaves are fair, but their hearts good for nothing but to be tinder for the devil's tinder-box.

Now supper was ready, the table spread, and all things set on board; so they sat down and did eat, when one had given thanks. And the Interpreter did usually entertain those that lodged with him, with music at meals; so the minstrels played. There was also one that did sing, and a very fine' voice he had. His song was this:

The Lord is only my support,

And he that doth ine feed:
How can I then want any thing

Whereof I stand in need?

When the song and music was ended, the Interpreter asked Christiana, What it was that at first did move her thus to betake herself to a pilgrim's life? Christiana answered, First the loss of my hushand came into my mind, at which I was heartily grieved; but all that was natural affection. Then, after that came the troubles and pilgrimage of my hushand into my mind, and also how like a churl I had carried it to him as to that. So guilt took hold of my mind, and would have drawn me into the pond; but that opportunely I had a dream of the well-being of my husband, and a lette.' sept by the King of that country, where my hushand* dwells, to come to him. The dream and the letter together so wrought upon my mind, that they forced me to this way.

Inter. But met you with no opposition beforeyou set out of doors?

Christ. Yes, a neighbour of mine, one Mrs. Timorous (she was a-kin to him that would have persuaded my hushand to go hack for fear of the lions). She also so befooled me, for, as she palled it, my intended desperate adventure; she also urged what she could to dishearten me from it, the hardships and troubles that my hushand met with in the way; but all this I got pretty well over. But a dream that I had of two ill-looked ones, that I thought did plot how to make me miscarry in my journey, that hath troubled me; yea, it still runs in my mind, and makes me afraid of every one that I meet, lest they should meet me to do me a mischief, and turn me out of my way. Yea, I may tell my Lord, though I would not have every body know it, that between this and the gate by which we got into the wav, we were both so sorely assaulted, that we were made to cry out murder; and the two that made this assault upon us, were like the two that I saw in my dream.

Then said the Interpreter, Thy beginning is good, thy latter end shall greatly increase. So he addressed himself to Mercy, and said unto her, Arid what moved thee to come hither, sweet-heart?

Then Mercy blushed and trembled, and for a while continued silent.

Inter. Then, said he, be not afraid, only believe, and speak thy mind.

Mercy. Then she began, and said, Truly, Sir, my want of experience is that which makes me covet to be in silence, and that also that fills me with fears of coming short at last. I cannot tell of visions and dreams, as my friend Christiana can: nor know I what it is to mourn for my refusing of the counsel of those that were good relations.

Inter. What was it then, dear heart, that hath prevailed with thee to do as thou hast done?

Mercy. Why, when our friend here was packing up to be gone from our town, I and another went accidently to see her. So we knocked at the door, and went in. When we were within, and seeing what she was doing, we asked her what was her meaning? She said, she was sent for to go to her husband; and then she up and told us how she had seen him in a dream, dwelling in a curious place, among immortals, wearing a crown, playing upon a harp, eating and drinking at his Prince's table, and singing praises to him for bringing him thither, itc. Now methought while she was telling these things unto us, my heart burned within me. And I said in my heart, if this be true, I will leave my father and mother, and the land of my nativity, and will, if I may, go along with Christiana.

So 1 asked her farther of the truth of these things, and if she would let me go with her; for I saw now, that there was no dwelling, but with the danger of rum, any longer in our town. But yet I came away with a heavy heart, not for that I was unwilling to come away, but for that so many of my relations were left behind.

And I come with iill the desire of my heart, and will go, if I may, with Christiana, unto her husband, and his King.

Inter. Thy setting out is good, for thou hast given credit to the truth; thou art a Ruth who did, for the love she tare to Naomi, and to the Lord her God, leave father and mother, and the land of her nativity, to come out and go with a people that she knew not before, Ruth, ii. 11, 12. "Tiie Lord recompense thy work, and full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust." *

Now supper was ended, and preparation was made for bed: the women were laid singly alone, and the boys by themselves. Now when Mercy was m bed, she cculd net sleep for joy, for that now her doubts of missing at last, were removed farther from her than ever they w ere before. So >he lay blessing and praising God, who had such favour for her.

Explanatory Notes;

CHRISTIANS have need of watchfulness as they pass through this evil world ; for so many are its pleasing snare?, that it may well be called, The Devil's Garden. Young pilgrims are especially in danger, tor they are apt to casi a wishful eye on its tempting fruit; which, however sweet in the mouth, will prove painful and poisonous in its effects. The Lord defend our youth, and enable parents to be faithful and diligent in cautioning their children against the pleasures of sin.

Too many ill-favoured ruffians lurk about the Devil's garden, in,this age of debauchery, whose diabolical delight consists in the seduction of female virtue. Their too frequent success emboldness them to attempt even the most religious characters; for such abandoned wretches persuade themselves, that none are proof against importunity and opportunity : but where grace reigns they will find themselves mistaken. Fervent prayer will ffrsure the interference of Christ the great Reliever, who is ever at hand to assist his people, and will, with the slongest temptations, make a way for their escape. Let all, who feel their own weakness, or behold the dangers of others, learn by our pilgrims' negligence to petition their Lord for a Conductor. Christiana and Mercy profited by their mistake: they were ready to confess their fully, while they ascribe their deliverance to " the riches of grace," and "the mere good pleasure of Christ."

Our pilgrims were gladly received at the interpreter'shouse. Such is the "love of the Spirit," that he freely receives and fully instructs all who apply for his teaching. Every inhabitant of the house rejoicetn, for " old saints are glad to see young ones walk in ihe ways of God."—"One smiled, and another smiled, and they all smiled." while humbled Christiana reproaches herself as that "hard-hearted woman," who suffered her hushand to become a pilgrim . alone.

Besides the improving lessons which Christian received at this place, several new ones are here added; biu they are so illustrated by the Interpreter, as to stand in i.eed of no farther explanation. Let us only mention them in a practical manner.

The man with the muck-rake is a character too common even in the church of God. Awful thought! Straws, and sticks, and dust, preferred to Christ and salvation!"

"If angels weep, it is at such a Mght!"

Let every reader cry, Lord, deliver me from this muck-rake!

The spider is a striking emblem of our sinful naiur : we are ready to shudder when we s«e a spjoer, but if we are taught of God, we shall, with .lob, abhor ourscl.es. The hen and chickens is a similitude used by our Lord lrmself, Matt, xxtii. 37. And happy-are (hey who lave- ch an acquaintance with the loving-kindness of Je-us, asi uluc»s them to put their trust under the stiadow.of Its win^s. The patient sheep reminded the pilgrims of their suffering j.iv iour,

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who was led as a Iamb to the slaughter. May the Lord direct our hearts into the love of God, and into the patience of Jesus Christ, that the lamb like spirit, which was in him, may be in us. The garden adorned with a variety of flowers, afforded a lesson of christian candour and forbearance—Let us bless God for whatever we see of good in any, though it may not exactly suit our standard of taste. The fruitless field was a caution against barrenness of soul—Let every reader remember, that it is by bringing forth much fruit, that our heavenly Father is glorified. The pretty rohin, feeding on a spider, is a strong emblem of those deceitful professors of religion, who appear in public as the followers of the Lamb, and the friends of holiness, but wlio, in secret, can "gobble up spiders"—can feed on the empty vanities and the poisonous lusts of the world. The Lord deliver us from this hypocrisy!

Thus were our pilgrims entertained and profited at the Interpreter's house; and thus happy are the scho'ars of the Holy Ghost. Blessed are the spiritually-minded, for tliey fcave life and peace!