destroyed by another; as we see, she is turned into a pillar of salt.

Hope. True, and she may be to us both caution and example; caution, that we should shun her sin; or a sign of what judgment will overtake such as shall not be prevented by this caution: so Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, with the two hundred and fifty men that perished in their sin, did also become a sign or example to beware.131 But, aLove all, I muse at one thing, to wit, how Demas and his fellows can stand so confidently yonder to look for that treasure, which this woman, but for looking behind her after, (for we read not that she stept one foot out of the way) was turned into a pillar of salt; especially since the judgment which overtook her, did make her an example within sight of where they are: for they cannot choose but see her, did they but lift up their eyes.

Chr. It is a thing to be wondered at, and it argueth that their hearts are grown desperate in the case; and I cannot tell who to compare them to so fitly, as to them that pick pockets in the presence of the judge, or that will cut purses under the gallows. It is said of the men of Sodom, "that they were sinners exceedingly," because they were sinners "before the Lord;" "132 that is, in his eyesight; and notwithstanding the kindness that he had showed them; for the land of Sodom was now like "the garden of Eden heretofore." 133 This therefore provoked him the more to jealousy, and made their plague as hot as the fire of the Lord out of heaven could make it. And it is most rationally to be concluded, that such, even such as these are, that shall sin in the sight, yea, and that too in despite of such examples, that are set continually before them to caution them to the contrary, must be partakers of the severest judgments.

Hope. Doubtless, thou hast said the truth; but what a mercy is it, that neither thou, but especially I, am not made myself this example? This ministreth occasion to us to thank God, to fear before him, and always to remember Lot's wife.

I saw then, that they went on their way to a pleasant riter, which David the king called, "the River of God;" but John, "the River of the Water of Life." 134 Now their

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way lay just upon the bank of this river: here therefore Christian and his companion walked with great delight; they drank also of the water of the river, which was pleasant, and enlivening to their weary spirits: besides, on the banks of this river, on either side, were green trees, for all manner of fruit; and the leaves they eat to prevent surfeits, and other diseases that are incident to those that heat their blood by travels.13 On either side of the river was also a meadow, curiously beautified with lilies; and it was green all the year long. In this meadow they laid down and slept: for here they might "lie down safely." When they awoke, they gathered again of the fruit of the trees, and drank again of the water of the river, and then lay down again to sleep. Thus they did several days and nights. Then they sang,

Behold ye, how these crystal streams do glide,
To comfort pilgrims, by the highway side.

The meadows green, besides their fragrant smell,
Yield dainties for them: and he that can tell

What pleasant fruit, yea, leaves, these trees do yield,
Will soon sell all, that he may buy this field.

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So when they were disposed to go on (for they were not as yet at their journey's end) they eat and drank, and departed.

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Now I beheld in my dream, that they had not journeyed far, but the river and the way for a time parted, at which they were not a little sorry, yet they durst not go out of the way. Now the way from the river was rough, and their feet tender by reason of their travels: so "the souls of the pilgrims were much discouraged because of the way." Wherefore still as they went on, they wished for a better way. Now a little before them, there was, on the left hand of the road, a meadow, and a stile to go over into it; and that meadow is called By-path meadow. Then said Christian to his fellow, If this meadow lieth along by our way-side, let us go over into it. Then he went to the stile to see, and behold a path lay along by the way on the other side of the fence. 'Tis according to my wish, said Christian, here is the easiest going; come, good Hopeful, and let us go over.

Hope. But how if this path should lead us out of the way?