Wherefore, though thou shouldst be so rash as to cast away thyself; yet, for the sake of the fruit of thy body, keep thou at home.

But Christiana said unto her, Tempt me not, my neighbour: I have now a price put into my hand to get gain, and I should be a fool of the greatest sort, if I should have no heart to strike in with the opportunity. And for that you tell me of all these troubles that I am like to meet with in the way; they are so far from being to me a discouragement, that they show I am in the right. "The bitter must come before the sweet," and that also will make the sweet the sweeter. Wherefore, since you came not to my house in God's name, as I said, I pray you begone, and do not disquiet me further.

Then Timorous also reviled her, and said to her fellow, Come, neighbour Mercy, let us leave her in her own hands, since she scorns our counsel and company.-But Mercy was at a stand, and could not so readily comply with her neighbour; and that for a twofold reason: Ist, Her bowels yearned over Christiana. So she said within herself,

If my neighbour will needs be gone, I will go a little way with her and

help her. 2ndly, Her bowels yearned over her own soul; for what Christiana had said had taken some hold upon her mind. Wherefore she said within herself again, I will yet have more talk with this Christiana; and, If I find truth and life in what she shall say, I myself with my heart shall also go with her. Wherefore Mercy began thus to reply to her neighbour Timorous:

MER. Neighbour, I did indeed come with you to see Christiana this morning, and since she is, as you see, taking her last farewell of the country, I think to walk this sunshiny morning a little with her, to help her, on the way. But she told her not of her second reason, but kept it to herself.

TIM. Well, I see you have a mind to go a fooling too; but take heed in time, and be wise: while we are out of danger, we are out;

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duty of the great Tempter, and would dissuade | wards the golden harvests; the Cross, with all even the true Pilgrims from their progress its weight and bitterness, and then the Crown! heavenward. Come, neighbour Mercy."-The second of Tempt me not. - CHRISTIANA'S convictions these two neighbours, it now appears, was one were more to her than the plausible dissuasives named MERCY. This is the introduction of of her neighbour. She therefore appeals to one of the main characters of the Second her that she cast no more temptation in her Pilgrimage, who by-and-by joins herself to way, hindering her progress to the Kingdom, CHRISTIANA, and bears her company to the and prejudicing her fair prospects of future end. She had come, in questionable comglory. "The bitter before the sweet!" Yes, panionship, to remonstrate, but she remains the thorns first, and then the blooming rose; to sympathise. Two causes contributed to

the rude, rough ploughshare first, and after this change of mind

The Neighbours hear of Christiana's Departure.

but when we are in, we are in. So Mrs. Timorous returned to her house, and Christiana betook herself to her journey. But when Timorous was got home to her house, she sends for some of her neighbours, to wit, Mrs. Bat's-eyes, Mrs. Inconsiderate, Mrs. Light-mind, and Mrs. Know-nothing. So, when they were come to her house, she falls to telling of the story of Christiana, and of her intended journey. And thus she began her tale :

Neighbours, having but little to do this morning, I went to give Christiana a visit; and when I came at the door, I knocked, as you know it is our custom : and she answered, If you come in God's name, come in. So in I went, thinking all was well: but, when I came in, I found her preparing herself to depart the town; she and also her children. So I asked her what was her meaning by that? And she told me in short that she was now of a mind to go on pilgrimage, as did her husband. She told me also a dream that she had, and how the King of the country where her husband was had sent her an inviting letter to come thither.

Then said Mrs. Know-nothing, And what, do you think she will go? TIM. Ay, go she will, whatever come of it: and methinks I know it by this; for that which was my great argument to persuade her to stay at home (to wit, the troubles she was like to meet with in the way), is one great argument with her to put her forward on her journey. For she told me in so many words, The bitter goes before the sweet: yea, and forasmuch as it doth, it makes the sweet the sweeter.

MRS. BAT'S-EYES. Oh, this blind and foolish woman! and will she not take warning by her husband's afflictions? For my part, I see, if he were here again, he would rest him content in a whole skin, and never run so many hazards for nothing.

Mrs. INCONSIDERATE also replied, saying, Away with such fantastical fools from the town: a good riddance, for my part, I say of her.

(1) Her sympathy for CHRISTIANA. The knowledge of another's sorrow and affliction ofttimes changes a spirit of reproof into a spirit of compassion. There is vast power in Christian earnestness, and much moral force in that deep-rooted solicitude, arising from heart-felt conviction of sin, which disposes the sinner to forsake all for Christ. This woman could not but feel that there was genuine reality in that self-denial, that now enables her neighbour to leave all and follow Jesus.

feeling, though not expressed at the time, yet abided deep in the heart of MERCY. She must look to herself, and see and judge whether these things are so, as reported by CHRISTIANA. Self-preservation is said to be the first law of nature; and so, in spiritual things, self-preservation may be said to be the first law of grace. MERCY decides to go with CHRISTIANA, and Mrs. TIMOROUS departs upon her way alone. Thus are fresh converts drawn to the cause of Jesus, and the world and (2) Her anxiety respecting herself. This Satan spoiled of some of their former subjects.

Should she stay where she dwells, and retain this mind, who could live quietly by her; for she will either be dumpish or unneighbourly, to talk of such matters as no wise body can abide. Wherefore, for my part, I shall never be sorry for her departure; let her go, and let her better come in her room: it was never a good world since these whimsical fools dwelt in it.

Part i. p. 98.

Then Mrs. LIGHT-MIND added as followeth : Come, put this kind of talk away. I was yesterday at Madame Wanton's, where we were as merry as the maids. For who do you think should be there, but I and Mrs. Love-the-flesh, and three or four more, with Mr. Lechery, Mrs. Filth, and some others: so there we had music and dancing, and what else was meet to fill up the pleasure. And, I dare say, my lady herself is an admirable well-bred gentlewoman, and Mr. Lechery is as pretty a fellow.

CHAPTER II.

THE WICKET-GATE.

THE Second Pilgrimage is begun; and more auspiciously, perhaps, than the First. A large group of Pilgrims-all of one household and family, now start for Sion, attended by a fair companion, whose name is MERCY. This group is gradually increased, by the addition of new comrades from time to time; and the whole company, in a diversified but yet consistent journey, march on to the better land.

We have set before us, in this Allegory, a beautiful illustration of Christian female character. In the former Part we have read the spiritual life of Christian men; but in this narrative it is Christian womanhood that is honoured, in the representation of motherly influence, and sisterly companionship, and female piety, and filial following, and all the circumstances that go to make up the character of domestic Christian discipline, tempered by the spirit of home religion. The characters of CHRISTIANA and MERCY worthily occupy the foreground all through the Second Allegory, as those of CHRISTIAN and his comrades, FAITHFUL and HOPEFUL, in the First. Here we may see the Christian matron, and the Christian maid, and Christian children, all travelling the same pilgrimage, and helping each other forward in the heavenly race.

Y this time Christiana was got on her way, and Mercy went along with her. So as they went, her children being there also, Christiana began to discourse. And, Mercy, said Christiana, I take this as an unexpected favour, that thou shouldst set foot out of doors with me to accompany me a little in my

way.

Then said young Mercy (for she was but young), If I thought it would be to purpose to go with you,' I would never go near the town. Well, Mercy, said Christiana, cast in thy lot with me, I well know

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