Part I. thou didst attempt wrong ways to be rid of thy burden, whereas thou fhouldeft have itayed 'till thy Prince had taken it off. Thou didst finfully fleep, and lose thy choice things. Thou waft alfo almost perfuaded to go back at the fight of the lions: and when thou talkeft of thy journey, and of what thou hast heard and feen, thou art inwardly defirous of vain-glory in all that thou fayest or doest.

Chr. All this is true, and much more, which thou haft left out; but the Prince whom I serve and honour, is merciful and ready to forgive but besides, thefe infirmities poffeffed me in thy country; for there I fucked them in, and I have groaned under them, been forry for them, and have obtained pardon of my Prince.

Apol. Then Apollyon broke out into a grievous rage, faying, I am an enemy to this Prince; I hate his perfon, his laws, and people: I am come out on purpose to withstand thee.

Chr. Apollyon, beware what you do; for I am in the King's highway, the way of holiness; therefore take heed to yourself.

Apol. Then Apollyon ftraddled quite over the whole breadth of the way, and faid, I am void of fear in this matter; prepare thyself to die; for I fwear by my infernal den, that thou fhalt go no farther: here will I fpill thy foul.

And with that he threw a flaming dart at his breaft; but Chriftian had a fhield in his hand, with which

of fin; and which had been the burden of his foul, and caufed him to groan for deliverance from God, from whom he had received the forgivenefs of his fins. This the enemy knew to be the cafe; (and he knows it to be true refpecting all God's people) yet he will thruft his darts at them; and though he knows they are rescued from his kingdom, he will nevertheless diftrefs their confciences, and often wound the peace of their

hearts.

Christian fights Appollyon

which he caught it, and fo prevented the danger of that.

Then did Chriftian draw; for he faw it was time to beftir him; and Apollyon as faft made at him, throwing darts as thick as hail; by which, notwithstanding all that Chriftian could do to avoid it, Apollyon wounded him in his head, his hand, and foot. This made Chriftian give a little back: Apol lyon, therefore, followed his work amain, and Chriftian again took courage, and refifted as manfully as he could. This fore combat lafted for above half a day, even till Chriftian was almoft quite fpent. For you must know, that Chriftian, by reason of his wounds, must needs grow weaker and weaker.

Then Apollyon efpying his opportunity, began to gather up close to Chriftian, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and with that Chriftian's fword flew out of his hand. Then faid Apollyon, am fure of thee now: and with that he had almoft preffed him to death; so that Chriftian began to defpair of life. But as God would have it, while A pollyon was fetching his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, Chriftian nimbly reach, ed out his hand for his fword, and caught it, faying,

Re

hearts. Nay, he is fometimes permitted to wound the underftanding, faith, and converfation of a believer. The understanding is often fo ftun'd, that the poor diftreffed creature does not know how to act, which way to turn, or whither to go. All his fenfes are benumbed, and he can fcarce difcover a glimpse of light or love. The fhicld of faith feems loft, and he cannot apply, with believing appropriating views, to Jefus, for comfort and joy: hence his converfation becomes wavering, uncertain, and inconfiftent: now, diftrufting the power and grace of Jefus; anon, giving up all for loft, and almoft ready to fpeak evil of God, and his ways. The conflict is frequently fevere; and, for wife reafons, the Lord permits it to continue for a long time; perhaps to teach the believer that he is nothing of himself, and to convince him of the neceffity of al

ways

Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I fhall arife; and with that gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give back, as one that had received his mortal wound. Chriftian perceiving that, made at him again; faying, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us. And with that Apollyon spread forth his dragon's wings, and sped him away, that Chriftian saw him no more. Mic. vii. 8. Rom. viii. 8, 9. Jam. iv. 7.

In this combat no man can imagine, unless he had feen and heard as I did, what yelling and hideous roaring Apollyon made all the time of the fight: he fpake like a dragon: And, on the other fide, what fighs and groans burft from Chriftian's heart. I never faw him all the while give fo much as one pleafant look, till he perceived he had wounded Apollyon with his two-edged fword; then, indeed, he did fmile, and look upward: but it was the dreadfullest fight that I ever faw.

So when the battle was over, Chriftian faid, I will here give thanks to him that hath delivered me out of the mouth of the lion, to him that did help me against Apollyon. And so he did, faying:

Great

ways having his loins girt about with truth, and having on the breaft-plate of righteoufnefs; and his feet fhad with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the field of faith, wherewith be fhall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of falvation, and the word of the Spirit, which is the word of God. For want of this spiritual and divine armour, the believer is often wounded, tho' never fuffered finally to fall by the power of his enemy. The Lord whom he loves, and delights to honour, graciously appears for him, and makes him joyful in the full experience of that bleffed paffage, that in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us; and that neither fin, nor fatan, fhall have the dominion over us. Such is the nature of the cafe before us. The Chriftian beholds fatan a conquered, and a vanquished foe; hence he exults in the trophies of his victory, and afcribes praise to the God of his falvation, by whom he has

efcaped