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deliver any that served him out of our hands: But as for me, how many times, as all the World very well knows, have I delivered, either by Power or Fraud, those that have faithfully served me, from him and his, though taken by them? And so I will deliver thee.

Chr. His forbearing at present to deliver them, is on purpose to try their Love, whether they will

cleave to him to the End: And as for the ill end thou sayest they come to, that is most glorious in their account: But, for present Deliverance, they do not much expect it; for they stay for their Glory, and then they shall have it, when their Prince comes in his, and the Glory of the Angels.

Apol. Thou hast already been unfaithful in thy service to him; and how dost thou think to receive Wages of him?

Chr. Wherein, O Apollyon! have I been unfaithful to him?

pleads Chris

him.

Apol. Thou didst faint at first setting out, when Apollyon thou wast almost choaked in the Gulph of Despond; tian's Infirmi thou didst attempt wrong ways to be rid of thy Bur- ties against den, whereas thou shouldest have stayed till thy Prince had taken it off. Thou didst sinfully sleep, and lose thy choice Things. Thou wast also almost persuaded to go back at the sight of the Lions : And when thou talkest of thy Journey, and of what thou hast heard and seen, thou art inwardly desirous of Vain-glory in all that thou sayest or dost.

Chr. All this is true, and much more, which thou hast left out; but the Prince whom I serve and honour, is merciful and ready to forgive: But besides, these Infirmities possessed me in thy Country; for

Apollyon in a
Rage falls

there I sucked them in, and I have groaned under them, been sorry for them, and have obtained Pardon of my Prince.

Apol. Then Apollyon broke out into a grievous upon Chris- Rage, saying, I am an Enemy to this Prince; I hate his Person, his Laws, and People: I am come out on purpose to withstand thee.

tian.

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 straddled quite over the whole breadth of the Way, and said, I am void of Fear in this matter; prepare thyself to die; for I swear by my infernal Den, That thou shalt go no further: Here will I spill thy Soul!

And with that he threw a flaming Dart at his breast; but Christian had a Shield in his hand, with which he caught it, and so prevented the danger of that.

Then did Christian draw; for he saw it was time to bestir him; and Apollyon as fast made at him, throwing Darts as thick as hail; by the which, notwithstanding all that Christian could do to avoid it, Christian Apollyon wounded him in his head, his hand, and Understand foot.

wounded in his

ing, Faith, and Conversation.

This made Christian give a little back: Apollyon, therefore, followed his Work amain, and Christian again took Courage, and resisted as manfully as he could. This sore Combat lasted for above half a day, even till Christian was almost quite spent. For you must know that Christian, by reason of his Wounds, must needs grow weaker and weaker.

Tnen Apollyon espying his opportunity, began to

[graphic]

eth Christian

gather up close to Christian, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful Fall; and with that Christian's Apollyon castSword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, I down to the am sure of thee now: And with that he had almost Ground. pressed him to Death; so that Christian began to despair of Life. But, as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching of his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, Christian nimbly reached out his hand for his Sword, and caught it, saying, Rejoyce not against me, O mine Enemy! when Christian's I fall I shall arise; and with that gave him a deadly Apollyon. thrust, which made him give back, as one that had Mic. 7. 8. received his mortal wound. Christian perceiving that, made at him again; saying, Nay, in all these Rom. 8. 37. things we are more than Conquerors, through him that Jam. 4. 7. loved us. And with that Apollyon spread forth his

Dragon's wings, and sped him away, that Christian saw him no more.

Victory over

tion of the

In this Combat no man can imagine, unless he had A brief Relaseen and heard as I did, what yelling and hideous Combat, by the roaring Apollyon made all the time of the fight: spectator. He spake like a Dragon: And on the other side, what sighs and groans burst from Christian's heart. I never saw him all the while give so much as one pleasant look, till he perceived he had wounded Apollyon with his two-edged Sword; then, indeed, he did smile, and look upward: But it was the dreadfullest Fight that ever I saw.

A more unequal Match can hardly be:
Christian must fight an Angel; but you see

The Valiant Man, by handling Sword and Shield,
Doth make him, tho' a Dragon, quit the field.

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