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Chriftian directed to the
Wicket Gate.

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not behind him, but fled towards the middle of the plain.

The neighbours alfo came out to fee him run, and, as he ran, fome mocked, others threatened, and fome cried after him to return: among thofe that did fo, there were two who were refolved to fetch him back by force. The name of the one was Obftinate, and the name of the other Pliable. Now, by this time, the man was got a good diftance from them; but, however, they were refolved to purfue him, which they did, and, in a little time, they overtook him.

Then faid the man, Neighbours, wherefore are ye come? They faid, To perfuade you to go

The Pilgrim, notwithstanding the cries of his wife and children, flies towards the plain. The ties of affection are ftrong,-the effectual calls of grace are stronger. Thus Abraham, when called to leave his own country and kindred, obeyed, and went out, he knew not whither.

f Obftinate and Pliable are determined to bring him back by force.-Vain attempt! When God begins to work, it is not in the power of men or devils to hinder it--Hǝ will work, and none fhall let it.

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Pliable is cafily perfunded to go with Chriftian. read in fcripture of one who came to our Lord, and said, Mafter, I will follow thee whitherfoever thou goeft; but when he was told of the hardships he was to expect, we read no more of his following Chrift.-A man may be perfuaded to take up the profeffion of religion by reafon and argument; but spiritual conviction of fin, and found converfion to Chrift, is the work of the Holy Ghoft.

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back with us. But he faid, That can by no means be: you dwell, faid he, in the city of Destruction (the place alfo where I was born), and I fee that, dying there, fooner or later, you will fink lower than the grave, into a place which burns with fire and brimstone: be content, good neighbours, to go along with me. What, faid Obftinate, and leave our friends and our comforts behind us? Yes, faid Christian (for that was his name); for all which you fhall forfake is not worthy to be compared with a little of that which I am seeking to enjoy; and if you will go along with me, and hold it, you fhall fare as I do; for where I go, there is enough and to fpare: come away, and prove my words.

Obft. What are the things you feek, fince you leave all the world to find them?

Chr. I feek an Inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away: it is laid up in heaven, and there it is fafe, to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on them that diligently feek it, You may read it fo, if you will, in my book.

Obft. Tufh away with your book: will you go back with us, or not?

Chr. No, not I; because I have laid my hand to the plough.

Obft. Come then, neighbour Pliable, let us turn again, and go home without him: there is a company of these crazy-headed coxcombs, who, when they take a fancy by the end, are wifer in their own eyes than feven men who can render a reason.

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Pli.

Pli. Then faid Pliable, don't revile; if what the good Christian fays is true, the things which he looks after are better than ours; my heart inclines to go with my neighbour.

Obft. What! more fools ftill! Be ruled by me, and go back: who knows whither fuch a brainfick fellow will lead you? Go back, go back, and be wife.

Chr. Nay, but do thou come with thy neighbour Pliable; there certainly are fuch things to be had, of which I have been fpeaking; and many more glories befides: if you believe not me, read it here in this book; and as for the truth of what is expressed therein, behold all is confirmed by the blood of him who made it.

Pli. Well, neighbour Obftinate, I begin to come to a point; I intend to go along with this good man, and to cast in my lot with him.-But, my good companion, do you know the way to this defired place?

Chr. I am directed by a man, whofe name is Evangelift, to speed me to a little gate that is before us, where we fhall receive inftructions about the way.

Pli. Come then, good neighbour, let us be going. So they went both together.

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Obft. And I will go back to my place 1; I will

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Though Obftinate goes back, and Pliable goes on with Christian, there was no more grace in one than in the other,

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