now; they cannot stay till the next year, that is, until the PART I. next world, for their portion of good. That proverb, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," is of more authority with them, than all the Divine testimonies of the good of the world to come. had quickly lavished all away, nothing but rags, so will it be with all such men at the end of this world.

But as thou sawest that he

and had presently left him

I.

CHR. Then said Christian, Now I see that Patience has the best wisdom, and that upon many accounts. Because he stays for the best things. 2. And also because he will have the glory of his, when the other has nothing

but rags.

INTER. Nay, you may add another, to wit, the glory of the next world will never wear out; but these are suddenly gone. Therefore Passion had not so much reason to laugh at Patience, because he had his good. things at first, as Patience will have to laugh at Passion, because he had his best things last; for first must give place to last, because last must have his time to come; but last gives place to nothing; for there is not another to succeed he therefore that hath his portion first, must needs have a time to spend it; but he that hath his portion last, must have it lastingly: therefore it is said of Dives, "In thy lifetime thou receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented."

CHR. Then I perceive it is not best to covet things that are now, but to wait for things to come.

1 Luke

xvi. 25.

18.

INTER. You say truth: for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor. iv. But though this be so, yet since things present and our fleshly appetite are such near neighbours one to another; and again, because things to come and carnal sense are

PART I.

such strangers one to another; therefore it is, that the first of these so suddenly fall into amity, and that distance is so 1 Rom. vii. continued between the second.'

15-25.

2 2 Cor.

xii. 9.

Then I saw in my dream, that the Interpreter took Christian by the hand, and led him into a place where was a fire burning against a wall, and one standing by it, always casting much water upon it, to quench it; yet did the fire burn higher and hotter.

Then said Christian, What means this?

The Interpreter answered, This fire is the work of grace that is wrought in the heart; he that casts water upon it to extinguish and put it out is the devil: but in that thou seest the fire notwithstanding burn higher and hotter, thou shalt also see the reason of that. So then he had him about to the other side of the wall, where he saw a man with a vessel of oil in his hand, of the which he did also continually cast, but secretly, into the fire.

Then said Christian, What means this?

The Interpreter answered, This is Christ, who continually, with the oil of his grace, maintains the work already begun in the heart; by the means of which, notwithstanding what the devil can do, the souls of his people prove gracious still.' And in that thou sawest, that the man stood behind the wall to maintain the fire; this is to teach thee, that it is hard for the tempted to see how this work of grace is maintained in the soul.

I saw also that the Interpreter took him again by the hand, and led him into a pleasant place, where was built a stately palace, beautiful to behold; at the sight of which Christian was greatly delighted. He saw also upon the top thereof certain persons walking, who were clothed all in gold.

Then said Christian, May we go in thither?

Then the Interpreter took him and led him up toward

the door of the palace; and behold, at the door stood a PART I. great company of men, as desirous to go in, but durst not. There also sat a man at a little distance from the door, at a table-side, with a book and his ink-horn before him, to take the name of him that should enter therein; he saw also that in the doorway stood many men in armour to keep it, being resolved to do to the men that would enter what hurt and mischief they could. Now was Christian somewhat in amaze. At last, when every man started back for fear of the armed men, Christian saw a man of a very stout countenance come up to the man that sat there to write, saying, Set down my name, sir; the which when he had done, he saw the man draw his sword, and put a helmet upon his head, and rush toward the door upon the armed men, who laid upon him with deadly force; but the man, not at all discouraged, fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. So after he had received and given many wounds to those that attempted to keep him out,' he cut his way through them all, and pressed forward 1 Matt. xi into the palace; at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that were within, even of those that walked upon the top of the palace, saying,

Come in, come in;

Eternal glory thou shalt win.

So he went in, and was clothed with such garments as they. Then Christian smiled, and said, I think verily I know the meaning of this.

Now, said Christian, let me go hence. Nay, stay, said the Interpreter, until I have shewed thee a little more, and after that thou shalt go on thy way. So he took him by the hand again, and led him into a very dark room, where there sat a man in an iron cage.

Now the man, to look on, seemed very sad; he sat with his eyes looking down to the ground, his hands folded

12; Acts χίν. 22.

PART I. together, and he sighed as if he would break his heart. Then said Christian, What means this? At which the Interpreter bid him talk with the man.

Luke

viii. 13.

Then said Christian to the man, What art thou? The man answered, I am what I was not once.

CHR. What wast thou once?

MAN. The man said, I was once a fair and flourishing professor, both in mine own eyes, and also in the eyes of

others. I was once, as I thought, fair for the Celestial City, and had even joy at the thoughts that I should get thither. CHR. But how camest thou into this condition?

MAN. I am now a man of despair, and am shut up in it, as in this iron cage. I cannot get out. Oh, now I

cannot !

CHR. Well, but what art thou now?

MAN. I left off to watch and be sober; I laid the reins upon the neck of my lusts; I sinned against the light of

the Word, and the goodness of God; I have grieved the PART I. Spirit, and He is gone; I tempted the devil, and he is come to me; I have provoked God to anger, and He has I have so hardened my heart, that I cannot

left me; repent.

Then said Christian to the Interpreter, But are there no hopes for such a man as this? Ask him, said the Interpreter. CHR. Then said Christian, Is there no hope, but you must be kept in the iron cage of despair?

MAN. No, none at all.

I have Heb. vi.

6.

2 Luke

xix. 14.

CHR. Why, the Son of the Blessed is very pitiful. MAN. I have crucified him to myself afresh.' despised his person." I have despised his righteousness; I have counted his blood an unholy thing; I have done despite to the Spirit of grace. Therefore I have shut Heb. x. myself out of all the promises, and there now remains to me nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings, fearful threatenings of certain judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour me as an adversary.

CHR. For what did you bring yourself into this condition?

MAN. For the lusts, pleasures, and profits of this world; in the enjoyment of which I did then promise myself much delight: but now every one of those things also bite me, and gnaw me, like a burning worm.

His Word

CHR. But canst thou not now repent and turn? MAN. God hath denied me repentance. gives me no encouragement to believe; yea, himself hath shut me up in this iron cage; nor can all the men in the world let me out. O eternity, eternity! how shall I grapple with the misery that I must meet with in eternity!

INTER. Then said the Interpreter to Christian, Let this man's misery be remembered by thee, and be an everlasting caution to thee.

28, 29.