OBSTINATE AND PLIABLE

17

OBST. What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them?

I Pet. I. 4.

CHR. I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, and it is laid up in heaven, and safe there, to be bestowed at the time appointed, on them that diligently seek it. Read

it so, if you will, in my book.

OBST. Tush, said Obstinate, away

you go back with us, or no?

Heb. 11. 16.

CHR. No, not I, said the other; because I have laid my hand to the plough.

Luke 9. 62.

OBST. Come, then, Neighbour Pliable, let us turn again, and go home without him; there is a company of these crazed-headed coxcombs that, when they take a fancy by the end, are wiser in their own eyes than seven men that can render a reason.

PLI. Then said Pliable, Don't revile; if what the good Christian says is true, the things he looks after are better than ours: my heart inclines to go with my neighbour.

OBST. What! more fools still? Be ruled by me, and go back; who knows whither such a brain-sick fellow will lead you? Go back, go back, and be wise.

CHR. Nay, but do thou come with me, Neighbour Pliable; there are such things to be had which I Christian ate pull for

and Obstin

Pliable's

soul.

Heb. 9. 17

21.

Chap. 13. 20,

21

spoke of, and many more glories besides. If you believe not me, read here in this book; and for the truth of what is expressed therein, behold, all is confirmed by the blood of Him that made it. PLI. Well, Neighbour Obstinate, said Pliable, I begin to come to a point; I intend to go along with this good man, and to cast in my lot with contented him but, my good companion, do you know the Christian. way to this desired place?

B

Pliable

to go with

CHR. I am directed by a man, whose name is Evangelist, to speed me to a little gate that is before us, where we shall receive instruction about the way.

PLI. Come, then, good neighbour, let us be going.
Then they went both together.

OBST. And I will go back to my place, said Obstinate; I Obstinate will be no companion of such misled, fantastical goes railing

back.

fellows.

Now I saw in my dream, that when Obstinate was gone back, Christian and Pliable went talking over the plain; and thus they began their dis

Talk between Christian

and Pliable.

course:

CHR. Come, Neighbour Pliable, how do you do? I am glad you are persuaded to go along with me. Had even Obstinate himself but felt what I have felt of the powers and terrors of what is yet unseen, he would not thus lightly have given us the back.

PLI. Come, Neighbour Christian, since there is none but us two here, tell me now further, what the things are, and how to be enjoyed, whither we are going?

CHR. I can better conceive of them with my mind than God's things speak of them with my tongue: but yet, since unspeakable. you are desirous to know, I will read of them in my book.

PLI. And do you think that the words of your book are certainly true?

CHK. Yes, verily; for it was made by Him that cannot lie.

Tit. 1. 2.

PLI. Well said: what things are they?

CHR. There is an endless kingdom to be inhabited, and everlasting life to be given us, that we may inhabit that kingdom for ever.

Isa. 45. 17.

John 10. 27,

28, 29.

PLI. Well said; and what else?

CHR. There are crowns of glory to be given us, and garments that will make us shine like the sun in the firmament of heaven.

2 Tim. 4. 8. Rev. 3. 4.

Matt. 13. 43.

PLI. This is excellent; and what else?

CHR. There shall be no more crying, nor sorrow; for He that is owner of the place will wipe all tears

Isa. 25. 8.

Rev. 7. 16,17. from our eyes.

Chap. 21. 4.

Isa. 6. 2.

I Thess.4.16,

17.

Rev. 5. 11.

PLI. And what company shall we have there? CHR. There we shall be with seraphims and cherubims, creatures that will dazzle your eyes to look on them There also you shall meet with thousands and ten thousands that have gone before us to that place; none of them are hurtful, but loving and holy; every one walking in the sight of God, and standing in His presence with acceptance for In a word, there we shall see the elders with their golden crowns; there we shall see the holy Chap. 14.1-5. virgins with their golden harps; there we shall see men that by the world were cut in pieces, burnt in flames, eaten of beasts, drowned in the seas, for the love that they bare to the Lord of the place, all well, and clothed with immortality as with a garment.

ever.

Rev. 4. 4.

John 12. 25.

2 Cor. 5. 2,

3, 5.

PLI. The hearing of this is enough to ravish one's heart. But are these things to be enjoyed? How shall we get to be sharers thereof?

CHR. The Lord, the Governor of that country, hath recorded that in this book; the substance of which is, If we be truly willing to have it, he will bestow it upon us freely.

Isa. 55. I, 2. John 7. 37. Chap. 6. 37. Rev. 21. 6.

Chap. 22. 17.

PLI. Well, my good companion, glad am I to hear of these things: Come on, let us mend our pace.