So they answered, We thank thy Prince, pretty well, only we have been somewhat affrighted; we thank thee also, for that thou camest in to our help, for otherwise we had been overcome.

The Reliever talks to the women.

TIMELY HELP.

Reliever. So after a few more words, this Reliever said as followeth: I marvelled much when you were entertained at the gate above, being ye knew that ye were but weak women, that you petitioned not the Lord there for a conductor; then might you have avoided these troubles and dangers; for he would have granted you

one.

Mark this.

Chr. Alas! said Christiana, we were so taken with our present blessing, that dangers to come were forgotten by us: besides, who could have thought, that so near the King's palace there could have lurked such naughty ones? Indeed, it had been well for us had we asked our Lord for one; but since our Lord knew it would be for our profit, I wonder he sent not one along with us.

Christiana's Guilt.

243

We lose for want of asking

for.

Rel. It is not always necessary to grant things not asked for, lest, by so doing, they become of little esteem; but when the want of a thing is felt, it then comes under, in the eyes of him that feels it, that estimate that properly is its due, and so, consequently, will be thereafter used. Had my Lord granted you a conductor, you would not either have so bewailed that oversight of yours, in not asking for one, as now you have occasion to do. So all things work for good, and tend to make you more wary. Chr. Shall we go back again to my Lord, and confess our folly, and ask one?

Rel. Your confession of your folly I will present him with. To go back again you need not; for in all places where you shall come, you will find no want at all; for in every of my Lord's lodgings which he has prepared for the reception of his pilgrims, there is sufficient to furnish them against all attempts whatsoever. But, as I said, "he will be inquired of by them, to do it for them" (Ezek. xxxvi. 37). And it is a poor thing that is not worth asking for. When he had thus said, he went back to his place, and the pilgrims went on their way.

Mer. Then said Mercy, What a sudden blank is here! I made account we had now been past all danger, and that we should never see

sorrow more.

The mistake of Mercy.

Christiana's

guilt.

Chr. Thy innocency, my sister, said Christiana to Mercy, may excuse thee much; but as for me, my fault is so much the greater, for that I saw this danger before I came out of the doors, and yet did not provide for it when provision might have been had. I am therefore much to be blamed.

Mer. Then said Mercy, How knew you this before you came from home? Pray open to me this riddle. Chr. Why, I will tell you: Before I set foot out of

244

ed.

Christiana's

The Pilgrims' Neglect.

doors, one night, as I lay in my bed, I had a dream about this; for methought I saw two dream repeat men, as like these as ever the world they could look, stand at my bed's feet, plotting how they might prevent my salvation. I will tell you their very words. They said (it was when I was in my troubles), What shall we do with this woman? for she cries out, waking and sleeping, for forgiveness. If she be suffered to go on as she begins, we shall lose her, as we have lost her husband. This, you know, might have made me take heed, and have provided, when provision might have been had. Mer. Well, said Mercy, as by this neglect we have an occasion ministered unto us to behold our own imperfections, so our Lord has taken occasion thereby to make manifest the riches of his grace; for he, as we see, has followed us with unasked kindness, and has de

Mercy makes good use of their neglect of duty.

livered us from their hands that were stronger than we, of his mere good pleasure.

Thus, now when they had talked away a little more time, they drew nigh to a house which stood in the

way,

Interpreter's House.

245

which house was built for the relief of pilgrims; as you will find more fully related in the First Part of these Records of the Pilgrim's Pro

Part I.,p.48-58.

when they

Talk in the Interpreter's house abou Christiana's

going on pil grimage.

gress. So they drew on towards the house (the house of the Interpreter); and came to the door, they heard a great talk in the house. They then gave ear, and heard, as they thought, Christiana mentioned by name; for you must know that there went along, even before her, a talk of her and her children's going on pilgrimage And this thing was the more pleasing to them, because they had heard that she was Christian's wife, that woman who was some time ago so unwilling to hear of going on pilgrimage. Thus, therefore, they stood still, and heard the good people within com- She knocks mending her, who they little thought stood at the door. At last Christiana knocked, as she had done at the gate when she had knocked, there came to the door a young damsel named Innocent, and opened the door and looked, and, behold, two women were there.

at the door.

before.

Now,

The door is opened to them by Innocent.

Damsel. Then said the damsel to them, With whom would you speak in this place?

Chr. Christiana answered, We understand that this is a privileged place for those that are become pilgrims, and we now at this door are such; wherefore we pray that we may be partakers of that for which we at this time are come; for the day, as thou seest, is very far spent, and we are loath to-night to go any further.

Dams. Pray, what may I call your name, that I may tell it to my Lord within?

Chr. My name is Christiana; I was the wife of that pilgrim that some years ago did travel this way; and these be his four children. This maiden also is my companion, and is going on pilgrimage too.

246

Foy in the house of the Interpreter that Christiana is turned pil grim.

Within the House.

Innocent. Then ran Innocent in (for that was her name), and said to those within, Can you think who is at the door? There is Christiana, and her children, and her companion, all waiting for entertainment here! Then they leaped for joy, and went and told their Master. So he came to the door, and, looking upon her, he said, Art thou that Christiana whom Christian, the good man, left behind him, when he betook himself to a pilgrim's life?

Chr. I am that woman that was so hard-hearted as to slight my husband's troubles, and that left him to go on his journey alone; and these are his four children: but now I also am come, for I am convinced that no way is right but this.

Inter. Then is fulfilled that which also is written of the man that said to his son, "Go work to-day in my vineyard and he said to his father, I will not; but afterward he repented and went" (Matt. xxi. 28, 29).

Chr. Then said Christiana, So be it, Amen. God make it a true saying upon me, and grant that I may be found at the last of him in peace, without spot, and blameless!

Inter. But why standest thou thus at the door? Come in, thou daughter of Abraham. We were talking of thee but now, for tidings have come to us before, how thou art become a pilgrim. Come, children, come in; come, maiden, come in. So he had them all into the house.

So, when they were within, they were bidden sit down and rest them; the which when they had done, those that attended upon the pilgrims in the house came into the room to see them. And one smiled, and another smiled, and they all smiled, for joy that Christiana was become a pilgrim. They also looked upon the boys; they stroked them over the

Old saints glad to see the young ones walk in God's ways.