VALIANT 2nd STANDFAST summoned. with great difficulty I have got thither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me that I have fought his battles, who will now be my rewarder. When the day that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the river side, into which as he went, he said, "Death where is thy sting?" And as he went down deeper, he said, "Grave "where is thy victory?" So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side. Then there came forth a summons for Mr. STANDFAST. This Mr. STANDFAST was he that the Pilgrims found upon his knees in the ENCHANTED GROUND, and the post brought it him open in his hands. The contents whereof were, that he must prepare for a change of life, for his MASTER was not willing that he should be so far from him any longer. At this Mr. STANDFAST was put into Nay,' said the messenger,' you need not doubt of the truth of my message; for here is a token of the truth thereof,'-" Thy wheel is broken "at the cistern." Then he called to him Mr. GREATHEART, who was their Guide and said unto him, 'Sir, although it was not my hap to be much in your good company in the days of my pilgrimage, yet since the time I knew you, you have been profitable a muse. to me. When I came from home, I left behind me Comfortable thoughts at DEATH. a wife and five small children; let me entreat you at your return, (for I know that you go and return to your MASTER's house, in hopes that you may be a Conductor to more of the holy Pilgrims;) that you send to my family, and let them be acquainted with all that hath and shall happen unto me. Tell them, moreover, of my happy arrival at this place, and of the present and late blessed condition that I am in. Tell them also of CHRISTIAN and CHRISTIANA his wife, and how she and her children came after her husband. Tell them also of what a happy end she made, and whither she is gone.-I have little or nothing to send to my family, except it be my prayers and tears for them, of which it will suffice if you acquaint them, if peradventure they may prevail.' When Mr. STANDFAST had thus set things in order, and the time being come for him to haste him away, he also went down to the River. Now there was a great calm at that time in the River; wherefore Mr. STANDFAST, when he was about half way in, stood awhile and talked to his companions that had waited upon him thither: and he said, This River has been a terror to many yea, the thoughts of it also has often frightened me now, methinks, I stand easy; my foot is fixed upon that on which the feet of the priests that bare the ark of the covenant stood,* while ISRAEL went over this And the priests, that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan. Joshua iii. 17 (14.) 3 K STANDFAST departs. JORDAN. The waters, indeed, are to the palate bitter, and to the stomach cold; yet the thoughts of what I am going to, and of the conduct that waits for me on the other side, doth lie as a glowing coal at my heart. I see myself now at the end of my journey; my toilsome days are ended. I am going to see that head that was crowned with thorns, and that face that was spit upon for me. I have formerly lived by hear-say and faith; but now I go where I shall live by sight, and shall be with him in whose company I delight myself. I have loved to hear my LORD spoken of: and wherever I have seen the print of his shoe in the earth, there I have coveted to set my foot too. His name has been to me as a civet-box; yea, sweeter than all perfumes. His voice to me has been most sweet; and his countenance I have more desired than they that have most desired the light of the sun. His words I did use to gather for my food, and for antidotes against my faintings. He has held me, and hath kept from mine iniquities; yea my steps have been strengthened in his way.' Now, while he was in this discourse, his countenance changed, his "strong man bowed under him;" and after he had said, 'Take me, for I come unto thee,' he ceased to be seen of them. But glorious it was to see how the open region was filled with horses and chariots, with trumpeters and pipers, with singers and players upon stringed instruments, to welcome the Pilgrims as they went up, and followed one another in at the beautiful Gate of the City. The end of we dream. As for CHRISTIANA's children, the four boys that CHRISTIANA brought, with their wives and children, I did not stay where I was till they were gone over. Also since I came away, I heard one say they were yet alive, and so would be, for the increase of the church in that place where they were, for a time. Shall it be my lot to go that way again, I may give those that desire it, an account of what here I anı silent about. Mean time, I bid my reader FAREWEL ADDITIONAL NOTES. PAGE AGE 2. The word Evangelist literally signifies a preacher of the gospel. ---3. The following lines are here subjoined to a very rude engraving, in an old edition: Christian no sooner leaves the world, but meets Evangelist, who lovingly him greets Him how to mount to that from this below. 12. The Slough of Despond represents those discouraging fears which often harass new converts. The mire of the Slough represents that idea which desponding persons entertain of themselves and their situation, as altogether vile and loathsome. 18. The village of Morality means that large company, who, in nations favoured with revelation, abstain from scandalous vices, and practice reputable duties, without any genuine fear or love of God, or regard to his authority or glory. Legality derives his name not from making the laws of God his rule and standard, but from his teaching men to depend on a defective obedience to a small part of the law, falsely explained, according to the manner of the Scribes and Pharisees.---Civility represents those who persuade themselves and others, that a decent, benevolent, and obliging behaviour, will secure men from all future punishment, and ensure an inheritance in heaven. Scot. The following lines are inserted as before in the old editions. |