I saw also that he looked this way and that way, as if he would run; yet he stood still, because, as I perceived, he could not tell which way to go. I looked then, and saw a man named Evangelist coming to him, who asked, Wherefore dost thou cry?

He answered, Sir, I perceive by the book in my hand, that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment, Heb. ix. 27; and I find that I am not willing to do the first, Job xvi. 21, nor able to do the second. Ezek. xxii. 14.

"Christian no sooner leaves the World but meets

Evangelist, who lovingly him greets

With tidings of another: and doth show

Him how to mount to that from this below."

Then said Evangelist, Why not willing to die, since this life is attended with so many evils? The man answered, Because I fear that this burden that is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall into Tophet. Isa. xxx. 33. And, sir, if I be not fit to go to prison, I am not fit, I am sure, to go to judgment, and from thence to execution; and the thoughts of these things make me cry.j

Conviction of the

Then said Evangelist, If this be thy condition, why standest thou still? He answered, Because I know not whither to go. Then he gave him a parchment necessity of flyroll, and there was written within, "Flee from ing.

the wrath to come." Matt. iii. 7.

The man therefore, read it, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said, Whither must I fly? Then said Evangelist, pointing with his finger over a very wide field, Do you see yonder wicket-gate? Matt. vii. 13, 14. The man said, No. Then said the other, Do you see yonder shining light? Psa. cxix. 105; 2 Pet. i. 19. He said, I think I do. Then said Evangelist, Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly thereto so shalt thou see the gate; at which, when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do. So I saw in my dream that

Christ and the

way to him cannot be found without the word.

j Reader, have you felt this-a deep concern about thy soul? that real godliness begins in feeling the burden of sin.

Be assured,

* Go at once to Christ. Stay not to get rid of your burden, by reforming your life, and then apply to the Saviour. Fly to him to inquire what to do.

the man began to run. Now, he had not run far from his own door, but his wife and children, perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying, Life! life! eternal life! Luke xiv. 26.' So he looked not behind him, but fled towards the middle of the plain. Gen. xix. 17.

The name

They that fly

from the wrath to ing-stock to the

come, are a gaz

world.

Then said the

The neighbours also came out to see him run, Jer. xx. 10; and, as he ran, some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to return; and, among those that did So, there were two that resolved to fetch him back by force. of the one was Obstinate and the name of the other Pliable. Now, by this time, the man was got a good distance from them; but, however, they were resolved to pursue him, which they did, and in a little time they overtook him. man, Neighbours, wherefore are ye come? They said, To persuade you to go back with us. But he said, That can by no means be; you dwell, said he, in the City of Destruction, the place also where I was born: I see it to be so; and, dying there, sooner or later, you will sink lower than the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone: be content, good neighbours, and go along with me.

Obstinate and Pliable follow him.

OBST. What! said Obstinate, and leave our friends and our comforts behind us ?"

CHR. Yes, said Christian, for that was his name, because that ALL which you shall forsake is not worthy to be compared with

"Turn again, fool, says the devil, I wonder what frenzy it was that drove thee to thy heels, to leave so much good behind thee in the world, and the lusts of the flesh."

[53]

"When God made me sigh, they would hearken, and inquiringly say, What's the matter with John? They also gave their various opinions of me." [38]

"Objection. If I thus run, it must be from all my friends, for none of them are running this way. Ans. And if thou dost, thou wilt run into the bosom of Christ and of God. Obj. But if I do, it will be from all my sins. Ans. That's true, indeed; yet, if thou dost not, thou wilt run into hell fire. Obj. But I shall be mocked of all my neighbours. Ans. If thou lose heaven, God will mock at thy calamity. Obj. But surely I may begin this a year or two hence. Ans. Hast thou any lease of thy life? Art thou a wise man, to let thy immortal soul hang over hell by a thread that may be cut asunder by death? [57]

a little of that which I am seeking to enjoy, 2 Cor. v. 17; and, if you will go along with me, and hold it, you shall fare as I myself; for there, where I go, is enough and to spare. Luke xv. 17. Come away, and prove my words.

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

CHR. I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, 1 Pet. i. 4, and it is laid up in heaven, and safe there, Heb. xi. 16, 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 with your book; will you go back with us or no?

CHR. No, not I, said the other, because I have laid my hand to the plough. Luke ix. 62.

OBST. Come, then, neighbour Pliable, let us turn again, and go home without him; there is a company of these crazyheaded coxcombs, that, when they take a fancy by the end, are wiser in their own eyes than seven men that can render a reason. Prov. xxvi. 16.

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.

Pliable's soul.

CHR. Nay, but do thou come with thy neighbour, Pliable; there are such things to be had which I spoke Christian and of, and many more glories besides. If you be- Obstinate pull for lieve 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. Heb. ix. 17-22; xiii. 20. PLI. Well, neighbour Obstinate, saith Pliable, I begin to come to a point; I intend to go along with this Pliable contented good man, and to cast in my lot with him: but,

to go with Chris

tian.

They shall have the bosom of Christ to lie in, the kingdom of heaven to dwell in, the angels and saints for their companions; shall shine there like the sun, shall be there for ever, and shall sit upon the thrones of judgment." [4]

my good companion; do you know the way to this desired place?

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 instructions about the way.

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

Obstinate goes railing back.

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

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

Talk between

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 are 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 speak of them with my tongue: but yet, since speakable. you are desirous to know, I will read of them in my book.

God's things un

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

CHR. Yes, verily; for it was made by Him that cannot lie. Tit. i. 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. xlv. 17; John x. 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. iv. 8; Rev. iii. 4; Matt. xiii. 43.