heartily thank my Lord and King for bring ing me into this place. Then shouted a company of them that stood round about and harped with their harps; but no man living could tell what they said, but Christian and his companions.

Next morning, when she was up, had prayed to God, and talked with her children awhile, one knocked hard at the door; to whom she spake out, saying, If thou comest in God's name, come in. So he said Ainen; and opened the door, and saluted her with Peace on this house. The which, when he had done, he said, Christiana, knowest thou wherefore I am come? Then she blushed and trembled; also her heart began to wax warm with desires to know from whence he came, and what his errand was to her. So he said unto her, My name is Secret; I dwell with

* My name'—The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him.' The silent influences of the Holy Spirit bring the encouragement of Scripture to the convinced sinner's remem brance, who thus learns that the way of salvation is yet open to him. The general invitations of the Gospel may be consid ored as a message sent to the broken-hearted penitent, more fragrant and refreshing than the most costly ointment, and more precious than the gold of Ophir. It is observable, that Secret does not inform Christiana that her sins were forgiven, or that Christ and the promises belonged to her; but merely that she was invited to come, and that, coming in the ap pointed way, she would be accepted, notwithstanding her pertinacious unbelief in the preceding part of her life. Thus, without seeming to have intended it, the author hath stated the scriptual medium between the extremes, which have been contended for, with great eagerness and immense mischief, in modern days; while some maintain, that sinners should not be invited to come to Christ, or comuranded to repent and believe the Gospel: and others that they should be urged to

those that are high. It is talked of, where I dwell, as if thou hadst a desire to go thither, also, there is a report, that thou art aware of the evil thou hast formerly done to thy husband, in hardening of thy heart against his way, and in keeping of these babes in their ignorance. Christiana, the Merciful One has sent me to tell thee, that he is a God ready to forgive, and that he taketh delight to multiply the pardon of offences. He also would have thee to know, that he inviteth thee to come into his presence, to his table, and that he will feed thee with the fat of the house, and with the heritage of Jacob thy father.

There is Christian, thy husband that was, with legions more, his companions, ever beholding that face that doth minister life to the beholders; and they will all be glad, when they shall hear the sound of thy feet step over thy father's threshold.

Christiana at this was greatly abashed in herself, and bowed her head to the ground. This vision proceeded, and said, Christiana, here is also a letter for thee, which I have brought from thy husband's King; so she took it and opened it, but it smelt after the manner of the best perfume (Song i. 3). Also it was written in letters of gold. The contents of the letter were these: that the King

believe at once, with full assurance, that all the blessings of salvation belong to them, previous to repentance, or works meet for repentance. For the intimations of Secret represent the teaching of the Holy Spirit, by which the singer under• stands the real meaning of the sacred Scriptures.

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would have her do as did Christian her husband; for that was the only way to come to his city, and to dwell in his presence with joy for ever. At this the good woman was quite overcome so she cried out to her visitor Sir, will you carry me and my children with you, that we may also go and worship the King?

Christiana, the bitter
Thou must through

Then said the visitor, is before the sweet. troubles, as he did that went before thee, enter this Celestial city. Wherefore I advise thee to do as did Christian, thy husband: go to the wicket-gate yonder, over the plain, for that stands in the head of the way up which thou must go, and I wish thee all good speed. Also, I advise thee, that thou put this letter in thy bosom; that thou read therein to thyself, and to thy children, until they have got it by heart; for it is one of the songs that thou must sing while thou art in this house of thy pilgrimage (Ps. cxix. 54): also this thou must deliver in at the far gate.

Now I saw in my dream, that this old gentleman, as he told me this story, did himself seem to be greatly affected therewith. He moreover proceeded, and said, So Christiana called her sons together, and began thus to address herself unto them: My sons, I have, as you may perceive, been of late under much exercise in my soul about the death of your father; not for that I doubt at all of his happiness, for I am satisfied now that he is well. I have been also much affected with

the thoughts of mine own estate and yours, which I verily believe is by nature miserable. My carriage also to your father in his distress is a great load to my conscience; for I hardened both my heart and yours against him, and refused to go with him on pilgrimage.

The thoughts of these things would now kill me out-right, but for that a dream which I had last night, and but for that the encouragement this stranger has given me this morning. Come, my children, let us pack up, and be gone to the gate that leads us to that Celestial country, that we may see your father and be with him and his companions in peace, according to the laws of that land.

Then did her children burst out into tears, for joy that the heart of their mother was so inclined. So the visitor bid them farewell; and they began to prepare to set out for their journey.

But while they were thus about to be gone, two of the women that were Christiana's neighbours came up to her house, and knocked at her door. To whom she said as before. At this the women were stunned; for this kind of language they used not to hear, or to perceive to drop from the lips of Christiana. Yet they came in but behold, they found the good woman a preparing to be gone from her house.

So they began and said, Neighbour, pray what is your meaning by this?

Christiana answered and said to the eldest of them, whose name was Mrs. Timorous, I

am preparing for a journey (this Timorous, was daughter to him that met Christian upon the hillof Difficulty, and would have had him gone back for fear of the lions, Parti. 101). Tim. For what journey, I pray you?

Chr. Even to go after my old husband. And with that she fell a weeping.

Tim. I hope not so, good neighbour; pray, for your poor children's sake, do not so unwomanly cast away yourself.

Chr. Nay, my children shall go with me, not one of them is willing to stay behind. Tim. I wonder in my heart what, or who, has brought you into this mind!

Chr. Oh, neighbour, knew you but as much as I do, I doubt not but that you would go along with me.

Tim. Pr'ythe, what new knowledge hast thou got, that so worketh off thy mind from thy friends, and that tempteth thee to go nobody knows where ?

Then Christiana replied, I have been sorely afflicted since my husband's departure from me; but especially since he went over the river. But that which troubleth me most is my churlish carriage to him, when he was under his distress. Besides, I am now as he was then; nothing will serve me, but going on pilgrimage. I was a dreaming last night that I saw him. O that my soul was with him! He dwelleth in the presence of the King of the country; he sits and eats with him at his table; he is become a companion of immortals, and has a house now given him