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Now I saw that, just on the other side of this plain, the pilgrims came to a place where stood an old monument hard by the highway side, at the sight of which they were both concerned, because of the strangeness of the form thereof, for it seemed to them as if it had been a woman transformed into the shape of a pillar. Here therefore they stood looking and looking upon it; but could not for a time tell what they should make thereof: at last HOPEFUL spied written upon the head thereof a writing in an unusual hand; but he, being no scholar, called to CHRISTIAN (for he was learned) to see if he could pick out the meaning: so he came, and after a little laying of the letters together he found the same to be this, "Remember Lor's "wife." So he read it to his fellow; after which they both concluded that that was the pillar of salt into which Lor's wife was turned, for looking back with a covetous heart when she was going from SODOM for safety'. Which sudden and amazing sight gave them occasion of this discourse.

CHR. Ah, my brother! this is a seasonable sight: it came opportunely to us after the invitation which DEMAS gave us to come over to view the hill LuCRE; and had we gone over, as he desired us, and as thou wast inclined to do, my brother, we had, for aught I know,

Gen. xix. 26.

been made like this woman, a spectacle for those that shall come after to behold.

HOPE. I am sorry that I was so foolish, and am made to wonder that I am not now as Lor's wife; for wherein was the difference betwixt her sin and mine? she only looked back, and I had a desire to go see: let grace be adored, and let me be ashamed that ever such a thing should be in mine heart.

CHR. Let us take notice of what we see here for our help for time to come: this woman escaped one judgement, for she fell not by the destruction of Sodom, yet she was destroyed by another, as we see, she is turned into a pillar of salt.

HOPE. True, and she may be to us both caution and example; caution, that we should shun her sin; or a sign of what judgement will overtake such as shall not be prevented by such caution: so CORAH, DaTHAN, and ABIRAM, with the two hundred and fifty men that perished in their sin, did also become a sign or example to beware'. But above all, I muse at one thing, to wit, how DEMAS and his fellows can stand so confidently yonder to look for that treasure, which this woman but for looking behind her after (for we read not that she stept one foot out of the way,) was turned into a pillar of salt; especially since the judgement which overtook her did make her an example within sight of where they are: for they cannot choose but see her, did they but lift up their eyes.

CHR. It is a thing to be wondered at, and it argueth that their hearts are grown desperate in that case; and

1 Numb. xxvi, 9, 10.

I cannot tell whom to compare them to so fitly, as to them that pick pockets in the presence of the judge, or that will cut purses under the gallows. It is said of the men of SODOM, that " they were sinners exceedingly," because they were sinners" before the LORD," that is, in his eye-sight, and notwithstanding the kindnesses that he had showed them; for the land of SODOM was now like the garden of EDEN heretofore'. This therefore provoked him the more to jealousy, and made their plague as hot as the fire of the LORD out of heaven could make it. And it is most rationally to be concluded, that such, even such as these are, they that shall sin in the sight, yea and that too in despite, of such examples that are set continually before them to caution them to the contrary, must be partakers of the severest judgements.

HOPE. Doubtless thou hast said the truth; but what a mercy is it, that neither thou, but especially I, am not made myself this example! This ministereth occasion to us to thank GOD, to fear before him, and always to" remember Lor's wife."

I saw then, that they went on their way to a pleasant river, which DAVID the king called "the river of "GOD;" but JOHN, " the river of the water of life." Now their way lay just upon the bank of the river: here therefore CHRISTIAN and his companion walked with great delight they drank also of the water of the river, which was pleasant, and enlivening to their weary spirits. Besides, on the banks of this river, on either side, were green trees for all manner of fruit; and the leaves they Gen. xiii. 10. 13. 2 Pf. lxv. 9. Ezek. xlvii, Rev, xxii. 1.

ate to prevent surfeits, and other diseases that are incident to those that heat their blood by travels. On either side of the river was also a meadow, curiously beautified with lillies; and it was green all the year long. In this meadow they lay down and slept: for here they might lie down safely'. When they awoke they gathered again of the fruits of the trees, and drank again of the water of the river, and then lay down again to sleep. Thus they did several days and nights. Then they sang :

• Behold ye how those crystal streams do glide
To comfort pilgrims by the highway side.
The meadows green, besides the fragrant smell,
Yield dainties for them: and he that can tell

What pleasant fruit, yea leaves, these trees do yield,
Will soon sell all that he may buy this field.'

So when they were disposed to go on (for they were not as yet at their journey's end,) they ate, and drank, and departed.

Now I beheld in my dream, that they had not journeyed far but the river and the way for a time parted; at which they were not a little sorry, yet they durst not go out of the way. Now the way from the river was rough, and their feet tender by reason of their travels: so the souls of the pilgrims were much discouraged because of the way. Wherefore still as they went on they wished for better way. Now a little before them, there was on the left hand of the road a meadow, and a stile to go over into it; and that meadow, is called BY-PATH-MEADOW. Then said

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