NOTES

UPON

THE FIRST PART.

The larger figures refer to the page, the smaller to the line, of the text, at which the passage commented upon begins.

1..1.MR. BUNYAN was confined, at different times, about twelve years in BEDFORD jail, for excercising his ministry contrary to the statutes then in force. This was • the den, in which he slept and dreamed:' here he penned this instructive allegory, and many other useful works, which evince that he was neither soured nor disheartened by persecution. The christian, who understands what usage he ought to expect in this evil world, comparing our present measure of religious liberty with the rigours of that age, will see abundant cause for gratitude; but they, who are disposed to complain, can never be at a loss for topics, while so much is amiss among all ranks and orders of men, and in the conduct of every individual.

..4. I saw...The allegory opens with a description of the prin cipal character to which it relates. The view, which the author in his dream had of him, as clothed in rags,' implies, that all men are sinners, in their dispositions, affections, and conduct; that their supposed virtues are radically defective, and worthless in the sight of GOD; that the pilgrim has discovered this in his own case, so that he perceives his own righteous

nesses to be insufficient for justification, even as sordid rags would be unsuitable raiment for those who stand before kings. His face turned from his own house' represents the sinner convinced that it is absolutely necessary to subordinate all other concerns to the care of his immortal soul, and to renounce every thing which interferes with that grand object: this makes him lose his former relish for the pleasures of sin, and even for the most lawful temporal satisfactions, while he trembles at the thought of impending destruction '.

The book in his hand,' &c, instructs us, that sinners discover their real state and character, by reading and believing the scriptures; that their first attention is often directed to the denunciations of the wrath to come contained in them, and that such persons cannot but continue to search the word of GOD, though their grief and alarm be increased by every perusal. The burden on his back' represents that distressing sense of guilt, and fear of wrath, which deeply convinced sinners cannot shake off; the remembrance of their sins is

grievous to them, the burden of them is intolerable:' their consciences are oppressed with guilt, even on account of those actions in which their neighbours perceive no harm; their hearts tremble at the prospect of dangers of which others have no apprehension; and they see an absolute necessity of escaping from a situation in which others live most securely for true faith, from the very first, "sees things that are invisible." In one way or other, therefore, they soon manifest the earnestness of their minds, in enquiring "what they must do to be saved?"-The circumstances of these humiliating convictions exceedingly vary; but the life of faith and grace always begins with them: and they, who are wholly strangers to this experience, are christians only in name and form:

He knows no hope, who never knew a fear.'

COWPER.

Heh. xi. 8. 24-27.

..12. In this plight...The contempt or indignation, which worldly people express towards those who are distressed in conscience, commonly induces them to conceal their inquietude as long as they can, even from their relatives; but this soon becomes impracticable. Natural affection also, connected with a view of the extreme danger to which a man sees the objects of his most tender attachments exposed, but of which they have no apprehensions, will extort such earnest representations, warnings, and entreaties, as are here expressed. The city of DESTRUCTION (as it is afterwards called). signifies this present evil world, as doomed to the flames; or the condition of careless sinners, immersed in secular pursuits and pleasures, neglecting eternal things, and exposed to the unquenchable fire of hell, "at the day of judgement and "perdition of ungodly men."-They, who are ignorant of the scriptures, and unaccustomed to compare their own conduct with the divine law, will be amazed at such discourse; and, instead of duly regarding the warnings given them, will commonly ascribe them to enthusiasm or insanity: and, as prophets, apostles, and the Son of GOD himself, were looked upon in this light by their contemporaries; we may be sure that no prudence, excellence, or benevolence, can exempt the consistent believer from the trial.-Near relations will generally be the first to form this opinion of his case; and will devise various expedients to quiet his mind:diversions, company, feastings, absence from serious friends or books, will be prescribed: and by these means a false peace often succeeds a transient alarm.-But when a genuine humiliating discovery of the evil and desert of sin has been made to the soul, such expedients will not alleviate, but increase, the anguish ; and will be followed by still greater earnestness about a man's own salvation, and that of others. This commonly strengthens prejudice, and induces obduracy: and contemptuous pity gives place to resentment, ill usage, derision, or neglect. The disconsolate believer will then be driven into retirement, and relieve his burdened mind by

reading the scriptures, and meditation on his doleful case, with compassionate prayers for his despisers:—and thus he

sows in tears that seed from which the harvest of his future joy will surely be produced.

2..29. Now I saw...The scriptures are indeed sufficient to make us wise unto salvation, as well as to show us our guilt and danger: yet the Lord commonly uses the ministry of his servants to direct, into the way of peace, even those who have previously discovered their lost condition.-Though convinced of the necessity of escaping from impending ruin, they hesitate, not knowing what to do, till providence brings them acquainted with some faithful preacher of the gospel, whose instructions afford an explicit answer to their secret enquiries after the way of salvation.

3..20. Then said...The able minister of CHRIST will deem it necessary to enforce the warning, " flee from the wrath to "come," even upon those who are alarmed about their souls; because this is the proper way of exciting them to diligence and decision, and of preserving them from procrastination. They, therefore, who would persuade such persons, that their fears are groundless, their guilt far less than they suppose, and their danger imaginary, use the most effectual means of soothing them into a fatal security. Nor can any discoveries of heinous guilt or helpless ruin in themselves produce despondency, provided the salvation of the gospel be fully exhibited, and proposed to them.

..26. Thither...The awakened sinner may be incapable for at time of perceiving the way of salvation by faith in CHRIST; for divine illumination is often very gradual. Thus, though the pilgrim could not see the gate, when EVANGELIST pointed it out to him, he thought he could discern the shining light. Upright enquirers attend to the general instructions and encouragements of scripture, and the declarations of the pardoning mercy of GOD; which by degrees lead them to the knowledge of CHRIST, and to faith in him: for, as our author says in a marginal note, CHRIST, and the way to

him, cannot be found without the word.'-Thus instructed, the pilgrim began to run:' for no persuasions or considerations can induce the man, who is duly in earnest about salvation, to neglect those things which he knows to be his present duty: but it must be expected that carnal relations will oppose this; especially as it appears to them destructive of all their prospects of worldly advantage.-The following lines are here subjoined to a very rude engraving:

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.'

4..12. The neighbours...The attention of numbers is in neral excited, when one of their companions in sin and vanity engages in religion, and forsakes the party. He soon becomes the topic of conversation among them: their minds are variously affected; some ridicule, others rail, threaten, attempt force, or employ artifice, to withdraw him from his purpose; according to their different dispositions, situations, or relations to him. Most of them, however, soon desist, and leave him to his choice. But two characters are not so easily shaken off: these our author has named OBSTINATE and PLIABLE, to denote their opposite propensities. The former, through a resolute pride and stoutness of heart, persists in attempting to bring back the new convert to his worldly pursuits: the latter, from a natural easiness of temper and susceptibility of impression, is pliant to persua sion, and readily consents to make a profession of religion.

The subsequent dialogue admirably illustrates the charac ters of the speakers. CHRISTIAN (for so he is henceforth called) is firm, decided, bold, and sanguine:-OBSTINATE is profane, scornful, self-sufficient, and disposed to contemn GOD's word, when it interferes with his worldly interests:PLIABLE is yielding, and easily induced to engage in