Prudence. What do you think of the Bible?

Matthew. It is the holy Word of God.

Prudence. Is there nothing written therein but what you understand?

Matthew. Yes, a great deal.

Prudence. What do you do, when you meet with places therein that you do not understand?

Matthew. I think God is wiser than 1. I pray also that He will please to let me know all therein that He knows will be for my good.

Prudence. How believe you as touching the resurrection of the dead?

Matthew. I believe they shall rise, the same that was buried; the same in nature, though not in corruption. And I believe this upon a double account: First, because God hath promised it: Secondly, because he is able to perform it.

Then said Prudence to the boys, "You must still hearken to your mother; for she can learn you more. You must also diligently give ear to what good talk you shall hear from others: for your sakes do they speak good things. Observe also, and that with carefulness, what the heavens and the earth do teach you; but especially be much in the meditation of that Book that was the cause of your father becoming a pilgrim. I, for my part, my children, will teach you what I can while you are here; and shall be glad if you will ask me questions that tend to godly edifying."

Now, by that these Pilgrims had been at this place a week, Mercy had a visiter that pretended some good-will unto her; and his name was Mr. Brisk; a man of some breeding, and that pretended to religion; but a man that stuck very close to the world. So he came once or twice, or more, to Mercy, and offered love unto her.

Now, Mercy was of a fair countenance, and therefore the more alluring. Her mind also was, to be always busying of herself in doing; for when she had nothing to do for herself, she would be making of hose and garments for others; and would bestow them upon them that had need. And Mr. Brisk, not knowing where or how she disposed of what she made, seemed to be greatly taken, for that he found her never idle. I will warrant her a good housewife;' (quoth he to himself.)

Mercy then revealed the business to the maidens that were of the house; and inquired of them concerning him: for they did know him better than she. So they told her, "that he was a very busy young man, and one that pre

tended to religion; but was, as they feared, a stranger to the power of that which is good."

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Nay then, (said Mercy,) I will look no more on him; for I purpose never to have a clog to my soul."

Prudence then replied, "that there needed no great matter of discouragement to be given to him; for, continuing so as she had begun to do for the poor, would quickly cool his courage."

So the next time he comes, he finds her at her old work, a-making of things for the poor. Then said he, "What, always at it?" "Yes, (said she;) either for myself or for others." "And what canst thou earn a day?" quoth he. "I do these things, (said she,) that. I may be rich in good works; laying a good foundation against the time to come, that I may lay hold on eternal life."* Why, pr'ythee, what dost thou with them?" said he. "Clothe the naked;" said she. With that his countenance fell. So he forbore to come to her again. And when he was asked the reason why; he said, "that Mercy was a pretty lass, but troubled with ill-conditions."

When he had left her, Prudence said, "Did I not tell thee, that Mr. Brisk would soon forsake thee? yea, he will also raise up an ill report of thee: for notwithstanding his pretence to religion, and his seeming love to Mercy; yet Mercy and he are of tempers so different, that I believe they will never come together.

Mercy. I might have had husbands before now, though I spoke not of it to any: but they were such as did not like my conditions; though never did any of them find fault with my person. So they and I could not agree.

Prudence. Mercy, in our days, is little set by, any further than as to its name: The practice, which is set forth by the conditions, there are but few that can abide.

Mercy. Well, if nobody will have me, I will die a maid, or my conditions shall be to me as a husband. For I cannot change my nature: and to have one that lies cross to me in this, that I purpose never to admit of as long as I live. I had a sister named Bountiful, married to one of these churls: but he and she could never agree; but, because my sister was resolved to do as she had begun; that is, to show kindness to the poor; therefore her husband first cried her down at the cross, and then turned her out of his doors.

Prudence. And yet he was a professor, I warrant you? Mercy. Yes, such a one as he was, and of such as the world is now full: but I am for none of them all.

* 1 Tim. vi. 18, 19.

Now Matthew, the eldest son of Christiana, fell sick; and his sickness was sore upon him; for he was much pained in his bowels, so that he was with it, at times, pulled, as it were, both ends together. There dwelt also not far from thence, one Mr. Skill, an ancient and well-approved physician. So Christiana desired it, and they sent for him; and he came. When he was entered the room, and had a little observed the boy, he concluded he was sick of the gripes.* Then he said to his mother, "What diet has Matthew of late fed upon?" "Diet! (said Christiana;) nothing but what is wholesome." The physician answered, "This boy has been tampering with something, that lies in his maw undigested, and that will not away without means. And I tell you he must be purged, or else he will die."

Then said Samuel; "Mother, what was that which my brother did gather and eat, so soon as we were come from the gate that is at the head of this way? You know that there was an orchard on the left-hand, on the other side of the wall, and some of the trees hung over the wall; and my brother did pluck and did eat."

Christiana. True, my child, he did take thereof, and did eat; naughty boy as he was: I chid him, and yet he would eat thereof.

Skill. I knew he had eaten something that was not wholesome food; and that food, to wit, that fruit, is even the most hurtful of all. It is the fruit of Beelzebub's orchard. I do marvel that none did warn you of it: many have died thereof.

Then Christiana began to cry, and she said, "O naughty boy, and O careless mother! What shall I do for my son?" Skill. Come, do not be too much dejected; the boy may do well again, but he must purge and vomit.

Christiana. Pray, sir, try the utmost of your skill with him, whatever it costs.

Skill. Nay, I hope I shall be reasonable. So he made him a purge, but it was too weak; it was said, it was made of the blood of a goat, the ashes of a heifer, and with some of the juice of hyssop, &c. When Mr. Skill had seen that the purge was too weak, he made him one to the purpose. It was made ex carne, ex sanguine Christi : (You know, physicians give strange medicines to their patients :) and it *Gripes of conscience.

† Read Heb. x. 1-4.

i. e. Of the flesh and blood of Christ.' John vi. 54. 57.-Heb. ix. 14. In the early editions of this book, the author writes in the margin, "The Latin I borrow;" a modest declaration that he was unacquainted with that language; yet, to preserve the tenor of his allegory throughout, he judged it requisite to comply with the custom of physicians, who give their prescriptions in a kind of Latin assumed by themselves.

was made into pills, with a promise or two, and a proportionable quantity of salt. Now he was to take them three at a time fasting, in half a quarter of a pint of the tears of repentance.

When this potion was prepared, and brought to the boy, he was loth to take it, though torn with the gripes, as if he should be pulled in pieces. "Come, come, (said the Physician,) you must take it." "It goes against my stomach," said the boy. "I must have you take it," said his mother. "I shall vomit it up again," said the boy. "Pray, sir, (said Christiana to Mr. Skill,) how does it taste?" "It has no ill taste," said the Doetor: and with that she touched one of the pills with the end of her tongue. "Oh, Matthew, (said she,) this potion is sweeter than honey. If thou lovest thy mother, if thou lovest thy brother, if thou lovest Mercy, if thou lovest thy life, take it." So with much ado, after a short prayer for the blessing of God upon it, he took it: and it wrought kindly with him: it caused him to purge, to sleep, and rest quietly; it put him into a fine heat and breathing sweat, and rid him of his gripes.

So in a little time he got up and walked about with a staff, and would go from room to room, and talk with Prudence, Piety, and Charity, of his distemper, and how he was healed.

So when the boy was healed, Christiana asked Mr. Skill, saying, "Sir, what will content you for your pains and care to me, and of my child?" And he said, "You must pay the Master of the college of physicians, (Heb. xiii. 11—15.) according to rules in that case made and provided."

Christiana. But, sir, what is this pill good for else? Skill. It is an universal pill; it is good against all diseases that pilgrims are incident to; and, when it is well prepared, will keep good time out of mind.

Christiana. Pray, sir, make me up twelve boxes of them: for, if I can get these, I will never take other physic.

Skill. These pills are good to prevent diseases as well as to cure when one is sick. Yes, I dare say it, and stand to it, that if a man will but use this physic as he should, it will make him live for ever. But good Christiana, thou must give these pills no other way, but as I have prescribed:‡ for if you do, they will do no good.

So he gave unto Christiana physic for herself and her boys, and for Mercy; and bade Matthew take heed how he did eat any more green plums, and kissed them and went his way.

A word of God in the hand of faith.
i. e. In a glass of the tears of repentance.

↑ John vi. 51.

It was told you before, that Prudence bade the boys, that if at any time they would, they should ask her some questions that might be profitable, and she would say something to

them.

Then Matthew, who had been sick, asked her, "Why, for the most part, physic should be bitter to our palates?" Prudence. To show how unwelcome the Word of God and the effects thereof are to a carnal heart.

Matthew. Why does physic, if it does good, purge, and cause to vomit.?

Prudence. To show that the Word, when it works effectually, cleanseth the heart and mind. For look, what the one doeth to the body the other doeth to the soul.

Matthew. What should we learn by seeing the flame of our fire go upwards? and by seeing the beams and sweet influences of the sun strike downwards?

Prudence. By the going up of the fire we are taught to ascend to heaven, by fervent and hot desires. And by the sun's sending his heat, beams, and sweet influence downwards, we are taught, that the Saviour of the world, though high, reacheth down with his grace and love to us below. Matthew. Where have the clouds their water?

Prudence. Out of the sea.

Matthew. What may you learn from that?

Prudence. That ministers should fetch their doctrine from God.

Matthew. Why do they empty themselves upon the earth? Prudence. To show that ministers should give out what they know of God to the world.

Matthew. Why is the rainbow caused by the sun?

Prudence. To show that the covenant of God's grace is confirmed to us in Christ.

Matthew. Why do the springs come from the sea to us through the earth?

Prudence. To show that the grace of God comes to us through the body of Christ.

Matthew. Why do some of the springs rise out of the top of high hills?

Prudence. To show that the spirit of grace shall spring up in some that are great and mighty, as well as in many that are poor and low.

Matthew. Why doth the fire fasten upon the candle-wick? Prudence. To show that, unless Grace doth kindle upon the heart, there will be no true light of life in us.

Matthew. Why is the wick, and tallow, and all, spent, to maintain the light of the candle?

Prudence. To show that body, and soul and all, should