第9章

Endurethygripesandagoniesonehour？

Stone，gout，strappado，racks，whateverisDreadfultosense，areonlytoystothis-

Nopleasures，riches，honours，friendscantellHowtogiveeasetothis，’tisliketohell。”

Andthen，turningtothesickman’smother，whostoodatthebed’sheadwringingherhands，theancientleechsaidtoher:”Thisboyofyourshasbeentamperingwiththeforbiddenfruit！”Atwhichtheangrymotherturnedonthewell-approvedphysicianasifhehadcausedallthetroublethathehadcometocure。Buttheancientmanknewboththesonandthemothertoo，andthereforeheaddressedherwithsomeasperity:”Itellyouboththatstrongmeasuresmustbetakeninstantly，elsehewilldie。”WhenMr。

Skillhadseenthatthefirstpurgewastooweak，hemadehimonetothepurpose；anditwasmade，ashesolearnedlysaid，excarneetsanguineChristi。Thepillsweretobetakenthreeatatime，fasting，inhalfaquarterofapintofthetearsofrepentance。

Aftersomecoaxing，suchasmothersknowbesthowtouse，Matthewtookthemedicineandwassoonwalkingaboutagainwithastaff，andwasabletogofromroomtoroomofthehospitableandhappyhouse。Understandestthouwhatthoureadest？saidPhilipthedeacontoQueenCandace’streasurerashesatdownbesidehiminthechariotandopeneduptohimthefifty-thirdoftheprophetIsaiah。And，understandestthouwhatthouherereadestinMatthewandMr。Skill？

1。Now，onthisalmosttoocloselyveiledcaseIshallventuretoremark，inthefirstplace，thatmultitudesofboysgrowupintoyoungmen，andgooutofourmostgodlyhomesandintoawholeworldoftemptationwithoutduewarningbeinggiventhemastowheretheyaregoing。”Idomarvelthatnonedidwarnhimofit，”

saidMr。Skill，withsomeanger。WhatMatthew’sfathermighthavedoneinthismatterhadhebeenstillinthisworldwhenhissonbecameamaninitwecanonlyguess。Asitwas，itneverenteredhismother’stoofondmindtotakeherfatherlessboybyhimselfwhenshesawBeelzebub’sorchardbeforehim，andtellhimwhatSolomontoldhisson，andtopointouttohimtheprophecythatKingLemuel’smotherprophesiedtoherson。PoorMatthewwasayoungmanbeforehismotherwasawareofit。And，poorwoman，sheonlyfoundthatoutwhenMr。Skillwasinthesick-roomandwaslookingatherwitheyesthatseemedtosaytoherthatshehadmurderedherchild。Shehadlovedtoolongtolookonherfirst-

bornasstillachild。Whenhewentatanytimeforaseasonoutofhersight，shehadneverfollowedhimwithherknowledgeoftheworld；shehadneverpreventedhimwithanawakenedandananxiousimagination；tillnowshehadgothimhomewithnorestinhisbonesbecauseofhissin。Andthenshebegantocrytoolate，O

naughtyboy，and，Ocarelessmother，whatshallIdoformyson！

2。”Thatfood，towit，thatfruit，”saidMr。Skill，”iseventhemosthurtfulofall。ItisthefruitofBeelzebub’sorchard。”Soitis。Thereisnofruitthathurtsatalllikethatfruit。Howithurtsatthetime，weseeinMatthew’ssick-room；andhowithurtsallaman’safterdaysweseeinJacob，andinJob，andinDavid，andinathousandsin-sicksoulsofwhosepsalmsofremorseandrepentancetheworldcannotcontainallthebooksthatshouldbewritten。”AndyetImarvel，”saidtheindignantphysician，”thatnonedidwarnhimofit；manyhavediedthereof。”OhifI

couldbutgettheearsofallthesonsofgodlyfathersandmotherswhoarebeginningtotamperwithBeelzebub’sorchard-trees，IfeelasifIcouldwarnthemto-night，andoutofthistext，ofwhattheyaredoing！Ihaveknownsomanywhohavediedthereof。OhifIcouldbutsavethemintimefromthosegripesofconsciencethatwillpullthemtopiecesonthesoftestandthemostfragrantbedthatshalleverbemadeforthemonearth！Itwillbewellwiththemiftheydonotliedowntorntopiecesontheirbedinhell，andcursethedaytheyfirstplasheddownintotheiryouthfulhandsthevineofSodom。Boththewaytohellandthewaytoheavenarefullofmanykindsofhurtfulfruits；butthatspeciesoffruitthatpoormisguidedMatthewpluckedandateafterhehadwellpassedthegatethatisattheheadofthewayis，byallmen’stestimony，byfarthemosthurtfulofallforbiddenfruits。

3。ThewholesceneinMatthew’ssick-roomreads，afterall，lesslikeaskilfulinventionthanarealoccurrence。InventiveandrealisticasJohnBunyanis，thereissurelysomethingherethatgoesbeyondevenhisgenius。AftermakingallallowanceforBunyan’sunparalleledpowersofcreationandnarration，Iaminclinedtothink，theoftenerIreadit，that，afterall，wehavenotsomuchJohnBunyanhereasveryNatureherself。Yes；JohnGiffordsurelywasMr。Skill。SisterBosworthsurelywasMatthew’smother。AndMatthewhimselfwasSisterBosworth’seldestson，whileoneJohnBunyan，atravellingtinker，wasbusywithhisfurnacesandhissoldering-ironsinDameBosworth’skitchen。YoungBunyan，withallhisblackguardism，hadneverplasheddownBeelzebub’sorchard。Heswearsheneverdid，andweareboundtobelievehim。ButyoungBosworthhadbeentamperingwiththeforbiddenfruit，andGiffordsawataglancewhatwaswrong。JohnGiffordwasfirstanofficerintheRoyalistarmy，thenadoctorinBedford，andnowaBaptistPuritanpastor；andtheyoungtinkerlookeduptoGiffordasthemostwonderfulmanforlearninginbooksandinbodiesandsoulsofmeninalltheworld。AndwhenGiffordtalkedoveryoungBosworth’sbedhalftohimselfandhalftothemaboutamedicinemadeexcarneetsanguineChristi，thefutureauthorofthePilgrim’sProgressneverforgotthephrase。

AtaglanceGiffordsawwhatwasthewholematterwiththesickman。Andpainfulasthetruthwastothesickman’smother，andhumiliatingwithalife-longhumiliationtothesickmanhimself，Giffordwasnotthemanortheministertobeataboutthebushatsuchasolemnmoment。”Thisboyhasbeentamperingwiththatwhichwillkillhimunlesshegetsittakenoffhisconscienceandoutofhisheartimmediately。”Now，thissamedivinationintoourpastoralcasesisbyfarandawaythemostdifficultpartofaminister’swork。Itiseasyandpleasantwithafluenttonguetogetthroughourpulpitwork；buttodescendthepulpitstairsanddealwithlife，andwiththisandthatsininthelivesofourpeople，——thatisanothermatter。”Wemustlabour，”saysRichardBaxterinhisReformedPastor，”tobeacquaintedwiththestateofallourpeopleasfullyaswecan；bothtoknowthepersonsandtheirinclinationsandconversation；toknowwhatsinstheyaremostindangerof，whatdutiestheyneglect，andwhattemptationstheyaremostliableto。For，ifweknownottheirtemperamentortheirdisease，wearelikelytoprovebutunsuccessfulphysicians。”

Butwhenwebegintoreformourpastoratetothatpattern，wearesooncompelledtosetdownsuchentriesinoursecretdiaryasthatofThomasShepardofHarvardUniversity:”Sabbath，5thApril1641。

NothingIdo，nay，noneundermyshadowprosper。Isowantwisdomformyplace，andtoguideothers。”Yes；forwhatwisdomisneededfortheplaceofaministerlikeJohnGifford，JohnBunyan，RichardBaxter，andThomasShepard！Whatwisdom，whatdivinegenius，todiveintoanddivinethesecrethistoryofasoulfromatwingeofconscience，evenfromadropoftheeye，atoneofthevoice，oragestureofthehandorofthehead！Andyet，withsomenaturaltastefortheholywork，withstudy，withexperience，andwithlife-longexpertreading，evenaplainministerwithnogenius，butwithsomegraceandtruth，maycometogreateminenceinthemattersofthesoul。Andthen，withwhataninterest，solemnandawful，withwhatasleeplessinterestsuchapastorgoesaboutamonghisdiseased，sin-torn，andscatteredflock！Alltheirsoulsarenakedandopenunderhisdiviningeye。Theyneednottotellhimwheretheyail，andofwhatsicknesstheyarenighuntodeath。

Thatfood，hesays，withsomesternnessovertheirsick-bed，I

warnedyouofit；Itoldyouwithallplainnessthatmanyhavediedofeatingthatfruit！”Wemustbeready，”Baxtercontinues，”togiveadvicetothosethatcometouswithcasesofconscience。A

ministerisnotonlyforpublicpreaching，buttobeaknowncounsellorforhispeople’ssoulsasthelawyerisfortheirestates，andthephysicianisfortheirbodies。Andbecausethepeoplearegrownunacquaintedwiththisofficeoftheministry，andtheirownnecessityanddutyherein，itbelongethtoustoacquaintthemherewith，andtopressthempubliclytocometousforadviceconcerningtheirsouls。Wemustnotonlybewillingofthetrouble，butdrawituponourselvesbyinvitingthemhereto。Tothisenditisverynecessarytobeacquaintedwithpracticalcasesandabletoassistthemintryingtheirstates。Onewordofseasonableandprudentadvicehathdonethatgoodthatmanysermonswouldnothavedone。”

4。Ashewentonpoundingandpreparinghiswell-approvedpill，the(atthebottomofhisheart)kindoldleechtalkedencouraginglytothemotherandtohersickson，andsaid:”Come，come；afterall，donothetoomuchcastdown。Hadwelivedinthedaysoftheoldmedicine，Iwouldhavebeencompoundingapurgeoutofthebloodofagoat，andtheashesofanheifer，andthejuiceofhyssop。ButIhaveafarbettermedicineundermyhandshere。

ThismomentIwillmakeyouapurgetothepurpose。”Andthenthelearnedman，half-doctor，half-divine，chantedagainthesacredincantationashebentoverhispestleandmortar，saying:ExcarneetsanguineChristi！Thoseshrewdoldeyessoonsawthat，inspiteofalltheirdefencesandalltheirdenials，damagehadbeendonetotheconscienceandtheheartthatnothingwouldsetrightbutafrankadmissionoftheevilthathadbeendone，andapromptsubmissiontotheregimenappointedandthemedicineprepared。Andhowoftenweministerspuddleandpeddlewithgoat’sbloodandheifer’sashesandhyssopjuicewhenweshouldinstantlyprescribesternfastingandsecretprayerandlongspacesofrepentance，andthenthebodyandthebloodofChrist。Howoftenourpeoplecheatusintohealingtheirhurtslightly！Howoftentheysucceedinputtingusoff，afterwearecalledin，withtheirownaccountoftheircases，andsetusoutonawild-goosechase！Imyselfhavemorethanoncepresentedyoungmenintheirtroublewithapologeticbooks，Universitysermons，andwatered-downexplanationsoftheConfessionandtheCatechism，when，hadIknownallIcameafterwardstoknow，IwouldhavesentthemBunyan’sSighsfromHell。Ihavesentsoul-sickwomenalsoTheBruisedReed，andTheMissionoftheComforterwithsympathisinginscriptions，andsweetscriptureswritteninside，when，hadIhadMr。Skill’skeeneyesinmystupidhead，Iwouldhavegonetothemwiththetotalabstinencepledgeinmyonehand，andJeremyTaylor’sHolyLivingandDyinginmyother。”Nodietbutthatwhichiswholesome！”almostinangeransweredthesickman’smother。”Itellyou，”thehonestleechreplied，inmoreanger，”thisboyhasbeentamperingwithBeelzebub’sorchard。Andmanyhavediedofit！”

5。ItwaswhilealltherestoftheHouseBeautifulweresuppingonlambandwine，andwhiletherewassuchmusicintheHousethatmadeMercyexclaimoveritwithwonder——itwasatthesmellofthesupperandatthesoundofthepsalmodythatMatthew’sgripesseizeduponhimworsethanever。AllthetimetheotherssatlateintothenightMatthewlayontherackpulledtopieces。AfterWilliamLaw’sdeathatKing’sCliffe，hisexecutorsfoundamonghismostsecretpapersaprayerhehadcomposedforhisownaloneuseonacertaincommuniondaywhenhewasself-debarredfromtheLord’stable。Idonotknowforcertainjustwhatfruittheyoungnon-jurorhadstolenoutofBeelzebub’sorchardbeforethatcommunionseason；butIcanseethathewasinpoorMatthew’sexactexperiencethatcommunionnight，——literallytorntopieceswithagoniesofconsciencewhileallhisfellow-worshipperswereatthetableoftheLord。Whilethepsalmsandhymnsarebeingsungatthesupper-table，layyoureartoLaw’sclosetdoor。”WhilstallThyfaithfulservantsareonthisdayofferingtoTheethecomfortablesacrificeofthebodyandthebloodofChrist，andfeastingatthatholytablewhichThouhastordainedfortherefreshment，joy，andcomfortoftheirsouls，I，unhappywretch，fullofguilt，amjustlydeniedanyshareofthesecomfortsthatarecommontotheChristianworld。OmyGod，Iamanuncleanworm，adeaddog，astinkingcarcass，justlyremovedfromthatsocietyofsaintswhothisdaykneelaboutThinealtar。But，oh！suffermetolooktowardThyholySanctuary；suffermysoulagaintobeintheplacewhereThinehonourdwelleth。Rejectnotthesacrificeofabrokenheart，anddoThoubewithmeinsecret，thoughIamnotfittoappearinThypublicworship。Lord，ifThouwiltThoucanstmakemeclean。Lord，speakbuttheword，andThyservantshallbehealed。”ItisthefruitofBeelzebub’sorchard。Manyhavediedthereof。

6。”Pray，sir，makemeuptwelveboxesofthem；forifIcangetthese，Iwillnevertakeotherphysic。””Thesesamepills，”hereplied，”aregoodalsotopreventdiseasesaswellastocurewhenoneissick。But，goodwoman，thoumusttakethesepillsnootherwaybutasIhaveprescribed；forifyoudo，theywilldonogood。”

IhavetakenoneillustrationfromWilliamLaw’slife；Ishalltakeanotherfromthatworldofsuchillustrationsandsoclose。”O

God，letmeneverseesuchanotherdayasthis。Letthedreadfulpunishmentofthisdayneverbeoutofmymind。”Anditneverwas。

For，afterthatdayinhell，Lawneverlaiddownhisheadonhispillowthathedidnotseemtorememberthatdreadfulday。WilliamLawwouldhavesatisfiedDr。Skillforaconvalescent。ForheneverfeltthathehadanyrighttotouchthebodyandbloodofChrist，eitheratcommuniontimes，orathousandtimeseveryday，tillhehadagaingotreadyhisheartoftruerepentance。Mybrethren，self-destroyedoutofBeelzebub’sorchard，andallmybrethren，livealifehenceforthoftruerepentance。Notoutofthesinsofyouryouthonly，butoutofthebest，themostwatchful，andthemostblamelessdayyoueverlive，distilyourhalf-pintofrepentanceeverynightbeforeyousleep。For，asdearoldSkillsaid，unlessyoudo，neitherfleshnorbloodofChrist，noranythingelse，willdoyouanygenuinegood。

THESHEPHERDBOY”HehumbledHimself。”——Paul。

Nowastheyweregoingalongandtalking，theyespiedaboyfeedinghisfather’ssheep。Theboywasinverymeanclothes，butofaveryfreshandwell-favouredcountenance，andashesatbyhimselfhesang。Hark，saidMr。Greatheart，towhattheshepherdboysaith。Sotheyhearkenedandhesaid:

Hethatisdown，needsfearnofall；

Hethatislownopride:

Hethatishumble，evershallHaveGodtobehisguide。

IamcontentwithwhatIhave，Littlebeitormuch:

And，Lord，contentmentstillIcrave，Becausethousavestsuch。

FulnesstosuchaburdenisThatgoonpilgrimage:

Herelittle，andhereafterbliss，Isbestfromagetoage。

Thensaidtheirguide，Doyouhearhim？IwilldaresaythatthisboylivesamerrierlifeandwearsmoreofthatherbcalledHeart’s-easeinhisbosomthanhethatiscladinsilkandvelvet。”

Now，notwithstandingallthat，nobodyknewbetterthanJohnBunyanknew，thatnoshepherdboythateverlivedonthefaceoftheeartheversangthatsong；onlyoneBoyeversangthatsong，andHewasnotthesonofashepherdatall，butthesonofacarpenter。And，sayingthatleadsmeontosaythisbeforeIbegin，thatIlookforamanofJohnBunyan’sinventiveandsanctifiedgeniustoarisesomeday，andarmedalsotobootwithallourlatestandbestNewTestamentstudies。Whenthatsorely-neededmansoariseshewilltakeusbacktoNazarethwherethatcarpenter’sBoywasbroughtup，andhewillletusseeHimwithourowneyesbeingbroughtup。HewillleadusintoMary’shouseonSabbathdays，andintoJoseph’sworkshoponweekdays，andhewillshowusthechildJesus，notsomuchlearningHislettersandthenputtingonHiscarpenter’sclothes，aslearningobediencebythethingsthatHeeverydaysuffered。ThatchoiceauthorwillshowusourLord，bothbeforeHehaddiscoveredHimselftobeourLord，aswellasafterHehadmadethatgreatdiscovery，alwaysclothingHimselfwithhumilityaswithagarment；takingupHisyokeofmeeknessandlowly-mindednesseveryday，andneverforonemomentlayingitdown。WhensomewriterwithasholyanimaginationasthatofJohnBunyan，andwithassweetanEnglishstyle，andwithaNewTestamentscholarshipofthefirstordersoarises，andsoaddresseshimselftotheinwardlifeofourLord，whatablessingtoourchildrenthatwriterwillbe！ForhewillmakethemseeandfeeljustwhatallthatwasinwhichourLord’sperfecthumilityconsisted，andhowHisperfecthumilityfulfilleditselfinHimfromdaytoday；upthroughallHischildhooddays，schoolandsynagoguedays，workshopandholydays，earlymanhoodandmaturemanhooddays；tillHewassomeekinallHisheartandsohumbleinallHismindthatallmenweresenttoHimtolearntheirmeeknessandtheirhumilityofHim。Ienvythatgiftedmanthedeepdelighthewillhaveinhiswork，andthesplendidrewardhewillhaveintheloveandthedebtofallcominggenerations。Only，mayhebereallysenttous，andthatsoon！

TheodorKeimcomesnearestafar-offglimpseofthateminentserviceofanyNewTestamentscholarIknow。JeremyTaylorandThomasGoodwinalso，intheirowntimeandintheirownway，hadoccasionalinspirationstowardthisstill-waitingtreatmentofthemaster-subjectofalllearningandallgenius——theinwardsanctification，thegrowthingrace，andthentheself-discoveryoftheincarnateSonofGod。But，soletitpleaseGod，somecontemporaryscholarwillarisesomedaysoon，combininginhimselfGoodwin’sincomparableChristology，andTaylor’sincomparableeloquence，andKeim’sincomparablydigestedlearning，withJohnBunyan’sincomparableimaginationandincomparableEnglishstyle，andthewaitingworkwillbedone，andtheologyforthislifewilltakeonitscopestone。Inhisabsence，andtillhecomes，letusattemptafewannotationsto-nightonthisso-calledshepherdboy’ssongintheValleyofHumiliation。

Hethatisdown，needsfearnofall。

Thewholesceneryofthesurroundingvalleyissetbeforeusinthatsingleeloquentstanza。Thesweet-voicedboysitswelloffthewaysideashesingshissongtohimself。Helooksuptothehill-topsthathangoverhisvalley，andeveryshiningtoothofthosemanyhill-topshasforhimitsownevillegend。”Hethinksheseesalittleheapofbleachingbonesjustunderwherethateaglehangsandwheelsandscreams。Notonetravellerthroughtheseperilouspartsinathousandgetsdownthosecruelrocksunhurt；andmanytravellershavebeenirrecoverablylostamongthosedeadlyrocks，andhaveneverreceivedChristianburial。Alltheshepherds’cottagesandallthehostelsupper-tablesformanymilesroundarefullofterriblestoriesoftheHillDifficultyandtheDescentDangerous。Andthusitisthatthisshepherdboylooksupwithsuchfearatthosesharppeaksandshiningprecipices，andliftshisfreshandwell-favouredcountenancetoheavenandsingsagain:”Hethatisdown，needsfearnofall。”Downinhisownesteem，thatis。Forthisisasongoftheheartratherthanofthehighway。Down——safe，thatis，fromthesteepandslipperyplacesofself-estimation，self-exaltation，self-satisfaction。

Down——soastobedeliveredfromallambitionandemulationandenvy。Down，andsafe，thankGod，fromallpride，allhigh-

mindedness，andallstout-heartedness。Downfromthehardandcruelhills，andburieddeepoutofsightamongthosemeadowswherethatherbgrowswhichiscalledHeart’s-ease。Down，wherethegreenpasturesgrowandthequietwatersflow。No，indeed；hethatisdownintothissweetbottomneedsfearnofall。Forthereisnowherehereforamantofallfrom。And，evenifhedidfall，hewouldonlyfalluponafragrance-breathingbedoflilies。Theveryherbsandflowersherewouldconspiretoholdhimup。Manyaday，asHegrewup，thecarpenter’ssonsatinthatsamevalleyandsangthatsamesongtoHisownhumbleandhappyheart。Helovedmuchtobehere。Helovedalsotowalkthesemeadows，forHefoundtheairwaspleasant。Methinks，HeoftensaidwithMercy，IamaswellinthisvalleyasIhavebeenanywhereelseinMyjourney。Theplace，methinks，suitswithMyspirit。Ilovetobeinsuchplaceswherethereisnorattlingwithcoachesnorrumblingwithwheels。

Methinks，also，hereonemaywithoutmuchmolestationbethinkingwhatheis，whencehecame，andtowhathisKinghascalledhim。

Hethatislow，nopride。

Lowinhisowneyes，thatis。Forpridegoethbeforedestruction，andahaughtyspiritbeforeafall。Yes；buthewhoislowenoughalready——noneofthesuredestructionsthatpridealwaysworksshallevercomeneartohim。”Theproudman，”saysSirHenryTaylor，”isofallmenthemostvulnerable。”Whocalls？”askstheoldshepherdinAsYouLikeIt。”Yourbetters，”istheinsolentanswer。Andwhatistheshepherd’srejoinder？”Elsearetheyverywretched。”Bywhatretort，reprisal，orreparteecouldithavebeenmadehalfsomanifestthattheinsulthadlighteduponarmourofproof？Suchistheinvincibleindependenceandinvulnerabilityofhumility。”

HethatishumbleevershallHaveGodtobehisguide。

ForthussaiththehighandholyOnethatinhabitetheternity，whosenameisHoly:Idwellinthehighandholyplace，withhimalsothatisofacontriteandhumblespirit，torevivetheheartofthehumble，andtorevivetheheartofthecontriteones……

AllthosethingshathMinehandmade，buttothismanwillIlook，saiththeLord，eventohimthatispoorandofacontritespirit，andwhotremblethatMyword……ThoughtheLordbehigh，yethathHerespectuntothelowly；buttheproudHeknowethafaroff……Likewise，yeyounger，submityourselvesuntotheelder。Yea，allofyoubesubjectonetoanother，andbeclothedwithhumility；

forGodresisteththeproudandgivethgracetothehumble……

Lord，myheartisnothaughty，normineeyeslofty，neitherdoI

exercisemyselfingreatmatters，orinthingstoohighforme。

SurelyIhavebehavedandquietedmyself，asachildthatisweanedofhismother:mysoulisevenasaweanedchild……TakeMyyokeuponyouandlearnofMe，forIammeekandlowlyinheart，andyeshallfindrestuntoyoursouls。ForMyyokeiseasyandMyburdenislight。

IamcontentwithwhatIhave，Littlebeit，ormuch:

And，Lord，contentmentstillIcrave，Becausethousavestsuch。

Theonlythingthissweetsingerisdiscontentedwithishisowncontentment。Hewillnotbecontentaslongashehasashadowofdiscontentleftinhisheart。Andhowblessedissuchholydiscontent！For，wouldyouknow，asksLaw，whoisthegreatestsaintinalltheworld？Well，itisnothewhopraysmostorfastsmost；itisnothewhogivesmostalmsorismosteminentfortemperance，chastity，orjustice。ButitishewhoisalwaysthankfultoGod，whowillseverythingthatGodwilleth，whoreceiveseverythingasaninstanceofGod’sgoodness，andhasaheartalwaysreadytopraiseGodforit。”Perhapstheshepherd’sboy，”saysThomasScott，”mayrefertotheobscureandquietstationsofsomepastorsoversmallcongregations，wholivealmostunknowntotheirbrethren，butareinameasureusefulandverycomfortable。”Perhapshedoes。And，whetherhedoesorno，atanyratesuchasongwillsuitsomeofourbrethrenverywellastheygoaboutamongtheirfewandfar-offflocks。Theyarenotchurchleadersorpopularpreachers。Thereisnotmuchrattlingwithcoachesorrumblingwithwheelsattheirchurchdoor。But，then，methinks，theyhavetheircompensation。Theyarewithoutmuchmolestation。Theycanbeallthemorethinkingwhattheyare，whencetheycame，andtowhattheirKinghascalledthem。Letthembehappyintheirshut-invalleys。ForIwilldaretosaythattheywearmoreofthatherbcalledHeart’s-easeintheirbosomthanthoseministersdotheyaresometimestemptedtoemulate。IwilladdinthisplacethattothemenwholiveandtracethesegroundstheLordhathleftayearlyrevenuetobefaithfullypaidthematcertainseasonsfortheirmaintenancebytheway，andfortheirfurtherencouragementtogoonintheirpilgrimage。

Herelittle，andhereafterbliss，Isbestfromagetoage。

But，now，fromtheshepherdboyandfromhisvalleyandhissong，letusgoonwithoutanymorepoetryorparabletolookourownselvesfullinthefaceandtoaskourownheartswhethertheyaretheheartsofreallyhumble-mindedandNewTestamentmenorno。

Dr。Newman，”thatsubtle，devoutman，”asDr。Duncancallshim，saysthat”humilityisoneofthemostdifficultofvirtuesbothtoattainandtoascertain。Itlies，”hesays，”closeupontheheartitself，anditstestsareexceedinglydelicateandsubtle。Itscounterfeitsabound。”Mosttrue。Andyethumilityisnotintendedforexpertsinmoralsonly，orformenofararereligiousgeniusonly。Theplainestofmen，theleastskilledandthemostunletteredofmen，maynotonlyexcelinhumility，butmayalsobepermittedtoknowthattheyareindeedplanted，andaregrowingslowlybutsurelyinthatgraceofallgraces。NodoubtourLordhad，sotodescribeit，themostdelicateandthemostsubtleofhumanminds；and，nodoubtwhatever，HehadthemostpractisedskillinreadingoffwhatlayclosesttoHisownheart。And，then，itwasjustHisattainmentofthemostperfecthumility，andthenHisabsoluteascertainmentofthesame，thatenabledHimtosay:

TakeMyyokeuponyouandlearnofMe。Atthesametime，divineasthegraceis，anddivineastheinsightisthatisabletotraceitoutinallitsexquisiterefinementsofthoughtandfeelinginthesanctifiedsoul，yethumilityisahumanvirtueafterall，anditisopentoallmentoattaintoitandintelligentlyandlovinglytoexerciseit。Thesimplestandtheleastphilosophicalsoulnowinthishousemayapplytohimselfsomeofthesubtlestandmostsensitivetestsofhumility，asmuchasifhewereDr。DuncanorDr。Newmanthemselves；andmaythuswithallassuranceofhopeknowwhetherheisacounterfeitandacastawayorno。

Takethistestforone，then。Explainthistexttome:Phil。ii。

3——”Inlowlinessofmindleteachesteemotherbetterthanhimself。”Explainandillustratethat。Notfromacommentary，butstraightoutfromyourownheart。Whatdoesyourheartmakeofthatscripture？Doesyourheartturnawayfromthatscripturealmostinangeratit？Doyousayyouarecertainthattheremustbesomeotherexplanationofitthanthat？DoyouholdthatthisisjustanotherofPaul’sperpetualhyperboles，andthattheNewTestamentisthelastbookintheworldtobetakenasitreads？

Yes；bothboldandsubtlefatherthatheis:counterfeitsabound！

Anothermuchbluntertest，but，perhaps，asufficientlysharptest，isthis:Howdoyoureceivecorrectionandinstruction？Doesyourheartmeeklyandspontaneouslyandnaturallytaketocorrectionandinstructionasthemostnaturalandproperthingpossibletoyou？

Anddoyouimmediately，andbeforeallmen，showforthandexhibitthecorrectionandtheinstruction？Or，doesthisrathertakeplace？Doesyourheartbeat，andswell，andboil，andboiloverathimwhodarestocorrectorcounselyou？Ifthisisafairtesttoputourhumilityto，howlittlehumilitythereisamongus！Howfewmenanyofuscouldnameamongourfriendstowhomwewouldrisktellingallthethingsthatbehindtheirbackswepointoutcontinuallytoothers？Weareterrifiedtofacetheirpride。Weoncedidit，andwearenottodoitagain，ifwecanhelpit！Letamannothavetoomanyironsinthefire；lethimexaminehimselfjustbythesetwotestsforthetime——whathethinksofhimself，andwhathethinksofthosewhoattempt，andespeciallybeforeotherpeople，tosethimright。Andafterthesetwotestshavebeensatisfied，otherswillnodoubtbesuppliedtillthatsohumblemanismadeveryhumilityitself。

Andnow，inthehopethattheremaybeoneortwomenherewhoarereallyandnotcounterfeitlyinearnesttoclothethemselveswithhumilitybeforeGodandman，letthemtakethesetwoloomstothemselvesoutofwhichwholewebsofsuchgarmentswillbedeliveredtothemeveryday——theirpastlife，andtheirpresentheart。Withapastlifelikeours，mybrethren——andeverymanknowshisown——prideissurelythemaddeststateofmindthatanyofuscanallowourselvesin。ThefirstkingofBohemiakepthiscloutedoldshoeseverinhissight，thathemightneverforgetthathehadoncebeenaploughman。Andanotherwisekingusedtodrinkoutofacoarsecupattable，andexcusedhimselftohisgueststhathehadmadetherudethinginhisrudepotterdays。LookwithPrimislausandAgathoclesattheholeofthepitoutofwhichyoualsohavebeendug；lookoftenenough，deepenough，andlongenough，andyouwillbefoundpassingupthroughtheValleyofHumiliationsinging:”WithusHedealtnotaswesinn’d，Nordidrequiteourill！”

Anotherexcellentuseofthepastis，ifyouareequaltoit，tocallyourselfaloudsometimes，orinwriting，someofthenamesthatotherpeoplewhoknowyourpastarecertainlycallingyou。Itisaterriblediscipline，butitistheterroroftheLord，andHewillnotletithurtyoutoomuch。Iwasbeforeablasphemer，andapersecutor，andinjurious，saysPaul。And，toshowTitus，hisgospel-son，theway，hesaidtohim:Weourselvesweresometimesfoolish，disobedient，deceived，servingdiverslustsandpleasures，livinginmaliceandenvy，hateful，andhatingoneanother。AndJohnBunyancallshimselfablackguard，andmanyotherworsenames；

onlyheswearsthatneitherwithhissoldieringnorwithhistinkeringhandsdidheeverplashdownBeelzebub’sorchard。Butifyouhavedonethat，oranythinglikethat，callyourselfaloudbyyourtruenameonyourkneesto-night。WilliamLawtestifies，afterfive-and-twentyyears’experienceofit，thatheneverheardofanyharmthathehaddonetoanyinhishousebyhishabitofsinginghissecretpsalmsaloud，andsometimes，ereeverhewasaware，burstingoutinhispenitentialprayers。

And，then，howanymanwithaman’sheartinhisbosomforasingledaycanescapebeingthechiefofsinners，andconsequentlythehumblestofmenforalltherestofhislifeonearth，passesmycomprehension！Howasparkofpridecanliveinsuchahellaseveryhumanheartiswouldbepastbelief，didwenotknowthatGodavengessinbymoresin；avengesHimselfonawickedandafalseheartbymorewickednessandmorefalsehood，allendinginSatanicpride。

ToolongasIhavekeptyouinthisvalleyto-night，IdarenotletyououtofittillIhavesharedwithyouafewsentencesonevangelicalhumiliationoutofthatothersosubtleanddevoutman，JonathanEdwards。Butwhatspecialkindofhumiliationisevangelicalhumiliation？youwillask。Hear，then，whatthismasterinIsraelsays。”EvangelicalhumiliationisthesensethataChristianmanhasofhisownutterinsufficiency，utterdespicableness，andutterodiousness；withanalwaysanswerableframeofheart。Thishumiliationispeculiartothetruesaints。

ItarisesfromthespecialinfluenceoftheSpiritofGodimplantingandexercisingsupernaturalanddivineprinciples；anditisaccompaniedwithasenseofthetranscendentbeautyofdivinethings。And，thus，God’struesaintsallmoreorlessseetheirownodiousnessonaccountofsin，andtheexceedinglyhatefulnatureofallsin。Theveryessenceofevangelicalhumiliationconsistsinsuchhumilityasbecomesamaninhimselfexceedingsinfulbutnowunderadispensationofgrace。Itconsistsinameanesteemofhimself，asinhimselfnothing，andaltogethercontemptibleandodious。This，indeed，isthegreatestandthemostessentialthingintruereligion。”Andsoonthroughawholechapterofbeatengold。TowhichnoblechapterIshallonlyaddthatsuchteachingisassweet，asstrengthening，andasreassuringtothetrulyChristianheartasitisbitterandhatefultothecounterfeitheart。

OLDHONEST”Anhonestheart。”——OurLord。

NexttellthemofOldHonest，whoyoufoundWithhiswhitehairstreadingthepilgrim’sground；

Yea，tellthemhowplain-heartedthismanwas，HowafterhisgoodLordhebarehiscross:

Perhapswithsomegreyheadthismayprevail，WithChristtofallinlove，andsinbewail。

YouwouldhavesaidthatnopilgrimtotheCelestialCitycouldpossiblyhavecomefromaworseplace，oramoreunlikelyplace，thanwasthatplacefromwhichChristianandChristianaandMatthewandMercyhadcome。Andyetsoitwas。ForOldHonest，thismostexcellentandeverywaymostdelightfuloldsaint，hailedfromafarlesslikelyplacethaneventheCityofDestruction。Forhecame，thisrareoldsoul，ofallplacesintheworld，fromtheTownofStupidity。Sohetellsushimself。And，partlytoexplaintousthehumiliatingnameofhisnativetown，andpartlytoexhibithimselfasawondertomany，thefrankoldgentlemangoesontotellusthathisbirthplaceactuallyliesfourdegreesfurtherawayfromthesunthandoesthefar-enoughawayCityofDestructionitself。Sothatyouseethisgrey-hairedsaintisallthathealwayssaidhewas——alivingwitnesstothefactthathisLordisabletosavetotheuttermost，andtogatherinHisFather’selectfromtheutmostcorneroftheland。Menaremountainsoficeinmycountry，saidOldHonest。Iwasoneofthebiggestofthoseicebergsmyself，hesaid。NomanwasevermorecoldandsenselesstodivinethingsthanIwas，andstillsometimesam。IttakestheSunofRighteousnessallHismighttomeltthemenofmycountry。

ButthatHecandoitwhenHerisestodoit，andwhenHeputsoutHisfullstrengthtodoit——Lookatme！saidthegenialoldsoul。

Wehavetoconstructthispilgrim’sbirthandboyhoodandyouthfromhisafter-characterandconversation；andwehavenodifficultyatallindoingthat。For，ifthechildisthefatheroftheman，thenthemanmustbetheoutcomeofthechild，andwecanhavenohesitationinpicturingtoourselveswhatkindofchildandboyandyoungmandearOldHonestmustalwayshavebeen。Heneverwasabrightchild，brightandbeamingoldmanasheis。Hewasalwaysslowandheavyathislessons；indeed，Iwouldnotliketorepeattoyouallthebadnamesthathisschoolmasterssometimesintheirimpatiencecalledthestupidchild。Only，thiswastobesaidofhim，thatdulnessofuptakeanddisappointmentofhisteachersweretheworstthingsaboutthispoorboy；hewasnotsoill-behavedasmanywerewhoweremademoreof。Whenhiswitsbegantowakenupafterhehadcomesomelengthhehadnolittleleewaytomakeupinhislearning；butthatwasthechiefdrawbacktoOldHonest’spilgrimage。Foronething，noyoungmanhadacleanerrecordbehindhimthanourHonesthad；hisyouthfulgarmentswereasunspottedaseveranypilgrim’sgarmentswere。

EvenasayoungmanhehadhadthegoodsensetokeepcompanywithoneGood-conscience；andthatfriendofhisyouthkepttruetoOldHonestallhisdays，andevenlenthimhishandandhelpedhimovertheriveratlast。Inhisownmanly，hearty，blunt，breezy，cheery，andgenialwayOldHonestisapilgrimwecouldillhavespared。OldHonesthasawarmplaceallforhimselfineverygoodandhonestheart。”Now，alittlebeforethepilgrimsstoodanoak，andunderitwhentheycameuptoittheyfoundanoldpilgrimfastasleep；theyknewthathewasapilgrimbyhisclothesandhisstaffandhisgirdle。

Sotheguide，Mr。Greatheart，awakedhim，andtheoldgentleman，ashelifteduphiseyes，criedout:What’sthematter？Whoareyou？

Andwhatisyourbusinesshere？Come，man，saidtheguide，benotsohot；hereisnonebutfriends！Yettheoldmangetsupandstandsuponhisguard，andwillknowofthemwhattheyare。”Thatweather-beatenoak-treeunderwhichwefirstmeetwithOldHonestisanexcellentemblemoftheman。Whenhesatdowntoresthisoldbonesthatdayhedidnotlookoutforabankofsoftmossorforabedoffragrantroses；thatknottedoak-treealonehadpowertodrawdownunderitssturdytrunkthisheartofhumanoak。Itwasasighttoseethosethingreyhaffetsmakingasoftpillowofthatjuttingkneeofgnarledandknottyoak，andwithhiswell-wornquarterstaffheldcloseinahandallwrinkledskinandscraggybone。Andfromthatdaytillhewavedhisquarterstaffwhenhalfovertheriverandshouted，Gracereigns！thereisnopilgrimofthemallthataffordsushalfthegoodhumour，sagacity，continualentertainment，andbraveencouragementweenjoythroughthissameoldChristiangentleman。

1。Now，letustrytolearntwoorthreelessonsto-nightfromOldHonest，hishistory，hischaracter，andhisconversation。And，tobeginwith，letallthoseattendtoOldHonestwhoareslowintheuptakeinthethingsofreligion。Ofoolsandslowofheart！

exclaimedourLordatthetwotravellerstoEmmaus。AndthiswasOldHonesttotheletterwhenhefirstenteredonthepilgrimagelife；hewasslowasslothitselfinthethingsofthesoul。I

haveoftenwondered，saidGreatheart，thatanyshouldcomefromyourplace；foryourtownisworsethanistheCityofDestructionitself。Yes，answeredHonest，weliemoreofffromthesun，andsoaremorecoldandsenseless。Andhisbiographerhereannotatesonthemarginthisreflection:”Stupefiedonesareworsethanmerelycarnal。”Sotheyare；thoughittakessomeinsighttoseethat，andsomecouragetocarrythatthrough。Now，tobedownrightstupidinaman’snaturalintellectsissadenough，buttobestupidintheintellectsofthesoulandofthespiritisfarmoresad。Youwilloftenseethisifyouhaveanyeyesinyourhead，andarenotoneofthestupidpeopleyourself。Youwillseeverycleverpeopleintheintellectsoftheheadwhoareyetasstupidasthebeastsinthestallinthefarnoblerintellectsoftheheart。Youwillmeeteverydaywithmenandwomenwhohavereceivedthebestcollegeeducationthiscitycangivethem，whoareyetstarkstupidineverythingthatbelongstotruereligion。

Theyarequicktofindouttheinefficiencyofauniversitychair，oraschoolmaster’sdesk，buttheyknownomoreofwhataNewTestamentpulpithasbeensetupforthanthestupidestsotinthecity。TheDivineNature，humannature，sin，grace，redemption，salvation，holiness，heart-corruption，spirituallife，prayer，communionwithGod，aconversationandatreasureinheaven，——toallthesenoblestofstudiesanddivinestofexercisestheyareasabeastbeforeGod。Whenyoucomeuponamanwhoisasotinhissensesandinhisunderstanding，youexpecthimtobethesameinhisspirituallife。Buttomeetwithanexpertinscience，aclassicalscholar，anauthororacriticinletters，aleaderinpoliticalorecclesiasticalormunicipallife，andyettodiscoverthatheisasstupidasanysotinthethingsofhisownsoul，isoneofthesaddestandmostdishearteningsightsyoucansee。Muchsadderandmuchmoredishearteningthantoseestairsandstreetsofpeoplewhocanneitherreadnorwrite。Andyetourcityisfullofsuchstupidpeople。Youwillfindasutterspiritualstupidityamongtherichandtheletteredandtherefinedofthiscityasyouwillfindamongtheignorantandtheviciousandthecriminalclasses。Isstupidityasin？asksThomasinhisForty-SixthQuestion。Andthegreatschoolmananswershimself，”Stupiditymaycomeofnaturalincapacity，inwhichcaseitisnotasin。Butitmaycome，ontheotherhand，ofamanimmersinghissoulinthethingsofthisworldsoastoshutoutallthethingsofGodandoftheworldtocome，inwhichcasestupidityisadeadlysin。”Now，fromallthat，youmustalreadyseewhatyouaretodoinordertoescapefromyourinbornandsuperinducedstupidity。Youare，likeOldHonest，toopenyourgross，cold，senselesshearttotheSunofRighteousness，andyouaretotakecareeverydaytowalkabroadunderHisbeams。Youaretoemigratesouthforyourlife，asourwell-to-doinvalidsdo，towherethesunshinesinhisstrengthalltheday。Youaretochoosesuchaminister，buyandreadsuchaliterature，cultivatesuchanacquaintanceship，andfollowoutsuchanewlifeofhabitsandpracticesasshallbringyouintothefullsunshine，tillyourheartoficeismelted，andyourstupefiedsoulisfilledwithspiritualsensibility。For，wereamanamountainofice，”saidOldHonest，”yetiftheSunofRighteousnesswillariseuponhimhisfrozenheartshallfeelathaw；andthushathitbeenwithme。”Yourpoetsandyourphilosophershavenoresourceagainstthestupiditythatopposesthem。”Eventhegods，”theycomplain，”fightunvictoriousagainststupidity。”Butyourdivinesandyourpreachershavehopebesidethedullestandthestupidestandeventhemostimbruted。Theypointthemselvesandtheirslowestanddullest-wittedhearerstoOldHonest，thisrareoldsaint；andtheysetuptheirpulpitwithhopeandboldnessontheverycausewayofthetownofStupidityitself。

2。Inthesecondplace，——onthisfineoldpilgrim’sbirthandboyhoodandyouth。Theapostlesaysthatthereisnorealdifferencebetweenoneofusandanother；andwhathesaysonthatsubjectmustbetrue。No；thereisreallynodifferencecomparedwiththeCelestialCitywhetherapilgrimisborninStupidity，inDestruction，inVanity，orinDarkland。Atthesametime，nature，aswellasgrace，isofGod，andHemaketh，whenitpleasethHim，onemantodifferinsomemostimportantrespectsfromanother。

Youseesuchdifferenceseveryday。Somechildrenarenaturally，andfromtheirveryinfancy，falseandcruel，meanandgreedy；

whiletheirbrothersandsistersareopenandfrankandgenerous。

Onesoninahouseisbornavulgarsnob，andonedaughterashallow-heartedandshamelesslittleflirt；whileanotherbrotherisaborngentleman，andanothersisterabornsaint。Somechildrenaretender-hearted，easilymelted，andeasilymoulded；

whileothersinthesamefamilyarehardasstoneandcoldasice。

SometimesanobleandatrulyChristianfatherwillhaveallhisdaystoweepandprayoverasonwhoishisshame；andthen，inthenextgeneration，agrandsonwillbeborntohimwhowillmorethanrecoverthelostimageofhisfather’sfather。AndsoisitsometimeswithfatherAdam’sfamily。Hereandthere，inDarkland，inDestruction，andinStupidity，achildwillbebornwithasurprisinglikenesstothefirstAdaminhisfirstestate。Thathappychildathisbestisbuttherelicsandruinsofhisfirstfather；atthesametime，inhimtherelicsaremoreabundantandtheruinsmoreeasytotraceout。AndlittleHonestwassuchawell-bornchild。For，Stupidityandall，therewasarealinbornandinbredintegrity，uprightness，straightforwardness，andnoblenessaboutthislittleandnotover-cleverman-child。And，ontheprincipleof”tohimthathathshallbegiven，”therewassomethinglikeaspecialprovidencethathedgedthisboyaboutfromthebeginning。”IgirdedtheethoughthouhastnotknownMe”wasneveroutofOldHonest’smouthasoftenasherememberedthedaysofhisownyouthandheardotherpilgrimsmourningovertheirs。”I

havesurnamedtheethoughthouhastnotknownMe，”hewouldsaytohimselfinhissleep。Slow-wittedashewas，noonehadbeenabletocheatyoungHonestoutofhisyouthfulintegrity。Hehadnotbeenled，andhehadlednooneelse，intothepathsofthedestroyer。HecouldsayabouthimselfallthatJohnBunyansoboldlyandsobluntlysaidabouthimselfwhenhisenemieschargedhimwithyouthfulimmorality。Heleftthetowninnobody’sdebt。

Helefttheprintofhisheelsonnomanorwomanorchildwhenhetookhisstaffinhishandtobeapilgrim。Theupwardwalkoftoomanypilgrimsislessawalkthananescapeandaflight。Theavengerofmen’sbloodandwomen’shonourhashuntedmanymendeepintoheaven’sinnermostgate。ButOldHonesttookhistime。Hewalked，ifeverpilgrimwalked，allthewaywithaneasymind。Helaydowntosleepundertheoaksonthewayside，andsmiledlikeachildinhissleep。And，whenhewassuddenlyawaked，insteadofcryingoutformercyandstartingtohisheels，hegraspedhisstaffanddemandedevenofanarmedmanwhatbusinesshehadtobreakinonanhonestpilgrim’smid-dayrepose！TheKingoftheCelestialCityhadafewnameseveninStupiditywhichhadnotdefiledtheirgarments，andOldHonestwasoneofthem。Andallhisdayshisstrengthwasasthestrengthoften，becausehisheartwaspure。

3。Atthesametime，honestyisnotholiness；andnooneknewthatbetterthandidthishonestoldsaint。WhenanyonespoketoOldHonestabouthisblamelessyouth，thelookinhiseyemadethemkeepatarm’s-lengthashegrowledoutthatwithoutholinessnomanshallseeGod！WritingfromAberdeentoJohnBellofHentoun，SamuelRutherfordsays:”Ibeseechyou，intheLordJesus，tomindyourcountryabove；andnow，whenoldageiscomeuponyou，advisewithChristbeforeyouputyourfootintothelastshipandturnyourbackonthislife。Manyarebeguiledwiththisthattheyarefreeofscandaloussins。Butcommonhonestywillnottakementoheaven。Alas！thatmenshouldthinkthatevertheymetwithChristwhohadneverasicknightorasoreheartforsin。Ihaveknownamanturnakeyinadoorandlockitby。””Ican，”saysJohnOwen，”andIdo，commendmoralvirtuesandhonestyasmuchasanymanoughttodo，andIamsurethereisnogracewheretheyarenot。

YettomakeanythingtobeourholinessthatisnotderivedfromJesusChrist，——IknownotwhatIdomoreabhor。””AremorallyhonestandsobermenqualifiedfortheLord’sSupper？”asksJohnFlavel。”No；civilityandmoralitydonotmakeamanaworthycommunicant。Theyarenottheweddinggarment；butregeneratinggraceandfaithinthesmallestmeasureare。””Myoutsidemaybehonest，”saidthishonestoldpilgrim，”whileallthetimemyheartismostunholy。Mylifeisopentoallmen，butImusthidemyheartwithChristinGod。”

4。Andthenthisracy-heartedoldbachelorwasasfullofdelightinchildren，andinchildren’sparties，withalltheirsweetmeatsandnutsandgamesandriddles，——quiteasmuchso——asifhehadbeentheirverygrandfatherhimself。Nay，thisrosy-heartedoldroguewasasinveterateamatchmakerasifhehadbeenamotheroftheworldwithahousefulofdaughtersonherhandsandwiththesonsofthenobilitydanglingaround。Itwouldmakeyouwishyoucouldkissthetwodearoldsouls，GaiustheinnkeeperandOldHonesthisguest，ifyouwouldonlyreadhowtheylaidtheirgreyheadstogethertohelpforwardthelove-makingofMatthewandMercy。Yes，itwouldbeagreatpity，saidOldHonest，——thinkingwithasighofhisownchildlessoldage，——itwouldbeagreatpityifthisexcellentfamilyofoursaintedbrothershouldfailforwantofchildren，anddieoutlikemine。Andthetwooldplotterswenttogethertothemotherofthebridegroom，andtoldherwithanaspectofauthoritythatshemustputnoobstacleinherson’sway，buttakeMercyassoonasconvenientintoacloserrelationtoherself。AndGaiussaidthatheforhispartwouldgivethemarriagesupper。AndIshallmakenowill，saidHonest，buthandallIhaveovertoMatthewmyson。Thisistheway，saidOldHonest；andheskippedandsmiledandkissedthecheekoftheagedmotherandsaid，Thenthytwochildrenshallpreservetheeandthyhusbandaposterityintheearth！Thenheturnedtotheboysandhesaid，Matthew，bethoulikeMatthewthepublican，notinvice，butinvirtue。Samuel，hesaid，bethoulikeSamueltheprophet，amanoffaithandofprayer。Joseph，saidhe，bethoulikeJosephinPotiphar’shouse，chaste，andonethatfleesfromtemptation。

AndJames，bethoulikeJamestheJust，andlikeJamesthebrotherofourLord。Mercy，hesaid，isthyname，andbymercyshaltthoubesustainedandcarriedthroughallthydifficultiesthatshallassaulttheeintheway，tillthoushaltcomethitherwherethoushaltlooktheFountainofMercyinthefacewithcomfort。Andallthiswhiletheguide，Mr。Greatheart，wasverymuchpleased，andsmileduponthenimbleoldgentleman。

5。”ThenitcametopassawhileafterthattherewasapostinthetownthatinquiredforMr。Honest。Sohecametohishousewherehewas，anddeliveredtohishandstheselines，Thouartcommandedtobereadyagainstthisdaysevennight，topresentthyselfbeforethyLordatHisFather’shouse。Andforatokenthatmymessageistrue，allthydaughtersofmusicshallbebroughtlow。ThenMr。Honestcalledforhisfriendsandsaiduntothem，Idie，butshallmakenowill。Asformyhonesty，itshallgowithme:lethimthatcomesaftermebetoldofthis。Whenthedaythathewastobegonewascomeheaddressedhimselftogoovertheriver。Now，theriveratthattimeoverflowedthebanksatsomeplaces。ButMr。HonestinhislifetimehadspokentooneGood-consciencetomeethimthere，thewhichhealsodid，andlenthimhishand，andsohelpedhimover。ThelastwordsofMr。Honestwere，Gracereigns！Sohelefttheworld。”Lookatthatpictureandnowlookatthis:”Theythenaddressedthemselvestothewater，and，entering，Christianbegantosink，andcryingouttohisgoodfriendHopeful，hesaid，Isinkindeepwaves，thebillowsgoovermyhead，allHiswatersgooverme。Thensaidtheother，Beofgoodcheer，mybrother，Ifeelthebottom，anditisgood。

ThensaidChristian，Ah，myfriend，thesorrowsofdeathhavecompassedmeabout；Ishallnotseethelandthatflowswithmilkandhoney。AndwiththatagreathorroranddarknessfelluponChristian，sothathecouldnotseebeforehim；andallthewordsthathespokestilltendedtodiscoverthathehadhorrorofmindlestheshoulddieinthatriverandneverobtainentranceinatthegate。Herealso，astheythatstoodbyperceived，hewasmuchinthetroublesomethoughtsofthesinsthathehadcommitted，bothsinceandbeforehebegantobeapilgrim。’Twasalsoobservedthathewastroubledwithapparitionsofhobgoblinsandevilspirits。Hopeful，therefore，hadmuchadotokeephisbrother’sheadabovewater。Yea，sometimeshewouldbequitegonedown，andthenereawhilehewouldriseupagainhalfdead。”Mybrethren，allmybrethren，benotdeceived；Godisnotmocked；forwhatsoeveramansoweththatshallhealsoreap。WhomtheLordlovethHechasteneth，andscourgetheverysonwhomHereceiveth。Thou，O

God，wastaGodthatforgavestthem，butThoutookestvengeanceontheirinventions。

MR。FEARING”Happyisthemanthatfearethalway。”——SolomonForhumour，forpathos，fortenderness，foracuteandsympatheticinsightatonceintonatureandgrace，forabsolutelyartlessliteraryskill，andforthesweetest，mostmusical，andmostexquisiteEnglish，showmeanotherpassageinourwholeliteraturetocomparewithJohnBunyan’sportraitofMr。Fearing。Youcannotdoit。Idefyyoutodoit。Spenser，who，likeJohnBunyan，wroteanelaborateallegory，says:Itisnotinme。TakeallMr。

Fearing’sfeaturestogether，andevenShakespearehimselfhasnosuchheart-touchingandheart-comfortingcharacter。AddisonmayhavesomeofthehumourandLambsomeofthetenderness；but，then，theyhavenotthereligion。Scotthastheinsightintonature，buthehasnoeyeatallforgrace；whileThackeray，who，insomerespects，comesnearesttoJohnBunyanofthemall，wouldbetheforemosttoconfessthatheisnotworthytotouchtheshoe-latchetoftheBedfordtinker。AsDr。DuncansaidinhisclassonedaywhentellingustoreadAugustine’sAutobiographyandHalyburton’s:-”But，”hesaid，”bepreparedforthis，thatthetinkerbeatsthemall！””Methinks，”saysBrowning，”inthisGodspeaks，notinkerhathsuchpowers。”

Now，astheywalkedalongtogether，theguideaskedtheoldgentlemanifheknewoneMr。Fearingthatcameonpilgrimageoutofhisparts。”Yes，”saidMr。Honest，”verywell。Hewasamanthathadtherootofthematterinhim；buthewasoneofthemosttroublesomepilgrimsthateverImetwithinallmydays。””I

perceiveyouknewhim，”saidtheguide，”foryouhavegivenaveryrightcharacterofhim。””Knewhim！”exclaimedHonest，”Iwasagreatcompanionofhis；Iwaswithhimmostanend。Whenhefirstbegantothinkofwhatwouldcomeuponushereafter，Iwaswithhim。””AndIwashisguide，”saidGreatheart，”frommyMaster’shousetothegatesoftheCelestialCity。””Then，”saidMr。

Honest，”itseemshewaswellatlast。””Yes，yes，”answeredtheguide，”Ineverhadanydoubtabouthim；hewasamanofachoicespirit，onlyhewasalwayskeptverylow，andthatmadehislifesoburdensometohimselfandsotroublesometoothers。Hewas，abovemany，tenderofsin；hewassoafraidofdoinginjuriestoothersthathewouldoftendenyhimselfofthatwhichwaslawfulbecausehewouldnotoffend。””Butwhat，”askedHonest，”shouldbethereasonthatsuchagoodmanshouldbeallhisdayssomuchinthedark？””Therearetwosortsofreasonsforit，”saidtheguide；”oneis，thewiseGodwillhaveitso:somemustpipeandsomemustweep。Now，Mr。Fearingwasonethatplayeduponthisbase。

Heandhisfellowssoundthesackbut，whosenotesaremoredolefulthanthenotesofothermusicare。Though，indeed，somesaythatthebaseisthegroundofmusic。And，formypart，Icarenotatallforthatprofessionthatbeginsnotwithheavinessofmind。

Thefirststringthatthemusicianusuallytouchesisthebasewhenheintendstoputallintune。GodalsoplaysuponthisstringfirstwhenHesetsthesoulintuneforHimself。Only，herewastheimperfectionofMr。Fearing，thathecouldplayuponnoothermusicbutthistilltowardhislatterend。”

1。TakeMr。Fearing，then，tobeginwith，attheSloughofDespond。ChristianandPliable，theybeingheedless，didbothfallintothatbog。ButMr。Fearing，whateverfaultsyoumaythinkhehad——andfaults，too，thatyouthinkyoucouldmendinhim——atanyrate，hewasneverheedless。EverybodyhashisfaulttofindwithpoorMr。Fearing。EverybodyblamespoorMr。Fearing。EverybodycanimproveuponpoorMr。Fearing。ButIwillsayagainforMr。

Fearingthathewasneverheedless。HadPeterbeenontheroadatthatperiodhewouldhavestoodupforMr。Fearing，andwouldhavetakenhisjudgesandwouldhavesaidtothem，withsomescorn——Goto，andpassthetimeofyoursojourningherewithsomethingofthesamesilenceandthesamefear！Christian’sexcuseforfallingintotheSloughwasthatfearsofollowedhimthathefledthenextway，andsofellin。ButMr。FearinghadnosuchfearbehindhiminhiscityasChristianhadinhis。AllMr。Fearing’sfearswerewithinhimself。Ifyoucantakeupthedistinctionbetweenactualandindwellingsin，betweenguiltandcorruption，youhavealreadyinthatthewholekeytoMr。Fearing。Hewasblamedandcounselledandcorrectedandpitiedandpatronisedbyeverymorning-cloudandearly-dewneophyte，whileallthetimehelivedfardownfromthestrifeoftongueswheretherootofthematterstrikesitsdeeprootsstilldeepereveryday。”Ittookhimawholemonth，”tellsGreatheart，”tofacetheSlough。Buthewouldnotgobackneither。

Till，onesunshinymorning，nobodyeverknewhow，heventured，andsogotover。Butthefactofthematteris，”saidtheshrewd-

headedguide，”Mr。Fearinghad，Ithink，asloughofdespondinhisownmind；andasloughthathecarriedeverywherewithhim。”Yes，thatwasit。Greatheartinthathashitthenailonthehead。

WithonehappystrokehehasgivenusthewholesecretofpoorMr。

Fearing’slife-longtrouble。Justso；itwasthesloughinhimselfthatsokeptpoorMr。Fearingback。Thispoorpilgrim，whohadsolittletofearinhispastlife，hadyetsomuchscumandfilth，spumeandmireinhispresentheart，thathowtogetontheothersideofthatcosthimnotamonth’sroaringonly，butallthemonthsandalltheyearstillhewentovertheRivernotmuchabovewet-shod。And，tillthen，nottwentymillioncart-loadsofwholesomeinstructions，noranynumberofgoodandsubstantialsteps，wouldliftpoorMr。Fearingovertheditchthatransodeepandsofoulcontinuallywithinhimself。”Yes，hehad，Ithink，asloughofdespondinhismind，asloughthathecarriedeverywherewithhim，orelsehenevercouldhavebeenthemanhewas。”I，forone，thankthegreat-heartedguideforthatfinesentence。

2。ItwasasighttoseepoorMr。Fearingatthewicketgate。”Knock，anditshallbeopeneduntoyou。”Hereadtheinscriptionoverthegateathousandtimes，buteverytimehereadithisslough-filledheartsaidtohim，Yes，butthatisnotforsuchasyou。Pilgrimafterpilgrimcameuptheway，readthewriting，knocked，andwastakenin；butstillMr。Fearingstoodback，shakingandshrinking。Atlastheventuredtotakeholdofthehammerthathungonthegateandgavewithitasmallrapsuchasamousemightmake。Butsmallasthesoundwas，theGatekeeperhadhadhiseyeonhismanallthetimeoutofhiswatch-window；andbeforeMr。Fearinghadtimetoturnandrun，Goodwillhadhimbythecollar。ButthatsuddenassaultonlymadeMr。Fearingsinktotheearth，faintandhalf-dead。”Peacebetothee，Otremblingman！”saidGoodwill。”Comein，andwelcome！”Whenhedidventurein，Mr。Fearing’sfacewasaswhiteasasheet。YouwouldhavesaidthatanofficerhadcaughtathiefifyouhadseenpoorMr。

Fearinghidinghisface，andtheGatekeeperhaulinghimin。AndnotalltheentertainmentforwhichtheGatewasfamous，noralltheencouragementthatGoodwillwasabletospeak，couldmaketerrifiedMr。Fearingforoncetosmile。Amorehard-to-entertainpilgrim，alltheGatedeclaredwhenhehadgone，theyhadneverhadintheirhospitablehouse。

3。”Sohecame，”saidtheguide，”tillhecametoourHouse；butashebehavedhimselfattheGate，sohedidatmyMastertheInterpreter’sdoor。Helayaboutinthecoldagoodwhilebeforehewouldadventuretocall。Yethewouldnotgobackneither。Andthenightswerecoldandlongthen。AtlastIthinkIlookedoutofthewindow，andperceivingamantobeupanddownaboutthedoor，Iwentouttohim，andaskedwhathewas；but，poorman，thewaterstoodinhiseyes。SoIperceivedwhathewanted。Iwentin，therefore，andtolditinthehouse，andweshowedthethingtoourLord。SoHesentmeoutagaintoentreathimtocomein，butI

daresayIhadhardworktodoit。Atlasthecamein，andIwillsaythatformyLord，HecarrieditwonderfullovinglytoMr。

Fearing。Therewerebutafewgoodbitsatthetable，butsomeofitwaslaiduponhistrencher。”InthiswaytheguidetellsushisfirstintroductiontoMr。Fearing，andhowMr。FearingbehavedhimselfintheInterpreter’sHouse。Forinstance，intheparlourfullofdust，whentheInterpretersaidthatthedustisoriginalsinandinwardcorruption，youwouldhavethoughtthattheInterpreterhadstabbedpoorMr。Fearingtotheheart，sodidhebreakoutandweep。Beforethedamselcouldcomewiththepitcher，Mr。Fearing’seyesalonewouldhavelaidthedust，theyweresuchafountainoftears。WhenhesawPassionandPatience，eachoneinhischair——”Iamthatchildinrags，”saidMr。Fearing；”Ihavealreadyreceivedallmygoodthings！”Also，atthewallwherethefireburnedbecauseoilwaspouredintoitfromtheotherside，heperverselyturnedthatfirealsoagainsthimself。Andwhentheycametothemanintheironcage，youcouldnothavetoldwhetherthemiserablemaninsidethecageorthemiserablemanoutsideofitsighedtheloudest。Andsoon，throughallthesignificantrooms。Thespider-roomoverwhelmedhimaltogether，tillhissobsandthebeatingofhisbreastwereheardalloverthehouse。Therobinalsowhengobblingupspidershemadeanemblemofhimself，andthetreethatwasrottenattheheart，——tilltheInterpreter’spatiencewiththissoperversepilgrimwasfairlywornout。SotheInterpretershutuphissignificantrooms，andhadthissotroublesomepilgrimintohisownchamber，andtherecarrieditsotenderlytoMr。Fearingthatatlasthedidseemtohavetakensomelittleheartofgrace。”Andthenwe，”saidGreatheart，”setforward，andIwentbeforehim；butthemanwasoffewwords，onlyhewouldoftensighaloud。”

4。”DumpishattheHouseBeautiful”ishisbiographer’snotveryrespectfulcommentonthemarginofthehistory。Thereweretoomanymerry-hearteddamselsrunningupanddownthathouseforMr。

Fearing。Hecouldnotlifthiseyesbutoneofthosetoo-trippingmaidenswaslookingathim。Hecouldnotstirafootbuthesuddenlyranagainstatalkingandlaughingbevyofthem。Therewasonethinghelovedaboveeverything，andthatwastooverhearthetalkthatwentonatthatseasoninthathouseabouttheCityabove，andabouttheKingofthatCity，andaboutHiswonderfulwayswithpilgrims，andtheentertainmenttheyallgotwhoenteredthatCity。ButtogetawordoutofMr。Fearinguponanyofthesesubjects，——alltheking’shorsescouldnothavedraggeditoutofhim。Only，thescreenwasalwaysseentomoveduringsuchconversations，tillitsooncametobeknowntoallthehousewhowasbehindthescreen。Andthetalkersonlytalkedalittlelouderasthescreenmoved，andtookup，withasmiletooneanother，anotherandayetmorecomfortingtopic。

TheRarityRoomsalsoweremoretoMr。Fearingthanhisnecessaryfood。Hewouldbeupinthemorningandwaitingatthedoorsofthoseroomsbeforethekeepershadcomewiththeirkeys。Andtheyhadtotellhimthatthecandlesweretobeputoutatnightbeforehewouldgoaway。Hewasalwaysreading，asifhehadneverreaditbefore，thepedigreeoftheLordoftheHill。Moses’rod，Shamgar’sgoad，David’sslingandstone，andwhatnot——helaughedanddancedandsanglikeachildaroundtheseancienttables。Thearmoury-roomalsoheldhim，whereweretheswords，andshields，andhelmets，andbreast-plates，andshoesthatwouldnotwearout。Youwouldhavethoughtyouhadyourmanallrightaslongasyouhadhimaloneamongtheseoldrelics；but，letsupperbeready，andthehousegathered，andMr。Fearingwasasdumpishasever。Eathewouldnot，drinkhewouldnot，norwouldhesitatthesametablewiththosewhoateanddrankwithsuchgladness。IrememberedMr。

FearingattheHouseBeautifulwhenIwaspresentatacommunionseasonsometimebackinRoss-shire。ThechurchwashalffullofMr。Fearing’sclosekindredthatcommunionmorning。For，allthattheministerhimselfcoulddo，andallthattheassistingministercoulddo——no！tothetablethoseself-examined，self-condemned，fear-filledsoulswouldnotcome。Thetwoministers，likeMr。

Greatheart’sMaster，carrieditwonderfullovinglywiththosepoorsaintsthatday；butthosewhoareindeed，andnotinnameonly，passingthetimeoftheirsojourninghereinfear——theycannotallatoncebeliftedabovealltheirfears，evenbytheablestactionsermons，orbythemostwiseandtendertable-addresses。And，truthtotell，thoughyouwillrebukemeallthewayhometo-nightforsayingit，myheartsatsomewhatnearertothoseoldpeoplewhowereperhapsalittletoodumpishintheirrepentanceandtheirfaithandtheirhopethatmorning，thanitdidtothosewhotooktothetablewithalightheart。IknowallyourflippantcantaboutgospellibertyandagainstHighlandintrospection，asyoucallit——

aswellasallyourhabitualneglectofacloseanddeepself-

examination，asPaulcalledit；butItellyouallto-nightthatitwouldbethesalvationofyoursoulifyoutooworkedyourwayuptoeveryreturningLord’stablewithmuchmorefearandmuchmoretrembling。Letamanexaminehimself，SaxonaswellasCelt，inEdinburghaswellasinRoss-shire，andsolethimeatofthatfleshanddrinkofthatblood。”Thesepills，”saidMr。Skill，”aretobetakenthreeatatimefastinginhalfaquarterofapintofthetearsofrepentance；thesepillsaregoodtopreventdiseases，aswellastocurewhenoneissick。Yea，Idaresayit，andstandtoit，thatifamanwillbutusethisphysicasheshould，itwillmakehimliveforever。ButthoumustgivethesepillsnootherwaybutasIhaveprescribed；for，ifyoudo，theywilldonogood。””ThenheandIsetforward，”saidtheguide，”andIwentbefore；butmymanwasofbutfewwords，onlyhewouldoftensighaloud。”

5。AstotheHillDifficulty，thatwasnostickatalltoMr。

Fearing；andasforthelions，hepulledtheirwhiskersandsnappedhisfingersintheirdumfounderedfaces。ForyoumustknowthatMr。Fearing’stroublewasnotaboutsuchthingsastheseatall；

hisonlyfearwasabouthisacceptanceatlast。HebeatMr。

GreathearthimselfatgettingdownintotheValleyofHumiliation，tilltheguidewasfaintoconfessthathewentdownaswellasheeversawmangodowninallhislife。Thispilgrimcarednothowmeanhewas，sohemightbebuthappyatlast。ThatisthereasonwhysomanyofGod’sbestsaintstakesokindlyandsoquietlytothingsthatdriveothermenmad。Youwondersometimeswhenyouseeaninnocentmansitdownquietlyunderaccusationsandinsultsandinjuriesthatyouspendalltherestofyourliferesentingandrepaying。AndthatisthereasonalsothatsomanyofGod’sbestsaintsinotheragesandothercommunionsusedtopursueevangelicalhumilityandasceticpovertyandseclusiontilltheyobliteratedthemselvesoutofallhumanremembrance，andburiedthemselvesinretreatsofsilenceandofprayer。Yes，youarequiteright。Agarmentofsackclothmaycoveranunsanctifiedheart；andthefathersofthedesertdidnotallescapethedepthsofSatanandtheplagueoftheirownheart。Quitetrue。A

contriteheartmaybecarriedaboutanapplaudingcityinacoachandsix；andacrucifiedheartmaybeclothedinpurpleandfinelinen，andmayfaresumptuouslyeveryday。AsaintofGodwillsometimessitonathronewithamoreweanedmindthanthatwithwhichElijahortheBaptistwillmaceratethemselvesinthewilderness。Everymanwhoisreallysetonheavenmustfindhisownwaythither；andhewhoisreallyintentonhisownwaythitherwillneitherhavethetimenorthehearttothrowstonesathisbrotherwhothinkshehasdiscoveredhisownbestway。AllthepilgrimswhogottotheCityatlastdidnotgetdownDifficultyandthroughHumiliationsowellasMr。Fearingdid；norwasitabsolutelynecessarythattheyshould。Itwasnottolaydownaniron-fastruleforothers，butitwasonlytoamusethewaywithhisaccountofMr。Fearing，thattheguidewentontosay:”Yes，I

thinktherewasakindofsympathybetwixtthatvalleyandmyman。

ForIneversawhimbetterinallhispilgrimagethanwhenhewasinthatvalley。Forherehewouldliedown，embracetheground，andkisstheveryflowersthatgrewinthisvalley。Hewouldnowbeupeverymorningbybreakofday，tracingandwalkingtoandfrointhatvalley。”

6。Now，doyouthinkyoucouldguesshowMr。FearingconductedhimselfinVanityFair？Yourguessisimportanttousandtoyouto-night；foritwillshowwhetherornoJohnBunyanandMr。

Greathearthavespenttheirstrengthfornoughtandinvainonyou。

ItwillshowwhetherornoyouhavegotinsideofMr。Fearingwithallthathasbeensaid；andthus，insideofyourself。Guess，then。

HowdidMr。FearingdoinVanityFair，doyouthink？Togiveyouaclue，recollectthathewasthetimidestofsouls。Andrememberhowyouhaveoftenbeenafraidtolookatthingsinashopwindowlesttheshopkeepershouldcomeoutandholdyoutothethingyouwerelookingat。Rememberalsothatyouarethelifelongownersofsomethingsjustbecausetheywerethrownatyourhead。Rememberhowyousaunteredintoasaleononeoccasion，and，outofsheeridlenessandpurefun，madeabid，andtoyourconsternationtheencumbrancewasknockeddowntoyourname；anditfillsupyourhouseto-daytillyouwouldgivetentimesitsvaluetosomeonetotakeitawayforeveroutofyoursight。Well，whatwasitthatthosewhoweresoshamelesslyandsopesteringlycadgingaboutplaces，andtitles，andpreferments，andwives，andgold，andsilver，andsuchlike——whatwasittheyprevailedonthispoorstupidcountrymantocheapenandbuy？Doyouguess，ordoyougiveitup？Well，Greathearthimselfwasagainandagainalmosttakenin；andwouldhavebeenhadnotMr。Fearingbeenbesidehim。ButMr。Fearinglookedatallthejugglers，andcheats，andknaves，andapes，andfoolsasifhewouldhavebittenafirebrand。”Ithoughthewouldhavefoughtwithallthemenofthefair；Ifearedthereweshouldhavebothbeenknock’do’th’head，sohotwasheagainsttheirfooleries。”Andthen——forGreatheartwasabitofaphilosopher，andlikedtoentertainandwhiletheawaywithtracingthingsuptotheircauses——”itwasall，”hesaid，”becauseMr。

Fearingwassotenderofsin。Hewasabovemanytenderofsin。Hewassoafraid，notforhimselfonly，butofdoinginjurytoothers，thathewoulddenyhimselfthepurchaseandpossessionandenjoymentevenofthatwhichwaslawful，becausehewouldnotoffend。””Allthiswhile，”saysBunyanhimself，intheeighty-

secondparagraphofGraceAbounding，”astotheactofsinningI

wasnevermoretenderthannow。Idurstnottakeapinorastick，thoughbutsobigasastraw，formyconsciencenowwassoreandwouldsmartateverytouch。IcouldnotnowtellhowtospeakmywordsforfearIshouldmisplacethem。””Thehighestflames，”saysJeremyTaylorinhisLifeofChrist，”arethemosttremulous。”

7。”Butwhenhewascomeattheriverwherewasnobridge，there，again，Mr。Fearingwasinaheavycase。Now，hesaid，heshouldbedrownedforever，andsoneverseethatFacewithcomfortthathehadcomesomanymilestobehold。AndherealsoItooknoticeofwhatwasveryremarkable；thewaterofthatriverwasloweratthistimethaneverIsawitinallmylife，sohewentoveratlastnotmuchabovewet-shod。”ThensaidChristiana，”ThisrelationofMr。

Fearinghasdonemegood。Ithoughtnobodyhadbeenlikeme，butI

seetherewassomesemblancebetwixtthisgoodmanandI，onlywedifferedintwothings。Histroublesweresogreatthattheybrokeout，butmineIkeptwithin。Hisalsolaysoharduponhimthathecouldnotknockatthehousesprovidedforentertainment，butmytroublewasalwayssuchthatitmademeknockthelouder。””IfI

mightalsospeakmyheart，”saidMercy，”Imustsaythatsomethingofhimhasalsodweltinme。ForIhaveeverbeenmoreafraidofthelake，andthelossofaplaceinParadise，thanIhavebeenofthelossofotherthings。Oh！thoughtI，mayIhavethehappinesstohaveahabitationthere:’tisenoughthoughIpartwithalltheworldtowinit。”ThensaidMatthew，”FearwasonethingthatmademethinkthatIwasfarfromhavingthatwithinmethataccompaniessalvation；butifitwassowithsuchagoodmanashe，whymayitnotalsogowellwithme？””Nofears，nograce，”saidJames。”Thoughthereisnotalwaysgracewherethereisfearofhell；yet，tobesure，thereisnogracewherethereisnofearofGod。””Wellsaid，James，”saidGreatheart；”thouhasthitthemark，forthefearofGodisthebeginningofwisdom；and，tobesure，theythatwantthebeginninghaveneithermiddlenorend。”ButweshallhereconcludeourdiscourseofMr。Fearingafterwehavesentafterhimthisfarewell:-”ItisbecauseThenthoudidstfear，thatnowthoudostnotfear。

Thouhastforestalledtheagony，andsoFortheethebitternessofdeathispast。

Also，becausealreadyinthysoulThejudgmentisbegun。Thatdayofdoom，Oneandthesameforthiscollectedworld-

Thatsolemnconsummationforallflesh，Is，inthecaseofeach，anticipateUponhisdeath；and，asthelastgreatdayIntheparticularjudgmentisrehearsed，Sonow，too，erethoucomesttotheThrone，Apresagefallsuponthee，asarayStraightfromtheJudge，expressiveofthylot。

ThatcalmandjoyuprisinginthysoulIsfirst-fruittothyrecompense，Andheavenbegun。”