EXPLANATORY NOTES,

By the Interpreter, we are to understand the Holy Ghost, a divine person, equal with the Father and the Son And he is called the Interpreter, because by his inward teaching, the Christian is made experimentally aequainted with the great truths of God. He does not reveal new truths to the believer's mind, but explains and applies those already revealed in the Bible. This work of the Spirit is much reviled in our day, from the pulpit, the press, and the stage: and all who profess an acquaintance with his gracious influences, are deemed enthusiasts. Nevertheless, the scriptures cannot be broken. It is therein promised to the church in all ages, that the Spirit of Truth shall convince, enlighten, renew, sanctify, seal, and comfort the elect people of God. It is declared, that "no man can call Jesus Lord, but by the "Holy Ghost ;" and that "if any man have not the Spirit "of Christ, he is none of his." Our author well knew the necessity and value of the Spirit's work, and therefore represents the Pilgrim as receiving a variety of useful lessons in his house, namely, by the means of grace, and his blessing upon

them.

romance.

1. The first lesson he learns, is, how to choose a minister. The picture he draws of a good one, is a striking contrast to many of our age and country. He had eyes lifted up to "heaven:" he was a praying minister, not a swearing one. "He had the Bible in his hand;" not a play or "The law of truth was on his lips :" he was apt to teach the great truths of the gospel, not merely to read over a flimsy essay on virtue, perhaps purchased ready-made. "The "world was behind his back:" he was not a frequenter of the card table, the ball-room, the play-house, or the tavern. “He "stood as if he pleaded with men :" not a hasty reader of the service; who, like a school-boy, huddles up his work, because he hates the task. "A crown of glory hung over his head;" for glorious will the reward of a faithful pastor be. Blessed be' God, there are some such even now, of various denominations; and may their number be daily increased !--Reader, learn hence how to choose a minister for yourself.

2. The dusty parlour never swept, fitly represents the human heart; the depravity of which is never perceived, till the law convinces of sin, and the false peace that reigned there is disturbed. Then "the commandment comes" with proper force, and the sinner dies," as to all hopes founded on merit, Rom. vii. 9. But it is only the cordial belief of gospel truth, and the application of the Redeemer's blood, which

can either produce solid peace of conscience, or real holiness of heart.

3. The two lads, Passion and Patience, include the leading characters of all mankind. Most men, like Dives, grasp at all their good things now; while a happy few renounce the world, and patiently wait for the blessings of eternity.

4. The fire, secretly supplied, is a beautiful illustration of the manner in which spiritual life is maintained in the soul. It is the wonder of saints, angels, and devils. Every Christian may adopt the poet's words, and say.

Turn aside, a sight t' admire,
I the living wonder am !

See a bush, that burns with fire,
Unconsum'd amidst the flame!
See a stone that hangs in air!
See a spark in oceans dwell!
Kept alive with death so near,
I am I am out of hell.

5. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the "violent take it by force," Mat. xi. 12. Opposition cannot stop the soul, that is truly in earnest for eternal glory. May God give this holy resolution to every reader!

There

6. The man confined in the iron cage of despair, was an awful, but instructive sight! A sight which may be too often seen. O professor, remember thy Lord's words, "Watch "and pray," or you may be in the situation described, or even in a worse, with a hardened and insensible heart. is a certain looseness, levity, and carnality of behaviour, dress, and talk, among modern professors, that makes this caution perculiarly seasonable. But it should be observed, that what the unhappy man thought and said of himself, is no proof that the greatest backslider may not be restored. Such a view as he had of sin, seems to be a mark of grace; and we are sure, that all manner of sin and blasphemy may be forgiven. Yet God forbid, this encouragement should make any one careless and fearless. Let all take warning, lest the iron cage should be their portion.

7. The last sight Christian was favoured with, was the man terrified with dreaming of judgment. This was intended also as a warning against carnal security. An habitual remembrance of the certainty of eternal judgment, will have a happy tendency to make us watchful,

CHAP. VI.

Christian loses his Burden at the Cross.

Now I saw in my dream, that the highway up

which Christian was to go, was fenced on either side with a wall, and that wall was called Salvation (a). Up this way therefore did burdened Christian run, but not without great difficulty, because of the load on his back.

He ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending, and upon that place stood a cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulchre. So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the cross, his burden loosed from his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do, till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more.

Now as

Then was Christian glad and lightsome, and said with a merry heart, he hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death. Then he stood still a while to look and wonder; for it was very surprising to him, that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden. He looked therefore, and looked again, even till the springs that were in his head sent the waters down his cheeks (b). he stood looking and weeping, behold three Shining Ones came to him and saluted him, with "Peace be to thee;" so the first said to him, "Thy sins be forgiven thee (c);" the second stript him of his rags, and clothed him with change of raiment (d); the third also set a mark on his forehead, and gave him a roll, with a seal upon it (e), which he bid him look on as he ran, and that he should give it in at the coelestial gate: so they went their way. Then (c) Mark ii. 5.

(a) Isa. xxvi. 1. (b) Zech. xii. 10. (d) Zech. iii. 4. (e) Eph. i. 13.

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