O but (said one of the boys) it is not so bad to go through here, as it is to abide here always; and for ought I know, one reason why we must go this way to the house prepared for us, is, that our home might be made the sweeter to us.

Well said, Samuel, quoth the guide; thou hast now spoke like a man. Why, if ever I get out here again, said the boy, I think I shall prize light and good way better than ever I did in all my life. Then said the guide, We shall be out by and by.

So on they went, and Joseph said, Cannot we see to the end of this valley as yet? Then said the guide, Look to your feet, for we shall presently be among snares. So they looked to their feet, and went on; but they were troubled much with the snares. Now when they were come among the snares, they espied a man cast into the ditch on the left hand, with his flesh all rent and torn. Then said the guide, That is one Heedless, that was going this way; he has lain there a great while: there was one Takeheed with him when he was taken and slain; but he escaped their hands. You cannot imagine how many are kled hereabouts; and yet men are so foolishly venturous, as to set out lightly on pilgrimage, and to come without a guide. Poor Christian! it was a wonder that he here escaped; but he was beloved of his God: also he had a good heart of his own, or else he could never have done it. they drew towards the end of their way; and just there where Christian bad seen the cave when he went by, (See Part I. p. 75.) out thence came forth Maul, a giant. This Maul did use to spoil young pilgrims with sophistry, and he called Great-heart by his name, and said unto him, How many times have you been forbidden to do these things? Then said Mr. Great-heart, What things? What things! quóth the giant: you know what things; but I will put an end to your trade. But pray, said Mr. Great-heart, before we fall to it, let us understand wherefore we must fight. (Now the women and

Now

children stoo! trembling, and knew not what to do.) Quoth the giant, You rob the country, and rob it with the worst of thieves. These are but generals, said Mr. Great-heart; come to particulars, man.

Then said the giant, Thou practisest the craft of a kidnapper; thou gatherest up women and children, and carriest them into a strange country, to the weakening of my master's kingdom. But now Great-heart replied, I am a servant of the God of heaven; my business is to persuade sinners to repeutance: I am commanded to do my endeavour to turn men, women, and children, from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God; and if. this be indeed the ground of thy quarrel, let us fall to it as soon as thou wilt

Then the giant came up, and Mr. Great-heart went to meet him; and as he went, he drew his sword, but the giant had a club. So without more ado they fell to it, and, at the first blow, the giant struck Mr. Great-heart down upon one of his knees; with that the women and children cried; so Mr. Great-heart recovering himself, laid about him in: full lusty manner, and gave the giant a wound in his arm. Thus he fought for the space of an hour, to that height of heat, that the breath came out of the giant's nostrils, as the heat doth out of a boiling caldron.

Then they sat down to rest them, but Mr. Greatheart betook himself to prayer; also the women and children did nothing but sigh and cry all the time that the battle did last.

When they had rested them, and taken breath, they both fell to it again; and Mr. Great-heart, with a full blow, fetched the giant down to the ground: Nay, hold, let me recover, quoth he. So Mr. Great-heart let him fairly get up: so to it they went again, and the giant missed but a little of breaking Mr. Great-heart's skull with his club.

Mr. Great-heart sceing that, runs to him in the full heat of his spirit, and pierced him under the fifth

rib; with that the giant began to faint, and could hold up his club no longer. Then Mr. Great-heart seconded his blow, and smote the head of the giant from his shoulders. Then the women and children rejoiced; and Mr. Great-heart also praised God, for the deliverance he had wrought.

When this was done, they among themselves erected a pillar, and fastened the giant's head thereon, and wrote under it, in letters that passengers might read,

He that did wear this head, was ope
That pilgrims' did misuse;

He stopt their way, he spared nonę,
But did them all abuse;
Until that I, Great-hcart, arose,

The pilgrims' guide to be;
Until that I did him oppose,
That was their enemy.

EXPLANATORY NOTES.

IN what a changeable world do we live; and how great are the transitions experienced by Christians! Our pilgrims, so delightfully entertained at the house Beautiful, are now called to descend the hill, and tread the Valley of Humiliation. A fresh sight and sense of sin, in all its horrid defor-mity, with a view of the plague of our own hearts, and the dreadful power of remaining corruptions, are not pleasant: but, by the blessing of God, may be wonderfully profitable. Hence this valley is described as being a fruitful spot. Lilies adorned its banks-Great wealth and affluence blessed many of its inhabitants-Contentment seemed to flourish→ The Pilgrims enjoyed perfect health; and (what enhanced its glory infinitely more) it was dignified by the residence of Immanuel himself; for " Christ, when in the flesh, had his country house in this valley.' Thus beautifully does our author describe the precious grace of humility. O that every reader may know its excellence, by happy experience!

The tremendous horrors of the Valley of the Shadow of

Death, figuratively represent that gloomy frame of mind, in which fears rise high, and temptations greatly abound; more especially when they are augmented by bodily disorder. (See Part I. p. 77.) Few christ ans, perhaps, are wholly exempted from such di tressing seasons; but all are not alike. Hence Christiana and her companions were not so much alarmed as Christ an. They could not be said to walk in darkness, and have no light, as he did; for they had sufficient day-light to d scern the snares of the way: they had also the valuable assistance of a skilful and courageous guide, Happy for weaker believers, who are directed to the ministry of a scribe, weil instructed in the mysteries of the kingdom! The destruction of Heedless in this valley, is intended as a caution to those who have lost their first love, and the sweet enjoyment of God's presence; lest they remain contente', secure and inactive in that awful condition. Let the afflicted, deserted, tempted soul, be instant in prayer. When Christian found every other weapon useless, All-prayer prevailed. His wife, her companions, and Great-heart too, had recourse to the same expedient. Prayer prevailed, and they were delivered.

The furious attack made by Maul, the giant, on the conductor, is to show us, that lively and active ministers of the gospel, who are zealous to win souls, must expect the oppo sition of Satan and his emissaries. But must they therefore desist? God forbid! The Lord is on their side. Let them be accounted " kidnappers," and treated as enthusiasts: the Master whom they serve will succeed their endeavours; hear the prayers of his people; and make them more than conquerors. Thus were the pilgrims brought our of the valley; while danger and darkness rendered returning light, and the thoughts of heaven, the sweeter; and many thanksgivings redounded to the glory of God.

By glimm'ring hopes, and gloomy fears,
We trace the sacred road;

Thro' dismal deeps, and dang'rous snares,
We make our way to God,

Long nights and darkness dwell below,
With scarce a twinkling ray;

But the bright world to which we go
Iseverlasting day.

CHAP. VIII.

The Pilgrims overtake Mr. Honest, who relates his own experience, and that of Mr. Fearing.

Now

OW I saw that they went to the ascent that was a little way off, cast up to be a prospect for pilgrims (that was the place from whence Christian had the first sight of Faithful his brother;) (See Part I. p. 78.) Wherefore here they sat down, and rested; they also here did eat and drink, and made merry; for that they had gotten deliverance from this so dangerous an enemy. As they sat thus and did eat, Christiana asked the guide, if he had caught no hurt in the battle? Then said Mr. Great-heart, No, save a little on my flesh; yet that also shall be so far from being to my detriment, that it is at present a proof of my love to my Master and you, and shall be a means, by grace, to increase my reward at last.

But was you not afraid, good Sir, when you saw him come with his club?

It is my duty, said he, to mistrust my own ability, that I may have reliance on him that is stronger than all. But what did you think, when he fetched you down to the ground at the first blow? Why, I thought, quoth he, that so my Master himself was served, and yet he it was that conquered at last (a).

Matt. When you all have thought what you please, I think God has been wonderfully good unto us, both in bringing us out of this valley, and in delivering us out of the hand of this enemy; for my part, I see no reason why we should distrust our God any more, since he has now, and in such a

(a) 2 Cor. iv.