there are, by the direction of the Lawgiver, certain good and substantial steps placed even through the very midst of this slough: but, at such time as this place doth much spew out its filth, as it doth against change of weather, these steps are hardly seen; or if they be, men through the dizziness of their heads step beside, and then they are bemired to purpose, notwithstanding the steps be there but the ground is good when they are once got in at the Gate.1*

1 Sam. xii. 22.

This account of the slough, which our author in his vision received from Help, coincides with the preceding explanation. -Increasing knowledge produces deeper self-abasement: hence discouraging fears arise in men's minds lest they should at last perish, and objections against themselves continually accumulate, till they fall into habitual despondency, unless they constantly attend to the encouragements of scripture, or, in the apostle's language, have "their feet, shod with the preparation "of the gospel of peace." As this state of mind is distressing and enfeebling in itself, and often furnishes enemies with a plausible objection to religion, the servants of God have always attempted to preserve the serious enquirers after salvation from it, by various scriptural instructions and consolotary topics: yet their success is not adequate to their wishes; for the Lord is pleased to permit numbers to be thus discouraged, in order to detect false professors, and to render the upright more watchful and humble. Our author, in a marginal note, explains 'the steps' to mean, the promises of forgiveness and accept"ance to life by faith in Christ;' which include the general invitations, and the various encouragements given in scripture to all who seek the salvation of the Lord, and diligently use the appointed means.-It was evidently his opinion that the path from destruction to life lies by this slough; and that none are indeed in the narrow way, who have neither struggled through

Now I saw in my dream that by this time Pliable was got home to his house. So his neighbours came to visit him; and some of them called him wise man for coming back; and some called him fool for hazarding himself with Christian : others again did mock at his cowardliness, saying, Surely, since you began to venture, I would not have been so base to have given out for a few difficulties: so Pliable sat sneaking among them. But at last he got more confidence, and then they all turned their tales, and began to deride poor Christian behind his back. And thus much concerning Pliable.*

Now, as Christian was walking solitarily by himself, he espied one afar off come crossing over the field to meet him, and their hap was to meet just as they were crossing the way of each other. The gentleman's name was Mr. Worldly-wiseman; he dwelt in the town of Carnal-policy; a very great town, and also hard by from whence Chris

it, nor gone over it by means of the steps.-The 'change of weather' seems to denote those seasons, when peculiar temptations, exciting sinful passions, perplex the minds of new converts; and so, losing sight of the promises, they sink into despondency during humiliating experiences: but faith in Christ, and in the mercy of God through him, sets the Pilgrim's feet on good ground.

They who affect to despise real Christians often feel and express great contempt for those that cast off their profession: such men are unable for a time to resume their wonted confidence among their former companions; and this excites them to pay court to them by reviling and deriding those whom they have forsaken.

tian came. This man then meeting with Christian, and having some inkling of him, for Christian's setting forth from the city of Destruction was much noised abroad, not only in the town where he dwelt, but also it began to be the town-talk in some other places: Master Worldly-wiseman therefore having some guess of him, by beholding his laborious going, by observing his sighs and groans, and the like, began thus to enter into some talk with Christian.*

WOR. How now, good fellow, whither away after this burdened manner?

CHR. A burdened manner indeed, as ever, I

The wise men of this world carefully notice those who begin to turn their thoughts to religion, and attempt to counteract their convictions before the case becomes desperate: from their desponding fears they take occasion to insinuate that they are deluded or disordered in their minds; that they make too much to do about religion; and that a decent regard to it is all that is requisite; which consists with the enjoyments of this life, and even conduces to secular advantage. Worldly-wiseman, therefore, is a person of consequence, whose superiority gives him influence over poor pilgrims: he is a reputable and successful man; prudent, sagacious, and acquainted with mankind; moral, and religious in his way, and qualified to give the very best. counsel to those who wish to serve both God and Mammon but he is decided in his judgment against all kinds and degrees of religion which interfere with a man's worldly interest, disquiet his mind, or spoil his relish for outward enjoyments. sides at Carnal-Policy, a great town near the city of Destruction: for worldly prudence modelling a man's religion is as ruinous as open vice and impiety; though it be very prevalent among decent and virtuous people. Such men attend to the reports that are circulated about the conversion of their neighbours, and often watch their opportunity of entering into discourse with them.

He re

think, poor creature had! And, whereas you ask me, Whither away? I tell you, Sir, I am going to yonder Wicket-gate before me; for there, as I am informed, I shall be put in a way to be rid of my heavy burden.

WOR. Hast thou a wife and children?

CHR. Yes; but I am so laden with this burden, that I cannot take that pleasure in them as formerly: methinks I am as if I had none.1

WOR. Wilt thou hearken to me if I give thee counsel ?

CHR. If it be good I will; for I stand in need of good counsel.

WOR. I would advise thee, then, that thou with all speed get thyself rid of thy burden; for thou wilt never be settled in thy mind till then: nor canst thou enjoy the benefits of the blessing which God hath bestowed upon thee till then.

CHR. That is that which I seek for, even to be rid of this heavy burden: but get it off myself I cannot; nor is there any man in our country that can take it off my shoulders: therefore I am going this way, as I told you, that I may be rid of my burden.

WOR. Who bid thee go this way to be rid of thy burden?

CHR. A man that appeared to me to be a very great and honourable person; his name, as I remember, is Evangelist.

WOR. I beshrew him for his counsel! There is not a more dangerous and troublesome way in the world, than is that unto which he hath directed

thee; and that thou shalt find if thou wilt be ruled by his counsel. Thou hast met with something, as I perceive, already; for I see the dirt of the slough of Despond is upon thee; but that slough is the beginning of the sorrows that do attend those that go in that way. Hear me, I am older than thou: thou art like to meet with, on the way which thou goest, wearisomeness, painfulness, hunger, perils, nakedness, sword, lions, dragons, darkness, and, in a word, death, and what not! These things are certainly true, having been confirmed by many testimonies. And why should a man so carelessly cast away himself by giving heed to a stranger!

CHR. Why, Sir, this burden on my back is more terrible to me than are all these things which you have mentioned: nay, methinks I care not what things I meet with in the way, so be I can also meet with deliverance from my burden.

WOR. How camest thou by thy burden at first? CHR. By reading this book in my hand.

WOR. I thought so: and it has happened unto thee as to other weak men, who, meddling with things too high for them, do suddenly fall into thy distractions; which distractions do not only unman men, (as thine I perceive have done thee,) but they run them desperate ventures to obtain they know not what.

CHR. I know what I would obtain: it is ease for my heavy burden.

WOR. But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers attend it? especially since, hadst thou patience to hear me, I could direct thee to the obtaining of what thou desirest, without the dangers that thou in this way wilt run