had learnt who the company were, Honest was much rejoiced and saluted them all by name. He told them that he came from the town of Stupidity, which lay about four degrees beyond the City of Destruction. He said, blushing, that he was named Honest, and he wished his nature might agree with his name. As they traveled the conversation turned upon one Mr. Fearing, who was known to Honest, and who had been guided by Mr. Great-heart, on the road to the Celestial City. He was rather troublesome to his companions; he was easily frightened, and was always afraid he would not be able to reach the Celestial City. It is said that he lay groaning at the Slough of Despond for more than a month, not daring to venture the passage, until one morning, in a bright sunshine, ho was enabled to make the passage. When he came to the Wicket Gate it was long before he would venture to knock. When he camo to the hill Difficulty, he made no stick at that nor the lions. Tho valley of Humiliation was pleasant to him; his only trouble was about his acceptance at last. When he got to the river his confidence was increased, and he was admitted into the City.

Honest dwelt in the town of Stupidity, a place far from the sun, more cold and senseless than other places. Honest was sound in the faith and esteemed a perfect character, but he, conscious of his imperfections, was ashamed that he was no more worthy of his high reputation Fearing may represent those Christians who are retarded in their progress by discouraging

apprehensions, and spend too much. time in unavailing complaints, and fail, perhaps, to embrace the promises for fear their faith may not be genuine. Such persons, though diffident, have no thoughts of turning back to the world, but will press forward with more courage through greater difficulties and dangers than many who make louder professions.

An account of Self-will. As the Pilgrims went on with their conversation old Mr. Honest gave an account of one Self-will, who pretended to be a Pilgrim. He was quite obstinate, or self-willed, in his opinions, caring but little for men or argument, or example. He held that he might follow the vices as well as the virtues of Pilgrims, and that if he did both he would certainly be saved. He said David and Solomon, God's beloved, practised certain things, therefore he could do it. He said that Sarah and other godly wives in Egypt and Rahab, lied, and Jacob got his inheritance in a way of guile and dissimulation, therefore he could do it too, provided he had faith in the promises of the Lord and lived as well as Jacob, and the others mentioned.

Self-will may represent a certain class of Antinomians, who hold that faith is every thing, but works, little or nothing. Such persons may be said to "eat

up the sin of God's people;" they may talk of the liberty of the Gospel, but "they themselves are the servants of corruption."

The Pilgrims entertained at Gains' Inn. Slay-good and Feeble-mindThe Pilgrims, on their journey, came to an inn kept by Gains, whe entertained travelers to the Celestial City. Here Mercy was mar ried to Matthew; also James, another of Christiana's sons, to Phebe, the daughter of Gains. The whole company were entertained here for more than a month, and were much strengthened and encour aged. Great-heart, while here, being informed that one Slay-good, a giant, lived near by, was determined to get him out of the way. Accordingly the whole company, having armed themselves, went to the cave where the giant resided, and found that he had seized one Feeble-mind, and was in the act of robbing him. Great-heart, after a great struggle, succeeded in disarming the giant, and then took off his head and brought it to the inn. Feeble-mind was born in the town of Uncertain, and being a sickly man, was easily taken. He was, however, determined on going to the Celestial City-to run when he could, when he could not run, to go, and to creep when he could not go.

The refreshment and encouragement from the experimental and affection ate conversation with Christian friends, who use hospitality to each other without grudging, seems here intended; also the institution of marriage among young Christians, provided it be done according to the rule of God's Word. Slaygood may denote certain persons who formerly persecuted and intimidated

professors by fines and imprisonments,
to the hazard of their lives or souls.
Feeble-mind may represent those who
have a constitutional timidity and low-
ness of spirits, arising from a feeble
frame and sickness, unfitting them for
hard and perilous services.
of mind is often connected with re-
markable perseverance in the ways of
God.

Vanity Fair. River of the Water of Life. As the Pilgrims left the inn, Mr. Ready-to-halt, with his crutches in his hand, came along and joined the company. Their next stopping was at the house Mnason, in Vanity Fair, who kept a place for the entertainment of Pilgrims who were passing through on their journey. The people were now much more moderate than when Christian and Faithful visited their city. The blood of Faithful was such a load upon the inhabitants, they have been ashamed to burn any more. Indeed, in many parts of the town religion is counted honorable. After leaving this place, the company came to the river on this side of

the Delectable Mountains. Here were fine trees growing, on both sides of the river, whose leaves, if taken inwardly, are good against surfeits; where the meadows are green all the year long, and where they might lie down safely. By the river side, there were cotes and folds for sheep, a house for the nourishing and bringing up of those lambs, the babes of those that go on prilgrimages. Also, there was here One that was intrusted with them, who could have compassion, and that could gather these lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom.

The persecutions which formerly were so prevalent in the world (called hero Vanity Fair) have been greatly moderated since John Bunyan's time, and in many places have entirely ceased. Under the emblem of the River of the

Water of Life, with the beautiful meadows on its banks, with its places of shelter for the flocks, we are taught the importance of having our children brought under the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Giant Despair Killed. Doubting Castle Destroyed. When the company had reached By-path Meadow, near Doubting Castle, the men concluded to make an attempt to kill Giant Despair and demolish his castle. When they came up to the castle gate and knocked for admission, the Giant and his wife Diffidence were aroused. Learning their intentions, the Giant armed himself for a mortal combat, having a great club in his hand. Then they fought for their lives, and Giant Despair was brought down to the ground; but Greatheart was his death. He pierced him under the fifth rib, and then smote the head of Giant Despair from off his shoulders, and set it upon a pole by the highway side, right over against the pillar that Christian erected for a caution to Pilgrims that came after, to take heed of entering into his grounds. Now, old Mr. Honest cut down the Giantess at one blow. They now fell to demolishing Doubting Castle, in which they found Mr. Despondency and his daughter Muchafraid, confined and almost starved. As they were honest persons, they were taken into the Pilgrim company. Great-heart now went back to the road, took the head of the Giant and set it on a pole by the wayside, for a warning to those who come afterward. On this occasion the whole company had a time of rejoicing, and even Mr. Ready-to-halt made out to dance by the help of one of his crutches.

It was probably intended, in this part of the Allegory, to show that the labors of faithful ministers, with the converse

and prayers of such believers as are strong in the faith, may be useful in recovering the fallen and relieving

Then they fought for their lives, and Giant Despair was brought down to the ground; but Great-heart was his death. He pierced him under the fifth rib, and then smote the head of Giant Despair from off of his shoulders, and set it up on a pole by the highway side, right over against the pillar that Christian erected for a caution to Pilgrims that came after, to take heed of entering into his grounds.

those who are desponding. Great heart, by the Sword of the Spirit, may even strike down Giant Despair, release

those whom he has imprisoned, and destroy the dungeon in which they were confined.

Mounts Innocence and Cherity. When they came to the Delectable Mountains, the Shepherds who resided there, as was their custom, showed the Pilgrims the rarities of the place. Among these were Mounts Innocence and Charity, on the first of which they saw a man clothed in white, and two men, Prejudice and Ill-will, continually casting dirt upon him. But, notwithstanding all their efforts, it would in a little time fall off again, and his garment would look as clear as if no dirt had been cast at them; on being asked the meaning of this, the Shepherd's replied, "This man is Godly-man, and his garment shows the innocency of his life. Those that throw dirt, hate him; as you see that the dirt will not stick upon his garment, so will it be with those who lead an innocent life. Whoever would make such men dirty, their labor is vain, for God in a little time will make their innocence appear." The Shepherd's then took the company to Mount Charity, where they saw a man with a bundle of cloth, out of which he cut garments for the poor, yet his bundle or roll of cloth was never the less. This," said the Shepherds, "is to show you that he who has a heart to give to the poor shall never want wherewithal."

These emblems are sufficiently explained, and may, in general, be considered as correct. But there may be cases where godly men have been durably suspected of crimes they never

have committed. This may have been from the want of circumspection in "avoiding the appearance of evil." Such cases are exceptions to the general rule.

Valiant-for-truth's Battle and Victory. When the Pilgrims arrived at the place where Little-faith was formerly robbed, they saw a man named Valiant-for-truth, standing with his sword drawn and his face bloody. Being requested to give an account, he said, "As I was on my way, three men beset me and propounded three things: Whether I would become one of them, or go back from whence I came, or die upon the place. To the first, I answered I had been a true man for a long time, I could not now associate with thieves. Then they demanded my answer to the second, so I told them that I found the place from whence I came so unprofitable and unsuitable, that I for Book it for this way. They then asked my answer to the third. I told them my life was too valuable to lightly give it away; there it is, at your peril you touch me. Then the three, Wild-head, Inconsiderate,