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Pilgrim Looks toward the Delectable Mountains. Part 11. | Print |

               

                                                                            PART 11. 

     

                                          

  

   Then I saw in my dream, that on the morrow he got up to go forward, but

   they desired him to stay till the next day also; and then, said they,

   we will, if the day be clear, show you the Delectable Mountains; which,

   they said, would yet farther add to his comfort, because they were

   nearer the desired haven than the place where at present he was; so he

   consented and stayed. When the morning was up, they had him to the top

   of the house, and bid him look south. So he did, and behold, at a great

   distance, he saw a most pleasant mountainous country, beautified with

   woods, vineyards, fruits of all sorts, flowers also, with springs and

   fountains, very delectable to behold.  Isa. 33:16,17. Then he asked the

   name of the country. They said it was Immanuel's land; and it is as

   common, said they, as this hill is, to and for all the pilgrims. And

   when thou comest there, from thence thou mayest see to the gate of the

   celestial city, as the shepherds that live there will make appear.

 

   Now he bethought himself of setting forward, and they were willing he

   should. But first, said they, let us go again into the armory. So they

   did; and when he came there, they harnessed him from head to foot with

   what was of proof, lest perhaps he should meet with assaults in the

   way. He being therefore thus accoutred, walked out with his friends to

   the gate; and there he asked the Porter if he saw any pilgrim pass by.

   Then the Porter answered, Yes.

 

   Christian: Pray, did you know him? said he.

 

   The Porter: I asked his name, and he told me it was Faithful.

 

   Christian: O, said Christian, I know him; he is my townsman, my near

   neighbor; he comes from the place where I was born. How far do you

   think he may be before?

 

   The Porter: He is got by this time below the hill.

 

   Christian: Well, said Christian, good Porter, the Lord be with thee,

   and add to all thy plain blessings much increase for the kindness that

   thou hast showed me.

 

   Then he began to go forward; but Discretion, Piety, Charity, and

   Prudence would accompany him down to the foot of the hill. So they went

   on together, reiterating their former discourses, till they came to go

   down the hill. Then said Christian, As it was difficult coming up, so,

   so far as I can see, it is dangerous going down. Yes, said Prudence, so

   it is; for it is a hard matter for a man to go down into the valley of

   Humiliation, as thou art now, and to catch no slip by the way;

   therefore, said they, we are come out to accompany thee down the hill.

   So he began to go down, but very warily; yet he caught a slip or two.

 

   Then I saw in my dream, that these good companions, when Christian was

   got down to the bottom of the hill, gave him a loaf of bread, a bottle

   of wine, and a cluster of raisins; and then he went on his way,

 

   "Whilst Christian is among his godly friends,

 

   Their golden mouths make him sufficient mends

 

   For all his griefs; and when they let him go,

 

   He's clad with northern steel from top to toe."

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