Conversation of Christiana's Neighbours. wit, the troubles she was like to meet with in the way,) is one great argument with her to put her forward on her journey. For she told me in so many words, "The bitter goes before the sweet: yea, and forasmuch as it doth, it makes the sweet the sweeter." MRS. BAT'S-EYES. Oh, this blind and foolish woman! said she; and will she not take warning by her husband's afflictions? for my part, I see if he were here again, he would rest him content in a whole skin, and not run so many hazards for nothing. Mrs. Inconsiderate also replied, saying, "Away with such fantastical fools from the town! a good riddance, for my part, I say, of her! should she stay where she dwells, and retain this mind, who could live quietly by her? for she will either be dumpish, or so unneighbourly as to talk of such matters as no wise body can abide. Wherefore, for my part, I shall never be sorry for her departure; let her go, and let better come in her room: it was never a good world since these whimsical fools dwelt in it." Then Mrs. Light-Mind added as followeth: "Come, put this kind of talk away. I was yesterday at Madam Wanton's, where we were as merry as the maids. For who do you think should be there, but I and Mrs. Love-the-Flesh, and three or four more, with Mr. Lechery, Mrs Filth, and some others: so there we had music and dancing, and what else was meet to fill up the pleasure. And, I dare say, my lady herself is an admirable well-bred gentlewoman, and Mr. Lechery is as pretty a fellow'.' When a company of ignorant, loquacious, inconsiderate, lightminded women unite in speaking evil of those things which they do not understand, they manifest not only their folly, but their enmity against religion. Such were the women whom the apostle described as "living in pleasure, "and "dead while they lived, "1 Tim. v. 6. The indecent allusions of Mrs. Light-mind, in the account she gives of her visit to Mrs. Wanton, is a cutting sarcasm of our author upon The Pilgrims begin their Journey. By this time Christiana was got on her way, and Mercy went along with her; so as they went, her children being there also, Christiana began to discourse. "Mercy," said Christiana, "I take this as an unexpected favour, that thou shouldest set foot out of doors with me to accompany me a little in my way," MER. Then said young Mercy, (for she was but young,) If I thought it would be to purpose to go with you, I would never go near the town. CHR. Well Mercy, said Christiana, cast in thy lot with me: I well know what will be the end of our pilgrimage: my husband is where he would not but be for all the gold in the Spanish mines. Nor shalt thou be rejected, though thou go but upon my invitation. The king, who hath sent for me and my children, is one that delighteth in mercy. Besides, if thou wilt, I will hire thee, and thou shalt go along with me as my servant. Yet we will have all things in common betwixt thee and me: only go along with me. MER. But how shall I be assured that I also should be entertained? Had I this hope from one that can tell, I would make no hesitation at all, but would go, being helped by him that can help, though the way were ever so tedious. CHR. Well, loving Mercy, I will tell thee what thou shalt do: go with me to the Wicket-Gate, and there I will further enquire for thee; and if there thou shalt not meet with encouragement, I will be content that thou shalt return to thy place; I also will pay thee for thy kindness which thou shewest to me and my children in the accompanying of us in our way as thou dost. MER. Then will I go thither, and will take what such carnal-minded females, and is a just and faithful exposure of the filthy and frothy conversation of wanton and lecherous women. Conversation of the Pilgrims. shall follow; and the Lord grant that my lot may there fall, even as the King of heaven shall have his heart upon me. Christiana then was glad at her heart: not only that she had a companion; but also for that she had prevailed with this poor maid to fall in love with her own salvation. So they went on together, and Mercy began to weep. Then said Christiana, "Wherefore weepeth my sister so?" MER. Alas! said she, who can but lament, that shall but rightly consider what a state and condition mry poor relations are in, that yet remain in our sinful town? And that which makes my grief the more, is, because they have no instruction, nor any to tell them what is to come. CHR. Bowels become pilgrims; and thou doest for thy friends, as my good Christian did for me when he left me he mourned for that I would not heed nor regard him; but his Lord and ours did gather up his tears, and. put them into his bottle; and now both I and thou, and these my sweet babes, are reaping the fruit and benefit of them. I hope, Mercy, that these tears of thine will not be lost; for the truth hath said, that "they that sow in tears shall reap in joy." And that "he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psal. cxxvi. 5, 6.) Then said Mercy, "Let the Most Blessed be my guide, If't be his blessed will, Unto his gate, into his fold, Up to his holy hill. And let him never suffer me To swerve, or turn aside From his free grace and holy ways, And let him gather them of mine, |