Departure of Mr. Valiant-for-Truth for the Celestial City.

as the other; and had this for a token that the summons was true, that "his pitcher was broken at the fountain"." When he understood it, he called for his friends, and told them of it. Then said he, “I am going to my Father's; and though with great difficulty I got hither, yet now I do not repent me of all the trouble I have been at to arrive where I am. My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him that can get it. My marks and scars I carry with me, to be a witness for me, that I have fought his battle, who now will be my rewarder.'

When the day that he must go hence was come, many accompanied him to the river side, into which as he went he said, "Death, where is thy sting?" And as he went down deeper, he said, "Grave, where is thy victory?" So he passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.

Then there came forth a summons for Mr. Standfast. This Mr. Standfast was he that the pilgrims found upon his knees in the Enchanted Ground, and the post brought it him open in his hand: the contents whereof were, that he must prepare for a change of life, for his Master was not willing that he should be so far from him any longer. At this Mr. Standfast was put into a muse. "Nay," said the messenger, you need not doubt of the truth of my message; for here is a token of the truth thereof Thy wheel is broken at the cistern.". Then he

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and made good by the faith which works by love and purifies the heart; and they shall reign with him in his kingdom.

2 In the truth of Jesus is victory. He who is most valiant for it, shall share most of its comforts in life, and in death. O Lord, increase our faith in the never-failing word of truth and grace, for thy glory, and our soul's triumph!

Eccles. xii. 6.

Departure of Mr. Standfast for the Celestial City.

called to him Mr. Great-Heart, who was their guide, and said unto him, "Sir, although it was not my hap to be much in your good company in the days of my pilgrimage, yet since the time I knew you, you have been profitable to me.-When I came from home, I left behind me a wife and five small children: let me entreat you, at your return (for I know that you go and return to your Master's house, in hopes that you may be a conductor to more of the holy pilgrims) that you send to my family, and let them be acquainted with all that hath and shall happen unto me. Tell them, moreover, of my happy arrival at this place, and of the present and late blessed condition that I am in. Tell them also of Christian and Christiana his wife, and how she and her children came after her husband. Tell them also of what a happy end she made, and whither she is gone.-I· have little or nothing to send to my family, except it be my prayers and tears for them: of which it will suffice if you acquaint them, if peradventure they may prevail."

When Mr. Standfast had thus set things in order, and the time being come for him to haste him away, he also went down to the river. Now there was a great calm at that time in the river; wherefore Mr. Standfast, when he was about half way in, stood a while, and talked to his companions that had waited upon him thither: and he said,

This river has been a terror to many; yea, the thoughts of it also have often frightened me: now, methinks, I stand easy; my foot is fixed upon that on which the feet of the priests that bare the ark of the covenant stood, while Israel went over this Jordant. The waters, indeed, are to the palate bitter, and to the stomach cold; yet the thoughts of what

Josh. iii. 17.

Address of Mr. Standfast to his Companions.

I am going to, and of the conduct that waits for me on the other side, doth lie as a glowing coal at my heart. I see myself now at the end of my journey; my toilsome days are ended. I am going to see that head that was crowned with thorns, and that face that was spit upon for me 3. I have formerly lived by hearsay and faith; but now I go where I shall live by sight, and shall be with him in whose company I delight myself. I have loved to hear my Lord spoken of; and wherever I have seen the print of his shoe in the earth, there I have coveted to set my foot too. His name has been to me as a civet box; yea, sweeter than all perfumes. His voice to me has been most sweet; and his countenance I have more desired than they that have most desired the light of the sun. His words I did use to gather for my food, and for antidotes against my faintings. He has held me, and has kept me from mine iniquities; yea, my steps have been strengthened in his way.'

Now, while he was thus in discourse, his countenance changed; his "strong man bowed under him ;" and, after he had said, "Take me, for I come unto thee," he ceased to be seen of them.

But glorious it was to see, how the open region was filled with horses and chariots, with trumpeters

Such is the joy and blessedness of faith! How does it bring near and realize the sight of Christ in glory! Do we indeed see Christ by the eye of faith? Is he the one, the chief object of our souls? Is he precious to us? Verily then we shall count our days on earth comparatively toilsome ones, and long for the full fruition of him in glory. Oh, it will be our great glory to see that Saviour, whose blessed head was crowned with thorns, and whose lovely face was spit upon for us. Oh, that we may be living every day upon him and to him, till we see him as he is, and enjoy him where he is, crying, "Come quickly, my blessed Redeemer.'

Happy would it be if every one could say this; if every body loved to hear of the precious name of Jesus; if every body coveted to follow him, and tread in his steps. Let us be joyful in him, and thankful to him; let us be humble before him.

Conclusion.

and pipers, with singers and players on stringed intruments, to welcome the pilgrims as they went up, and followed one another in at the beautiful gate of the City".

As for Christiana's children, the four boys that Christiana brought, with their wives and children, I did not stay where I was till they were gone over. Also since I came away, I heard one say they were yet alive, and so would be for the increase of the church in that place where they were, for a time.

Shall it be my lot to go that way again, I may give those that desire it an account of what I here am silent about; mean time, I bid my reader

FAREWELL..

And now, reader, let me enquire if the beautiful gate of the city does not awaken all your attention? Let us mark well the life and death of the pilgrim: his life commences with a clear knowledge of, and faith in his Redeemer-he looks to, and lives upon him; and concludes his well-spent life by dying in him, when he shall eternally enjoy him.

We should now ask ourselves, if such be our life, and if we hope that such will be our death. There is a hope that maketh not ashamed, but is accompanied by the love of God, shed abroad in the heart by the power of the Holy Ghost-this hope is the anchor of the soul; but that hope which ariseth from some supposed power of goodness in ourselves, is vain and delusive, and is the hope of a hypocrite. If our hope be a true hope, and Christ the life of our souls, then we shall live by faith upon him, rely on his atonement, glory in his merits and mercy, and rejoice in his salvation. We shall ardently pray to be saved from all sin; to be dead to self-righteous confidence; and in heart, lip, and life, study to glorify him, by devoting ourselves to him, looking, longing, and waiting for his coming, to receive us to himself, that where he is there we may be also; and like happy pilgrims, after finishing a tedious journey, follow one another in at the beautiful gate of the city.

THOUGH many things are writ to please the age,
Among the rest, for this I dare engage,

Where virtue dwells, it will acceptance find,
And, to your Pilgrim, most that read be kind.
But all to please, would be a task as hard
As for the winds from blowing to be barr'd.
The pious Christian in a mirror here
May see the Promis'd Land, and, without fear
Of threaten'd danger, bravely travel on
Until his journey he has safely gone,
And does arrive upon the happy shore,
Where joys increase, and sorrow is no more,
This is a dream, not fabled as of old;
In this express the sacred truths are told,
That do to our eternal peace belong,
And, after mourning, changes to a song
Of glorious triumphs, that are without end,
If we but bravely for the prize contend.
No pilgrimage like this can make us blest,
Since it brings us to everlasting rest;
So well in every part the sense is laid,
That it to charm the reader may be said,
With curious fancy, and create delight,
Which to an imitation must invite,

And happy are they, that, through stormy seas,
And dangers, seek adventures like to these!
Who sell the world for this great pearl of price,
Which, once procured, will purchase paradise!
He who in such a bark doth spread his sails,
Needs never fear at last their prosp'rous gales,
That will conduct him to a land, where he
Shall feel no storns, but in a calm shall be ;
Where, crown'd with glory, he shall sit and sing
Eternal praise to his redeemer King,
Who conquer'd Death, despoil'd him of his sting.
So wishes your faithful Friend,

B. D.