THE VALIANT MAN'S CONFLICT AND VICTORY. 31 Then said CHRISTIAN, What means this? The INTERPRETER answered, This is CHRIST, who continually with the oil of his grace maintains the work already begun in the heart: by the means of which, notwithstanding what the devil can do, the souls of his people prove gracious still'. And in that thou sawest that the man stood behind the wall to maintain the fire; this is to teach thee that it is hard for the tempted to see how this work of grace is maintained in the soul. I saw also that the INTERPRETER took him again. by the hand, and led him into a pleasant place where was builded a stately palace, beautiful to behold; at the sight of which CHRISTIAN was greatly delighted: he saw also upon the top thereof certain persons walking, who were clothed all in gold. Then said CHRISTIAN, May we go in thither? to take the name of him Then the INTERPRETER took him and led him up towards the door of the palace; and behold, at the door stood a great company of men, as desirous to go in, but durst not. There also sat a man at a little distance from the door, at a table-side, with a book and his inkhorn before him, that should enter therein: he saw also that in the door-way stood many men in armour to keep it, being resolved to do to the men that would enter what hurt and mischief they could. Now was CHRISTIAN somewhat in amaze: at last, when every man started back for fear of the armed men, CHRISTIAN saw a man of a very stout countenance come up to the man that sat there to write, saying, • Set down my name, 1 2 Cor. xii. 9. 32 THE MAN IN THE IRON CAGE. Sir:' the which when he had done, he saw the man draw his sword, and put an helmet upon his head, and rush toward the door upon the armed men, who laid upon him with deadly force; but the man was not at all discouraged, but fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. So after he had received and given many wounds to those that attempted to keep him out, he cut his way through them all, and pressed forward into the palace; at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that were within, even of those that walked upon the top of the palace, saying, 'Come in, come in; Eternal glory thou shalt win.' So he went in and was clothed with such garments as they. Then CHRISTIAN smiled, and said, I think verily I know the meaning of this. Now, said CHRISTIAN, let me go hence. Nay, stay, said the INTERPRETER, till I have showed thee a little more, and after that thou shalt go on thy way. So he took him by the hand again, and led him into a very dark room where there sat a man in an iron cage. Now the man, to look on, seemed very sad. He sat with his eyes looking down to the ground, his hands folded together, and he sighed as if he would break his heart. Then said CHRISTIAN, What means this? At which the INTERPRETER bid him talk with the man. Then said CHRISTIAN to the man, What art thou? The man answered, I am what I was not once. CHR. What wert thou once? CHRISTIAN INTERROGATES HIM. 33 The man said, I was once a fair and flourishing professor, both in mine own eyes and also in the eyes of others: I once was, as I thought, fair for the celestial city, and had then even joy at the thoughts that I should get thither1. CHR. Well, but what art thou now? MAN. I am now a man of despair, and am shut up in it as in this iron cage. I cannot get out; O now I cannot. CHR. But how camest thou in this condition? MAN. I left off to watch and be sober; I laid the reins upon the neck of my lusts; I sinned against the light of the word, and the goodness of God: I have grieved the Spirit, and he is gone; I tempted the Devil, and he is to come to me; I have provoked God to anger, and he has left me; I have so hardened my heart that I cannot repent. Then said CHRISTIAN to the INTERPRETER, But is there no hope for such a man as this? Ask him, said the INTERPRETER. Then said CHRISTIAN, Is there no hope but you must be kept in the iron cage of despair? MAN. No, none at all. CHR. Why? the Son of the Blessed is very pitiful. MAN. I have crucified him to myself afresh; I have despised his person, I have despised his righteousness, I have counted his blood an unholy thing, I have done despite to the Spirit of grace: therefore I have shut myself out of all the promises, and there now remains to me nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings, 1 Luke viii. 13. 2 Luke xix. 14. Heb. vi. 4-6. x. 28, 29. 28 PASSION AND PATIENCE. instead of cleansing the heart, by its working, from sin, doth revive, put strength into, and increase it in the soul, even as it doth discover and forbid it; for it doth not give power to subdue it1. Again, as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure; this is to show thee, that when the gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences thereof to the heart, then, I say, even as thou sawest the damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean through the faith of it, and consequently fit for the King of glory to inhabit". I saw, moreover, in my dream, that the INTERPRETER took him by the hand and had him into a little room where sat two little children, each one in his chair. The name of the eldest was PASSION, and the name of the other PATIENCE. PASSION seemed to be much discontented, but PATIENCE was very quiet. Then CHRISTIAN asked, What is the reason of the discontent of PASSION? The INTERPRETER answered, The governor of them would have him stay for his best things till the beginning of the next year; but he will have all now. But PATIENCE is willing to wait. Then I saw that one came to PASSION and brought him a bag of treasure, and poured it down at his feet: the which he took up and rejoiced therein, and withal laughed PATIENCE to scorn. But I beheld but a while, and he had lavished all away and had nothing left him but rags. 1 Rom. v. 20. vii. 7—11. 1 Cor. xv. 56. 2 John xiv. 21-23. XV. 3. Acts xv. 9. Rom. xvi. 25, 26. Eph. v. 26. |