Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/118

114 the way. Now the way from the river was rough, and their feet tender by reason of their travel; so the souls of the pilgrims were much discouraged because of the way. (Num. xxi. 4.) Wherefore, still as they went on, they wished for a better way. Now, a little before them, there was on the left hand of the road a meadow, and a stile to go over into it, and that meadow is called By-path Meadow. Then said Christian to his fellow, If this meadow lieth along by our wayside, let us go over into it. Then he went to the stile to see, and behold a path lay along by the way on the other side of the fence. 'Tis according to my wish, said Christian. Here is the easiest going; some. good Hopeful, and let us go over.

Hope. But how if this path should lead us out of the way?

Chr. That is not likely, said the other. Look, doth it not go along by the wayside? So Hopeful, being persuaded by his fellow, went after him over the stile. When they were gone over, and were got into the path, they found it very easy for their feet; and withal they, looking before them, espied a man walking as they did, and his name was Vain-confidence: so they called after him, and asked him whither that way led. He said, To the Celestial Crate. Look, said Christian, did not I tell you so? By this you may see we are right. So they followed, and he went before them. But, behold, the night came on, and it grew very dark; so that they that were behind lost sight of him that went before.

He therefore that went before (Vain-confidence by name), not seeing the way before him, fell into a deep pit (Isa. ix. 416), which was on purpose there made by the prince of those grounds, to catch vain-glorious fools withal,wand was clashed in pieces with his fall.

Now Christian and his fellow heard him fall, so they called, to know the matter; but there was none to answer,