Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/199

Rh made Christiana start. Then said the Keeper of the gate, Who is there? And Christiana said, It is my friend.

So he opened the gate, and looked out; but Mercy was fallen down without in a swoon, for she fainted, and was afraid that no gate should be opened to her.

Then he took her by the hand, and said, Damsel, I bid thee arise.

O sir, said she, I am faint; there is scarce life left in me. But he answered, that one once said, "When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came unto thee, into thy holy temple." (Jonah ii. 7.) Fear not, but stand upon thy feet, and tell me Wherefore thou art come.

Mer. I am come for that unto which I was never invited, as my friend Christiana was. Hers was from the King, and mine was but from her. Wherefore I fear I presume.

Keep. Did she desire thee to some with her to this place?

Mer. Yes; and as my Lord sees, I am come; and if there is any grace and forgiveness of sins to spare, I beseech that thy poor handmaid may be a partaker thereof.

Then he took her again by the hand, and led her gently in, and said, I pray for all them that believe on me, by what means soever they come unto me. Then said he to those that stood by, Fetch something, and give it Mercy to smell on, thereby to stay her faintings. So they fetched her a bundle of myrrh (Song i. 13), and a while after she was revived.

And now were Christiana and her boys, and Mercy, received of the Lord at the head of the way, and spoke kindly unto by him. Then said they yet further unto him, We are sorry for our sins, and beg of our Lord his pardon, and further information what we must do.

I grant pardon, said he, by word and deed: by word, in the promise of forgiveness; by deed, in the way I obtained it. Take the first from my lips with a kiss and the other as it shall be revealed. (John xx. 20.)

Now I saw in my dream that he spake many good words