Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/206

202 the greater, for that I saw the danger before I came out of the doors, and yet did not preside for it when provision might have been had. I am much to be blamed.

Mer. Then said Mercy, How knew you this before you came from home? Pray open to me this riddle.

Chr. Why, I will tell you. Before I set foot out of doors, one night, as I lay in my bed, I had a dream about this: for methought I saw two men, as like these as ever any in the world could look, stand at my bed's feet, plotting how they might prevent my salvation. I will tell you their very words: they said ('twas when I was in my troubles), What shall we do with this woman? for she cries out, waking and sleeping, for forgiveness. If she he suffered to go on as she begins, we shall lose her, as we have lost her husband. This, you know, night have made me take heed, and have provided when provision might have been had.

Mer. Well, said Mercy, as by this neglect we have an occasion ministered unto us to behold our own imperfections, so our Lord has taken occasion thereby to make manifest the riches of his grace; for he, as we see, has followed us with unasked kindness, and has delivered us from their hands that were stronger than we, of his more good pleasure.

Thus, now when they had talked away a little more time, they drew near to a house which stood in the way, which house was built for the relief of pilgrims, as you will find more fully related in the First Part of these records of the Pilgrim's Progress. So they drew on towards the house (the house of the Interpreter); and when they came to the door, they heard a great talk in the house. Then they gave ear, and heard, as they thought, Christiana mentioned by name; for you must know that there went along, even before her, a talk of her and her children's going on pilgrimage. And this was the more pleasing to then), because they had heard that she was Christian's Wife, that woman who was, some time ago, so unwilling to hear of going on pilgrimage. Thus,