Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/209

Rh Then said Christiana, l persuade myself that I know somewhat the meaning of this; for this is the figure of a man of this world: is it not, good sir?

Inter. Thou hast said right, said he, and his muck-rake doth show his carnal mind. And whereas thou seest him rather give heed to rake up straws and sticks, and the dust of the floor, than to do what He says that calls to him from above with the celestial crown in his hand; it to show that heaven is but as a fable to some, and that things here are counted the only things substantial. Now, whereas it was also showed thee that the man could look no way but downwards, it is to let thee know that earthly things, When they are with power upon men's minds, quite carry their hearts away from God.

Chr. Then said Christiana, O deliver me from this much-rake!

Inter. That prayer, said the Interpreter, has lain by till it is almost rusty: "Give me not riches," is scarce the prayer of one of ten thousand. (Prov. xxx. 8.) Straws, and sticks, and dust, with most, are the great things now looked after.

With that Christiana and Mercy wept, and said, It is, alas! too true.

When the Interpreter had showed them this, he had them into the very best room in the house (a very brave room it was): so he bid them look round about, and see if they could find anything profitable there. Then they looked round and round, for there was nothing to be seen but a very great spider on the wall, and that they overlooked.

Mer. Then said Mercy, Sir, I see nothing; but Christiana held her peace.

Inter. But, said the Interpreter, look again. She therefore looked again, and said, Here is not anything but an ugly Spider, who hangs by her hands upon the wall. Then said he, Is there but one spider in all this spacious room? Then the water stood in Christiana's eyes, for she was a