Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/227

Rh little longer, their guide said to them, The day wears; away; if you think good, let us prepare to he going, So they got up to go, and the little boys went before; but Christiana forgot to take her bottle of spirits with her, so she sent her little boy back to fetch it. Then said Mercy, I think this is a losing place. Here Christian lost his roll; and here Christiana left her bottle behind her. Sir, What is the cause of this? So their guide made answer, and said, The cause is sleep or forgetfulness. Some sleep when they should keep awake, and some forget when they should remember; and this, is the very cause why often, at the resting—places, some pilgrims in some things come of? losers. Pilgrims should watch, and remember what they have already received under their greatest enjoyments; but for want of doing so, ofttimes their rejoicing ends in tears, and their, sunshine in a cloud;—witness the story of Christian at this place.

When they were come to the place where Mistrust and Timorous met Christian to persuade him to go back for fear of the lions, they perceived as it were a stage, and before it, towards the road, a broad plate, with a copy of verses written thereon; and, underneath, the reason of raising up of that stage in that place rendered. The verses were these:—

The words underneath the verses were: This stage was built to punish those upon, who, through timorousness or mistrust, shall be afraid to go further on pilgrimage; also, on this stage both Mistrust and Timorous were burnt through the tongue with a hot iron, for endeavouring to hinder Christian on his journey.

Then said Mercy, This is much like to the saying of the Beloved; "What esall be given unto thee, or what shall be