Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/291

Rh which they look has an attracting virtue upon the foolish eye.

I saw now that they went on till they came to the river that was on this side of the Delectable Mountains—to the river Where the ﬁne trees grow on both sides, and whose leaves, if taken inwardly, are good against surfeits (Ps. xxiii.); where the meadows are green all the year long; and where they might lie down safely.

By this riverside, in the meadows, there were notes and folds for sheep, and a house built for the nourishing and bringing up of those lambs, the babes of those women that go on pilgrimage. Also there was here one that was entrusted with them, who could have compassion, and that could gather these lambs with his arm, and Carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (Heb. v, 2; Isa. lxiii.) Now to the care of this Man, Christiana admonished her four daughters to commit their little ones, that by these waters they might be housed, harboured, answered, and nourished, and that none of them might be lacking in time to come. This Man, if any of them go astray, or be lest, he will bring them again; he will also bind up that which was broken, and Will strengthen them that are sick. (Jer. xxiii. 4; Ezek. xxxiv. 11–16.) Here they will never want meat, drink, and clothing; here they will be kept from thieves and robbers; for this Man will die before one of those committed to his trust shall be lost. Besides, here they shall be sure to have good nurture and admonition, and shall be taught to walk in right paths; and that, yen know, is a favour of no small account. Also here, as you see, are delicate waters, pleasant meadows, dainty flewess, variety of trees, and such as bear wholesome fruit;—fruit, not like that which Matthew ate of, that fell over the wall out of Beelzebub's garden; but fruit that procureth health where there is none, and that continueth and increaseth it where it is. So they were content to commit their little ones to him; and that which was