Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/322

318 tears for them; of which it will suffice that you. acquaint them, if peradventure they may prevail. When Mr. Standfast had thus set things in order, and the time being come for him to haste him. away, he also went down to the river. Now there was a great calm at that time in the river; where fore Mr. Standfast, when he Was about half—way in, stood a while, and, talked to his companions that had waited upon him thither. And he said, This river has been a terror to many; yea, the thoughts of it also have often frightened me. Now methinks I stand easy; my foot is fixed upon that on which the feet of the priests that bare the ark of the covenant stood While Israel went over this Jordan. (Joshua iii. 17.) The waters, indeed, are to the palate bitter, and to the stomach cold; yet the thoughts of what I am going to, and of the convoy that waits for me on the other side, lie as a glowing coal at my heart. I see myself now at the end of my journey: my toilsome days are ended. I am going to see that head which was crowned with thorns, and that face which was spit upon for me. I have formerly lived by hearsay and faith; but now I go where I shall live by sight, and shall be with Him in whose company I delight myself. I have loved to hear my Lord spoken of; and wherever I have seen the print of his shoe in the earth, there I have coveted to set my. foot too. His name has been to me a civet-box; yeah sweeter than all perfumes. His voice to me has been most sweet; and his countenance I have more desired than they that have most desired the light of the sun. His words I did use to gather for my food, and for antidotes against my faintings; He has held me, and hath kept me from my iniquities; yea, my steps have been strength in his way.

Now, while he was this in discourse, his countenance changed; his strong man bowed under him: and after he had; said, "Take me, for I come unto thee, he ceased to be seen of them.