Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/37

Rh he had him into a private room, and bid his man open a door; the which, when he had done, Christian saw the picture of a very grave person hang up against the wall; and this was the fashion of it: it had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in its hand, the law of truth was written upon its lips, the world was behind its back; it stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over its head.

Chr. Then said Christian, what meaneth this?

Inter. The man whose picture this is, is one of a thousand. He can beget children (1 Cor. iv. 15), travail in birth with children (Gal. iv. 19), and nurse them himself when they are born. And whereas thou seest him with his eyes lift up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, and the law of truth writ on his lips; it is to show thee that his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners, even as also thou seest him stand as if he pleaded with men: and whereas thou seest the world as cast behind him, and that a crown hangs over his head; that is to show thee that slighting and despising the things that are present, for the love that he hath to his Master's service, he is sure, in the-world that comes next, to have glory for his reward. Now, said the Interpreter, I have showed thee this picture ﬁrst, because the man whose picture this is, is the only man whom the Lord of the place whither thou art going hath authorized to be thy guide, in all difficult places thou mayest meet with in. the way. Wherefore take good heed to what I have showed thee, and bear well in thy mind what thou hast seen, lest in thy journey thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right, but their way goes down to death.

Then he took him by the hand, and led him into a very large parlour that was full of dust, because never swept; the Which, after he had reviewed it little while, the Interpreter called for a man to sweep. Now, when he began to sweep, the dust began so abundantly to about, that Christian