Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/38

34 had almost therewith been choked. Then said the Interpreter to a damsel that stood by, Bring hither Water, and sprinkle the room; the which when she had done, it was swept and cleansed with pleasure.

Chr. Then said Christian, What means this?

Inter. The Interpreter answered, This parlour is the heart of men that was never sanctified by the sweet grace of the gospel: the dust is his original sin, and inward corruptions, that have defiled the whole men. He that began to sweep at first, is the Law; but she that brought water, and did sprinkle it, is the Gospel, Now, whereas thou sawest that as soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about that the room could not by be cleansed, but that thou west almost choked therewith; this is to show thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive, put strength into, and increase it in the soul, even as it doth discover and forbid it; for it doth not give power to subdue. (Rom. v, 20; vii. 7–11. 1 Cor. xv, 56.)

Again, as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with Water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure; this is to show thee, that when the gospel tonnes in the sweet end gracious inﬂuences thereof to the heart, then I say, even as then sawest the damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water so sin vanquished end subdued, and the soul made clean through the faith of it, and consequently for the King Of glory to inhabit, (John xiv, 21–23; xv. 3, Acts xv. 9, Rom. xvi. 25, Eph, iv, 26.)

I saw, moreover, in my dream, that the Interpreter took him by the hand, and had; him into a little room, where set two little children, each, one in his own chair. The name of the eldest was Passion, and the name of the other Patience. Passion seemed to be much discontented, but Patience was very quiet. Then, Christian asked, What; is the reason of the discontent of Passion? The Interpreter answered, The governor of them would have him stew for his best things