Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/92

92 that we have done, but according to his mercy he hath saved us, etc. (2 Tim. i. 9; Tit. iii. 5.) Now was I got on high, I saw myself within the arms of grace and mercy; and though I was before afraid to think of a dying hour, yet now I cried, Let me die. Now death was lovely and beautiful in my sight, for I saw we shall never live indeed till we be gone to the other world. Oh, methought this life is but a slumber, in comparison with that above! At this time also I saw more in these words, "heirs of God" (Rom. viii. 17), than ever I shall be able to express while I live in this world. "Heirs of God!" God himself is the portion of the saints. This I saw and wondered at, but cannot tell you what I saw.

260. Again, as I was at another time very ill and weak, all that time also the tempter did beset me strongly, for find her is much for assaulting the soul. When it begins to approach towards the grave, then is his opportunity, labouring to hide from me my former experience of God's goodness also setting before me the terrors of death and the judgment of God, insomuch that at this time, through my fear of miscarrying for ever should I now die, I was as one dead before death came, and was as if I had felt myself already descending into the pit. Methought I said there was no way but to hell I must. But, behold, just as I was in the midst of those fears, these words of the angel carrying Lazarus into Abraham's bosom darted: in upon me, as who should say, So it shall be with thee when thou dost leave this World. This did sweetly revive my spirits, and help me to hope in God; which, when I had with comfort mused on awhile, that word fell with great weight upon my mind, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Cor. xv. 55.) At this I became both well in body and mind at once, for my sickness did presently vanish, and I walked comfortably in my work for God again.

261. At another time, though just before I was pretty well