Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/311

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The Pilgrim's Progress.
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company, if you go, as I suppose you do, to the Celestial City. So the man stopped, and they came up to him. But as soon as Mr. Honest saw him, he said, I know this man. Then said Mr. Valiant-for-truth Pr'ythee, Who is it? It is one, said he, that comes from whereabout I dwelt. His name is Standfast; he is certainly a right good pilgrim.

So they came up one to another. And presently Standfast said to old Honest, Ho, father Honest, are you there? Ay, said he, that am I, sure as you are there. Bight glad I am, said Mr. Standfast, that I have found you on this road. And as glad am I, said the other, that I espied you on your knees. Then Mr. Standfast blushed, and said, But Why, did you see me? Yes, that I did, quoth the other, and with my heart was glad at the sight. Why, What did you think? said Standfast. Think! said old Honest; what should I think? I thought we had an honest man on the road, and therefore should have his company by-and-by. If you thought not amiss, said Standfast, how happy am I! But if I be not as I should, 'tis I alone must bear it. That is true, said the other; but your fear doth further confirm me that things are right he twixt the Prince of pilgrims and your soul. For He saith, "Blessed is the man that feareth always."

Valiant. Well but, brother, I pray thee tell us What was it that was the cause of thy being upon thy knees even now; was it for that some special mercy laid obligations upon thee, or how?

Stand. Why, we are, as you see, upon the Enchanted Ground; and as I was coming along, I was musing with myself of What a dangerous nature the road in this place was, and how many that had some even thus far on pilgrimage had here been stopped and been destroyed. I thought also of the manner of the death with which this place destroyed men. Those that die here, die of no Violent distemper; the death which such die is not grievous to them. For he that goeth away in a sleep begins that journey with de-