Canaan; others feem to draw me thorow the air, and teach me to fly aloft in towring fpeculations;and there are not wanting thofe who would turn me into a stone, and render me at once as humble, and as lumpifh and melancholy too as the earth it felf. But every one of thefe, me thought, did lead me into the fire, and I felt in the water it felf the flames of ftrife and contention about my ears, which made me that I durft not commit my felf to the hands of thefe, or any of their fellow-guides. But hearing, Sir, that you are of great abilities to direct me, and that you are a man of peace, and more than that, a man of good will, who hath a strong propenfion to do good; I am come to make it my humble request unto you, that if it be true which is reported of you, you will do me the favour to afford me fome charitable inftructions about the most paffable way to Ferusalem.

CAP. VI.

The Acceptance which he found with him: and how plainly the Guide dealt with him about the difficulties of the way.

Now the

Ow the Inquirer appearing in habit like a Pilgrim, having a very innocent countenance, an humble behaviour, and ufing fuch language as fignified that it was not curiofity, or a mind to try the skill which the other had in foreign parts, but a real defire to travel, which had brought him thither; Answer was returned by him, to whom he made his application, that he was heartily glad to meet with any man that would ask the way to Jerufalem; and that he

thought

inward pleasure that he had conceived in the freedom
and prudence of it. And after he had rendred him
his thanks for dealing with him fo impartially, he be-
feeched him that he would not think it fit to spare his
pains which he had already with no fmall fuccefs be-
gun to bestow; but that he would make a poor foul
fo happy as to let it know from that mouth which he
perceived would not deceive or mif-guide it, that dif-
ficult, long, and dangerous way which leads to Jeru-
Salem. I am not ignorant indeed (continued he how
much many men are wont to startle and boggle at
those terrible words; but I thank my God they ftrike
no terrour at all into my heart, nor move me one jot
from the refolution which I hope is immoveably fet-
led in it, of going to that blefied place. For fo much
have I heard of the glory of it, that I am apt to think
of nothing else; and fo I may but come in fafety thi-
ther at the last, I matter not at all what the way may
be which carries me unto it. Oblige me therefore
I befeech you fo much as to be my Guide,and to chalk
out the way for me. I am confident you will not re-
pent of your labour, when you fhall fee your directions
obferved with as much faithfulness and care as they
are by you delivered. And as for the truft which Í
repofe in your skill and fincerity, I am as confident by
what I difcern already,that I fhall as little repent of it,
as you will of your taking me into your tuition. Í
doubt not at all but I fhall be better taught than yet I
have ever been; and if the world judge otherwife, I
befeech do not take me for one that measures
mens worth by their efteem with the vulgar fort,or by
the favour they have obtained to be commended by
the mouth of common fame. The Vulgar themselves.
have whipt her about the world as a lewd Strumpet;

you

and

and we have a plain faying, That the common report bath too often a blifter upon her tongue. Therefore Speak Sir, I intreat you, and let me know what you are from your own mouth, and not from other mens. For as I never intended to truft my neighbour to chufe my opinions for me, and to dispose of my belief; fo do I never mean to refign my mind to be ftamped with thofe Characters that they fhall please to make of men, and of their qualities. I never yet beheld fo many Saints as they have created and worshipped; nor can I take all thofe for Devils, whom they are pleafed to defie and abominate.

CAF. VII.

The Guide discovers his fincere and upright Intentions.

Cannot relate how much this devote perfon was over-joyed to hear this welcome language; but the Reply which he made him, did give no fmall indications of a great Contentment which he took in the Answer he had recived. You cannot think it (faid he) a greater happiness to be inftructed by me, than I do to find a perfon both fo defirous, and so capable of inftruction. It gratifies me very much, I affure you, to find fuch a good will in you (which is no Imall step in your way to Jerufalem) efpecially fince I fee it fo unmoveable, that it is not like by any thing which may happen to be fo much as fhaken. Your refolution truly is admirable; and I cannot tell you what pleasant emotions I felt within me to behold fo little amazement appear in your foul at the dreadful noile of trouble, pains and danger. You are excel

lently

lently qualified, I fee, for this undertaking; and without flattery I tell you, there never was any in my opinion better appointed for this journey, if you can but maintain fo much courage and patience as you promife; and will, without quarrelling, murmuring or troubling your felf about the affronts which may be put upon you, pafs on your way, as if you met with nothing that did difplease you. But above all, it highly pleases me to hear you fay, That the place whither you would go, is fo much in your heart, that you think of it more than any thing elfe; For fomething relating to that, contains the greatest part of the Advice which I am to give you. And as for my felf, fince you will not be prepoffeffed and foreftalled with the common opinions, and the voice of fame, I will be fo juft as to let you know the very Tlin.l.18. Worft of me. I remember that Furius Crefinius, a Peasant that lived near to Rome, was defamed in ancient times by many people of that City, and accufed for bewitching the Lands of his neighbours, which though of larger extent, were not wont to yield fo fair a Crop as his few Acres. To fuch an height did their jealoufies and envy arise, that a charge was drawn up against him; and standing indicted of fuch unlawful means to inrich himself, and undo others, a day of hearing was appointed, wherein he was to receive a publick trial, What courfe do you think now the poor man took to confute their calumnies, and juftifie his own innocence? Truly no other but this would he refolve upon; to bring along with him on the day of his appearance all the Inftruments of Husbandry, whereby he used to cultivate the ground, and fpread them before his judges. So he did, and made his defence in this fort. If I be

cap. 6.