the sins he had
committed both since and before he began to be a pilgrim. Fore-fancy
that also, all you converted young men. Hopeful, therefore, had much to
do to keep his brother's head above water; yea, sometimes he would be
quite gone down, and then in a while he would rise up again half-dead.
Then I saw in my dream that Christian was in a muse a while; to whom also
Hopeful added this word, "Be of good cheer; Jesus Christ maketh thee
whole." And with that Christian broke out with a loud voice, "When thou
passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers
they shall not overflow thee." Then they both took courage and the enemy
was after that as still as a stone till they were gone over. Fore-fancy
that also. There is one other thing out of that crossing that I hope I
shall remember when I am in the river: "Be of good cheer," said Hopeful
to his sinking fellow--"Be of good cheer, my brother, I feel the bottom,
and it is good." "Hold His hand fast," wrote Samuel Rutherford to Lady
Kenmure. "He knows all the fords. You may be ducked in His company but
never drowned. Put in your foot, then, and wade after Him. And be sure
you set your feet always upon the stepping-stones." Yes; fore-fancy
those stepping-stones, and often practise your feet upon them before the
time.

2. "Good woman," said the post to Christiana, the wife of Christian the
pilgrim; "Hail, good woman, I bring thee tidings that the Master calleth
for thee, and expecteth thee to stand in His presence in clothes of
immortality within this ten days." Fore-fancy that also. Now the day
was come that she must be gone. And so the road was full of people to
see her take her journey. But, behold, all the banks beyond the river
were full of horses and chariots which were come down from above to
accompany her to the city gate. So she came forth and entered the river
with a beckon of farewell to those that followed her to the river-side.
And thus she went and entered in at the gate with all the ceremonies of
joy that her husband had done before her. Fore-fancy, if you can, some
of those ceremonies of joy.

3. When Mr. Fearing came to the river where was no bridge, there again
he was in a heavy case. Now, he said, he should be drowned for ever and
never see that Face with comfort he had come so many miles to behold. And
here also I took notice of what was very remarkable; the water of that
river was lower at this time than ever