CHRISTIAN’S DISTRESS OF MIND. ol

told them, Worse and worse; he also set to talking to them again; but they began to
be hardened. They also thought to drive away his distemper by harsh and surly
carriage to him: sometimes they would deride, sometimes they would chide, and some-
fines they would quite neglect him. Wherefore he began to retire himself to his
chamber, to pray for and pity them, and also to condole his own misery; he would also
walk solitary in the fields, sometimes reading, and sometimes praying; and thus for
some days he spent his time.

Now, I saw, upon a time, when he was walking in the fields, that he was (as he was

wont) reading in his book, and greatly distressed in his mind; and as he read, he burst

 

out as he had done before, crying, “ What
shall I do to be saved?” ?

I saw also that he looked this way and that

   
  
   

   

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way, as if he would run; yet he stood still,
because (as I perceived) he could not tell
which way to go. I looked then, and saw a
man named Evangelist coming to him, who
asked, “Wherefore dost thou ery ?”

He answered, “Sir, I perceive by the book
in my hand, that I am condemned to die, and
after that to come to judgment;* and I find
that I am not willing to do the first,’ nor able
to do the second.” ®

Then said Evangelist, “Why not willing
to die, since this life is attended with so many

 

evils?” The man answered, “ Because I fear
that this burden that is upon my back will

 

sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall
into Tophet.** And, sir, if I be not fit to 20
to prison, I am not fit to go to judgment, and from thence to execution; and the
thoughts of these things make me cry.”

“He began to retire limself to his chamber to pray.”

Then said Evangelist, “If this be thy condition, why standest thon still?”

He answered, “ Because I know not whither to go.” Then he gave him a parchment
roll, and there was written within, “Flee from the wrath to come.” ®

The man, therefore, read it, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said,
“Whither must I fly?” Then said Evangelist (pointing with his finger over a very

 

* Tophet bere means hell.