ATHEIST MET WITH. 147

your note?” They answered, “No.” He asked them, “ Why?” They said they
forgot. He asked them, moreover, if the shepherds did not bid them beware of the
Flatterer. ‘They answered, “ Yes; but we did not imagine,” said they, “ that this fine-
spoken man had been he.” ™

Then I saw in my dream, that he commanded them to lie down ; which when they
did, he chastised them sore, to teach them the good way wherein they should walk;
and, as he chastised them, he said, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be
zealous, therefore, and repent.” This done, he bid them go on their way, and take
good heed to the other directions of the shepherds. So they thanked him for all his
kindness, and went softly along the right way, singing :

‘**Come hither, you that walk along the way,
See how the pilgrims fare that go astray ;
They catchéd are in an entangling net,
Cause they good counsel lightly did forget ;
Tis true, they rescued were; but yet, you see,
They're scourged to boot: let this your caution be.”

Now, after awhile they perceived afar off, one coming softly and alone, all along the
highway, to meet them. Then said Christian to his fellow, “ Yonder is a man with
his back towards Zion, and he is coming to meet us.”

Horr. I see him: let us take heed to ourselves, lest he should prove a flatterer
also.

So he drew nearer and nearer, and at last came up to them. His name was Atheist,
and he asked them whither they were going.

Curis. We are going to Mount Zion.

Then Atheist fell into a very great laughter.

Curis. What is the meaning of your laughter ?

Aruetst. I laugh to see what ignorant persons you are, to take upon yourselves so
tedious a journey, and yet are like to have nothing but your travel for your pains.

Curis. Why, man, do you think we shall not be received?

Aruetst. Received! There is no such a place as you dream of in all this world.

Curis. But there is in the world to come.

Arnuetst. When I was at home in mine own country, I heard as you now affirm,
and, from that hearing, went out to see, and have been seeking this city these twenty
years, but find no more of it than I did the first day I set out.”

Curis. We have both heard and believe that there is such a place to be found.

Artuerst. Had not I, when at home, believed, I had not come thus far to seek ; but,