THE FAMILY OF THE CHRISTIANS. 267

any that I know, showed themselves men of great virtue and courage, for the Lord of
pilgrims, His ways, and them that loved Him. I have heard of many of your hus-
band’s relations that have stood all trials for the sake of the truth. Stephen, who was
one of the first of the family from whence your husband sprang, was knocked on the
head with stones.” James, another of this generation, was slain with the edge of the
sword.” To say nothing of Paul and Peter, men anciently of the family from whence
your husband came, there was Ignatius, who was cast to the ons; Romanus, whose
flesh was cut by pieces from his bones; and Polycarp, that played the man in the
fire; there was he that was hanged up in a basket in the sun for the wasps to eat;

 

and he whom they put into a sack, and cast
him into the sea to be drowned. It would be
utterly impossible to count up all of that family
who have suffered injuries and death for the
love of a pilgrim’s life. Nor can I but be glad
to see that thy husband has left behind him
four such boys as these. I hope they will bear
out their father’s name, and tread in their
father’s steps, and come to their father’s end.”

GREAT. Indeed, sir, they are likely lads;
they seem to choose heartily their father’s
ways.

Gatus. That is it that I said; wherefore
Christian’s family is like still to spread abroad
upon the face of the ground, and yet to be
numerous upon the face of the earth. Where-

 

fore let Christiana look out some damsels for

 

 

her sons, to whom they may be betrothed,
ete., that the name of their father and the

Taste-that-which-is-good.

house of his progenitors may never be forgotten in the world.

Hon. *T is pity this family should fall and be extinct.

Gatus. Fall it cannot, but be diminished it may; but let Christiana take my advice,
and that is the way to uphold it. “And Christiana,” said this Innkeeper, “I am glad
to see thee and thy friend Mercy together here, a lovely couple. And may J advise,
take Mercy into a nearer relation to thee; if she will, let her be given to Matthew,
thy eldest son. It is the way to preserve you a posterity in the earth.”