In the Porter's Lodge
Now because it was somewhat late, and because the Pilgrims were weary with their journey, and also made faint with the sight of the fight and of the terrible lions, therefore they desired as soon as might be, to prepare to go to rest. Nay, said those of the Family, refresh yourselves first with a morsel of meat. For they had prepared for them a Lamb, with the accustomed sauce belonging thereto; for the Porter had heard before of their coming, and had told it to them within. So when they had supped, and ended their Prayer with a Psalm, they desired they might go to rest. But let us, said Christiana, if we may be so bold as to choose, be in that Chamber that was my husband's when he was here. So they had them up thither, and they lay all in a room. When they were at rest, Christiana and Mercy entered into discourse about things that were convenient.
Christiana: Little did I think once, that when my husband went on Pilgrimage, I should have also followed.
Mercy: And you as little thought of lying in his bed and in his chamber to rest, as you do now.
Christiana: And much less did I ever think of seeing his face with comfort, and of worshipping the Lord the King with him, and yet now I believe I shall.
Mercy: Hark, don't you hear a noise?
Christiana: Yes, 'tis as I believe, a noise of Music for joy that we are here.
Mercy: Wonderful! Music in the house, Music in the heart, and Music also in Heaven, for joy that we are here.
Thus they talked awhile, and then betook themselves to sleep. So in the morning, when they were awake, Christiana said to Mercy:
Christiana: What was the matter that you did laugh in your sleep to-night. I suppose you were in a dream.
Mercy: So I was, and a sweet dream it was, but are you sure I laughed?
Christiana: Yes, you laughed heartily; but prithee Mercy, tell me thy dream.
Mercy: I was a dreamer that I sat all alone in a solitary place, and was bemoaning of the hardness of my heart.
Dream of Mercy
Now I had not sat there long, but methought many were gathered about me, to see me, and to hear what it was that I said. So they hearkened, and I went on bemoaning the hardness of my heart. At this some of them laughed at me, some called me fool, and some began to thrust me about. With that, methought I looked up, and saw one coming with wings towards me. So he came directly to me, and said, Mercy, what aileth thee? Now when he had heard me make my complaint, he said, Peace be to thee. He also wiped mine eyes with his handkerchief, and clad me in Silver and Gold: he put a chain about my neck, and ear-rings in mine ears, and a beautiful Crown upon my head. Then he took me by the hand, and said Mercy, come after me. So he went up, and I followed, till we came at a Golden Gate. Then he knocked; and when they within had opened, the man went in, and I followed him up to a Throne, upon which one sat, and he said to me, Welcome Daughter. The place looked bright and twinkling like the stars, or rather like the sun, and I thought that I saw your husband there. So I awoke from my dream. But did I laugh?
Christiana: Laugh, Nay, and well you might, to see yourself so well. For you must give me leave to tell you, that I believe it was a good dream, and that as you have begun to find the first part true, so you shall find the second at last. God speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumbering upon the bed. We need not, when a-bed, lie awake to talk with God. He can visit us while we sleep, and cause us then to hear His voice. Our heart oft-times wakes when we sleep; and God can speak to that, either by words, by Proverbs, by signs and similitudes, as well as if one was awake.
Mercy: Well, I am glad of my dream, for I hope ere long to see it fulfilled, to the making of me laugh again.
Christiana: I think it is now high time to rise, and to know what we must do.
Mercy: Pray, if they invite us to stay a while, let us willingly accept of the proffer. I am the willinger to stay a while here, to grow better acquainted with these maids. Methinks Prudence, Piety and Charity have very comely and sober countenances.
Christiana: We shall see what they will do. So when they were up and ready, they came down. And they asked one another of their rest, and if it was comfortable or not.
Mercy: Very good, said Mercy; it was one of the best night's Lodging that ever I had in my life.
Interpretation:
In a local church, there needs to be a debate or long discussion on spiritual matters. Nowadays, many social activities are given importance in such fellowship meetings and least importance is given to spiritual discourse. There was no pulpit in the Palace Beautiful but there were long debates on spiritual matters. Today, in our churches, we do not have face-to-face fellowship on a round table.
Lamb was prepared for supper. In today’s context, it is not only a spiritual fellowship by sharing the Bread and the Wine during communion service but also a fellowship of sharing food among the congregation. While sharing food, the congregation members know one another. In many churches, such fellowship lunch or dinner is missing. Apart from prayer, there were three kinds of music in that house. While having fellowship with one another, saints experience a divine melody in their corporate body. This divine melody is music to the ear. Every saint experiences this divine music in the heart by hearing the sweet voice of the Holy Spirit. It is not a music produced by instruments as expressed in word. It is a divine melody, also a divine tune which we experience individually and corporally as we abide in Christ Jesus. This divine melody imparts His peace in the midst of afflictions. When you meditate on the Song of Songs, you can hear this divine melody in your spirit. This divine melody is experienced by the angels and the saints in glory in the Heaven also. This divine melody unites the saints on the earth with the saints in glory.
At times, we have night visions or dreams to hear God. God speaks to us in our spirits while we sleep. It is better to record such visions or dreams in a note book. The church pastor should encourage the congregation members to share their visions and dreams for the edification of the faith of the whole church.
For the edification of the saints, there needs to be three kinds of ministries, viz, Prudence, Piety and Charity which will be discussed later.
Next......Prudence and Piety