t they espied a Shining One
coming toward them with a whip of small cords in his hand. When he was
come to the place where they were, he asked them whence they came, and
what they did there. They told him that they were poor pilgrims going to
Zion, but were led out of their way by a black man clothed in white, who
bid us, said they, follow him, for he was going thither too. Then said
he with a whip, It Flatterer, a false apostle, that hath transformed
himself into an angel of light. So he rent the net, and let the men out.
Then said he to them, Follow me, that I may set you in your way again.
So he led them back to the way which they had left to follow the
Flatterer. Then he asked them, saying, Where did you lie the last night?
They said, With the Shepherds upon the Delectable Mountains. He asked
them if they had not a note of directions for the way. They answered,
Yes. But did you not, said he, when you were at a stand, pluck out and
read your note? They answered, No. He asked them, Why? They said they
forgot. He asked, moreover, if the Shepherds did not bid them beware of
the Flatterer. They answered, Yes; but we did not imagine, said they,
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
bids 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 catched are in an entangled net,
'Cause they good counsel lightly did forget.
'Tis true they rescued were; but yet, you see,
They're scourg'd 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 toward Zion, and he is coming to meet us.

_Hope._ I see him; let us take heed to ourselves now 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.

_Chr._ We are going to the Mount Zion.

Then Atheist fell into a very great laughter.