To take
my cross up day by day, And serve the Lord with fear."

They next came to the place where Christian's load had been lost in the
tomb. Here they made a pause, and gave thanks to Him who laid down His
life to save theirs. So now they went up the hill, which was so steep
that the toil made Christiana pant for breath.

How can we doubt, said she, that they who love rest more than their
souls would choose some way on which they could go with more ease than
this?

Then Mercy said, Come what may, I must rest for a while.

And James, who was the least of the boys, gave way to tears.

Come, Come! said Great-heart, sit not down here; for there is a seat
near us put there by the Prince. With this he took the young child by
the hand, and led him to it; and they were all glad to sit down, and to
be out of the heat of the sun's rays.

Then said Mercy: How sweet is rest to them that work! And how good is
the Prince to place this seat here that such as we may rest! Of this
spot I have heard much, but let us take heed that we sleep not, for that
once cost poor Christian dear.

Then said Mr. Great-heart: Well, my brave boys, how do you do? What
think you of this hill?

Sir, said James, this hill beats me out of heart! And I see now that
what I have been told is true; the land of bliss is up steps; but still,
Sir, it is worse to go down hill to death than up hill to life.

You are a good boy, said Great-heart.

At this Mercy could but smile, and it made James blush.

Christiana:--Come, will you not drink of this flask, and eat some fruit,
while we sit here to rest? For Mr. Interpreter put these in my hand as I
came out of his door.

Now when they had sat there a while, their guide said to them: The day
runs on, and if you think well of it, let us now go on our way.

So they all set out, the boys first, then the rest; but they had not
gone far when Christiana found she had left the flask, so she sent James
back to fetch it.

Mercy:--I think this is the place where Christian lost his scroll. How
was this, Sir?

Great-heart:--We may trace it to two things; one is sleep, and one is
that you cease to think of that which you cease to want; and when you
lose sight of a boon you lose sight of Him who grants it, and the joy of
it will end in tears.

By and by they came to a small mound with a post on it, where these
words were cut, Let him who sees this post take heed of his heart and
his tongue that they be not false