THE AUTHOR’S APOLOGY FOR HIS BOOK
WHEN at the first I took my pen in hand
Thus for to write, I did not understand
That I at all should make a little book
In such a mode: nay, I had undertook
To make another; which, when almost done,
Before I was aware I this begun.
And thus it was: I, writing of the way
And race of saints in this our gospel-day,
Fell suddenly into an allegory
About their journey, and the way to glory,
In more than twenty things which I set down
This done, I twenty more had in my crown,
And they again began to multiply,
Like sparks that from the coals of fire do fly.
Nay, then, thought I, if that you breed so fast,
I’ll put you by yourselves, lest you at last
Should prove ad infinitum, and eat out
The book that I already am about.
Well, so I did; but yet I did not think
To show to all the world my pen and ink
In such a mode; I only thought to make
I knew not what: nor did I undertake
Thereby to please my neighbor; no, not I;
I did it my own self to gratify.
Neither did I but vacant seasons spend
In this my scribble; nor did I intend
But to divert myself, in doing this,
From worser thoughts, which make me do amiss.
Thus I set pen to paper with delight,
And quickly had my thoughts in black and white;
For having now my method by the end,
Still as I pull’d, it came; and so I penned
It down; until it came at last to be,
For length and breadth, the bigness which you see.
Well, when I had thus put mine ends together
I show’d them others, that I might see whether
They would condemn them, or them justify:
And some said, let them live; some, let them die:
Some said, John, print it; others said, Not so:
Some said, It might do good; others said, No.
Now was I in a strait, and did not see
Which was the best thing to be done by me:
At last I thought, Since ye are thus divided,
I print it will; and so the case decided.
For, thought I, some I see would have it done,
Though others in that channel do not run:
To prove, then, who advised for the best,
Thus I thought fit to put it to the test.
I further thought, if now I did deny
Those that would have it, thus to gratify;
I did not know, but hinder them I might
Of that which would to them be great delight.
For those which were not for its coming forth,
I said to them, Offend you, I am loath;
Yet since your brethren pleased with it be,
Forbear to judge, till you do further see.
If that thou will not read, let it alone;
Some love the meat, some love to pick the bone.
Yea, that I might them better palliate,
I did too with them thus expostulate:
May I not write in such a style as this?
In such a method too, and yet not miss
My end-thy good? Why may it not be done?
Dark clouds bring waters, when the bright bring none.
Yea, dark or bright, if they their silver drops
Cause to descend, the earth, by yielding crops,
Gives praise to both, and carpeth not at either,
But treasures up the fruit they yield together;
Yea, so commixes both, that in their fruit
None can distinguish this from that; they suit
Her well when hungry; but if she be full,
She spews out both, and makes their blessing null.
You see the ways the fisherman doth take
To catch the fish; what engines doth he make!
Behold how he engageth all his wits;
Also his snares, lines, angles, hooks, and nets:
Yet fish there be, that neither hook nor line,
Nor snare, nor net, nor engine can make thine:
They must be groped for, and be tickled too,
Or they will not be catch’d, whate’er you do.
How does the fowler seek to catch his game
By divers means! all which one cannot name.
His guns, his nets, his lime-twigs, light and bell:
He creeps, he goes, he stands; yea, who can tell
Of all his postures? yet there’s none of these
Will make him master of what fowls he please.
Yea, he must pipe and whistle, to catch this;
Yet if he does so, that bird he will miss.
If that a pearl may in toad’s head dwell,
And may be found too in an oyster-shell;
If things that promise nothing, do contain
What better is than gold; who will disdain,
That have an inkling, whisper, insinuation. of it, there to look,
That they may find it. Now my little book,
(Though void of all these paintings that may make
It with this or the other man to take,)
Is not without those things that do excel
What do in brave but empty notions dwell.
“Well, yet I am not fully satisfied
That this your book will stand, when soundly tried.”
Why, what’s the matter? “It is dark.” What though?
“But it is feigned.” What of that? I trow
Some men by feigned words, as dark as mine,
Make truth to spangle, and its rays to shine.
“But they want solidness.” Speak, man, your mind.
“They drown the weak; metaphors make us blind.”
Solidity, indeed, becomes the pen
Of him that writeth things divine to men:
But must I needs want solidness, because
By metaphors I speak? Were not God’s laws,
His gospel laws, in olden time held forth
By types, shadows, and metaphors? Yet loth
Will any sober man be to find fault
With them, lest he be found for to assault
The highest wisdom! No, he rather stoops,
And seeks to find out what, by pins and loops,
By calves and sheep, by heifers, and by rams,
By birds and herbs, and by the blood of lambs,
God speaketh to him; and happy is he
That finds the light and grace that in them be.
But not too forward, therefore, to conclude
That I want solidness—that I am rude;
All things solid in show, not solid be;
All things in parable despise not we,
Lest things most hurtful lightly we receive,
And things that good are, of our souls bereave.
My dark and cloudy words they do but hold
The truth, as cabinets inclose the gold.
The prophets used much by metaphors
To set forth truth: yea, who so considers
Christ, his apostles too, shall plainly see,
That truths to this day in such mantles be.
Am I afraid to say, that holy writ,
Which for its style and phrase puts down all wit,
Is everywhere so full of all these things,
Dark figures, allegories? Yet there springs
From that same book, that lustre, and those rays
Of light, that turn our darkest nights to days.
Come, let my carper to his life now look,
And find there darker lines than in my book
He findeth any; yea, and let him know,
That in his best things there are worse lines too.
May we but stand before impartial men,
To his poor one I durst adventure ten,
That they will take my meaning in these lines
Far better than his lies in silver shrines.
Come, truth, although in swaddling-clothes, I find
Informs the judgment, rectifies the mind;
Pleases the understanding, makes the will
Submit, the memory too it doth fill
With what doth our imagination please;
Likewise it tends our troubles to appease.
Sound words, I know, Timothy is to use,
And old wives’ fables he is to refuse;
But yet grave Paul him nowhere doth forbid
The use of parables, in which lay hid
That gold, those pearls, and precious stones that were
Worth digging for, and that with greatest care.
Let me add one word more. O man of God,
Art thou offended? Dost thou wish I had
Put forth my matter in another dress?
Or that I had in things been more express?
Three things let me propound; then I submit
To those that are my betters, as is fit.
1. I find not that I am denied the use
Of this my method, so I no abuse
Put on the words, things, readers, or be rude
In handling figure or similitude,
In application; but all that I may
Seek the advance of truth this or that way.
Denied, did I say? Nay, I have leave,
(Example too, and that from them that have
God better pleased, by their words or ways,
Than any man that breatheth now-a-days,)
Thus to express my mind, thus to declare
Things unto thee that excellentest are.
2. I find that men as high as trees will write
Dialogue-wise; yet no man doth them slight
For writing so. Indeed, if they abuse
Truth, cursed be they, and the craft they use
To that intent; but yet let truth be free
To make her sallies upon thee and me,
Which way it pleases God: for who knows how,
Better than he that taught us first to plough,
To guide our minds and pens for his designs?
And he makes base things usher in divine.
3. I find that holy writ, in many places,
Hath semblance with this method, where the cases
Do call for one thing to set forth another:
Use it I may then, and yet nothing smother
Truth’s golden beams: nay, by this method may
Make it cast forth its rays as light as day.
And now, before I do put up my pen,
I’ll show the profit of my book; and then
Commit both thee and it unto that hand
That pulls the strong down, and makes weak ones stand.
This book it chalketh out before thine eyes
The man that seeks the everlasting prize:
It shows you whence he comes, whither he goes,
What he leaves undone; also what he does:
It also shows you how he runs, and runs,
Till he unto the gate of glory comes.
It shows, too, who set out for life amain,
As if the lasting crown they would obtain;
Here also you may see the reason why
They lose their labor, and like fools do die.
This book will make a traveler of thee,
If by its counsel thou will ruled be;
It will direct thee to the Holy Land,
If thou will its directions understand
Yea, it will make the slothful active be;
The blind also delightful things to see.
Art thou for something rare and profitable?
Or would’st thou see a truth within a fable?
Art thou forgetful? Wouldest thou remember
From New-Year’s day to the last of December?
Then read my fancies; they will stick like burs,
And may be, to the helpless, comforters.
This book is writ in such a dialect
As may the minds of listless men affect:
It seems a novelty, and yet contains
Nothing but sound and honest gospel strains.
Would’st thou divert thyself from melancholy?
Would’st thou be pleasant, yet be far from folly?
Would’st thou read riddles, and their explanation?
Or else be drowned in your contemplation?
Dost thou love picking meat? Or would’st thou see
A man i’ the clouds, and hear him speak to thee?
Would’st thou be in a dream, and yet not sleep?
Or would’st thou in a moment laugh and weep?
Would’st thou lose thyself and catch no harm,
And find thyself again without a charm?
Would’st read thyself, and read thou know’st not what,
And yet know whether thou art blest or not,
By reading the same lines? O then come hither,
And lay my book, your head, and heart together.
JOHN BUNYAN.
THE FIRST STAGE
As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain
place where was a den,Bedford
jail, in which the author was imprisoned for conscience’ sake and
laid me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream.
I dreamed, and behold, I saw a man clothed with rags, standing in a
certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand,
and a great burden upon his back. Isa
64:6; Luke
14:33; Psalm
38:4. I looked and saw him open the book, and read therein; and
as he read, he wept and trembled; and not being able longer to contain,
he brake out with a lamentable cry, saying, “What shall I do?” Acts
2:37; 16:30; Habak
1:2,3.
In this plight, therefore, he went home, and restrained himself as long
as he could, that his wife and children should not perceive his distress;
but he could not be silent long, because that his trouble increased.
Wherefore at length he brake his mind to his wife and children; and
thus he began to talk to them: “O, my dear wife,” said he, “and you
the children of my bowels, I, your dear friend, am in myself undone
by reason of a burden that lieth hard upon me; moreover, I am certainly
informed that this our city will be burnt with fire from heaven; in
which fearful overthrow, both myself, with thee my wife, and you my
sweet babes, shall miserably come to ruin, except (the which yet I see
not) some way of escape can be found whereby we may be delivered.” At
this his relations were sore amazed; not for that they believed that
what he had said to them was true, but because they thought that some
frenzy distemper had got into his head; therefore, it drawing towards
night, and they hoping that sleep might settle his brains, with all
haste they got him to bed. But the night was as troublesome to him as
the day; wherefore, instead of sleeping, he spent it in sighs and tears.
So when the morning was come, they would know how he did. He told them,
“Worse and worse:” he also set to talking to them again; but they began
to be hardened. They also thought to drive away his distemper by harsh
and surly carriage to him; sometimes they would deride, sometimes they
would chide, and sometimes they would quite neglect him. Wherefore he
began to retire himself to his chamber to pray for and pity them, and
also to condole his own misery; he would also walk solitarily in the
fields, sometimes reading, and sometimes praying: and thus for some
days he spent his time.
Now I saw, upon a time, when he was walking in the fields, that he was
(as he was wont) reading in his book, and greatly distressed in his
mind; and as he read, he burst out, as he had done before, crying, “What
shall I do to be saved?” Acts
16:30,31.
I saw also that he looked this way, and that way, as if he would run;
yet he stood still because (as I perceived) he could not tell which
way to go. I looked then, and saw a man named Evangelist coming to him,
and he asked, “Wherefore dost thou cry?”
He answered, “Sir, I perceive, by the book in my hand, that I am condemned
to die, and after that to come to judgment, Heb.
9:27; and I find that I am not willing to do the first, Job
10: 21,22, nor able to do the second.” Ezek.
22:14.
Then said Evangelist, “Why not willing to die, since this life is attended
with so many evils?” The man answered, “Because, I fear that this burden
that is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall
fall into Tophet. Isa.
30:33. And Sir, if I be not fit to go to prison, I am not fit to
go to judgment, and from thence to execution; and the thoughts of these
things make me cry.”
Then said Evangelist, “If this be your condition, why standest thou
still?” He answered, “Because I know not whither to go.” Then he gave
him a parchment roll, and there was written within, “Fly from the wrath
to come.” Matt.
3:7.
The man therefore read it, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully,
said, “Whither must I fly?” Then said Evangelist, (pointing with his
finger over a very wide field,) “Do you see yonder wicket-gate?” Matt.
7:13,14. The man said, “No.” Then said the other, “Do you see yonder
shining light?” Psalm
119:105; 2
Pet. 1:19. He said, “I think I do.” Then said Evangelist, “Keep
that light in your eye, and go up directly thereto, so shalt thou see
the gate; at which, when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou
shalt do.” So I saw in my dream that the man began to run. Now he had
not run far from his own door when his wife and children, perceiving
it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put his fingers in
his ears, and ran on crying, Life! life! eternal life! Luke
14:26. So he looked not behind him, Gen.
19:17, but fled towards the middle of the plain.
The neighbors also came out to see him run, Jer.
20:10; and as he ran, some mocked, others threatened, and some cried
after him to return; and among those that did so, there were two that
were resolved to fetch him back by force. The name of the one was Obstinate
and the name of the other Pliable. Now by this time the man was got
a good distance from them; but, however, they were resolved to pursue
him, which they did, and in a little time they overtook him. Then said
the man, “Neighbors, wherefore are you come?” They said, “To persuade
you to go back with us.” But he said, “That can by no means be: you
dwell,” said he, “in the city of Destruction, the place also where I
was born: I see it to be so; and dying there, sooner or later, you will
sink lower than the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone:
be content, good neighbors, and go along with me.”
OBSTINATE: What,
said Obstinate, and leave our friends and our comforts behind us!
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
said Christian, (for that was his name,) because that all which you
forsake is not worthy to be compared with a little of that I am seeking
to enjoy, 2
Cor. 4:18; and if you will go along with me, and hold it, you shall
fare as I myself; for there, where I go, is enough and to spare. Luke
15:17. Come away, and prove my words.
OBSTINATE: What
are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them?
CHRISTIAN: I
seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, 1
Peter 1:4; and it is laid up in heaven, and safe there, Heb.
11:16, to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on them that diligently
seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my book.
OBSTINATE: Tush,
said Obstinate, away with your book; will you go back with us or no?
CHRISTIAN: No,
not I, said the other, because I have laid my hand to the plough. Luke
9:62.
OBSTINATE: Come
then, neighbor Pliable, let us turn again, and go home without him:
there is a company of these crazy-headed coxcombs, that when they take
a fancy by the end, are wiser in their own eyes than seven men that
can render a reason.
PLIABLE: Then
said Pliable, Don’t revile; if what the good Christian says is true,
the things he looks after are better than ours: my heart inclines to
go with my neighbor.
OBSTINATE: What,
more fools still! Be ruled by me, and go back; who knows whither such
a brain-sick fellow will lead you? Go back, go back, and be wise.
CHRISTIAN: Nay,
but do thou come with your neighbor Pliable; there are such things to
be had which I spoke of, and many more glories besides. If you believe
not me, read here in this book, and for the truth of what is expressed
therein, behold, all is confirmed by the blood of Him that made it. Heb.
9: 17-21.
PLIABLE: Well,
neighbor Obstinate, said Pliable, I begin to come to a point; I intend
to go along with this good man, and to cast in my lot with him: but,
my good companion, do you know the way to this desired place?
CHRISTIAN: I
am directed by a man whose name is Evangelist, to speed me to a little
gate that is before us, where we shall receive instructions about the
way.
PLIABLE: Come
then, good neighbor, let us be going. Then they went both together.
OBSTINATE: And
I will go back to my place, said Obstinate: I will be no companion of
such misled, fantastical fellows.
Now I saw in my dream, that when Obstinate was gone back, Christian
and Pliable went talking over the plain; and thus they began their discourse.
CHRISTIAN: Come,
neighbor Pliable, how do you do? I am glad you are persuaded to go along
with me. Had even Obstinate himself but felt what I have felt of the
powers and terrors of what is yet unseen, he would not thus lightly
have given us the back.
PLIABLE: Come,
neighbor Christian, since there are none but us two here, tell me now
farther, what the things are, and how to be enjoyed, whither we are
going.
CHRISTIAN: I
can better conceive of them with my mind, than speak of them with my
tongue: but yet, since you are desirous to know, I will read of them
in my book.
PLIABLE: And
do you think that the words of your book are certainly true?
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
verily; for it was made by Him that cannot lie. Tit.
1:2.
PLIABLE: Well
said; what things are they?
CHRISTIAN: There
is an endless kingdom to be inhabited, and everlasting life to be given
us, that we may inhabit that kingdom for ever. Isa.
65:17; John
10: 27-29.
PLIABLE: Well
said; and what else?
CHRISTIAN: There
are crowns of glory to be given us; and garments that will make us shine
like the sun in the firmament of heaven. 2
Tim. 4:8; Rev.
22:5;Matt.
13:43.
PLIABLE: This
is very pleasant; and what else?
CHRISTIAN: There
shall be no more crying, nor sorrow; for he that is owner of the place
will wipe all tears from our eyes. Isa.
25:8; Rev
7:16, 17; 21:4.
PLIABLE: And
what company shall we have there?
CHRISTIAN: There
we shall be with seraphims and cherubims, Isaiah
6:2; 1
Thess. 4:16,17; Rev.
5:11; creatures that will dazzle your eyes to look on them. There
also you shall meet with thousands and ten thousands that have gone
before us to that place; none of them are hurtful, but loving and holy;
every one walking in the sight of God, and standing in his presence
with acceptance for ever. In a word, there we shall see the elders with
their golden crowns, Rev.
4:4; there we shall see the holy virgins with their golden harps, Rev.
14:1-5; there we shall see men, that by the world were cut in pieces,
burnt in flames, eaten of beasts, drowned in the seas, for the love
they bare to the Lord of the place, John
12:25; all well, and clothed with immortality as with a garment. 2
Cor. 5:2.
PLIABLE: The
hearing of this is enough to ravish one’s heart. But are these things
to be enjoyed? How shall we get to be sharers thereof?
CHRISTIAN: The
Lord, the governor of the country, hath recorded that in this book, Isaiah
55:1,2; John
6:37; 7:37; Rev.
21:6; 22:17;
the substance of which is, if we be truly willing to have it, he will
bestow it upon us freely.
PLIABLE: Well,
my good companion, glad am I to hear of these things: come on, let us
mend our pace.
CHRISTIAN: I
cannot go as fast as I would, by reason of this burden that is on my
back.
Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk, they drew
nigh to a very miry slough that was in the midst of the plain: and they
being heedless, did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of the
slough was Despond. Here, therefore, they wallowed for a time, being
grievously bedaubed with the dirt; and Christian, because of the burden
that was on his back, began to sink in the mire.
PLIABLE: Then
said Pliable, Ah, neighbor Christian, where are you now?
CHRISTIAN: Truly,
said Christian, I do not know.
PLIABLE: At
this Pliable began to be offended, and angrily said to his fellow, Is
this the happiness you have told me all this while of? If we have such
ill speed at our first setting out, what may we expect between this
and our journey’s end? May I get out again with my life, you shall possess
the brave country alone for me. And with that he gave a desperate struggle
or two, and got out of the mire on that side of the slough which was
next to his own house: so away he went, and Christian saw him no more.
Wherefore Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone;
but still he endeavored to struggle to that side of the slough that
was farthest from his own house, and next to the wicket-gate; the which
he did, but could not get out because of the burden that was upon his
back: but I beheld in my dream, that a man came to him, whose name was
Help, and asked him what he did there.
CHRISTIAN: Sir,
said Christian, I was bid to go this way by a man called Evangelist,
who directed me also to yonder gate, that I might escape the wrath to
come. And as I was going thither, I fell in here.
HELP: But
why did not you look for the steps?
CHRISTIAN: Fear
followed me so hard that I fled the next way, and fell in.
HELP: Then,
said he, Give me thine hand: so he gave him his hand, and he drew him
out, Psalm
40:2, and he set him upon sound ground, and bid him go on his way.
Then I stepped to him that plucked him out, and said, “Sir, wherefore,
since over this place is the way from the city of Destruction to yonder
gate, is it, that this plat is not mended, that poor travellers might
go thither with more security?” And he said unto me, “This miry slough
is such a place as cannot be mended: it is the descent whither the scum
and filth that attends conviction for sin doth continually run, and
therefore it is called the Slough of Despond; for still, as the sinner
is awakened about his lost condition, there arise in his soul many fears
and doubts, and discouraging apprehensions, which all of them get together,
and settle in this place: and this is the reason of the badness of this
ground.
“It is not the pleasure of the King that this place should remain so
bad. Isa.
35:3,4. His laborers also have, by the direction of his Majesty’s
surveyors, been for above this sixteen hundred years employed about
this patch of ground, if perhaps it might have been mended: yea, and
to my knowledge,” said he, “there have been swallowed up at least twenty
thousand cart loads, yea, millions of wholesome instructions, that have
at all seasons been brought from all places of the King’s dominions,
(and they that can tell, say, they are the best materials to make good
ground of the place,) if so be it might have been mended; but it is
the Slough of Despond still, and so will be when they have done what
they can.
“True, there are, by the direction of the Lawgiver, certain good and
substantial steps, placed even through the very midst of this slough;
but at such time as this place doth much spew out its filth, as it doth
against change of weather, these steps are hardly seen; or if they be,
men, through the dizziness of their heads, step beside, and then they
are bemired to purpose, notwithstanding the steps be there: but the
ground is good when they are once got in at the gate.” 1
Sam. 12:23.
Now I saw in my dream, that by this time Pliable was got home to his
house. So his neighbors came to visit him; and some of them called him
wise man for coming back, and some called him fool for hazarding himself
with Christian: others again did mock at his cowardliness, saying, “Surely,
since you began to venture, I would not have been so base as to have
given out for a few difficulties:” so Pliable sat sneaking among them.
But at last he got more confidence, and then they all turned their tales,
and began to deride poor Christian behind his back. And thus much concerning
Pliable.
Now as Christian was walking solitary by himself, he espied one afar
off come crossing over the field to meet him; and their hap was to meet
just as they were crossing the way of each other. The gentleman’s name
that met him was Mr. Wordly Wiseman: he dwelt in the town of Carnal
Policy, a very great town, and also hard by from whence Christian came.
This man then, meeting with Christian, and having some inkling Slight
knowledge. of
him, (for Christian’s setting forth from the city of Destruction was
much noised abroad, not only in the town where he dwelt, but also it
began to be the town-talk in some other places)—Mr. Worldly Wiseman,
therefore, having some guess of him, by beholding his laborious going,
by observing his sighs and groans, and the like, began thus to enter
into some talk with Christian.
MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN: How
now, good fellow, whither away after this burdened manner?
CHRISTIAN: A
burdened manner indeed, as ever I think poor creature had! And whereas
you ask me, Whither away? I tell you, sir, I am going to yonder wicket-gate
before me; for there, as I am informed, I shall be put into a way to
be rid of my heavy burden.
MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN: Hast
thou a wife and children?
CHRISTIAN: Yes;
but I am so laden with this burden, that I cannot take that pleasure
in them as formerly: methinks I am as if I had none. 1
Cor. 7:29.
MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN: Will
thou hearken to me, if I give thee counsel?
CHRISTIAN: If
it be good, I will; for I stand in need of good counsel.
MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN: I
would advise thee, then, that thou with all speed get thyself rid of
your burden; for thou will never be settled in your mind till then:
nor canst thou enjoy the benefits of the blessings which God hath bestowed
upon thee till then.
CHRISTIAN: That
is that which I seek for, even to be rid of this heavy burden: but get
it off myself I cannot, nor is there any man in our country that can
take it off my shoulders; therefore am I going this way, as I told you,
that I may be rid of my burden.
MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN: Who
bid thee go this way to be rid of your burden?
CHRISTIAN: A
man that appeared to me to be a very great and honorable person: his
name, as I remember, is Evangelist.
I beshrew Wish
a curse to. him
for his counsel! there is not a more dangerous and troublesome way in
the world than is that into which he hath directed thee; and that thou
shalt find, if thou will be ruled by his counsel. Thou hast met with
something, as I perceive, already; for I see the dirt of the Slough
of Despond is upon thee: but that slough is the beginning of the sorrows
that do attend those that go on in that way. Hear me; I am older than
thou: thou art like to meet with, in the way which thou goest, wearisomeness,
painfulness, hunger, perils, nakedness, sword, lions, dragons, darkness,
and, in a word, death, and what not. These things are certainly true,
having been confirmed by many testimonies. And should a man so carelessly
cast away himself, by giving heed to a stranger?
CHRISTIAN: Why,
sir, this burden on my back is more terrible to me than are all these
things which you have mentioned: nay, methinks I care not what I meet
with in the way, if so be I can also meet with deliverance from my burden.
MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN: How
camest thou by your burden at first?
CHRISTIAN: By
reading this book in my hand.
MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN: I
thought so; and it has happened unto thee as to other weak men, who,
meddling with things too high for them, do suddenly fall into your distractions;
which distractions do not only unman men, as thine I perceive have done
thee, but they run them upon desperate ventures, to obtain they know
not what.
CHRISTIAN: I
know what I would obtain; it is ease from my heavy burden.
MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN: But
why will thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers attend
it? especially since (hadst thou but patience to hear me) I could direct
thee to the obtaining of what thou desirest, without the dangers that
thou in this way will run thyself into. Yea, and the remedy is at hand.
Besides, I will add, that instead of those dangers, thou shalt meet
with much safety, friendship, and content.
CHRISTIAN: Sir,
I pray open this secret to me.
MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN: Why,
in yonder village (the village is named Morality) there dwells a gentleman
whose name is Legality, a very judicious man, and a man of a very good
name, that has skill to help men off with such burdens as thine is from
their shoulders; yea to my knowledge, he hath done a great deal of good
this way; aye, and besides, he hath skill to cure those that are somewhat
crazed in their wits with their burdens. To him, as I said, thou may
go, and be helped presently. His house is not quite a mile from this
place; and if he should not be at home himself, he hath a pretty young
man to his son, whose name is Civility, that can do it (to speak on)
as well as the old gentleman himself: there, I say, thou may be eased
of your burden; and if thou art not minded to go back to your former
habitation, (as indeed I would not wish thee,) thou may send for your
wife and children to this village, where there are houses now standing
empty, one of which thou may have at a reasonable rate: provision is
there also cheap and good; and that which will make your life the more
happy is, to be sure there thou shalt live by honest neighbors, in credit
and good fashion.
Now was Christian somewhat at a stand; but presently he concluded, If
this be true which this gentleman hath said, my wisest course is to
take his advice: and with that he thus farther spake.
CHRISTIAN: Sir,
which is my way to this honest man’s house?
MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN: Do
you see yonder high hill?
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
very well.
MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN: By
that hill you must go, and the first house you come at is his.
So Christian turned out of his way to go to Mr. Legality’s house for
help: but, behold, when he was got now hard by the hill, it seemed so
high, and also that side of it that was next the way-side did hang so
much over, that Christian was afraid to venture further, lest the hill
should fall on his head; wherefore there he stood still, and wotted
not what to do. Also his burden now seemed heavier to him than while
he was in his way. There came also flashes of fire, Ex.
19:16, 18,
out of the hill, that made Christian afraid that he should be burnt:
here therefore he did sweat and quake for fear. Heb.
12:21. And now he began to be sorry that he had taken Mr. Worldly
Wiseman’s counsel; and with that he saw Evangelist coming to meet him,
at the sight also of whom he began to blush for shame. So Evangelist
drew nearer and nearer; and coming up to him, he looked upon him, with
a severe and dreadful countenance, and thus began to reason with Christian.
EVANGELIST: What
doest thou here, Christian? said he: at which words Christian knew not
what to answer; wherefore at present he stood speechless before him.
Then said Evangelist farther, Art not thou the man that I found crying
without the walls of the city of Destruction?
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
dear sir, I am the man.
EVANGELIST: Did
not I direct thee the way to the little wicket-gate?
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
dear sir, said Christian.
EVANGELIST: How
is it then thou art so quickly turned aside? For thou art now out of
the way.
CHRISTIAN: I
met with a gentleman so soon as I had got over the Slough of Despond,
who persuaded me that I might, in the village before me, find a man
that could take off my burden.
EVANGELIST: What
was he?
CHRISTIAN: He
looked like a gentleman, and talked much to me, and got me at last to
yield: so I came hither; but when I beheld this hill, and how it hangs
over the way, I suddenly made a stand, lest it should fall on my head.
EVANGELIST: What
said that gentleman to you?
CHRISTIAN: Why,
he asked me whither I was going; and I told him.
EVANGELIST: And
what said he then?
CHRISTIAN: He
asked me if I had a family; and I told him. But, said I, I am so laden
with the burden that is on my back, that I cannot take pleasure in them
as formerly.
EVANGELIST: And
what said he then?
CHRISTIAN: He
bid me with speed get rid of my burden; and I told him it was ease that
I sought. And, said I, I am therefore going to yonder gate, to receive
farther direction how I may get to the place of deliverance. So he said
that he would show me a better way, and short, not so attended with
difficulties as the way, sir, that you set me in; which way, said he,
will direct you to a gentleman’s house that hath skill to take off these
burdens: so I believed him, and turned out of that way into this, if
haply I might be soon eased of my burden. But when I came to this place,
and beheld things as they are, I stopped, for fear (as I said) of danger:
but I now know not what to do.
EVANGELIST: Then
said Evangelist, Stand still a little, that I show thee the words of
God. So he stood trembling. Then said Evangelist, “See that ye refuse
not Him that speaketh; for if they escaped not who refused him that
spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from
Him that speaketh from heaven.” Heb.
12:25. He said, moreover, “Now the just shall live by faith; but
if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Heb.
10:38. He also did thus apply them: Thou art the man that art running
into this misery; thou hast begun to reject the counsel of the Most
High, and to draw back your foot from the way of peace, even almost
to the hazarding of your perdition.
Then Christian fell down at his feet as dead, crying, Woe is me, for
I am undone! At the sight of which Evangelist caught him by the right
hand, saying, “All manner of sin and blasphemies shall be forgiven unto
men.” Matt.
12:31. “Be not faithless, but believing.” John
20:27. Then did Christian again a little revive, and stood up trembling,
as at first, before Evangelist.
Then Evangelist proceeded, saying, Give more earnest heed to the things
that I shall tell thee of. I will now show thee who it was that deluded
thee, and who it was also to whom he sent thee. The man that met thee
is one Worldly Wiseman, and rightly is he so called; partly because
he savoreth only the doctrine of this world, 1
John 4:5, (therefore he always goes to the town of Morality to church;)
and partly because he loveth that doctrine best, for it saveth him best
from the cross, Gal.
6:12: and because he is of this carnal temper, therefore he seeketh
to pervert my ways, though right. Now there are three things in this
man’s counsel that thou must utterly abhor.
1. His turning thee out of the way.
2. His laboring to render the cross odious to thee.
3. And his setting your feet in that way that leadeth unto the administration
of death.
First, Thou must abhor his turning thee out of the way; yea, and thine
own consenting thereto; because this is to reject the counsel of God
for the sake of the counsel of a Worldly Wiseman. The Lord says, “Strive
to enter in at the straight gate,” Luke
13:24, the gate to which I send thee; “for strait is the gate that
leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matt.
7:13,14. From this little wicket-gate, and from the way thereto,
hath this wicked man turned thee, to the bringing of thee almost to
destruction: hate, therefore, his turning thee out of the way, and abhor
thyself for hearkening to him.
Secondly, Thou must abhor his laboring to render the cross odious unto
thee; for thou art to prefer it before the treasures of Egypt. Heb.
11:25,26. Besides, the King of glory hath told thee, that he that
will save his life shall lose it. And he that comes after him, and hates
not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and
sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be his disciple. Mark
8:38; John
12:25; Matt.
10:39; Luke
14:26. I say, therefore, for a man to labor to persuade thee that
that shall be your death, without which, the truth hath said, thou canst
not have eternal life, this doctrine thou must abhor.
Thirdly, Thou must hate his setting of your feet in the way that leadeth
to the ministration of death. And for this thou must consider to whom
he sent thee, and also how unable that person was to deliver thee from
your burden.
He to whom thou wast sent for ease, being by name Legality, is the son
of the bond-woman which now is, and is in bondage with her children, Gal.
4:21-27, and is, in a mystery, this Mount Sinai, which thou hast
feared will fall on your head. Now if she with her children are in bondage,
how canst thou expect by them to be made free? This Legality, therefore,
is not able to set thee free from your burden. No man was as yet ever
rid of his burden by him; no, nor ever is like to be: ye cannot be justified
by the works of the law; for by the deeds of the law no man living can
be rid of his burden: Therefore Mr. Worldly Wiseman is an alien, and
Mr. Legality is a cheat; and for his son Civility, notwithstanding his
simpering looks, he is but a hypocrite, and cannot help thee. Believe
me, there is nothing in all this noise that thou hast heard of these
sottish men, but a design to beguile thee of your salvation, by turning
thee from the way in which I had set thee. After this, Evangelist called
aloud to the heavens for confirmation of what he had said; and with
that there came words and fire out of the mountain under which poor
Christian stood, which made the hair of his flesh stand up. The words
were pronounced: “As many as are of the works of the law, are under
the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not
in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” Gal.
3:10.
Now Christian looked for nothing but death, and began to cry out lamentably;
even cursing the time in which he met with Mr. Worldly Wiseman; still
calling himself a thousand fools for hearkening to his counsel. He also
was greatly ashamed to think that this gentleman’s arguments, flowing
only from the flesh, should have the prevalency with him so far as to
cause him to forsake the right way. This done, he applied himself again
to Evangelist in words and sense as follows.
CHRISTIAN: Sir,
what think you? Is there any hope? May I now go back, and go up to the
wicket-gate? Shall I not be abandoned for this, and sent back from thence
ashamed? I am sorry I have hearkened to this man’s counsel; but may
my sin be forgiven?
EVANGELIST: Then
said Evangelist to him, Thy sin is very great, for by it thou hast committed
two evils: thou hast forsaken the way that is good, to tread in forbidden
paths. Yet will the man at the gate receive thee, for he has good-will
for men; only, said he, take heed that thou turn not aside again, lest
thou “perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little.” Psalm
2:12.
THE SECOND STAGE
Then did Christian address himself to go back; and Evangelist, after
he had kissed him, gave him one smile, and bid him God speed; So he
went on with haste, neither spake he to any man by the way; nor if any
asked him, would he vouchsafe them an answer. He went like one that
was all the while treading on forbidden ground, and could by no means
think himself safe, till again he was got into the way which he had
left to follow Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s counsel. So, in process of time,
Christian got up to the gate. Now, over the gate there was written,
“Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” Matt.
7:7.
He knocked, therefore, more than once or twice, saying,
“May I now enter here? Will he within
Open to sorry me, though I have been
An undeserving rebel? Then shall I
Not fail to sing his lasting praise on high.”
At last there came a grave person to the gate, named Goodwill, who asked
who was there, and whence he came, and what he would have.
CHRISTIAN: Here
is a poor burdened sinner. I come from the city of Destruction, but
am going to Mount Zion, that I may be delivered from the wrath to come;
I would therefore, sir, since I am informed that by this gate is the
way thither, know if you are willing to let me in.
GOODWILL: I
am willing with all my heart, said he; and with that he opened the gate.
So when Christian was stepping in, the other gave him a pull. Then said
Christian, What means that? The other told him, A little distance from
this gate there is erected a strong castle, of which Beelzebub is the
captain: from thence both he and they that are with him, shoot arrows
at those that come up to this gate, if haply they may die before they
can enter in. Then said Christian, I rejoice and tremble. So when he
was got in, the man of the Gate asked him who directed him thither.
CHRISTIAN: Evangelist
bid me come hither and knock, as I did: and he said, that you, sir,
would tell me what I must do.
GOODWILL: An
open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it.
CHRISTIAN: Now
I begin to reap the benefits of my hazards.
GOODWILL: But
how is it that you came alone?
CHRISTIAN: Because
none of my neighbors saw their danger as I saw mine.
GOODWILL: Did
any of them know of your coming?
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
my wife and children saw me at the first, and called after me to turn
again: also, some of my neighbors stood crying and calling after me
to return; but I put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my way.
GOODWILL: But
did none of them follow you, to persuade you to go back?
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
both Obstinate and Pliable; but when they saw that they could not prevail,
Obstinate went railing back; but Pliable came with me a little way.
GOODWILL: But
why did he not come through?
CHRISTIAN: We
indeed came both together until we came to the Slough of Despond, into
the which we also suddenly fell. And then was my neighbor Pliable discouraged,
and would not venture farther. Wherefore, getting out again on the side
next to his own house, he told me I should possess the brave country
alone for him: so he went his way, and I came mine; he after Obstinate,
and I to this gate.
GOODWILL: Then
said Goodwill, Alas, poor man; is the celestial glory of so little esteem
with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazard of a few
difficulties to obtain it?
CHRISTIAN: Truly,
said Christian, I have said the truth of Pliable; and if I should also
say all the truth of myself, it will appear there is no betterment betwixt
him and myself. It is true, he went back to his own house, but I also
turned aside to go in the way of death, being persuaded thereto by the
carnal arguments of one Mr. Worldly Wiseman.
GOODWILL: Oh,
did he light upon you? What, he would have had you have seek for ease
at the hands of Mr. Legality! They are both of them a very cheat. But
did you take his counsel?
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
as far as I durst. I went to find out Mr. Legality, until I thought
that the mountain that stands by his house would have fallen upon my
head; wherefore there I was forced to stop.
GOODWILL: That
mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more:
it is well you escaped being by it dashed in pieces.
CHRISTIAN: Why
truly I do not know what had become of me there, had not Evangelist
happily met me again as I was musing in the midst of my dumps; but it
was God’s mercy that he came to me again, for else I had never come
hither. But now I am come, such a one as I am, more fit indeed for death
by that mountain, than thus to stand talking with my Lord. But O, what
a favor is this to me, that yet I am admitted entrance here!
GOODWILL: We
make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they have done
before they come hither; they in no wise are cast out. John
6:37. And therefore good Christian, come a little way with me, and
I will teach thee about the way thou must go. Look before thee; dost
thou see this narrow way? That is the way thou must go. It was cast
up by the patriarchs, prophets, Christ, and his apostles, and it is
as strait as a rule can make it; this is the way thou must go.
CHRISTIAN: But,
said Christian, are there no turnings nor windings, by which a stranger
may lose his way?
GOODWILL: Yes,
there are many ways butt down upon this, and they are crooked and wide:
but thus thou may distinguish the right from the wrong, the right only
being strait and narrow. Matt.
7:14.
Then I saw in my dream, that Christian asked him further, if he could
not help him off with his burden that was upon his back. For as yet
he had not got rid thereof; nor could he by any means get it off without
help.
He told him, “As to your burden, be content to bear it until thou comest
to the place of deliverance; for there it will fall from your back of
itself.”
Then Christian began to gird up his loins, and to address himself to
his journey. So the other told him, that by that he was gone some distance
from the gate, he would come to the house of the Interpreter, at whose
door he should knock, and he would show him excellent things. Then Christian
took his leave of his friend, and he again bid him God speed.
Then he went on till he came at the house of the Interpreter, The
Holy Spirit. where
he knocked over and over. At last one came to the door, and asked who
was there.
CHRISTIAN: Sir,
here is a traveller, who was bid by an acquaintance of the good man
of this house to call here for my profit; I would therefore speak with
the master of the house.
So he called for the master of the house, who, after a little time,
came to Christian, and asked him what he would have.
CHRISTIAN: Sir,
said Christian, I am a man that am come from the city of Destruction,
and am going to the Mount Zion; and I was told by the man that stands
at the gate at the head of this way, that if I called here you would
show me excellent things, such as would be helpful to me on my journey.
INTERPRETER: Then
said Interpreter, Come in; I will show thee that which will be profitable
to thee. So he commanded his man to light the candle, and bid Christian
follow him; so he had him into a private room, and bid his man open
a door; the which when he had done, Christian saw the picture a very
grave person hang up against the wall; and this was the fashion of it:
It had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the
law of truth was written upon its lips, the world was behind its back;
it stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over
its head.
CHRISTIAN: Then
said Christian, What means this?
INTERPRETER: The
man whose picture this is, is one of a thousand: he can beget children, 1
Cor. 4:15, travail in birth with children, Gal.
4:19, and nurse them himself when they are born. And whereas thou
seest him with his eyes lift up to heaven, the best of books in his
hand, and the law of truth writ on his lips: it is to show thee, that
his work is to know, and unfold dark things to sinners; even as also
thou seest him stand as if he pleaded with men. And whereas thou seest
the world as cast behind him, and that a crown hangs over his head;
that is to show thee, that slighting and despising the things that are
present, for the love that he hath to his Master’s service, he is sure
in the world that comes next, to have glory for his reward. Now, said
the Interpreter, I have showed thee this picture first, because the
man whose picture this is, is the only man whom the Lord of the place
whither thou art going hath authorized to be your guide in all difficult
places thou may meet with in the way: wherefore take good heed to what
I have showed thee, and bear well in your mind what thou hast seen,
lest in your journey thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right,
but their way goes down to death.
Then he took him by the hand, and led him into a very large parlor that
was full of dust, because never swept; the which after he had reviewed
it a little while, the Interpreter called for a man to sweep. Now, when
he began to sweep, the dust began so abundantly to fly about, that Christian
had almost therewith been choked. Then said the Interpreter to a damsel
that stood by, “Bring hither water, and sprinkle the room;” the which
when she had done, it was swept and cleansed with pleasure.
CHRISTIAN: Then
said Christian, What means this?
INTERPRETER: The
Interpreter answered, This parlor is the heart of a man that was never
sanctified by the sweet grace of the Gospel. The dust is his original
sin, and inward corruptions, that have defiled the whole man. He that
began to sweep at first, is the law; but she that brought water, and
did sprinkle it, is the Gospel. Now whereas thou sawest, that so soon
as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about that the room
by him could not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choked therewith;
this is to show thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by
its working) from sin, doth revive, Rom.
7:9, put strength into, 1
Cor. 15:56, and increase it in the soul, Rom.
5:20, even as it doth discover and forbid it; for it doth not give
power to subdue. Again, as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room
with water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure, this is to show
thee, that when the Gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences
thereof to the heart, then, I say, even as thou sawest the damsel lay
the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and
subdued, and the soul made clean, through the faith of it, and consequently
fit for the King of glory to inhabit. John
15:3; Eph.
5:26; Acts
15:9; Rom.
16:25,26.
I saw moreover in my dream, that the Interpreter took him by the hand,
and had him into a little room, where sat two little children, each
one in his chair. The name of the eldest was Passion, and the name of
the other Patience. Passion seemed to be much disconted, but Patience
was very quiet. Then Christian asked, “What is the reason of the discontent
of Passion?” The Interpreter answered, “The governor of them would have
him stay for his best things till the beginning of the next year, but
he will have all now; but Patience is willing to wait.”
Then I saw that one came to Passion, and brought him a bag of treasure,
and poured it down at his feet: the which he took up, and rejoiced therein,
and withal laughed Patience to scorn. But I beheld but a while, and
he had lavished all away, and had nothing left him but rags.
CHRISTIAN: Then
said Christian to the Interpreter, Expound this matter more fully to
me.
INTERPRETER: So
he said, These two lads are figures; Passion of the men of this world,
and Patience of the men of that which is to come; for, as here thou
seest, passion will have all now, this year, that is to say, in this
world; so are the men of this world: They must have all their good things
now; they cannot stay till the next year, that is, until the next world,
for their portion of good. That proverb, “A bird in the hand is worth
two in the bush,” is of more authority with them than are all the divine
testimonies of the good of the world to come. But as thou sawest that
he had quickly lavished all away, and had presently left him nothing
but rags, so will it be with all such men at the end of this world.
CHRISTIAN: Then
said Christian, Now I see that Patience has the best wisdom, and that
upon many accounts. 1. Because he stays for the best things. 2. And
also because he will have the glory of his, when the other has nothing
but rags.
INTERPRETER: Nay,
you may add another, to wit, the glory of the next world will never
wear out; but these are suddenly gone. Therefore Passion had not so
much reason to laugh at Patience because he had his good things first,
as Patience will have to laugh at Passion because he had his best things
last; for first must give place to last, because last must have his
time to come: but last gives place to nothing, for there is not another
to succeed. He, therefore, that hath his portion first, must needs have
a time to spend it; but he that hath his portion last, must have it
lastingly: therefore it is said of Dives, “In your lifetime thou receivedst
your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted,
and thou art tormented.” Luke
16:25.
CHRISTIAN: Then
I perceive it is not best to cover things that are now, but to wait
for things to come.
INTERPRETER: You
say truth: for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things
that are not seen are eternal. 2
Cor. 4:18. But though this be so, yet since things present and our
fleshly appetite are such near neighbors one to another; and again,
because things to come and carnal sense are such strangers one to another;
therefore it is, that the first of these so suddenly fall into amity,
and that distance is so continued between the second.
Then I saw in my dream, that the Interpreter took Christian by the hand,
and led him into a place where was a fire burning against a wall, and
one standing by it, always casting much water upon it, to quench it;
yet did the fire burn higher and hotter.
Then said Christian, What means this?
The Interpreter answered, This fire is the work of grace that is wrought
in the heart; he that casts water upon it, to extinguish and put it
out, is the devil: but in that thou seest the fire, notwithstanding,
burn higher and hotter, thou shalt also see the reason of that. So he
had him about to the back side of the wall, where he saw a man with
a vessel of oil in his hand, of the which he did also continually cast
(but secretly) into the fire.
Then said Christian, What means this?
The Interpreter answered, This is Christ, who continually, with the
oil of his grace, maintains the work already begun in the heart; by
the means of which, notwithstanding what the devil can do, the souls
of his people prove gracious still. 2
Cor. 12:9. And in that thou sawest that the man stood behind the
wall to maintain the fire; this is to teach thee, that it is hard for
the tempted to see how this work of grace is maintained in the soul.
I saw also, that the Interpreter took him again by the hand, and led
him into a pleasant place, where was built a stately palace, beautiful
to behold; at the sight of which Christian was greatly delighted. He
saw also upon the top thereof certain persons walking, who were clothed
all in gold.
Then said Christian may we go in thither?
Then the Interpreter took him, and led him up towards the door of the
palace; and behold, at the door stood a great company of men, as desirous
to go in, but durst not. There also sat a man at a little distance from
the door, at a table-side, with a book and his inkhorn before him, to
take the names of them that should enter therein; he saw also that in
the doorway stood many men in armor to keep it, being resolved to do
to the men that would enter, what hurt and mischief they could. Now
was Christian somewhat in amaze. At last, when every man started back
for fear of the armed men, Christian saw a man of a very stout countenance
come up to the man that sat there to write, saying, “Set down my name,
sir;” the which when he had done, he saw the man draw his sword, and
put a helmet on his head, and rush towards the door upon the armed men,
who laid upon him with deadly force; but the man, not at all discouraged,
fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. So after he had received
and given many wounds to those that attempted to keep him out, Matt.
11:12; Acts
14:22; he cut his way through them all, and pressed forward into
the palace; at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that
were within, even of those that walked upon the top of the palace, saying,
“Come in, come in,
Eternal glory thou shalt win.”
So he went in, and was clothed with such garments as they. Then Christian
smiled, and said, I think verily I know the meaning of this.
Now, said Christian, let me go hence. Nay, stay, said the Interpreter,
till I have showed thee a little more, and after that thou shalt go
on your way. So he took him by the hand again, and led him into a very
dark room, where there sat a man in an iron cage.
Now the man, to look on, seemed very sad; he sat with his eyes looking
down to the ground, his hands folded together, and he sighed as if he
would break his heart. Then said Christian, What means this? At which
the Interpreter bid him talk with the man.
Then said Christian to the man, What art thou? The man answered, I am
what I was not once.
CHRISTIAN: What
wast thou once?
THE MAN: The
man said, I was once a fair and flourishing professor, Luke
8:13, both in mine own eyes, and also in the eyes of others: I once
was, as I thought, fair for the celestial city, and had then even joy
at the thoughts that I should get thither.
CHRISTIAN: Well,
but what art thou now?
THE MAN: I
am now a man of despair, and am shut up in it, as in this iron cage.
I cannot get out; Oh now I cannot!
CHRISTIAN: But
how camest thou into this condition?
THE MAN: I
left off to watch and be sober: I laid the reins upon the neck of my
lusts; I sinned against the light of the word, and the goodness of God;
I have grieved the Spirit, and he is gone; I tempted the devil, and
he is come to me; I have provoked God to anger, and he has left me:
I have so hardened my heart, that I cannot repent.
Then said Christian to the Interpreter, But is there no hope for such
a man as this? Ask him, said the Interpreter.
CHRISTIAN: Then
said Christian, Is there no hope, but you must be kept in the iron cage
of despair?
THE MAN: No,
none at all.
CHRISTIAN: Why,
the Son of the Blessed is very pitiful.
THE MAN: I
have crucified him to myself afresh, Heb.
6:6; I have despised his person, Luke
19:14; I have despised his righteousness; I have counted his blood
an unholy thing; I have done despite to the spirit of grace, Heb.
10:29: therefore I have shut myself out of all the promises and
there now remains to me nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings,
faithful threatenings of certain judgment and fiery indignation, which
shall devour me as an adversary.
CHRISTIAN: For
what did you bring yourself into this condition?
THE MAN: For
the lusts, pleasures, and profits of this world; in the enjoyment of
which I did then promise myself much delight: but now every one of those
things also bite me, and gnaw me like a burning worm.
CHRISTIAN: But
canst thou not now repent and turn?
THE MAN: God
hath denied me repentance. His word gives me no encouragement to believe;
yea, himself hath shut me up in this iron cage: nor can all the men
in the world let me out. Oh eternity! eternity! how shall I grapple
with the misery that I must meet with in eternity?
INTERPRETER: Then
said the Interpreter to Christian, Let this man’s misery be remembered
by thee, and be an everlasting caution to thee.
CHRISTIAN: Well,
said Christian, this is fearful! God help me to watch and to be sober,
and to pray that I may shun the cause of this man’s misery. Sir, is
it not time for me to go on my way now?
INTERPRETER: Tarry
till I shall show thee one thing more, and then thou shalt go on your
way.
So he took Christian by the hand again and led him into a chamber where
there was one rising out of bed; and as he put on his raiment, he shook
and trembled. Then said Christian, Why doth this man thus tremble? The
Interpreter then bid him tell to Christian the reason of his so doing.
So he began, and said, “This night, as I was in my sleep, I dreamed,
and behold the heavens grew exceeding black; also it thundered and lightened
in most fearful wise, that it put me into an agony. So I looked up in
my dream, and saw the clouds rack at an unusual rate; upon which I heard
a great sound of a trumpet, and saw also a man sitting upon a cloud,
attended with the thousands of heaven: they were all in flaming fire;
also the heavens were in a burning flame. I heard then a voice, saying,
‘Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment.’ And with that the rocks rent,
the graves opened, and the dead that were therein came forth: some of
them were exceeding glad, and looked upward; and some sought to hide
themselves under the mountains. Then I saw the man that sat upon the
cloud open the book, and bid the world draw near. Yet there was, by
reason of a fierce flame that issued out and came from before him, a
convenient distance between him and them, as between the judge and the
prisoners at the bar. 1
Cor. 15; 1
Thess. 4:16; Jude
15; John
5: 28,29; 2
Thess. 1:8-10; Rev.
20:11-14;Isa.
26:21; Micah
7:16,17; Psa.
5:4; 50:1-3; Mal.
3:2,3; Dan.
7:9,10. I heard it also proclaimed to them that attended on the
man that sat on the cloud, ‘Gather together the tares, the chaff, and
stubble, and cast them into the burning lake.’ Matt.
3:12; 18:30; 24:30; Mal.
4:1. And with that the bottomless pit opened, just whereabout I
stood; out of the mouth of which there came, in an abundant manner,
smoke, and coals of fire, with hideous noises. It was also said to the
same persons, ‘Gather my wheat into the garner.’ Luke
3:17. And with that I saw many catched up and carried away into
the clouds, but I was left behind. 1
Thess. 4:16,17. I also sought to hide myself, but I could not, for
the man that sat upon the cloud still kept his eye upon me; my sins
also came into my mind, and my conscience did accuse me on every side. Rom.
2:14,15. Upon this I awakened from my sleep.”
CHRISTIAN: But
what was it that made you so afraid of this sight?
THE MAN: Why,
I thought that the day of judgment was come, and that I was not ready
for it: but this frightened me most, that the angels gathered up several,
and left me behind; also the pit of hell opened her mouth just where
I stood. My conscience too afflicted me; and, as I thought, the Judge
had always his eye upon me, showing indignation in his countenance.
Then said the Interpreter to Christian, “Hast thou considered all these
things?”
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
and they put me in hope and fear.
INTERPRETER: Well,
keep all things so in your mind, that they may be as a goad in your
sides, to prick thee forward in the way thou must go. Then Christian
began to gird up his loins, and to address himself to his journey. Then
said the Interpreter, “The Comforter be always with thee, good Christian,
to guide thee in the way that leads to the city.” So Christian went
on his way, saying,
“Here I have seen things rare and
profitable,
Things
pleasant, dreadful, things to make me stable
In what I have begun to take in hand:
Then let me think on them, and understand
Wherefore they showed me were, and let me be
Thankful, O good Interpreter, to thee.”
THE THIRD STAGE
Now I saw in my dream, that the highway up which Christian was to go,
was fenced on either side with a wall, and that wall was called Salvation. Isaiah
26:1. Up this way, therefore, did burdened Christian run, but not
without great difficulty, because of the load on his back.
He ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending; and upon that
place stood a cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulchre.
So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the cross,
his burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back,
and began to tumble, and so continued to do till it came to the mouth
of the sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more.
Then was Christian glad and lightsome, and said with a merry heart,
“He hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death.” Then he
stood still a while, to look and wonder; for it was very surprising
to him that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden.
He looked, therefore, and looked again, even till the springs that were
in his head sent the waters down his cheeks. Zech.
12:10. Now as he stood looking and weeping, behold, three Shining
Ones came to him, and saluted him with, “Peace be to thee.” So the first
said to him, “Thy sins be forgiven thee,” Mark
2:5; the second stripped him of his rags, and clothed him with change
of raiment, Zech.
3:4; the third also set a mark on his forehead, Eph.
1:13, and gave him a roll with a seal upon it, which he bid him
look on as he ran, and that he should give it in at the celestial gate:
so they went their way. Then Christian gave three leaps for joy, and
went on singing,
“Thus far did I come laden with my
sin,
Nor could aught
ease the grief that I was in,
Till I came hither. What a place is this!
Must here be the beginning of my bliss?
Must here the burden fall from off my back?
Must here the strings that bound it to me crack?
Blest cross! blest sepulchre! blest rather be
The Man that there was put to shame for me!”
I saw then in my dream, that he went on thus, even until he came at
the bottom, where he saw, a little out of the way, three men fast asleep,
with fetters upon their heels. The name of the one was Simple, of another
Sloth, and of the third Presumption.
Christian then seeing them lie in this case, went to them, if peradventure
he might awake them, and cried, you are like them that sleep on the
top of a mast,Prov.
23:34, for the Dead Sea is under you, a gulf that hath no bottom:
awake, therefore, and come away; be willing also, and I will help you
off with your irons. He also told them, If he that goeth about like
a roaring lion, 1
Pet. 5:8, comes by, you will certainly become a prey to his teeth.
With that they looked upon him, and began to reply in this sort: Simple
said, I see no danger; Sloth said, Yet a little more sleep; and Presumption
said, Every tub must stand upon its own bottom. And so they lay down
to sleep again, and Christian went on his way.
Yet he was troubled to think that men in that danger should so little
esteem the kindness of him that so freely offered to help them, both
by awakening of them, counselling of them, and proffering to help them
off with their irons. And as he was troubled thereabout, he espied two
men come tumbling over the wall, on the left hand of the narrow way;
and they made up apace to him. The name of the one was Formalist, and
the name of the other Hypocrisy. So, as I said, they drew up unto him,
who thus entered with them into discourse.
CHRISTIAN: Gentlemen,
whence came you, and whither do you go?
FORMALIST AND
HYPOCRISY: We
were born in the land of Vain-glory, and are going, for praise, to Mount
Zion.
CHRISTIAN: Why
came you not in at the gate which standeth at the beginning of the way?
Know ye not that it is written, that “he that cometh not in by the door,
but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber?” John
10:1.
FORMALIST AND
HYPOCRISY: They
said, that to go to the gate for entrance was by all their countrymen
counted too far about; and that therefore their usual way was to make
a short cut of it, and to climb over the wall, as they had done.
CHRISTIAN: But
will it not be counted a trespass against the Lord of the city whither
we are bound, thus to violate his revealed will?
FORMALIST AND
HYPOCRISY: They
told him, that as for that, he needed not to trouble his head thereabout:
for what they did they had custom for, and could produce, if need were,
testimony that would witness it for more than a thousand years.
CHRISTIAN: But,
said Christian, will you stand a trial at law?
FORMALIST AND
HYPOCRISY: They
told him, that custom, it being of so long standing as above a thousand
years, would doubtless now be admitted as a thing legal by an impartial
judge: and besides, said they, if we get into the way, what matter is
it which way we get in? If we are in, we are in: thou art but in the
way, who, as we perceive, came in at the gate; and we also are in the
way, that came tumbling over the wall: wherein now is your condition
better than ours?
CHRISTIAN: I
walk by the rule of my Master: you walk by the rude working of your
fancies. You are counted thieves already by the Lord of the way: therefore
I doubt you will not be found true men at the end of the way. You come
in by yourselves without his direction, and shall go out by yourselves
without his mercy.
To this they made him but little answer; only they bid him look to himself.
Then I saw that they went on, every man in his way, without much conference
one with another, save that these two men told Christian, that as to
laws and ordinances, they doubted not but that they should as conscientiously
do them as he. Therefore, said they, we see not wherein thou differest
from us, but by the coat that is on your back, which was, as we trow,
given thee by some of your neighbors, to hide the shame of your nakedness.
CHRISTIAN: By
laws and ordinances you will not be saved, since you came not in by
the door. Gal.
2:16. And as for this coat that is on my back, it was given me by
the Lord of the place whither I go; and that, as you say, to cover my
nakedness with. And I take it as a token of kindness to me; for I had
nothing but rags before. And besides, thus I comfort myself as I go.
Surely, think I, when I come to the gate of the city, the Lord thereof
will know me for good, since I have his coat on my back; a coat that
he gave me freely in the day that he stripped me of my rags. I have,
moreover, a mark in my forehead, of which perhaps you have taken no
notice, which one of my Lord’s most intimate associates fixed there
in the day that my burden fell off my shoulders. I will tell you, moreover,
that I had then given me a roll sealed, to comfort me by reading as
I go on the way; I was also bid to give it in at the celestial gate,
in token of my certain going in after it: all which things I doubt you
want, and want them because you came not in at the gate.
To these things they gave him no answer; only they looked upon each
other, and laughed. Then I saw that they went all on, save that Christian
kept before, who had no more talk but with himself, and that sometimes
sighingly, and sometimes comfortably: also he would be often reading
in the roll that one of the Shining Ones gave him, by which he was refreshed.
I beheld then, that they all went on till they came to the foot of the
hill Difficulty, at the bottom of which there was a spring. There were
also in the same place two other ways besides that which came straight
from the gate: one turned to the left hand, and the other to the right,
at the bottom of the hill; but the narrow way lay right up the hill,
and the name of the going up the side of the hill is called Difficulty.
Christian now went to the spring, Isa.
49:10, and drank thereof to refresh himself, and then began to go
up the hill, saying,
“The hill, though high, I covet to
ascend;
The difficulty
will not me offend;
For I perceive the way to life lies here:
Come, pluck up heart, let’s neither faint nor fear.
Better, though difficult, the right way to go,
Than wrong, though easy, where the end is woe.”
The other two also came to the foot of the hill. But when they saw that
the hill was steep and high, and that there were two other ways to go;
and supposing also that these two ways might meet again with that up
which Christian went, on the other side of the hill; therefore they
were resolved to go in those ways. Now the name of one of those ways
was Danger, and the name of the other Destruction. So the one took the
way which is called Danger, which led him into a great wood; and the
other took directly up the way to Destruction, which led him into a
wide field, full of dark mountains, where he stumbled and fell, and
rose no more.
I looked then after Christian, to see him go up the hill, where I perceived
he fell from running to going, and from going to clambering upon his
hands and his knees, because of the steepness of the place. Now about
the midway to the top of the hill was a pleasant Arbor, made by the
Lord of the hill for the refreshment of weary travellers. Thither, therefore,
Christian got, where also he sat down to rest him: then he pulled his
roll out of his bosom, and read therein to his comfort; he also now
began afresh to take a review of the coat or garment that was given
to him as he stood by the cross. Thus pleasing himself awhile, he at
last fell into a slumber, and thence into a fast sleep, which detained
him in that place until it was almost night; and in his sleep his roll
fell out of his hand. Now, as he was sleeping, there came one to him,
and awaked him, saying, “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her
ways, and be wise.” Prov.
6:6. And with that, Christian suddenly started up, and sped him
on his way, and went apace till he came to the top of the hill.
Now when he was got up to the top of the hill, there came two men running
amain; the name of the one was Timorous, and of the other Mistrust:
to whom Christian said, Sirs, what’s the matter? you run the wrong way.
Timorous answered, that they were going to the city of Zion, and had
got up that difficult place: but, said he, the farther we go, the more
danger we meet with; wherefore we turned, and are going back again.
Yes, said Mistrust, for just before us lie a couple of lions in the
way, whether sleeping or waking we know not; and we could not think,
if we came within reach, but they would presently pull us in pieces.
CHRISTIAN: Then
said Christian, You make me afraid; but whither shall I fly to be safe?
If I go back to mine own country, that is prepared for fire and brimstone,
and I shall certainly perish there; if I can get to the celestial city,
I am sure to be in safety there: I must venture. To go back is nothing
but death: to go forward is fear of death, and life everlasting beyond
it: I will yet go forward. So Mistrust and Timorous ran down the hill,
and Christian went on his way. But thinking again of what he had heard
from the men, he felt in his bosom for his roll, that he might read
therein and be comforted; but he felt, and found it not. Then was Christian
in great distress, and knew not what to do; for he wanted that which
used to relieve him, and that which should have been his pass into the
celestial city. Here, therefore, he began to be much perplexed, and
knew not what to do. At last he bethought himself that he had slept
in the arbor that is on the side of the hill; and falling down upon
his knees, he asked God forgiveness for that foolish act, and then went
back to look for his roll. But all the way he went back, who can sufficiently
set forth the sorrow of Christian’s heart? Sometimes he sighed, sometimes
he wept, and oftentimes he chid himself for being so foolish to fall
asleep in that place, which was erected only for a little refreshment
from his weariness. Thus, therefore, he went back, carefully looking
on this side and on that, all the way as he went, if happily he might
find his roll, that had been his comfort so many times in his journey.
He went thus till he came again in sight of the arbor where he sat and
slept; but that sight renewed his sorrow the more, by bringing again,
even afresh, his evil of sleeping unto his mind. Rev.
2:4; 1
Thess. 5:6-8. Thus, therefore, he now went on, bewailing his sinful
sleep, saying, O wretched man that I am, that I should sleep in the
daytime! that I should sleep in the midst of difficulty! that I should
so indulge the flesh as to use that rest for ease to my flesh which
the Lord of the hill hath erected only for the relief of the spirits
of pilgrims! How many steps have I taken in vain! Thus it happened to
Israel; for their sin they were sent back again by the way of the Red
Sea; and I am made to tread those steps with sorrow, which I might have
trod with delight, had it not been for this sinful sleep. How far might
I have been on my way by this time! I am made to tread those steps thrice
over, which I needed not to have trod but once: yea, now also I am like
to be benighted, for the day is almost spent. O that I had not slept!
Now by this time he was come to the arbor again, where for a while he
sat down and wept; but at last, (as Providence would have it,) looking
sorrowfully down under the settle, there he espied his roll, the which
he with trembling and haste catched up, and put it into his bosom. But
who can tell how joyful this man was when he had gotten his roll again?
For this roll was the assurance of his life, and acceptance at the desired
haven. Therefore he laid it up in his bosom, gave thanks to God for
directing his eye to the place where it lay, and with joy and tears
betook himself again to his journey. But O how nimbly did he go up the
rest of the hill! Yet before he got up, the sun went down upon Christian;
and this made him again recall the vanity of his sleeping to his remembrance;
and thus he again began to condole with himself: Oh thou sinful sleep!
how for your sake am I like to be benighted in my journey! I must walk
without the sun, darkness must cover the path of my feet, and I must
hear the noise of the doleful creatures, because of my sinful sleep!
Now also he remembered the story that Mistrust and Timorous told him
of, how they were frighted with the sight of the lions. Then said Christian
to himself again, These beasts range in the night for their prey; and
if they should meet with me in the dark, how should I shift them? how
should I escape being by them torn in pieces? Thus he went on his way.
But while he was bewailing his unhappy miscarriage, he lift up his eyes,
and behold there was a very stately palace before him, the name of which
was Beautiful, and it stood by the highway-side.
So I saw in my dream that he made haste, and went forward, that if possible
he might get lodging there. Now before he had gone far, he entered into
a very narrow passage, which was about a furlong off the Porter’s lodge,
and looking very narrowly before him as he went, he espied two lions
in the way. Now, thought he, I see the dangers that Mistrust and Timorous
were driven back by. (The lions were chained, but he saw not the chains.)
Then he was afraid, and thought also himself to go back after them;
for he thought nothing but death was before him. But the Porter at the
lodge, whose name is Watchful, perceiving that Christian made a halt,
as if he would go back, cried unto him, saying, Is your strength so
small? Mark
4:40. Fear not the lions, for they are chained, and are placed there
for trial of faith where it is, and for discovery of those that have
none: keep in the midst of the path, and no hurt shall come unto thee.
Then I saw that he went on, trembling for fear of the lions, but taking
good heed to the directions of the Porter; he heard them roar, but they
did him no harm. Then he clapped his hands, and went on till he came
and stood before the gate where the Porter was. Then said Christian
to the Porter, Sir, what house is this? and may I lodge here to-night?
The Porter answered, This house was built by the Lord of the hill, and
he built it for the relief and security of pilgrims. The Porter also
asked whence he was, and whither he was going.
CHRISTIAN: I
am come from the city of Destruction, and am going to Mount Zion: but
because the sun is now set, I desire, if I may, to lodge here to-night.
THE PORTER: What
is your name?
CHRISTIAN: My
name is now Christian, but my name at the first was Graceless: I came
of the race of Japheth, whom God will persuade to dwell in the tents
of Shem. Gen.
9:27.
THE PORTER: But
how does it happen that you come so late? The sun is set.
CHRISTIAN: I
had been here sooner, but that, wretched man that I am, I slept in the
arbor that stands on the hill-side! Nay, I had, notwithstanding that,
been here much sooner, but that in my sleep I lost my evidence, and
came without it to the brow of the hill; and then feeling for it, and
not finding it, I was forced with sorrow of heart to go back to the
place where I slept my sleep, where I found it; and now I am come.
THE PORTER: Well,
I will call out one of the virgins of this place, who will, if she likes
your talk, bring you in to the rest of the family, according to the
rules of the house. So Watchful the Porter rang a bell, at the sound
of which came out of the door of the house a grave and beautiful damsel,
named Discretion, and asked why she was called.
The Porter answered, This man is on a journey from the city of Destruction
to Mount Zion; but being weary and benighted, he asked me if he might
lodge here to-night: so I told him I would call for thee, who, after
discourse had with him, may do as seemeth thee good, even according
to the law of the house.
Then she asked him whence he was, and whither he was going; and he told
her. She asked him also how he got into the way; and he told her. Then
she asked him what he had seen and met with in the way, and he told
her. And at last she asked his name. So he said, It is Christian; and
I have so much the more a desire to lodge here to-night, because, by
what I perceive, this place was built by the Lord of the hill for the
relief and security of pilgrims. So she smiled, but the water stood
in her eyes; and after a little pause she said, I will call forth two
or three more of the family. So she ran to the door, and called out
Prudence, Piety, and Charity, who, after a little more discourse with
him, had him into the family; and many of them meeting him at the threshold
of the house, said, Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; this house was
built by the Lord of the hill on purpose to entertain such pilgrims
in. Then he bowed his head, and followed them into the house. So when
he was come in and sat down, they gave him something to drink, and consented
together that, until supper was ready, some of them should have some
particular discourse with Christian, for the best improvement of time;
and they appointed Piety, Prudence, and Charity to discourse with him:
and thus they began.
PIETY: Come,
good Christian, since we have been so loving to you as to receive you
into our house this night, let us, if perhaps we may better ourselves
thereby, talk with you of all things that have happened to you in your
pilgrimage.
CHRISTIAN: With
a very good will; and I am glad that you are so well disposed.
PIETY: What
moved you at first to betake yourself to a pilgrim’s life?
CHRISTIAN: I
was driven out of my native country by a dreadful sound that was in
mine ears; to wit, that unavoidable destruction did attend me, if I
abode in that place where I was.
PIETY: But
how did it happen that you came out of your country this way?
CHRISTIAN: It
was as God would have it; for when I was under the fears of destruction,
I did not know whither to go; but by chance there came a man, even to
me, as I was trembling and weeping, whose name is Evangelist, and he
directed me to the Wicket-gate, which else I should never have found,
and so set me into the way that hath led me directly to this house.
PIETY: But
did you not come by the house of the Interpreter?
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
and did see such things there, the remembrance of which will stick by
me as long as I live, especially three things: to wit, how Christ, in
despite of Satan, maintains his work of grace in the heart; how the
man had sinned himself quite out of hopes of God’s mercy; and also the
dream of him that thought in his sleep the day of judgment was come.
PIETY: Why,
did you hear him tell his dream?
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
and a dreadful one it was, I thought; it made my heart ache as he was
telling of it, but yet I am glad I heard it.
PIETY: Was
this all you saw at the house of the Interpreter?
CHRISTIAN: No;
he took me, and had me where he showed me a stately palace, and how
the people were clad in gold that were in it; and how there came a venturous
man, and cut his way through the armed men that stood in the door to
keep him out; and how he was bid to come in, and win eternal glory.
Methought those things did ravish my heart. I would have stayed at that
good man’s house a twelvemonth, but that I knew I had farther to go.
PIETY: And
what saw you else in the way?
CHRISTIAN: Saw?
Why, I went but a little farther, and I saw One, as I thought in my
mind, hang bleeding upon a tree; and the very sight of him made my burden
fall off my back; for I groaned under a very heavy burden, but then
it fell down from off me. It was a strange thing to me, for I never
saw such a thing before: yea, and while I stood looking up, (for then
I could not forbear looking,) three Shining Ones came to me. One of
them testified that my sins were forgiven me; another stripped me of
my rags, and gave me this broidered coat which you see; and the third
set the mark which you see in my forehead, and gave me this sealed roll,
(and with that he plucked it out of his bosom.)
PIETY: But
you saw more than this, did you not?
CHRISTIAN: The
things that I have told you were the best: yet some other I saw, as,
namely, I saw three men, Simple, Sloth, and Presumption, lie asleep,
a little out of the way, as I came, with irons upon their heels; but
do you think I could awake them? I also saw Formality and Hypocrisy
come tumbling over the wall, to go, as they pretended, to Zion; but
they were quickly lost, even as I myself did tell them, but they would
not believe. But, above all, I found it hard work to get up this hill,
and as hard to come by the lions’ mouths; and, truly, if it had not
been for the good man, the porter that stands at the gate, I do not
know but that, after all, I might have gone back again; but I thank
God I am here, and thank you for receiving me.
Then Prudence thought good to ask him a few questions, and desired his
answer to them.
PRUDENCE: Do
you not think sometimes of the country from whence you came?
CHRISTIAN: Yea,
but with much shame and detestation. Truly, if I had been mindful of
that country from whence I came out, I might have had opportunity to
have returned; but now I desire a better country, that is, a heavenly
one. Heb.
11:15,16.
PRUDENCE: Do
you not yet bear away with you some of the things that then you were
conversant withal?
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
but greatly against my will; especially my inward and carnal cogitations,
with which all my countrymen, as well as myself, were delighted. But
now all those things are my grief; and might I but choose mine own things,
I would choose never to think of those things more: but when I would
be a doing that which is best, that which is worst is with me. Rom.
7:15, 21.
PRUDENCE: Do
you not find sometimes as if those things were vanquished, which at
other times are your perplexity?
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
but that is but seldom; but they are to me golden hours in which such
things happen to me.
PRUDENCE: Can
you remember by what means you find your annoyances at times as if they
were vanquished?
CHRISTIAN: Yes:
when I think what I saw at the cross, that will do it; and when I look
upon my broidered coat, that will do it; and when I look into the roll
that I carry in my bosom, that will do it; and when my thoughts wax
warm about whither I am going, that will do it.
PRUDENCE: And
what is it that makes you so desirous to go to Mount Zion?
CHRISTIAN: Why,
there I hope to see Him alive that did hang dead on the cross; and there
I hope to be rid of all those things that to this day are in me an annoyance
to me: there they say there is no death, Isa.
25:8; Rev.
21:4; and there I shall dwell with such company as I like best.
For, to tell you the truth, I love Him because I was by Him eased of
my burden; and I am weary of my inward sickness. I would fain be where
I shall die no more, and with the company that shall continually cry, Holy,
holy, holy.
Then said Charity to Christian, Have you a family; Are you a married
man?
CHRISTIAN: I
have a wife and four small children.
CHARITY: And
why did you not bring them along with you?
CHRISTIAN: Then
Christian wept, and said, Oh, how willingly would I have done it! but
they were all of them utterly averse to my going on pilgrimage.
CHARITY: But
you should have talked to them, and have endeavored to show them the
danger of staying behind.
CHRISTIAN: So
I did; and told them also what God had shown to me of the destruction
of our city; but I seemed to them as one that mocked, and they believed
me not. Gen.
19:14.
CHARITY: And
did you pray to God that he would bless your counsel to them?
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
and that with much affection; for you must think that my wife and poor
children were very dear to me.
CHARITY: But
did you tell them of your own sorrow, and fear of destruction? for I
suppose that destruction was visible enough to you.
CHRISTIAN: Yes,
over, and over, and over. They might also see my fears in my countenance,
in my tears, and also in my trembling under the apprehension of the
judgment that did hang over our heads; but all was not sufficient to
prevail with them to come with me.
CHARITY: But
what could they say for themselves, why they came not?
CHRISTIAN: Why,
my wife was afraid of losing this world, and my children were given
to the foolish delights of youth; so, what by one thing, and what by
another, they left me to wander in this manner alone.
CHARITY: But
did you not, with your vain life, damp all that you, by words, used
by way of persuasion to bring them away with you?
CHRISTIAN: Indeed,
I cannot commend my life, for I am conscious to myself of many failings
therein. I know also, that a man, by his conversation, may soon overthrow
what, by argument or persuasion, he doth labor to fasten upon others
for their good. Yet this I can say, I was very wary of giving them occasion,
by any unseemly action, to make them averse to going on pilgrimage.
Yea, for this very thing, they would tell me I was too precise, and
that I denied myself of things (for their sakes) in which they saw no
evil. Nay, I think I may say, that if what they saw in me did hinder
them, it was my great tenderness in sinning against God, or of doing
any wrong to my neighbor.
CHARITY: Indeed,
Cain hated his brother, because his own works were evil, and his brother’s
righteous, 1
John, 3:12; and if your wife and children have been offended with
thee for this, they thereby show themselves to be implacable to good;
thou hast delivered your soul from their blood. Ezek.
3:19.
Now I saw in my dream, that thus they sat talking together until supper
was ready. So when they had made ready, they sat down to meat. Now the
table was furnished with fat things, and with wine that was well refined;
and all their talk at the table was about the Lord of the hill; as,
namely, about what he had done, and wherefore he did what he did, and
why he had builded that house; and by what they said, I perceived that
he had been a great warrior, and had fought with and slain him that
had the power of death, Heb.
2:14,15; but not without great danger to himself, which made me
love him the more.
For, as they said, and as I believe, said Christian, he did it with
the loss of much blood. But that which put the glory of grace into all
he did, was, that he did it out of pure love to his country. And besides,
there were some of them of the household that said they had been and
spoke with him since he did die on the cross; and they have attested
that they had it from his own lips, that he is such a lover of poor
pilgrims, that the like is not to be found from the east to the west.
They, moreover, gave an instance of what they affirmed; and that was,
he had stripped himself of his glory that he might do this for the poor;
and that they heard him say and affirm, that he would not dwell in the
mountain of Zion alone. They said, moreover, that he had made many pilgrims
princes, though by nature they were beggars born, and their original
had been the dunghill. 1
Sam. 2:8; Psa.
113:7.
Thus they discoursed together till late at night; and after they had
committed themselves to their Lord for protection, they betook themselves
to rest. The pilgrim they laid in a large upper chamber, whose window
opened towards the sun-rising. The name of the chamber was Peace, where
he slept till break of day, and then he awoke and sang,
“Where am I now? Is this the love
and care
Of Jesus,
for the men that pilgrims are,
Thus to provide that I should be forgiven,
And dwell already the next door to heaven!”
So in the morning they all got up; and, after some more discourse, they
told him that he should not depart till they had shown him the rarities
of that place. And first they had him into the study, where they showed
him records of the greatest antiquity; in which, as I remember my dream,
they showed him the pedigree of the Lord of the hill, that he was the
Son of the Ancient of days, and came by eternal generation. Here also
was more fully recorded the acts that he had done, and the names of
many hundreds that he had taken into his service; and how he had placed
them in such habitations that could neither by length of days, nor decays
of nature, be dissolved.
Then they read to him some of the worthy acts that some of his servants
had done; as how they had subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained
promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire,
escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed
valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Heb.
11:33,34.
Then they read again another part of the records of the house, where
it was shown how willing their Lord was to receive into his favor any,
even any, though they in time past had offered great affronts to his
person and proceedings. Here also were several other histories of many
other famous things, of all which Christian had a view; as of things
both ancient and modern, together with prophecies and predictions of
things that have their certain accomplishment, both to the dread and
amazement of enemies, and the comfort and solace of pilgrims.
The next day they took him, and had him into the armory, where they
showed him all manner of furniture which their Lord had provided for
pilgrims, as sword, shield, helmet, breastplate, all-prayer, and shoes
that would not wear out. And there was here enough of this to harness
out as many men for the service of their Lord as there be stars in the
heaven for multitude.
They also showed him some of the engines with which some of his servants
had done wonderful things. They showed him Moses’ rod; the hammer and
nail with which Jael slew Sisera; the pitchers, trumpets, and lamps
too, with which Gideon put to flight the armies of Midian. Then they
showed him the ox-goad wherewith Shamgar slew six hundred men. They
showed him also the jawbone with which Samson did such mighty feats.
They showed him moreover the sling and stone with which David slew Goliath
of Gath; and the sword also with which their Lord will kill the man
of sin, in the day that he shall rise up to the prey. They showed him
besides many excellent things, with which Christian was much delighted.
This done, they went to their rest again.
Then I saw in my dream, that on the morrow he got up to go forward,
but they desired him to stay till the next day also; and then, said
they, we will, if the day be clear, show you the Delectable Mountains;
which, they said, would yet farther add to his comfort, because they
were nearer the desired haven than the place where at present he was;
so he consented and stayed. When the morning was up, they had him to
the top of the house, and bid him look south. So he did, and behold,
at a great distance, he saw a most pleasant mountainous country, beautified
with woods, vineyards, fruits of all sorts, flowers also, with springs
and fountains, very delectable to behold. Isa.
33:16,17. Then he asked the name of the country. They said it was
Immanuel’s land; and it is as common, said they, as this hill is, to
and for all the pilgrims. And when thou comest there, from thence thou
may see to the gate of the celestial city, as the shepherds that live
there will make appear.
Now he bethought himself of setting forward, and they were willing he
should. But first, said they, let us go again into the armory. So they
did; and when he came there, they harnessed him from head to foot with
what was of proof, lest perhaps he should meet with assaults in the
way. He being therefore thus accoutred, walked out with his friends
to the gate; and there he asked the Porter if he saw any pilgrim pass
by. Then the Porter answered, Yes.
CHRISTIAN: Pray,
did you know him? said he.
THE PORTER: I
asked his name, and he told me it was Faithful.
CHRISTIAN: O,
said Christian, I know him; he is my townsman, my near neighbor; he
comes from the place where I was born. How far do you think he may be
before?
THE PORTER: He
is got by this time below the hill.
CHRISTIAN: Well,
said Christian, good Porter, the Lord be with thee, and add to all your
plain blessings much increase for the kindness that thou hast showed
me.
THE FOURTH STAGE
Then he began to go forward; but Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence
would accompany him down to the foot of the hill. So they went on together,
reiterating their former discourses, till they came to go down the hill.
Then said Christian, As it was difficult coming up, so, so far as I
can see, it is dangerous going down. Yes, said Prudence, so it is; for
it is a hard matter for a man to go down into the valley of Humiliation,
as thou art now, and to catch no slip by the way; therefore, said they,
we are come out to accompany thee down the hill. So he began to go down,
but very warily; yet he caught a slip or two.
Then I saw in my dream, that these good companions, when Christian was
got down to the bottom of the hill, gave him a loaf of bread, a bottle
of wine, and a cluster of raisins; and then he went on his way,
“Whilst Christian is among his godly
friends,
Their golden
mouths make him sufficient mends
For all his griefs; and when they let him go,
He’s clad with northern steel from top to toe.”
But now, in this valley of Humiliation, poor Christian was hard put
to it; for he had gone but a little way before he espied a foul fiend
coming over the field to meet him: his name is Apollyon. Then did Christian
begin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind whether to go back, or to
stand his ground. But he considered again, that he had no armor for
his back, and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give
him greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts; therefore
he resolved to venture and stand his ground: for, thought he, had I
no more in mine eye than the saving of my life, it would be the best
way to stand.
So he went on, and Apollyon met him. Now the monster was hideous to
behold: he was clothed with scales like a fish, and they are his pride;
he had wings like a dragon, and feet like a bear, and out of his belly
came fire and smoke; and his mouth was as the mouth of a lion. When
he was come up to Christian, he beheld him with a disdainful countenance,
and thus began to question him.
APOLLYON: Whence
came you, and whither are you bound?
CHRISTIAN: I
am come from the city of Destruction, which is the place of all evil,
and I am going to the city of Zion.
APOLLYON: By
this I perceive thou art one of my subjects; for all that country is
mine, and I am the prince and god of it. How is it, then, that thou
hast run away from your king? Were it not that I hope thou may do me
more service, I would strike thee now at one blow to the ground.
CHRISTIAN: I
was, indeed, born in your dominions, but your service was hard, and
your wages such as a man could not live on; for the wages of sin is
death,Rom.
6:23; therefore, when I was come to years, I did, as other considerate
persons do, look out if perhaps I might mend myself.
APOLLYON: There
is no prince that will thus lightly lose his subjects, neither will
I as yet lose thee; but since thou complainest of your service and wages,
be content to go back, and what our country will afford I do here promise
to give thee.
CHRISTIAN: But
I have let myself to another, even to the King of princes; and how can
I with fairness go back with thee?
APOLLYON: Thou
hast done in this according to the proverb, “changed a bad for a worse;”
but it is ordinary for those that have professed themselves his servants,
after a while to give him the slip, and return again to me. Do thou
so to, and all shall be well.
CHRISTIAN: I
have given him my faith, and sworn my allegiance to him; how then can
I go back from this, and not be hanged as a traitor.
APOLLYON: Thou
didst the same by me, and yet I am willing to pass by all, if now thou
will yet turn again and go back.
CHRISTIAN: What
I promised thee was in my non-age: and besides, I count that the Prince,
under whose banner I now stand, is able to absolve me, yea, and to pardon
also what I did as to my compliance with thee. And besides, O thou destroying
Apollyon, to speak truth, I like his service, his wages, his servants,
his government, his company, and country, better than thine; therefore
leave off to persuade me farther: I am his servant, and I will follow
him.
APOLLYON: Consider
again, when thou art in cool blood, what thou art like to meet with
in the way that thou goest. Thou knowest that for the most part his
servants come to an ill end, because they are transgressors against
me and my ways. How many of them have been put to shameful deaths! And
besides, thou countest his service better than mine; whereas he never
yet came from the place where he is, to deliver any that served him
out of their enemies’ hands: but as for me, how many times, as all the
world very well knows, have I delivered, either by power or fraud, those
that have faithfully served me, from him and his, though taken by them!
And so will I deliver thee.
CHRISTIAN: His
forbearing at present to deliver them, is on purpose to try their love,
whether they will cleave to him to the end: and as for the ill end thou
sayest they come to, that is most glorious in their account. For, for
present deliverance, they do not much expect it; for they stay for their
glory; and then they shall have it, when their Prince comes in his and
the glory of the angels.
APOLLYON: Thou
hast already been unfaithful in your service to him; and how dost thou
think to receive wages of him?
CHRISTIAN: Wherein,
O Apollyon, have I been unfaithful to him?
APOLLYON: Thou
didst faint at first setting out, when thou wast almost choked in the
gulf of Despond. Thou didst attempt wrong ways to be rid of your burden,
whereas thou shouldst have stayed till your Prince had taken it off.
Thou didst sinfully sleep, and lose your choice things. Thou wast almost
persuaded also to go back at the sight of the lions. And when thou talkest
of your journey, and of what thou hast seen and heard, thou art inwardly
desirous of vainglory in all that thou sayest or doest.
CHRISTIAN: All
this is true, and much more which thou hast left out; but the Prince
whom I serve and honor is merciful, and ready to forgive. But besides,
these infirmities possessed me in your country, for there I sucked them
in, and I have groaned under them, been sorry for them, and have obtained
pardon of my Prince.
APOLLYON: Then
Apollyon broke out into a grievous rage, saying, I am an enemy to this
Prince; I hate his person, his laws, and people: I am come out on purpose
to withstand thee.
CHRISTIAN: Apollyon,
beware what you do, for I am in the King’s highway, the way of holiness;
therefore take heed to yourself.
APOLLYON: Then
Apollyon straddled quite over the whole breadth of the way, and said,
I am void of fear in this matter. Prepare thyself to die; for I swear
by my infernal den, that thou shalt go no farther: here will I spill
your soul. And with that he threw a flaming dart at his breast; but
Christian had a shield in his hand, with which he caught it, and so
prevented the danger of that.
Then did Christian draw, for he saw it was time to bestir him; and Apollyon
as fast made at him, throwing darts as thick as hail; by the which,
notwithstanding all that Christian could do to avoid it, Apollyon wounded
him in his head, his hand, and foot. This made Christian give a little
back: Apollyon, therefore, followed his work amain, and Christian again
took courage, and resisted as manfully as he could. This sore combat
lasted for above half a day, even till Christian was almost quite spent:
for you must know, that Christian, by reason of his wounds, must needs
grow weaker and weaker.
Then Apollyon, espying his opportunity, began to gather up close to
Christian, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and with
that Christian’s sword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, I am
sure of thee now: and with that he had almost pressed him to death,
so that Christian began to despair of life. But, as God would have it,
while Apollyon was fetching his last blow, thereby to make a full end
of this good man, Christian nimbly reached out his hand for his sword,
and caught it, saying, Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I
fall, I shall arise, Mic.
7:8; and with that gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give
back, as one that had received his mortal wound. Christian perceiving
that, made at him again, saying, Nay, in all these things we are more
than conquerors, through Him that loved us. Rom.
8:37. And with that Apollyon spread forth his dragon wings, and
sped him away, that Christian saw him no more.James
4:7.
In this combat no man can imagine, unless he had seen and heard, as
I did, what yelling and hideous roaring Apollyon made all the time of
the fight; he spake like a dragon: and on the other side, what sighs
and groans burst from Christian’s heart. I never saw him all the while
give so much as one pleasant look, till he perceived he had wounded
Apollyon with his two-edged sword; then, indeed, he did smile, and look
upward! But it was the dreadfullest sight that ever I saw.
So when the battle was over, Christian said, I will here give thanks
to him that hath delivered me out of the mouth of the lion, to him that
did help me against Apollyon. And so he did, saying,
“Great Beelzebub, the captain of this
fiend,
Designed
my ruin; therefore to this end
He sent him harness’d out; and he, with rage
That hellish was, did fiercely me engage:
But blessed Michael helped me, and I,
By dint of sword, did quickly make him fly:
Therefore to Him let me give lasting praise,
And thank and bless his holy name always.”
Then there came to him a hand with some of the leaves of the tree of
life, the which Christian took and applied to the wounds that he had
received in the battle, and was healed immediately. He also sat down
in that place to eat bread, and to drink of the bottle that was given
him a little before: so, being refreshed, he addressed himself to his
journey with his sword drawn in his hand; for he said, I know not but
some other enemy may be at hand. But he met with no other affront from
Apollyon quite through this valley.
Now at the end of this valley was another, called the Valley of the
Shadow of Death; and Christian must needs go through it, because the
way to the Celestial City lay through the midst of it. Now, this valley
is a very solitary place. The prophet Jeremiah thus describes it: “A
wilderness, a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought, and of the
Shadow of Death, a land that no man” (but a Christian) “passeth through,
and where no man dwelt.” Jer.
2:6.
Now here Christian was worse put to it than in his fight with Apollyon,
as by the sequel you shall see.
I saw then in my dream, that when Christian was got to the borders of
the Shadow of Death, there met him two men, children of them that brought
up an evil report of the good land Num.13:32,
making haste to go back; to whom Christian spake as follows.
CHRISTIAN: Whither
are you going?
THE TWO MEN: They
said, Back, back; and we would have you do so too, if either life or
peace is prized by you.
CHRISTIAN: Why,
what’s the matter? said Christian.
THE TWO MEN: Matter!
said they; we were going that way as you are going, and went as far
as we durst: and indeed we were almost past coming back; for had we
gone a little further, we had not been here to bring the news to thee.
CHRISTIAN: But
what have you met with? said Christian.
THE TWO MEN: Why,
we were almost in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, but that by good
hap we looked before us, and saw the danger before we came to it. Psa.
44:19; 107:19.
CHRISTIAN: But
what have you seen? said Christian.
THE TWO MEN: Seen!
why the valley itself, which is as dark as pitch: we also saw there
the hobgoblins, satyrs, and dragons of the pit: we heard also in that
valley a continual howling and yelling, as of a people under unutterable
misery, who there sat bound in affliction and irons: and over that valley
hang the discouraging clouds of confusion: Death also doth always spread
his wings over it. In a word, it is every whit dreadful, being utterly
without order. Job
3:5;10:22.
CHRISTIAN: Then,
said Christian, I perceive not yet, by what you have said, but that
this is my way to the desired haven. Psalm
44:18,19; Jer.
2:6.
THE TWO MEN: Be
it your way; we will not choose it for ours.
So they parted, and Christian went on his way, but still with his sword
drawn in his hand, for fear lest he should be assaulted.
I saw then in my dream, so far as this valley reached, there was on
the right hand a very deep ditch; that ditch is it into which the blind
have led the blind in all ages, and have both there miserably perished.
Again, behold, on the left hand there was a very dangerous quag, into
which, if even a good man falls, he finds no bottom for his foot to
stand on: into that quag king David once did fall, and had no doubt
therein been smothered, had not He that is able plucked him out.Psa.
69:14.
The pathway was here also exceeding narrow, and therefore good Christian
was the more put to it; for when he sought, in the dark, to shun the
ditch on the one hand, he was ready to tip over into the mire on the
other; also, when he sought to escape the mire, without great carefulness
he would be ready to fall into the ditch. Thus he went on, and I heard
him here sigh bitterly; for besides the danger mentioned above, the
pathway was here so dark, that ofttimes when he lifted up his foot to
go forward, he knew not where, or upon what he should set it next.
About the midst of this valley I perceived the mouth of hell to be,
and it stood also hard by the wayside. Now, thought Christian, what
shall I do? And ever and anon the flame and smoke would come out in
such abundance, with sparks and hideous noises, (things that cared not
for Christian’s sword, as did Apollyon before,) that he was forced to
put up his sword, and betake himself to another weapon, called All-prayer, Eph.
6:18; so he cried, in my hearing, O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver
my soul. Psa.
116:4. Thus he went on a great while, yet still the flames would
be reaching towards him; also he heard doleful voices, and rushings
to and fro, so that sometimes he thought he should be torn in pieces,
or trodden down like mire in the streets. This frightful sight was seen,
and these dreadful noises were heard by him for several miles together;
and coming to a place where he thought he heard a company of fiends
coming forward to meet him, he stopped, and began to muse what he had
best to do. Sometimes he had half a thought to go back; then again he
thought he might be half-way through the valley. He remembered also,
how he had already vanquished many a danger; and that the danger of
going back might be much more than for to go forward. So he resolved
to go on; yet the fiends seemed to come nearer and nearer. But when
they were come even almost at him, he cried out with a most vehement
voice, I will walk in the strength of the Lord God. So they gave back,
and came no farther.
One thing I would not let slip. I took notice that now poor Christian
was so confounded that he did not know his own voice; and thus I perceived
it. Just when he was come over against the mouth of the burning pit,
one of the wicked ones got behind him, and stepped up softly to him,
and whisperingly suggested many grievous blasphemies to him, which he
verily thought had proceeded from his own mind. This put Christian more
to it than any thing that he met with before, even to think that he
should now blaspheme Him that he loved so much before. Yet if he could
have helped it, he would not have done it; but he had not the discretion
either to stop his ears, or to know from whence these blasphemies came.
When Christian had travelled in this disconsolate condition some considerable
time, he thought he heard the voice of a man, as going before him, saying,
Though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear
no evil, for thou art with me. Psa.
23:4.
Then was he glad, and that for these reasons:
First, Because he gathered from thence, that some who feared God were
in this valley as well as himself.
Secondly, For that he perceived God was with them, though in that dark
and dismal state. And why not, thought he, with me? though by reason
of the impediment that attends this place, I cannot perceive it. Job
9:11.
Thirdly, For that he hoped (could he overtake them) to have company
by and by.
So he went on, and called to him that was before; but he knew not what
to answer, for that he also thought himself to be alone. And by and
by the day broke: then said Christian, “He hath turned the shadow of
death into the morning.” Amos
5:8.
Now morning being come, he looked back, not out of desire to return,
but to see, by the light of the day, what hazards he had gone through
in the dark. So he saw more perfectly the ditch that was on the one
hand, and the quag that was on the other; also how narrow the way was
which led betwixt them both. Also now he saw the hobgoblins, and satyrs,
and dragons of the pit, but all afar off; for after break of day they
came not nigh; yet they were discovered to him, according to that which
is written, “He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth
out to light the shadow of death.” Job
12:22.
Now was Christian much affected with this deliverance from all the dangers
of his solitary way; which dangers, though he feared them much before,
yet he saw them more clearly now, because the light of the day made
them conspicuous to him. And about this time the sun was rising, and
this was another mercy to Christian; for you must note, that though
the first part of the Valley of the Shadow of Death was dangerous, yet
this second part, which he was yet to go, was, if possible, far more
dangerous; for, from the place where he now stood, even to the end of
the valley, the way was all along set so full of snares, traps, gins,
and nets here, and so full of pits, pitfalls, deep holes, and shelvings-down
there, that had it now been dark, as it was when he came the first part
of the way, had he had a thousand souls, they had in reason been cast
away; but, as I said, just now the sun was rising. Then said he, “His
Candle shineth on my head, and by his light I go through darkness.” Job
29:3.
In this light, therefore, he came to the end of the valley. Now I saw
in my dream, that at the end of the valley lay blood, bones, ashes,
and mangled bodies of men, even of pilgrims that had gone this way formerly;
and while I was musing what should be the reason, I espied a little
before me a cave, where two giants, Pope and Pagan, dwelt in old times;
by whose power and tyranny the men whose bones, blood, ashes, etc.,
lay there, were cruelly put to death. But by this place Christian went
without much danger, whereat I somewhat wondered; but I have learnt
since, that Pagan has been dead many a day; and as for the other, though
he be yet alive, he is, by reason of age, and also of the many shrewd
brushes that he met with in his younger days, grown so crazy and stiff
in his joints that he can now do little more than sit in his cave’s
mouth, grinning at pilgrims as they go by, and biting his nails because
he cannot come at them.
So I saw that Christian went on his way; yet, at the sight of the old
man that sat at the mouth of the cave, he could not tell what to think,
especially because he spoke to him, though he could not go after him,
saying, You will never mend, till more of you be burned. But he held
his peace, and set a good face on it; and so went by, and catched no
hurt. Then sang Christian,
“O world of wonders, (I can say no
less,)
That I should
be preserved in that distress
That I have met with here! O blessed be
That hand that from it hath delivered me!
Dangers in darkness, devils, hell, and sin,
Did compass me, while I this vale was in;
Yea, snares, and pits, and traps, and nets did lie
My path about, that worthless, silly I
Might have been catch’d, entangled, and cast down;
But since I live, let Jesus wear the crown.”
THE FIFTH STAGE
Now, as Christian went on his way, he came to a little ascent, which
was cast up on purpose that pilgrims might see before them: up there,
therefore, Christian went; and looking forward, he saw Faithful before
him upon his journey: Then said Christian aloud, Ho, ho; so-ho; stay,
and I will be your companion. At that Faithful looked behind him; to
whom Christian cried again, Stay, stay, till I come up to you. But Faithful
answered, No, I am upon my life, and the avenger of blood is behind
me.
At this Christian was somewhat moved, and putting to all his strength,
he quickly got up with Faithful, and did also overrun him; so the last
was first. Then did Christian vaingloriously smile, because he had gotten
the start of his brother; but not taking good heed to his feet, he suddenly
stumbled and fell, and could not rise again until Faithful came up to
help him.
Then I saw in my dream, they went very lovingly on together, and had
sweet discourse of all things that had happened to them in their pilgrimage;
and thus Christian began.
CHRISTIAN: My
honored and well-beloved brother Faithful, I am glad that I have overtaken
you, and that God has so tempered our spirits that we can walk as companions
in this so pleasant a path.
FAITHFUL: I
had thought, my dear friend, to have had your company quite from our
town, but you did get the start of me; wherefore I was forced to come
thus much of the way alone.
CHRISTIAN: How
long did you stay in the city of Destruction before you set out after
me on your pilgrimage?
FAITHFUL: Till
I could stay no longer; for there was a great talk presently after you
were gone out, that our city would, in a short time, with fire from
heaven, be burnt down to the ground.
CHRISTIAN: What,
did your neighbors talk so?
FAITHFUL: Yes,
it was for a while in every body’s mouth.
CHRISTIAN: What,
and did no more of them but you come out to escape the danger?
FAITHFUL: Though
there was, as I said, a great talk thereabout, yet I do not think they
did firmly believe it; for, in the heat of the discourse, I heard some
of them deridingly speak of you and of your desperate journey, for so
they called this your pilgrimage. But I did believe, and do still, that
the end of our city will be with fire and brimstone from above; and
therefore I have made my escape.
CHRISTIAN: Did
you hear no talk of neighbor Pliable?
FAITHFUL: Yes,
Christian, I heard that he followed you till he came to the Slough of
Despond, where, as some said, he fell in; but he would not be known
to have so done: but I am sure he was soundly bedabbled with that kind
of dirt.
CHRISTIAN: And
what said the neighbors to him?
FAITHFUL: He
hath, since his going back, been had greatly in derision, and that among
all sorts of people: some do mock and despise him, and scarce will any
set him on work. He is now seven times worse than if he had never gone
out of the city.
CHRISTIAN: But
why should they be so set against him, since they also despise the way
that he forsook?
FAITHFUL: O,
they say, Hang him; he is a turncoat; he was not true to his profession!
I think God has stirred up even His enemies to hiss at him, and make
him a proverb, because he hath forsaken the way. Jer.
29:18,19.
CHRISTIAN: Had
you no talk with him before you came out?
FAITHFUL: I
met him once in the streets, but he leered away on the other side, as
one ashamed of what he had done; So I spake not to him.
CHRISTIAN: Well,
at my first setting out I had hopes of that man; but now I fear he will
perish in the overthrow of the city. For it has happened to him according
to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his vomit again, and the sow
that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. 2
Pet. 2:22.
FAITHFUL: These
are my fears of him too; but who can hinder that which will be?
CHRISTIAN: Well,
neighbor Faithful, said Christian, let us leave him, and talk of things
that more immediately concern ourselves. Tell me now what you have met
with in the way as you came; for I know you have met with some things,
or else it may be writ for a wonder.
FAITHFUL: I
escaped the slough that I perceive you fell into, and got up to the
gate without that danger; only I met with one whose name was Wanton,
that had like to have done me mischief.
CHRISTIAN: It
was well you escaped her net: Joseph was hard put to it by her, and
he escaped her as you did; but it had like to have cost him his life. Gen.
39:11-13. But what did she do to you?
FAITHFUL: You
cannot think (but that you know something) what a flattering tongue
she had; she lay at me hard to turn aside with her, promising me all
manner of content.
CHRISTIAN: Nay,
she did not promise you the content of a good conscience.
FAITHFUL: You
know what I mean; all carnal and fleshly content.
CHRISTIAN: Thank
God that you escaped her: the abhorred of the Lord shall fall into her
pit. Prov.
22:14.
FAITHFUL: Nay,
I know not whether I did wholly escape her or no.
CHRISTIAN: Why,
I trow you did not consent to her desires?
FAITHFUL: No,
not to defile myself; for I remembered an old writing that I had seen,
which said, “Her steps take hold on Hell.” Prov.
5:5. So I shut mine eyes, because I would not be bewitched with
her looks. Job
31:1. Then she railed on me, and I went my way.
CHRISTIAN: Did
you meet with no other assault as you came?
FAITHFUL: When
I came to the foot of the hill called Difficulty, I met with a very
aged man, who asked me what I was, and whither bound. I told him that
I was a pilgrim, going to the Celestial City. Then said the old man,
Thou lookest like an honest fellow; will thou be content to dwell with
me for the wages that I shall give thee? Then I asked his name, and
where he dwelt? He said his name was Adam the First, and that he dwelt
in the town of Deceit. Eph.
4:22. I asked him then what was his work, and what the wages that
he would give. He told me that his work was many
delights; and his
wages, that I should be his heir at last. I further asked him, what
house he kept, and what other servants he had. So he told me that his
house was maintained with all the dainties of the world, and that his
servants were those of his own begetting. Then I asked how many children
he had. He said that he had but three daughters, the Lust of the Flesh,
the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life, 1
John, 2:16; and that I should marry them if I would. Then I asked,
how long time he would have me live with him; And he told me, as long
as he lived himself.
CHRISTIAN: Well,
and what conclusion came the old man and you to at last?
FAITHFUL: Why,
at first I found myself somewhat inclinable to go with the man, for
I thought he spake very fair; but looking in his forehead, as I talked
with him, I saw there written, “Put off the old man with his deeds.”
CHRISTIAN: And
how then?
FAITHFUL: Then
it came burning hot into my mind, that, whatever he said, and however
he flattered, when he got me home to his house he would sell me for
a slave. So I bid him forbear to talk, for I would not come near the
door of his house. Then he reviled me, and told me that he would send
such a one after me that should make my way bitter to my soul. So I
turned to go away from him; but just as I turned myself to go thence,
I felt him take hold of my flesh, and give me such a deadly twitch back,
that I thought he had pulled part of me after himself: this made me
cry, “O wretched man.” Rom.
7:24. So I went on my way up the hill.
Now, when I had got above half-way up, I looked behind me, and saw one
coming after me, swift as the wind; so he overtook me just about the
place where the settle stands.
CHRISTIAN: Just
there, said Christian, did I sit down to rest me; but being overcome
with sleep, I there lost this roll out of my bosom.
FAITHFUL: But,
good brother, hear me out. So soon as the man overtook me, it was but
a word and a blow; for down he knocked me, and laid me for dead. But
when I was a little come to myself again I asked him wherefore he served
me so. He said because of my secret inclining to Adam the First. And
with that he struck me another deadly blow on the breast, and beat me
down backward; so I lay at his foot as dead as before. So when I came
to myself again I cried him mercy: but he said, I know not how to show
mercy; and with that he knocked me down again. He had doubtless made
an end of me, but that one came by and bid him forbear.
CHRISTIAN: Who
was that that bid him forbear?
FAITHFUL: I
did not know him at first: but as he went by, I perceived the holes
in his hands and in his side: Then I concluded that he was our Lord.
So I went up the hill.
CHRISTIAN: That
man that overtook you was Moses. He spareth none; neither knoweth he
how to shew mercy to those that transgress the law.
FAITHFUL: I
know it very well; it was not the first time that he has met with me.
‘Twas he that came to me when I dwelt securely at home, and that told
me he would burn my house over my head if I stayed there.
CHRISTIAN: But
did you not see the house that stood there on the top of the hill, on
the side of which Moses met you?
FAITHFUL: Yes,
and the lions too, before I came at it. But, for the lions, I think
they were asleep, for it was about noon; and because I had so much of
the day before me, I passed by the Porter, and came down the hill.
CHRISTIAN: He
told me, indeed, that he saw you go by; but I wish you had called at
the house, for they would have showed you so many rarities that you
would scarce have forgot them to the day of your death. But pray tell
me, Did you meet nobody in the Valley of Humility?
FAITHFUL: Yes,
I met with one Discontent, who would willingly have persuaded me to
go back again with him: his reason was, for that the valley was altogether
without honor. He told me, moreover, that to go there was the way to
disoblige all my friends, as Pride, Arrogancy, Self-Conceit, Worldly
Glory, with others, who he knew, as he said, would be very much offended
if I made such a fool of myself as to wade through this valley.
CHRISTIAN: Well,
and how did you answer him?
FAITHFUL: I
told him, that although all these that he named, might claim a kindred
of me, and that rightly, (for indeed they were my relations according
to the flesh,) yet since I became a pilgrim they have disowned me, and
I also have rejected them; and therefore they were to me now no more
than if they had never been of my lineage. I told him, moreover, that
as to this valley, he had quite misrepresented the thing; for before
honor is humility, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Therefore, said
I, I had rather go through this valley to the honor that was so accounted
by the wisest, than choose that which he esteemed most worthy of our
affections.
CHRISTIAN: Met
you with nothing else in that valley?
FAITHFUL: Yes,
I met with Shame; but of all the men that I met with on my pilgrimage,
he, I think, bears the wrong name. The other would be said nay, after
a little argumentation, and somewhat else; but this bold-faced Shame
would never have done.
CHRISTIAN: Why,
what did he say to you?
FAITHFUL: What?
why, he objected against religion itself. He said it was a pitiful,
low, sneaking business for a man to mind religion. He said, that a tender
conscience was an unmanly thing; and that for a man to watch over his
words and ways, so as to tie up himself from that hectoring liberty
that the brave spirits of the times accustomed themselves unto, would
make him the ridicule of the times. He objected also, that but few of
the mighty, rich, or wise, were ever of my opinion; nor any of them
neither, before they were persuaded to be fools, and to be of a voluntary
fondness to venture the loss of all for nobody knows what. 1
Cor. 1:26; 3:18; Phil.
3:7-9; John
7:48. He, moreover, objected the base and low estate and condition
of those that were chiefly the pilgrims of the times in which they lived;
also their ignorance and want of understanding in all natural science.
Yea, he did hold me to it at that rate also, about a great many more
things than here I relate; as, that it was a shame to sit whining and
mourning under a sermon, and a shame to come sighing and groaning home;
that it was a shame to ask my neighbor forgiveness for petty faults,
or to make restitution where I have taken from any. He said also, that
religion made a man grow strange to the great, because of a few vices,
which he called by finer names, and made him own and respect the base,
because of the same religious fraternity: And is not this, said he,
a shame?
CHRISTIAN: And
what did you say to him?
FAITHFUL: Say?
I could not tell what to say at first. Yea, he put me so to it, that
my blood came up in my face; even this Shame fetched it up, and had
almost beat me quite off. But at last I began to consider, that that
which is highly esteemed among men, is had in abomination with God. Luke
16:15. And I thought again, this Shame tells me what men are; but
he tells me nothing what God, or the word of God is. And I thought,
moreover, that at the day of doom we shall not be doomed to death or
life according to the hectoring spirits of the world, but according
to the wisdom and law of the Highest. Therefore, thought I, what God
says is best, is indeed best, though all the men in the world are against
it. Seeing, then, that God prefers his religion; seeing God prefers
a tender Conscience; seeing they that make themselves fools for the
kingdom of heaven are wisest, and that the poor man that loveth Christ
is richer than the greatest man in the world that hates him; Shame,
depart, thou art an enemy to my salvation. Shall I entertain thee against
my sovereign Lord? How then shall I look him in the face at his coming? Mark
8:38. Should I now be ashamed of his ways and servants, how can
I expect the blessing? But indeed this Shame was a bold villain; I could
scarcely shake him out of my company; yea, he would be haunting of me,
and continually whispering me in the ear, with some one or other of
the infirmities that attend religion. But at last I told him, that it
was but in vain to attempt farther in this business; for those things
that he disdained, in those did I see most glory: and so at last I got
past this importunate one. And when I had shaken him off, then I began
to sing,
“The trials that those men do meet
withal,
That are
obedient to the heavenly call,
Are manifold, and suited to the flesh,
And come, and come, and come again afresh;
That now, or some time else, we by them may
Be taken, overcome, and cast away.
O let the pilgrims, let the pilgrims then,
Be vigilant, and quit themselves like men.”
CHRISTIAN: I
am glad, my brother, that thou didst withstand this villain so bravely;
for of all, as thou sayest, I think he has the wrong name; for he is
so bold as to follow us in the streets, and to attempt to put us to
shame before all men; that is, to make us ashamed of that which is good.
But if he was not himself audacious, he would never attempt to do as
he does. But let us still resist him; for, notwithstanding all his bravadoes,
he promoteth the fool, and none else. “The wise shall inherit glory,”
said Solomon; “but shame shall be the promotion of fools.” Prov.
3:35.
FAITHFUL: I
think we must cry to Him for help against Shame, that would have us
to be valiant for truth upon the earth.
CHRISTIAN: You
say true; but did you meet nobody else in that valley?
FAITHFUL: No,
not I; for I had sunshine all the rest of the way through that, and
also through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
CHRISTIAN: ‘Twas
well for you; I am sure it fared far otherwise with me. I had for a
long season, as soon almost as I entered into that valley, a dreadful
combat with that foul fiend Apollyon; yea, I thought verily he would
have killed me, especially when he got me down, and crushed me under
him, as if he would have crushed me to pieces; for as he threw me, my
sword flew out of my hand: nay, he told me he was sure of me; but I
cried to God, and he heard me, and delivered me out of all my troubles.
Then I entered into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and had no light
for almost half the way through it. I thought I should have been killed
there over and over; but at last day brake, and the sun rose, and I
went through that which was behind with far more ease and quiet.
Moreover, I saw in my dream, that as they went on, Faithful, as he chanced
to look on one side, saw a man whose name was Talkative, walking at
a distance beside them; for in this place there was room enough for
them all to walk. He was a tall man, and something more comely at a
distance than at hand. To this man Faithful addressed himself in this
manner.
FAITHFUL: Friend,
whither away? Are you going to the heavenly country?
TALKATIVE: I
am going to the same place.
FAITHFUL: That
is well; then I hope we shall have your good company?
TALKATIVE: With
a very good will, will I be your companion.
FAITHFUL: Come
on, then, and let us go together, and let us spend our time in discoursing
of things that are profitable.
TALKATIVE: To
talk of things that are good, to me is very acceptable, with you or
with any other; and I am glad that I have met with those that incline
to so good a work; for, to speak the truth, there are but few who care
thus to spend their time as they are in their travels, but choose much
rather to be speaking of things to no profit; and this hath been a trouble
to me.
FAITHFUL: That
is, indeed, a thing to be lamented; for what thing so worthy of the
use of the tongue and mouth of men on earth, as are the things of the
God of heaven?
TALKATIVE: I
like you wonderful well, for your saying is full of conviction; and
I will add, What thing is so pleasant, and what so profitable, as to
talk of the things of God? What things so pleasant? that is, if a man
hath any delight in things that are wonderful. For instance, if a man
doth delight to talk of the history, or the mystery of things; or if
a man doth love to talk of miracles, wonders, or signs, where shall
he find things recorded so delightful, and so sweetly penned, as in
the holy Scripture?
FAITHFUL: That
is true; but to be profited by such things in our talk, should be our
chief design.
TALKATIVE: That’s
it that I said; for to talk of such things is most profitable; for by
so doing a man may get knowledge of many things; as of the vanity of
earthly things, and the benefit of things above. Thus in general; but
more particularly, by this a man may learn the necessity of the new
birth, the insufficiency of our works, the need of Christ’s righteousness,
etc. Besides, by this a man may learn what it is to repent, to believe,
to pray, to suffer, or the like: by this, also, a man may learn what
are the great promises and consolations of the Gospel, to his own comfort.
Farther, by this a man may learn to refute false opinions, to vindicate
the truth, and also to instruct the ignorant.
FAITHFUL: All
this is true; and glad am I to hear these things from you.
TALKATIVE: Alas!
the want of this is the cause that so few understand the need of faith,
and the necessity of a work of grace in their soul, in order to eternal
life; but ignorantly live in the works of the law, by which a man can
by no means obtain the kingdom of heaven.
FAITHFUL: But,
by your leave, heavenly knowledge of these is the gift of God; no man
attaineth to them by human industry, or only by the talk of them.
TALKATIVE: All
this I know very well; for a man can receive nothing, except it be given
him from heaven: all is of grace, not of works. I could give you a hundred
scriptures for the confirmation of this.
FAITHFUL: Well,
then, said Faithful, what is that one thing that we shall at this time
found our discourse upon?
TALKATIVE: What
you will. I will talk of things heavenly, or things earthly; things
moral, or things evangelical; things sacred, or things profane; things
past, or things to come; things foreign, or things at home; things more
essential, or things circumstantial: provided that all be done to our
profit.
FAITHFUL: Now
did Faithful begin to wonder; and stepping to Christian, (for he walked
all this while by himself,) he said to him, but softly, What a brave
companion have we got! Surely, this man will make a very excellent pilgrim.
CHRISTIAN: At
this Christian modestly smiled, and said, This man, with whom you are
so taken, will beguile with this tongue of his, twenty of them that
know him not.
FAITHFUL: Do
you know him, then?
CHRISTIAN: Know
him? Yes, better than he knows himself.
FAITHFUL: Pray
what is he?
CHRISTIAN: His
name is Talkative: he dwelleth in our town. I wonder that you should
be a stranger to him, only I consider that our town is large.
FAITHFUL: Whose
son is he? And whereabout doth he dwell?
CHRISTIAN: He
is the son of one Say-well. He dwelt in Prating-Row; and he is known
to all that are acquainted with him by the name of Talkative of Prating-Row;
and, notwithstanding his fine tongue, he is but a sorry fellow.
FAITHFUL: Well,
he seems to be a very pretty man.
CHRISTIAN: That
is, to them that have not a thorough acquaintance with him, for he is
best abroad; near home he is ugly enough. Your saying that he is a pretty
man, brings to my mind what I have observed in the work of a painter,
whose pictures show best at a distance; but very near, more unpleasing.
FAITHFUL: But
I am ready to think you do but jest, because you smiled.
CHRISTIAN: God
forbid that I should jest (though I smiled) in this matter, or that
I should accuse any falsely. I will give you a further discovery of
him. This man is for any company, and for any talk; as he talketh now
with you, so will he talk when he is on the ale-bench; and the more
drink he hath in his crown, the more of these things he hath in his
mouth. Religion hath no place in his heart, or house, or conversation;
all he hath lieth in his tongue, and his religion is to make a noise
therewith.
FAITHFUL: Say
you so? Then am I in this man greatly deceived.
CHRISTIAN: Deceived!
you may be sure of it. Remember the proverb, “They say, and do not;”
but the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. Matt.
23:3; 1
Cor. 4:20. He talketh of prayer, of repentance, of faith, and of
the new birth; but he knows but only to talk of them. I have been in
his family, and have observed him both at home and abroad; and I know
what I say of him is the truth. His house is as empty of religion as
the white of an egg is of savor. There is there neither prayer, nor
sign of repentance for sin; yea, the brute, in his kind, serves God
far better than he. He is the very stain, reproach, and shame of religion
to all that know him, Rom.
2:24,25; it can hardly have a good word in all that end of the town
where he dwells, through him. Thus say the common people that know him,
“A saint abroad, and a devil at home.” His poor family finds it so;
he is such a churl, such a railer at, and so unreasonable with his servants,
that they neither know how to do for or speak to him. Men that have
any dealings with him say, It is better to deal with a Turk than with
him, for fairer dealings they shall have at their hands. This Talkative
(if it be possible) will go beyond them, defraud, beguile, and overreach
them. Besides, he brings up his sons to follow his steps; and if he
finds in any of them a foolish timorousness, (for so he calls the first
appearance of a tender conscience,) he calls them fools and blockheads,
and by no means will employ them in much, or speak to their commendation
before others. For my part, I am of opinion that he has, by his wicked
life, caused many to stumble and fall; and will be, if God prevents
not, the ruin of many more.
FAITHFUL: Well,
my brother, I am bound to believe you, not only because you say you
know him, but also because, like a Christian, you make your reports
of men. For I cannot think that you speak these things of ill-will,
but because it is even so as you say.
CHRISTIAN: Had
I known him no more than you, I might, perhaps, have thought of him
as at the first you did; yea, had I received this report at their hands
only that are enemies to religion, I should have thought it had been
a slander-a lot that often falls from bad men’s mouths upon good men’s
names and professions. But all these things, yea, and a great many more
as bad, of my own knowledge, I can prove him guilty of. Besides, good
men are ashamed of him; they can neither call him brother nor friend;
the very naming of him among them makes them blush, if they know him.
FAITHFUL: Well,
I see that saying and doing are two things, and hereafter I shall better
observe this distinction.
CHRISTIAN: They
are two things indeed, and are as diverse as are the soul and the body;
for, as the body without the soul is but a dead carcass, so saying,
if it be alone, is but a dead carcass also. The soul of religion is
the practical part. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the
Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,
and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James
1:27; see also verses
22-26. This, Talkative is not aware of; he thinks that hearing and
saying will make a good Christian; and thus he deceiveth his own soul.
Hearing is but as the sowing of the seed; talking is not sufficient
to prove that fruit is indeed in the heart and life. And let us assure
ourselves, that at the day of doom men shall be judged according to
their fruits. Matt.
13:23. It will not be said then, Did you believe? but, Were you
doers, or talkers only? and accordingly shall they be judged. The end
of the world is compared to our harvest, Matt.
13:30, and you know men at harvest regard nothing but fruit. Not
that any thing can be accepted that is not of faith; but I speak this
to show you how insignificant the profession of Talkative will be at
that day.
FAITHFUL: This
brings to my mind that of Moses, by which he describeth the beast that
is clean. Lev.
11; Deut.
14. He is such an one that parteth the hoof, and cheweth the cud;
not that parteth the hoof only, or that cheweth the cud only. The hare
cheweth the cud, but yet is unclean, because he parteth not the hoof.
And this truly resembleth Talkative: he cheweth the cud, he seeketh
knowledge; he cheweth upon the word, but he divideth not the hoof. He
parteth not with the way of sinners; but, as the hare, he retaineth
the foot of the dog or bear, and therefore he is unclean.
CHRISTIAN: You
have spoken, for aught I know, the true gospel sense of these texts.
And I will add another thing: Paul calleth some men, yea, and those
great talkers too, sounding brass, and tinkling cymbals, 1
Cor. 13:1, 3;
that is, as he expounds them in another place, things without life giving
sound. 1
Cor. 14:7. Things without life; that is, without the true faith
and grace of the gospel; and consequently, things that shall never be
placed in the kingdom of heaven among those that are the children of
life; though their sound, by their talk, be as if it were the tongue
or voice of an angel.
FAITHFUL: Well,
I was not so fond of his company at first, but I am as sick of it now.
What shall we do to be rid of him?
CHRISTIAN: Take
my advice, and do as I bid you, and you shall find that he will soon
be sick of your company too, except God shall touch his heart, and turn
it.
FAITHFUL: What
would you have me to do?
CHRISTIAN: Why,
go to him, and enter into some serious discourse about the power of
religion; and ask him plainly, (when he has approved of it, for that
he will,) whether this thing be set up in his heart, house, or conversation.
FAITHFUL: Then
Faithful stepped forward again, and said to Talkative, Come, what cheer?
How is it now?
TALKATIVE: Thank
you, well: I thought we should have had a great deal of talk by this
time.
FAITHFUL: Well,
if you will, we will fall to it now; and since you left it with me to
state the question, let it be this: How doth the saving grace of God
discover itself when it is in the heart of man?
TALKATIVE: I
perceive, then, that our talk must be about the power of things. Well,
it is a very good question, and I shall be willing to answer you. And
take my answer in brief, thus: First, where the grace of God is in the
heart, it causeth there a great outcry against sin. Secondly-
FAITHFUL: Nay,
hold; let us consider of one at once. I think you should rather say,
it shows itself by inclining the soul to abhor its sin.
TALKATIVE: Why,
what difference is there between crying out against, and abhorring of
sin?
FAITHFUL: Oh!
a great deal. A man may cry out against sin, of policy; but he cannot
abhor it but by virtue of a godly antipathy against it. I have heard
many cry out against sin in the pulpit, who yet can abide it well enough
in the heart, house, and conversation. Gen.
39:15. Joseph’s mistress cried out with a loud voice, as if she
had been very holy; but she would willingly, notwithstanding that, have
committed uncleanness with him. Some cry out against sin, even as the
mother cries out against her child in her lap, when she calleth it slut
and naughty girl, and then falls to hugging and kissing it.
TALKATIVE: You
lie at the catch, I perceive.
FAITHFUL: No,
not I; I am only for setting things right. But what is the second thing
whereby you would prove a discovery of a work of grace in the heart?
TALKATIVE: Great
knowledge of gospel mysteries.
FAITHFUL: This
sign should have been first: but, first or last, it is also false; for
knowledge, great knowledge, may be obtained in the mysteries of the
Gospel, and yet no work of grace in the soul. Yea, if a man have all
knowledge, he may yet be nothing, and so, consequently, be no child
of God. 1
Cor. 13:2. When Christ said, “Do you know all these things?” and
the disciples answered, Yes, he added, “Blessed are ye if ye do them.”
He doth not lay the blessing in the knowing of them, but in the doing
of them. For there is a knowledge that is not attended with doing: “He
that knoweth his Master’s will, and doeth it not.” A man may know like
an angel, and yet be no Christian: therefore your sign of it is not
true. Indeed, to know is
a thing that pleaseth talkers and boasters; but todo is
that which pleaseth God. Not that the heart can be good without knowledge,
for without that the heart is naught. There are, therefore, two sorts
of knowledge, knowledge that resteth in the bare speculation of things,
and knowledge that is accompanied with the grace of faith and love,
which puts a man upon doing even the will of God from the heart: the
first of these will serve the talker; but without the other, the true
Christian is not content. “Give me understanding, and I shall keep your
law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” Psa.
119:34.
TALKATIVE: You
lie at the catch again: this is not for edification.
FAITHFUL: Well,
if you please, propound another sign how this work of grace discovereth
itself where it is.
TALKATIVE: Not
I, for I see we shall not agree.
FAITHFUL: Well,
if you will not, will you give me leave to do it?
TALKATIVE: You
may use your liberty.
FAITHFUL: A
work of grace in the soul discovereth itself, either to him that hath
it, or to standers-by.
To him that hath it, thus: It gives him conviction of sin, especially
the defilement of his nature, and the sin of unbelief, for the sake
of which he is sure to be damned, if he findeth not mercy at God’s hand,
by faith in Jesus Christ. This sight and sense of things worketh in
him sorrow and shame for sin. Psa.
38:18; Jer.
31:19; John
16:8; Rom.
7:24; Mark
16:16; Gal.
2:16; Rev.
1:6. He findeth, moreover, revealed in him the Saviour of the world,
and the absolute necessity of closing with him for life; at the which
he findeth hungerings and thirstings after him; to which hungerings,
etc., the promise is made. Now, according to the strength or weakness
of his faith in his Saviour, so is his joy and peace, so is his love
to holiness, so are his desires to know him more, and also to serve
him in this world. But though, I say, it discovereth itself thus unto
him, yet it is but seldom that he is able to conclude that this is a
work of grace; because his corruptions now, and his abused reason, make
his mind to misjudge in this matter: therefore in him that hath this
work there is required a very sound judgment, before he can with steadiness
conclude that this is a work of grace. John
16:9; Gal.
2:15,16; Acts
4:12; Matt.
5:6; Rev.
21:6.
To others it is thus discovered:
1. By an experimental confession of his faith in Christ. 2. By a life
answerable to that confession; to wit, a life of holiness-heart-holiness,
family-holiness, (if he hath a family,) and by conversation-holiness
in the world; which in the general teacheth him inwardly to abhor his
sin, and himself for that, in secret; to suppress it in his family,
and to promote holiness in the world: not by talk only, as a hypocrite
or talkative person may do, but by a practical subjection in faith and
love to the power of the word. Job
42:5,6; Psa.
50:23; Ezek.
20:43; Matt.
5:8; John
14:15; Rom.
10:10; Ezek.
36:25; Phil.
1:27; 3:17-20.
And now, sir, as to this brief description of the work of grace, and
also the discovery of it, if you have aught to object, object; if not,
then give me leave to propound to you a second question.
TALKATIVE: Nay,
my part is not now to object, but to hear; let me, therefore, have your
second question.
FAITHFUL: It
is this: Do you experience this first part of the description of it;
and doth your life and conversation testify the same? Or standeth your
religion in word or tongue, and not in deed and truth? Pray, if you
incline to answer me in this, say no more than you know the God above
will say Amen to, and also nothing but what your conscience can justify
you in; for not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the
Lord commendeth. Besides, to say I am thus and thus, when my conversation,
and all my neighbors, tell me I lie, is great wickedness.
Then Talkative at first began to blush; but, recovering himself, thus
he replied: You come now to experience, to conscience, and to God; and
to appeal to him for justification of what is spoken. This kind of discourse
I did not expect; nor am I disposed to give an answer to such questions,
because I count not myself bound thereto, unless you take upon you to
be a catechiser; and though you should so do, yet I may refuse to make
you my judge. But I pray, will you tell me why you ask me such questions?
FAITHFUL: Because
I saw you forward to talk, and because I knew not that you had aught
else but notion. Besides, to tell you all the truth, I have heard of
you that you are a man whose religion lies in talk, and that your conversation
gives this your mouth-profession the lie. They say you are a spot among
Christians, and that religion fareth the worse for your ungodly conversation;
that some have already stumbled at your wicked ways, and that more are
in danger of being destroyed thereby: your religion, and an ale-house,
and covetousness, and uncleanness, and swearing, and lying, and vain
company-keeping, etc., will stand together. The proverb is true of you
which is said of a harlot, to wit, “That she is a shame to all women:”
so are you a shame to all professors.
TALKATIVE: Since
you are so ready to take up reports, and to judge so rashly as you do,
I cannot but conclude you are some peevish or melancholy man, not fit
to be discoursed with; and so adieu.
Then up came Christian, and said to his brother, I told you how it would
happen; your words and his lusts could not agree. He had rather leave
your company than reform his life. But he is gone, as I said: let him
go; the loss is no man’s but his own. He has saved us the trouble of
going from him; for he continuing (as I suppose he will do) as he is,
would have been but a blot in our company: besides, the apostle says,
“From such withdraw thyself.”
FAITHFUL: But
I am glad we had this little discourse with him; it may happen that
he will think of it again: however, I have dealt plainly with him, and
so am clear of his blood if he perisheth.
CHRISTIAN: You
did well to talk so plainly to him as you did. There is but little of
this faithful dealing with men now-a-days, and that makes religion to
stink so in the nostrils of many as it doth; for they are these talkative
fools, whose religion is only in word, and who are debauched and vain
in their conversation, that (being so much admitted into the fellowship
of the godly) do puzzle the world, blemish Christianity, and grieve
the sincere. I wish that all men would deal with such as you have done;
then should they either be made more conformable to religion, or the
company of saints would be too hot for them. Then did Faithful say,
“How Talkative at first lifts up his
plumes!
How bravely
doth he speak! How he presumes
To drive down all before him! But so soon
As Faithful talks of heart-work, like the moon
That’s past the full, into the wane he goes;
And so will all but he that heart-work know.”
Thus they went on, talking of what they had seen by the way, and so
made that way easy, which would otherwise no doubt have been tedious
to them, for now they went through a wilderness.
THE SIXTH STAGE
Now when they were got almost quite out of this wilderness, Faithful
chanced to cast his eye back, and espied one coming after them, and
he knew him. Oh! said Faithful to his brother, who comes yonder? Then
Christian looked, and said, It is my good friend Evangelist. Aye, and
my good friend too, said Faithful, for ‘twas he that set me on the way
to the gate. Now was Evangelist come up unto them, and thus saluted
them.
EVANGELIST: Peace
be with you, dearly beloved, and peace be to your helpers.
CHRISTIAN: Welcome,
welcome, my good Evangelist: the sight of your countenance brings to
my remembrance your ancient kindness and unwearied labors for my eternal
good.
FAITHFUL: And
a thousand times welcome, said good Faithful, your company, O sweet
Evangelist; how desirable is it to us poor pilgrims!
EVANGELIST: Then
said Evangelist, How hath it fared with you, my friends, since the time
of our last parting? What have you met with, and how have you behaved
yourselves?
Then Christian and Faithful told him of all things that had happened
to them in the way; and how, and with what difficulty, they had arrived
to that place.
Right glad am I, said Evangelist, not that you have met with trials,
but that you have been victors, and for that you have, notwithstanding
many weaknesses, continued in the way to this very day.
I say, right glad am I of this thing, and that for mine own sake and
yours: I have sowed, and you have reaped; and the day is coming, when
“both he that soweth, and they that reap, shall rejoice together,” John
4:36; that is, if you hold out: “for in due season ye shall reap,
if ye faint not.” Gal.
6:9. The crown is before you, and it is an incorruptible one; “so
run that ye may obtain it.” 1
Cor. 9:24-27. Some there be that set out for this crown, and after
they have gone far for it, another comes in and takes it from them:
“hold fast, therefore, that you have; let no man take your crown.” Rev.
3:11. You are not yet out of the gunshot of the devil; “you have
not resisted unto blood, striving against sin.” Let the kingdom be always
before you, and believe steadfastly concerning the things that are invisible.
Let nothing that is on this side the other world get within you. And,
above all, look well to your own hearts and to the lusts thereof; for
they are “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.” Set your
faces like a flint; you have all power in heaven and earth on your side.
CHRISTIAN: Then
Christian thanked him for his exhortations; but told him withal, that
they would have him speak farther to them for their help the rest of
the way; and the rather, for that they well knew that he was a prophet,
and could tell them of things that might happen unto them, and also
how they might resist and overcome them. To which request Faithful also
consented. So Evangelist began as followeth.
EVANGELIST: My
sons, you have heard in the word of the truth of the Gospel, that you
must “through many tribulations enter into the kingdom of heaven;” and
again, that “in every city, bonds and afflictions abide you;” and therefore
you cannot expect that you should go long on your pilgrimage without
them, in some sort or other. You have found something of the truth of
these testimonies upon you already, and more will immediately follow:
for now, as you see, you are almost out of this wilderness, and therefore
you will soon come into a town that you will by and by see before you;
and in that town you will be hardly beset with enemies, who will strain
hard but they will kill you; and be you sure that one or both of you
must seal the testimony which you hold, with blood; but “be you faithful
unto death, and the King will give you a crown of life.” He that shall
die there, although his death will be unnatural, and his pain, perhaps,
great, he will yet have the better of his fellow; not only because he
will be arrived at the Celestial City soonest, but because he will escape
many miseries that the other will meet with in the rest of his journey.
But when you are come to the town, and shall find fulfilled what I have
here related, then remember your friend, and quit yourselves like men,
and “commit the keeping of your souls to God in well doing, as unto
a faithful Creator.”
Then I saw in my dream, that when they were got out of the wilderness,
they presently saw a town before them, and the name of that town is
Vanity; and at the town there is a fair kept, called Vanity Fair. It
is kept all the year long. It beareth the name of Vanity Fair, because
the town where it is kept is lighter than vanity, Psa.
62:9; and also because all that is there sold, or that cometh thither,
is vanity; as is the saying of the wise, “All that cometh is vanity.” Eccl.
11:8; see also 1:2-14; 2:11-17; Isa.
40:17.
This fair is no new-erected business but a thing of ancient standing.
I will show you the original of it.
Almost five thousand years ago there were pilgrims walking to the Celestial
City, as these two honest persons are: and Beelzebub, Apollyon, and
Legion, with their companions, perceiving by the path that the pilgrims
made, that their way to the city lay through this town of Vanity, they
contrived here to set up a fair; a fair wherein should be sold all sorts
of vanity, and that it should last all the year long. Therefore, at
this fair are all such merchandise sold as houses, lands, trades, places,
honors, preferments, titles, countries, kingdoms, lusts, pleasures;
and delights of all sorts, as harlots, wives, husbands, children, masters,
servants, lives, blood, bodies, souls, silver, gold, pearls, precious
stones, and what not.
And moreover, at this fair there is at all times to be seen jugglings,
cheats, games, plays, fools, apes, knaves, and rogues, and that of every
kind.
Here are to be seen, too, and that for nothing, thefts, murders, adulteries,
false-swearers, and that of a blood-red color.
And, as in other fairs of less moment, there are the several rows and
streets under their proper names, where such and such wares are vended;
so here, likewise, you have the proper places, rows, streets, (namely,
countries and kingdoms,) where the wares of this fair are soonest to
be found. Here is the Britain Row, the French Row, the Italian Row,
the Spanish Row, the German Row, where several sorts of vanities are
to be sold. But, as in other fairs, some one commodity is as the chief
of all the fair; so the ware of Rome and her merchandise is greatly
promoted in this fair; only our English nation, with some others, have
taken a dislike thereat.
Now, as I said, the way to the Celestial City lies just through this
town, where this lusty fair is kept; and he that will go to the city,
and yet not go through this town, “must needs go out of the world.” 1
Cor. 4:10. The Prince of princes himself, when here, went through
this town to his own country, and that upon a fair-day too; yea, and,
as I think, it was Beelzebub, the chief lord of this fair, that invited
him to buy of his vanities, yea, would have made him lord of the fair,
would he but have done him reverence as he went through the town. Yea,
because he was such a person of honor, Beelzebub had him from street
to street, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a little
time, that he might, if possible, allure that blessed One to cheapen
and buy some of his vanities; but he had no mind to the merchandise,
and therefore left the town, without laying out so much as one farthing
upon these vanities. Matt.
4:8,9; Luke
4:5-7. This fair, therefore, is an ancient thing, of long standing,
and a very great fair.
Now, these pilgrims, as I said, must needs go through this fair. Well,
so they did; but behold, even as they entered into the fair, all the
people in the fair were moved; and the town itself, as it were, in a
hubbub about them, and that for several reasons: for,
First, The Pilgrims were clothed with such kind of raiment as was diverse
from the raiment of any that traded in that fair. The people, therefore,
of the fair made a great gazing upon them: some said they were fools; 1
Cor. 4:9,10; some, they were bedlams; and some, they were outlandish
men.
Secondly, And as they wondered at their apparel, so they did likewise
at their speech; for few could understand what they said. They naturally
spoke the language of Canaan; but they that kept the fair were the men
of this world: so that from one end of the fair to the other, they seemed
barbarians each to the other. 1
Cor. 2:7,8.
Thirdly, But that which did not a little amuse the merchandisers was,
that these pilgrims set very light by all their wares. They cared not
so much as to look upon them; and if they called upon them to buy, they
would put their fingers in their ears, and cry, “Turn away mine eyes
from beholding vanity,” Psa.
119:37, and look upward, signifying that their trade and traffic
was in heaven. Phil.
3: 20,21.
One chanced, mockingly, beholding the carriage of the men, to say unto
them, “What will ye buy?” But they, looking gravely upon him, said,
“We buy the truth.” Prov.
23:23. At that there was an occasion taken to despise the men the
more; some mocking, some taunting, some speaking reproachfully, and
some calling upon others to smite them. At last, things came to an hubbub
and great stir in the fair, insomuch that all order was confounded.
Now was word presently brought to the great one of the fair, who quickly
came down, and deputed some of his most trusty friends to take those
men into examination about whom the fair was almost overturned. So the
men were brought to examination; and they that sat upon them asked them
whence they came, whither they went, and what they did there in such
an unusual garb. The men told them they were pilgrims and strangers
in the world, and that they were going to their own country, which was
the heavenly Jerusalem, Heb.
11:13-16; and that they had given no occasion to the men of the
town, nor yet to the merchandisrs, thus to abuse them, and to let them
in their journey, except it was for that, when one asked them what they
would buy, they said they would buy the truth. But they that were appointed
to examine them did not believe them to be any other than bedlams and
mad, or else such as came to put all things into a confusion in the
fair. Therefore they took them and beat them, and besmeared them with
dirt, and then put them into the cage, that they might be made a spectacle
to all the men of the fair. There, therefore, they lay for some time,
and were made the objects of any man’s sport, or malice, or revenge;
the great one of the fair laughing still at all that befell them. But
the men being patient, and “not rendering railing for railing, but contrariwise
blessing,” and giving good words for bad, and kindness for injuries
done, some men in the fair, that were more observing and less prejudiced
than the rest, began to check and blame the baser sort for their continual
abuses done by them to the men. They, therefore, in an angry manner
let fly at them again, counting them as bad as the men in the cage,
and telling them that they seemed confederates, and should be made partakers
of their misfortunes. The others replied that, for aught they could
see, the men were quiet and sober, and intended nobody any harm; and
that there were many that traded in their fair that were more worthy
to be put into the cage, yea, and pillory too, than were the men that
they had abused. Thus, after divers words had passed on both sides,
(the men behaving themselves all the while very wisely and soberly before
them,) they fell to some blows among themselves, and did harm one to
another. Then were these two poor men brought before their examiners
again, and were charged as being guilty of the late hubbub that had
been in the fair. So they beat them pitifully, and hanged irons upon
them, and led them in chains up and down the fair, for an example and
terror to others, lest any should speak in their behalf, or join themselves
unto them. But Christian and Faithful behaved themselves yet more wisely,
and received the ignominy and shame that was cast upon them with so
much meekness and patience, that it won to their side (though but few
in comparison of the rest) several of the men in the fair. This put
the other party yet into a greater rage, insomuch that they concluded
the death of these two men. Wherefore they threatened that neither cage
nor irons should serve their turn, but that they should die for the
abuse they had done, and for deluding the men of the fair.
Then were they remanded to the cage again, until further order should
be taken with them. So they put them in, and made their feet fast in
the stocks.
Here, also, they called again to mind what they had heard from their
faithful friend Evangelist, and were the more confirmed in their way
and sufferings by what he told them would happen to them. They also
now comforted each other, that whose lot it was to suffer, even he should
have the best of it: therefore each man secretly wished that he might
have that preferment. But committing themselves to the all-wise disposal
of Him that ruleth all things, with much content they abode in the condition
in which they were, until they should be otherwise disposed of.
Then a convenient time being appointed, they brought them forth to their
trial, in order to their condemnation. When the time was come, they
were brought before their enemies and arraigned. The judge’s name was
Lord Hate-good; their indictment was one and the same in substance,
though somewhat varying in form; the contents whereof was this: “That
they were enemies to, and disturbers of, the trade; that they had made
commotions and divisions in the town, and had won a party to their own
most dangerous opinions, in contempt of the law of their prince.”
Then Faithful began to answer, that he had only set himself against
that which had set itself against Him that is higher than the highest.
And, said he, as for disturbance, I make none, being myself a man of
peace: the parties that were won to us, were won by beholding our truth
and innocence, and they are only turned from the worse to the better.
And as to the king you talk of, since he is Beelzebub, the enemy of
our Lord, I defy him and all his angels.
Then proclamation was made, that they that had ought to say for their
lord the king against the prisoner at the bar, should forthwith appear,
and give in their evidence. So there came in three witnesses, to wit,
Envy, Superstition, and Pickthank. They were then asked if they knew
the prisoner at the bar; and what they had to say for their lord the
king against him.
Then stood forth Envy, and said to this effect: My lord, I have known
this man a long time, and will attest upon my oath before this honorable
bench, that he is-
JUDGE: Hold;
give him his oath.
So they sware him. Then he said, My lord, this man, notwithstanding
his plausible name, is one of the vilest men in our country; he neither
regardeth prince nor people, law nor custom, but doeth all that he can
to possess all men with certain of his disloyal notions, which he in
the general calls principles of faith and holiness. And in particular,
I heard him once myself affirm, that Christianity and the customs of
our town of Vanity were diametrically opposite, and could not be reconciled.
By which saying, my lord, he doth at once not only condemn all our laudable
doings, but us in the doing of them.
Then did the judge say to him, Hast thou any more to say?
ENVY: My
lord, I could say much more, only I would not be tedious to the court.
Yet if need be, when the other gentlemen have given in their evidence,
rather than any thing shall be wanting that will dispatch him, I will
enlarge my testimony against him. So he was bid to stand by.
Then they called Superstition, and bid him look upon the prisoner. They
also asked, what he could say for their lord the king against him. Then
they sware him; so he began.
SUPERSTITION: My
lord, I have no great acquaintance with this man, nor do I desire to
have further knowledge of him. However, this I know, that he is a very
pestilent fellow, from some discourse that I had with him the other
day, in this town; for then, talking with him, I heard him say, that
our religion was naught, and such by which a man could by no means please
God. Which saying of his, my lord, your lordship very well knows what
necessarily thence will follow, to wit, that we still do worship in
vain, are yet in our sins, and finally shall be damned: and this is
that which I have to say.
Then was Pickthank sworn, and bid say what he knew in the behalf of
their lord the king against the prisoner at the bar.
PICKTHANK: My
lord, and you gentlemen all, this fellow I have known of a long time,
and have heard him speak things that ought not to be spoken; for he
hath railed on our noble prince Beelzebub, and hath spoken contemptibly
of his honorable friends, whose names are, the Lord Old Man, the Lord
Carnal Delight, the Lord Luxurious, the Lord Desire of Vain Glory, my
old Lord Lechery, Sir Having Greedy, with all the rest of our nobility:
and he hath said, moreover, that if all men were of his mind, if possible,
there is not one of these noblemen should have any longer a being in
this town. Besides, he hath not been afraid to rail on you, my lord,
who are now appointed to be his judge, calling you an ungodly villain,
with many other such like vilifying terms, with which he hath bespattered
most of the gentry of our town.
|
YouTube
Facebook
X/Twitter
Podcast RSS
Instagram
TikTok
