THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
The Slough of Despond
by John Bunyan
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{029}
[The Slough of Despond]
Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk they drew near 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.
{030}
PLI. Then said Pliable; Ah! neighbor Christian, where are you now?
CHR. Truly, said Christian, I do not know.
PLI. 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 betwixt this and our journey's end? May I get out again with my life, you shall possess the brave country alone for me. [It is not enough to be pliable] 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.
{031}
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 still further
from his own house, and next to the wicket-gate; [Christian in trouble seeks
still to get further from his own house] 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?
CHR. Sir, said Christian, I was bid 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.
{032}
[The Promises] HELP. But why did not you look for the steps?
CHR. Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next way, and fell in.
[Help lifts him up] HELP. Then said he, Give me thy hand: so he gave him his hand, and he drew him out, and set him upon sound ground, and bid him go on his way. [Ps. 40:2]
{033}
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 travelers might go thither with more
security? And he said unto me, [What makes the Slough of Despond] 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 ariseth 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.
{034}
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 these sixteen hundred years employed about this patch of ground,
if perhaps it might have been mended: yea, and to my knowledge, said he, here
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.
{035}
[The promises of forgiveness and acceptance to life by faith in Christ] True,
there are, by the direction of the Law-giver, 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]
{036}
[Pliable got home, and is visited of his neighbors] Now, I saw in my dream,
that by this time Pliable was got home to his house again, so that his
neighbors came to visit him; [His entertainment by them at his return] 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 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.
{037}
[Mr. Worldly Wiseman meets with Christian] Now, as Christian was walking
solitarily 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. Worldly 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
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.
{038}
[Talk betwixt Mr. Worldly Wiseman and Christian] WORLD. How now, good fellow,
whither away after this burdened manner?
CHR. 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.
WORLD. Hast thou a wife and children?
CHR. 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]
WORLD. Wilt thou hearken unto me if I give thee counsel?
CHR. If it be good, I will; for I stand in need of good counsel.
{039}
[Mr. Worldly Wiseman's counsel to Christian] WORLD. I would advise thee, then,
that thou with all speed get thyself rid of thy burden; for thou wilt never be
settled in thy mind till then; nor canst thou enjoy the benefits of the blessing
which God hath bestowed upon thee till then.
CHR. 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.
WORLD. Who bid thee go this way to be rid of thy burden?
CHR. A man that appeared to me to be a very great and honorable person; his name, as I remember, is Evangelist.
{040}
[Mr. Worldly Wiseman condemned Evangelist's counsel] WORLD. I curse him for
his counsel! there is not a more dangerous and troublesome way in the world than
is that unto which he hath directed thee; and that thou shalt find, if thou wilt
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 goes,
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 why should a man so carelessly
cast away himself, by giving heed to a stranger?
[The frame of the heart of a young Christian] CHR. Why, Sir, this burden upon my back is more terrible to me than 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.
{041}
[Worldly Wiseman does not like that men should be serious in reading the Bible]
WORLD. How camest thou by the burden at first?
CHR. By reading this book in my hand.
WORLD. I thought so; and it is happened unto thee as to other weak men, who, meddling with things too high for them, do suddenly fall into thy 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.
CHR. I know what I would obtain; it is ease for my heavy burden.
{042}
[Whether Mr. Worldly Wiseman prefers morality before the strait gate] WORLD. But
why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers attend it?
especially since, had 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 wilt
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.
CHR. Pray, Sir, open this secret to me.
{043}
WORLD. 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 very good
name, that has skill to help men off with such burdens as thine are from their
shoulders: yea, to my knowledge, he hath done a great deal of good this way; ay,
and besides, he hath skill to cure those that are somewhat crazed in their wits
with their burdens. To him, as I said, thou mayest 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
mayest be eased of thy burden; and if thou art not minded to go back to thy
former habitation, as, indeed, I would not wish thee, thou mayest send for thy
wife and children to thee to this village, where there are houses now stand
empty, one of which thou mayest have at reasonable rates; provision is there
also cheap and good; and that which will make thy life the more happy is, to be
sure, there thou shalt live by honest neighbors, in credit and good fashion.
{044}
[Christian snared by Worldly Wiseman's words] 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 further
spoke.
{045}
CHR. Sir, which is my way to this honest man's house?
[Mount Sinai] WORLD. Do you see yonder hill?
CHR. Yes, very well.
WORLD. By that hill you must go, and the first house you come at is his.
{046}
[Christian afraid that Mount Sinai would fall on his head] 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 wayside 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 know 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 out of the hill, that made
Christian afraid that he should be burned. [Ex. 19:16,18] Here, therefore, he
sweat and did quake for fear. [Heb. 12:21]
When Christians unto carnal men give ear, Out of their way they go, and pay for 't dear; For Master Worldly Wiseman can but shew A saint the way to bondage and to woe.
{047}
[Evangelist fends Christian under Mount Sinai, and looks severely upon him]
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.
{048}
[Evangelist reasons afresh with Christian] EVAN. What dost 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 further, Art not thou the
man that I found crying without the walls of the City of Destruction?
CHR. Yes, dear Sir, I am the man.
EVAN. Did not I direct thee the way to the little wicket-gate?
CHR. Yes, dear Sir, said Christian.
EVAN. How is it, then, that thou art so quickly turned aside? for thou art now out of the way.
{049}
CHR. 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 would take
off my burden.
EVAN. What was he?
CHR. 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.
EVAN. What said that gentleman to you?
CHR. Why, he asked me whither I was going, and I told him.
EVAN. And what said he then?
CHR. He asked me if I had a family? And I told him. But, said I, I am so loaded with the burden that is on my back, that I cannot take pleasure in them as formerly.
EVAN. And what said he then?
{050}
CHR. He bid me with speed get rid of my burden; and I told him that it was ease
that I sought. And said I, I am therefore going to yonder gate, to receive
further direction how I may get to the place of deliverance. So he said that he
would shew 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.
{051}
[Evangelist convinces Christian of his error] EVAN. Then, said Evangelist, stand
still a little, that I may show thee the words of God. So he stood trembling.
Then said Evangelist, "See that ye refuse not him that speaks. 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 speaks 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 thy foot from the way of peace, even
almost to the hazarding of thy perdition.
{052}
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,
Mark 3:28] "Be not faithless, but believing." [John 20:27] Then did Christian
again a little revive, and stood up trembling, as at first, before Evangelist.
{053}
[Mr. Worldly Wiseman described by 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 savored 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 saves him best from the cross. [Gal 6:12]
And because he is of this carnal temper, therefore he seeks to pervert my
ways, though right. Now there are three things in this man's counsel, that thou
must utterly abhor.
[Evangelist discovers the deceit of Mr. Worldly Wiseman]
1. His turning thee out of the way. 2. His laboring to render the cross odious to thee. And, 3. His setting thy feet in that way that leads unto the administration of death.
{054}
First, Thou must abhor his turning thee out of the way; and thine own consenting
thereunto: 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 strait
gate" [Luke 13:24], the gate to which I sent thee; for "strait is the gate that
leads unto life, and few there be that find it." [Matt. 7:14] 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.
{055}
Secondly, Thou must abhor his laboring to render the cross odious unto thee;
for thou art to prefer it "before the treasures in Egypt." [Heb. 11:25,26]
Besides the King of glory hath told thee, that he that "will save his life shall
lose it." [Mark 8:35; John 12:25; Matt. 10:39] And, "He that cometh after me,
and hates not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and
sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." [Luke 14:26] I
say, therefore, for man to labor to persuade thee, that that shall be thy
death, without which, THE TRUTH hath said, thou canst not have eternal life;
this doctrine thou must abhor.
{056}
Thirdly, Thou must hate his setting of thy feet in the way that leads 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 thy burden.
{057}
[The bond-woman] 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 thy 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 thy 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 foolish men, but a design to beguile thee of thy 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, that made
the hair of his flesh stand up. The words were thus 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]
{058}
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 as to cause him to forsake the right way.
This done, he applied himself again to Evangelist in words and sense as follow:
{059}
[Christian inquires if he may yet be happy] CHR. Sir, what think you? Is there
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 comforts him] EVAN. 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 goodwill 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.' [Ps. 2:12] 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 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 7:8]
{060}
"He that will enter in must first without Stand knocking at the Gate, nor need
he doubt That is A KNOCKER but to enter in; For God can love him, and forgive
his sin."
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 Good-will, who asked who was there? and whence he came? and what he would have?
{061}
CHR. 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?
[The gate will be opened to broken-hearted sinners] GOOD-WILL. I am willing with all my heart, said he; and with that he opened the gate.
{062}
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;
[Satan envies those that enter the strait gate] from thence, both he and them
that are with him shoot arrows at those that come up to this gate, if haply they
may die before they can enter in.
[Christian entered the gate with joy and trembling] Then said Christian, I rejoice and tremble. So when he was got in, the man of the gate asked him who directed him thither?
{063}
[Talk between Good-will and Christian] CHR. Evangelist bid me come hither, and
knock, (as I did); and he said that you, Sir, would tell me what I must do.
GOOD-WILL. An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it.
CHR. Now I begin to reap the benefits of my hazards.
GOOD-WILL. But how is it that you came alone?
CHR. Because none of my neighbours saw their danger, as I saw mine.
GOOD-WILL. Did any of them know of your coming?
CHR. Yes; my wife and children saw me at the first, and called after me to turn again; also, some of my neighbours stood crying and calling after me to return; but I put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my way.
GOOD-WILL. But did none of them follow you, to persuade you to go back?
CHR. 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.
GOOD-WILL. But why did he not come through?
{064}
[A man may have company when he sets out for heaven, and yet go thither alone]
CHR. We, indeed, came both together, until we came at the Slough of Despond,
into the which we also suddenly fell. And then was my neighbour, Pliable,
discouraged, and would not venture further. Wherefore, getting out again on that
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.
GOOD-WILL. Then said Good-will, Alas, poor man! is the celestial glory of so small esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazards of a few difficulties to obtain it?
{065}
[Christian accuses himself before the man at the gate] CHR. 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.
GOOD-WILL. Oh, did he light upon you? What! he would have had you a sought for ease at the hands of Mr. Legality. They are, both of them, a very cheat. But did you take his counsel?
CHR. 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.
GOOD-WILL. 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.
CHR. 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, oh, what a favour is this to me, that yet I am admitted entrance here!
{066}
[Christian comforted again] GOOD-WILL. We make no objections against any,
notwithstanding all that they have done before they came hither. They are in no
wise cast out [John vi.37]; and therefore, good Christian, come a little way
with me, and I will teach thee about the way thou must go. [Christian directed
yet on his way] 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 straight as a rule can make it. This is the way thou must
go.
{067}
[Christian afraid of losing his way] CHR. But, said Christian, are there no
turnings or windings by which a stranger may lose his way?
GOOD-WILL. Yes, there are many ways butt down upon this, and they are crooked and wide. But thus thou mayest distinguish the right from the wrong, the right only being straight and narrow. [Matt 7:14]
{068}
[Christian weary of his burden] 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.
[There is no deliverance from guilt and burden of sin, but by the death and blood of Christ] He told him, As to thy burden, be content to bear it, until thou comest to the place of deliverance; for there it will fall from thy back of itself.
{069}
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 at 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.
{070}
[Christian comes to the house of the interpreter] Then he went on till he came
to the house of the Interpreter, where he knocked over and over; at last one
came to the door, and asked who was there.
{071}
CHR. 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.
[He is entertained] CHR. 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 a help to me in my journey.
{072}
[Illumination] INTER. Then said the Interpreter, Come in; I will show 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, [Christian sees a grave
picture] and bid his man open a door; the which when he had done, Christian saw
the picture of a very grave person hang up against the wall; and this was the
fashion of it. [The fashion of the picture] It had eyes lifted up to heaven, the
best of books in his hand, the law of truth was written upon his lips, the world
was behind his back. It stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did
hang over his head.
CHR. Then said Christian, What meaneth this?
{073}
[The meaning of the picture] INTER. 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. [Why he
showed him the picture first] 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 authorised to be thy guide in all
difficult places thou mayest meet with in the way; wherefore, take good heed to
what I have shewed thee, and bear well in thy mind what thou hast seen, lest in
thy journey thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right, but their way
goes down to death.
{074}
Then he took him by the hand, and led him into a very large parlour that was
full of dust, because never swept; the which after he had reviewed 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
the water, and sprinkle the room; the which, when she had done, it was swept and
cleansed with pleasure.
{075}
CHR. Then said Christian, What means this?
INTER. The Interpreter answered, This parlour 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 shew thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive, put strength into, and increase it in the soul, even as it doth discover and forbid it, for it doth not give power to subdue. [Rom. 7:6; 1 Cor. 15:56; Rom. 5:20]
{076}
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; John 15:13]
{077}
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.
[He showed him passion and patience] The name of the eldest was Passion, and the
name of the other Patience. Passion seemed to be much discontented; but Patience
was very quiet. Then Christian asked, What is the reason of the discontent of
Passion? [Passion will have all now. Patience is for waiting] 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.
[Passion has his desire] 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. [And quickly lavishes all away] But I beheld but a while, and he had lavished all away, and had nothing left him but rags.
{078}
CHR. Then said Christian to the Interpreter, Expound this matter more fully to
me.
[The matter expounded] INTER. 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 next year, that is until the next world, for their portion of good. [The worldly man for a bird in the hand] 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.
[Patience has the best wisdom] CHR. Then said Christian, Now I see that Patience has the best wisdom, and that upon many accounts. First, because he stays for the best things. Second, and also because he will have the glory of his, when the other has nothing but rags.
{079}
[Things that are first must give place; but things that are last are lasting]
INTER. 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; [Dives had his good things first]
therefore it is said of Dives, "Thou in thy life-time receivedst thy good
things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art
tormented." [Luke 16:25]
CHR. Then I perceive it is not best to covet things that are now, but to wait for things to come.
[The first things are but temporal] INTER. You say the truth: "For the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which 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 neighbours 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.
{080}
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?
{081}
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 backside 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?
{082}
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, that 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 builded 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?
{083}
[The valiant man] 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 name
of him that should enter therein; he saw also, that in the doorway stood many
men in armour to keep it, being resolved to do 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 upon his head, and rush toward 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, he cut his way through them all [Acts
14:.22], 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.
{084}
[Despair like an iron cage] Now, said Christian, let me go hence. Nay, stay,
said the Interpreter, till I have shewed thee a little more, and after that thou
shalt go on thy 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.
{085}
CHR. What wast thou once?
MAN. The man said, I was once a fair and flourishing professor, 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. [Luke 8:13]
CHR. Well, but what art thou now?
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!
CHR. But how camest thou in this condition?
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.
{086}
Then said Christian to the Interpreter, But is there no hope for such a man as
this? Ask him, said the Interpreter. Nay, said Christian, pray, Sir, do you.
INTER. Then said the Interpreter, Is there no hope, but you must be kept in the iron cage of despair?
MAN. No, none at all.
INTER. Why, the Son of the Blessed is very pitiful.
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. 10:28-29] Therefore I have shut myself out of all the promises, and there now remains to me nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings, fearful threatenings, of certain judgement and fiery indignation, which shall devour me as an adversary.
{087}
INTER. For what did you bring yourself into this condition?
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.
INTER. But canst thou not now repent and turn?
{088}
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. O eternity, eternity! how shall I grapple with the misery
that I must meet with in eternity!
INTER. Then said the Interpreter to Christian, Let this man's misery be remembered by thee, and be an everlasting caution to thee.
CHR. Well, said Christian, this is fearful! God help me to watch and 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?
INTER. Tarry till I shall show thee one thing more, and then thou shalt go on thy way.
{089}
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 sit 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 judgement"; 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.
[1 Cor. 15:52; 1 Thes. 4:16; Jude 14; John 5:28,29; 2 Thes. 1:7,8; Rev.
20:11-14; Isa. 26:21; Micah 7:16,17; Ps. 95:1-3; Dan. 7:10] 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 which issued out and came from before him, a
convenient distance betwixt him and them, as betwixt the judge and the prisoners
at the bar. [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; 13:30; 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 Thes. 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. 3:14,15] Upon this I awaked from my sleep.
{090}
CHR. But what is it that made you so afraid of this sight?
MAN. Why, I thought that the day of judgement was come, and that I was not ready for it: but this frighted 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, shewing indignation in his countenance.
{091}
Then said the Interpreter to Christian, Hast thou considered all these things?
CHR. Yes, and they put me in hope and fear.
INTER. Well, keep all things so in thy mind that they may be as a goad in thy 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."
{092}
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. [Isa. 26:1] Up
this way, therefore, did burdened Christian run, but not without great
difficulty, because of the load on his back.
{093}
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.
{094}
[When God Releases us of our guilt and burden we are as those that leap for joy]
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 awhile
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 unto 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, and gave him a roll with a seal upon it, which he bade him look on as
he ran, and that he should give it in at the Celestial Gate. [Eph. 1:13] So they
went their way.
"Who's this? the Pilgrim. How! 'tis very true, Old things are past away, all's become new. Strange! he's another man, upon my word, They be fine feathers that make a fine bird.
[A Christian can sing though alone, when God doth give him the joy of his heart] Then Christian gave three leaps for joy, and went on singing--
"Thus far I did 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!"
{095}
[Simple, Sloth, and Presumption] I saw then in my dream, that he went on thus,
even until he came at a 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,
another Sloth, and the third Presumption.
{096}
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,
for the Dead Sea is under you-- a gulf that hath no bottom. [Prov. 23:34] 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" comes by,
you will certainly become a prey to his teeth. [1 Pet. 5:8] [There is no
persuasion will do, if God openeth not the eyes] 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 fat must stand upon its
own bottom; what is the answer else that I should give thee?" And so they lay
down to sleep again, and Christian went on his way.
{097}
Yet was he 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.
{098}
[Christian talked with them] CHR. Gentlemen, whence came you, and whither go
you?
FORM. and HYP. We were born in the land of Vain-glory, and are going for praise to Mount Zion.
CHR. Why came you not in at the gate which standeth at the beginning of the way? Know you 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]
FORM. and HYP. 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.
CHR. But will it not be counted a trespass against the Lord of the city whither we are bound, thus to violate his revealed will?
{099}
[They that come into the way, but not by the door, think that they can say
something in vindication of their own practice] FORM. and HYP. 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.
CHR. But, said Christian, will your practice stand a trial at law?
FORM. and HYP. They told him, That custom, it being of so long a standing as above a thousand years, would, doubtless, now be admitted as a thing legal by any impartial judge; and besides, said they, if we get into the way, what's matter 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 are also in the way, that came tumbling over the wall; wherein, now, is thy condition better than ours?
CHR. 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.
{100}
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 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
thy back, which was, as we trow, given thee by some of thy neighbours, to hide
the shame of thy nakedness.
{101}
[Christian has got his Lord's coat on his back, and is comforted therewith; he
is comforted, also, with his mark and his roll] CHR. 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 his 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 this 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.
{102}
[Christian has talk with himself] To these things they gave him no answer; only
they looked upon each other, and laughed. Then, I saw that they went on all,
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.
{103}
[He comes to the Hill Difficulty] I beheld, then, that they all went on till
they came to the foot of the Hill Difficulty; at the bottom of which 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, and drank thereof, to refresh himself [Isa. 49:10], 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."
{104}
[The danger of turning out of the way] 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 these
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.
"Shall they who wrong begin yet rightly end? Shall they at all have safety for their friend? No, no; in headstrong manner they set out, And headlong will they fall at last no doubt."
{105}
[A ward of grace] 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 arbour, made by the Lord of the
hill for the refreshing 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 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. [He that sleeps is a loser] 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
started up, and sped him on his way, and went apace, till he came to the top of
the hill.
{106}
[Christian meets with Mistrust and Timorous] Now, when he was got up to the top
of the hill, there came two men running to meet him 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 further
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.
{107}
[Christian shakes off fear] CHR. 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. [Christian missed his roll wherein
he used to take comfort] 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. [He is perplexed for his
roll] Here, therefore, he begun to be much perplexed, and knew not what to do.
At last he bethought himself that he had slept in the arbour that is on the side
of the hill; and, falling down upon his knees, he asked God's forgiveness for
that his 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 for 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 within sight of the arbour where he sat and slept; but that sight
renewed his sorrow the more, by bringing again, even afresh, his evil of
sleeping into his mind. [Rev. 2:5; 1 Thes. 5:7,8] [Christian bewails his foolish
sleeping] Thus, therefore, he now went on bewailing his sinful sleep, saying, O
wretched man that I am that I should sleep in the day-time! 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!
{108}
How many steps have I took 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!
{109}
[Christian findeth his roll where he lost it] Now, by this time he was come to
the arbour again, where for a while he sat down and wept; but at last, as
Christian 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 oh, how nimbly now 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: O thou sinful sleep; how, for thy 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. [1 Thes. 5:6,7] 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 thus 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 just by the highway side.
{110}
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 thy
strength so small? [Mark 8:34-37] 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
had none. Keep in the midst of the path, no hurt shall come unto thee.
"Difficulty is behind, Fear is before, Though he's got on the hill, the lions roar; A Christian man is never long at ease, When one fright's gone, another doth him seize."
{111}
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.
{112}
CHR. 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.
POR. What is your name?
CHR. 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]
POR. But how doth it happen that you come so late? The sun is set.
{113}
CHR. I had been here sooner, but that, "wretched man that I am!" I slept in the
arbour that stands on the hillside; 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 finding it not, 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.
POR. Well, I will call out one of the virgins of this place, who will, if she likes your talk, bring you into 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 at the door of the house, a grave and beautiful damsel, named Discretion, and asked why she was called.
{114}
The porter answered, This man is in 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, mayest do as seemeth thee good, even according to the law of the house.
{115}
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 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, and Prudence, and Charity to
discourse with him; and thus they began:
{116}
[Piety discourses him] PIETY. Come, good Christian, since we have been so loving
to you, to receive you in 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.
CHR. With a very good will, and I am glad that you are so well disposed.
{117}
PIETY. What moved you at first to betake yourself to a pilgrim's life?
[How Christian was driven out of his own country] CHR. 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?
[How he got into the way to Zion] CHR. 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.
{118}
PIETY. But did you not come by the house of the Interpreter?
[A rehearsal of what he saw in the way] CHR. 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 judgement was come.
PIETY. Why, did you hear him tell his dream?
CHR. 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.
{119}
PIETY. Was that all that you saw at the house of the Interpreter?
CHR. No; he took me and had me where he shewed 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 further to go.
{120}
PIETY. And what saw you else in the way?
CHR. Saw! why, I went but a little further, and I saw one, as I thought in my mind, hang bleeding upon the 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.)
{121}
PIETY. But you saw more than this, did you not?
CHR. The things that I have told you were the best; yet some other matters 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 now I thank God I am here, and I thank you for receiving of me.
{122}
Then Prudence thought good to ask him a few questions, and desired his answer to
them.
[Prudence discourses him] PRUD. Do you not think sometimes of the country from whence you came?
[Christian's thoughts of his native country] CHR. Yes, 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, an heavenly." [Heb. 11:15,16]
PRUD. Do you not yet bear away with you some of the things that then you were conversant withal?
[Christian distasted with carnal cogitations] CHR. 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, [Christian's choice] I would choose never to think of those things more; but when I would be doing of that which is best, that which is worst is with me. [Rom 7:16-19]
{123}
PRUD. Do you not find sometimes, as if those things were vanquished, which at
other times are your perplexity?
[Christian's golden hours] CHR. Yes, but that is seldom; but they are to me golden hours in which such things happen to me.
PRUD. Can you remember by what means you find your annoyances, at times, as if they were vanquished?
[How Christian gets power against his corruptions] CHR. 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; also 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.
{124}
PRUD. And what is it that makes you so desirous to go to Mount Zion?
[Why Christian would be at Mount Zion] CHR. 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; and there I shall dwell with such company as I like best. [Isa. 25:8; Rev. 21:4] For, to tell you 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!"
{125}
[Charity discourses him] Then said Charity to Christian, Have you a family? Are
you a married man?
CHR. I have a wife and four small children.
CHAR. And why did you not bring them along with you?
[Christian's love to his wife and children] CHR. 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.
CHAR. But you should have talked to them, and have endeavoured to have shown them the danger of being behind.
CHR. So I did; and told them also of 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]
CHAR. And did you pray to God that he would bless your counsel to them?
CHR. Yes, and that with much affection: for you must think that my wife and poor children were very dear unto me.
CHAR. But did you tell them of your own sorrow, and fear of destruction? for I suppose that destruction was visible enough to you.
[Christian's fears of perishing might be read in his very countenance] CHR. 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 judgement that did hang over our heads; but all was not sufficient to prevail with them to come with me.
CHAR. But what could they say for themselves, why they came not?
{126}
[The cause why his wife and children did not go with him] CHR. 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.
CHAR. 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?
{127}
[Christian's good conversation before his wife and children] CHR. 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 labour 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 neighbour.
[Christian clear of their blood if they perish] CHAR. Indeed Cain hated his brother, "because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous" [1 John 3:12]; and if thy wife and children have been offended with thee for this, they thereby show themselves to be implacable to good, and "thou hast delivered thy soul from their blood". [Ezek. 3:19]
{128}
[What Christian had to his supper] 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. [Their talk at supper time] 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", but not without great danger to
himself, which made me love him the more. [Heb. 2:14,15]
{129}
For, as they said, and as I believe (said Christian), he did it with the loss of
much blood; but that which put 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.
{130}
[Christ makes princes of beggars] 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; Ps. 113:7]
{131}
[Christian's bedchamber] 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!"
{132}
[Christian had into the study, and what he saw there] 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 first the pedigree of the Lord of the hill,
that he was the son of the Ancient of Days, and came by that 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.
{133}
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]
{134}
They then read again, in another part of the records of the house, where it was
shewed how willing their Lord was to receive into his favour 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.
{135}
[Christian had into the armoury] The next day they took him and had him into the
armoury, 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.
{136}
[Christian is made to see ancient things] They also showed him some of the
engines with which some of his servants had done wonderful things. They shewed
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's goad wherewith Shamgar slew six hundred men. They
showed him also the jaw-bone 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.
{137}
[Christian showed the Delectable Mountains] 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 further 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, said they, thou mayest
see to the gate of the Celestial City, as the shepherds that live there will
make appear.
{138}
[Christian sets forward] Now he bethought himself of setting forward, and they
were willing he should. But first, said they, let us go again into the armoury.
[Christian sent away armed] So they did; and when they 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, walketh out
with his friends to the gate, and there he asked the porter if he saw any
pilgrims pass by. Then the porter answered, Yes.
{139}
CHR. Pray, did you know him? said he.
POR. I asked him his name, and he told me it was Faithful.
CHR. Oh, said Christian, I know him; he is my townsman, my near neighbour; he comes from the place where I was born. How far do you think he may be before?
POR. He is got by this time below the hill.
[How Christian and the Porter greet at parting] CHR. Well, said Christian, good Porter, the Lord be with thee, and add to all thy blessings much increase, for the kindness that thou hast showed to me.
{140}
[The Valley of Humiliation] 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, are we come out to
accompany thee down the hill. So he began to go down, but very warily; yet he
caught a slip or two.
{141}
Then I saw in my dream that these good companions, when Christian was gone 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.
[Christian has no armour for his back] 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 armour for his back; and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him the greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts. [Christian's resolution at the approach of Apollyon] 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.
{142}
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, 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 with him.
{143}
APOL. Whence come you? and whither are you bound?
CHR. I am come from the City of Destruction, which is the place of all evil, and am going to the City of Zion.
[Discourse betwixt Christian and Apollyon] APOL. 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 thy king? Were it not that I hope thou mayest do me more service, I would strike thee now, at one blow, to the ground.
{144}
CHR. I was born, indeed, 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's flattery] APOL. There is no prince that will thus lightly lose his subjects, neither will I as yet lose thee; but since thou complainest of thy service and wages, be content to go back: what our country will afford, I do here promise to give thee.
CHR. But I have let myself to another, even to the King of princes; and how can I, with fairness, go back with thee?
{145}
[Apollyon undervalues Christ's service] APOL. 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 too, and all shall be well.
CHR. 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 pretends to be merciful] APOL. Thou didst the same to me, and yet I am willing to pass by all, if now thou wilt yet turn again and go back.
{146}
CHR. What I promised thee was in my nonage; and, besides, I count the Prince
under whose banner now I 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; and, therefore, leave
off to persuade me further; I am his servant, and I will follow him.
{147}
[Apollyon pleads the grievous ends of Christians, to dissuade Christian from
persisting in his way] APOL. 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 came yet
from the place where he is to deliver any that served him out of their 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 I will deliver thee.
CHR. 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.
APOL. Thou hast already been unfaithful in thy service to him; and how dost thou think to receive wages of him?
CHR. Wherein, O Apollyon! have I been unfaithful to him?
{148}
[Apollyon pleads Christian's infirmities against him] APOL. 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 thy burden, whereas thou shouldst have
stayed till thy Prince had taken it off; thou didst sinfully sleep and lose thy
choice thing; thou wast, also, almost persuaded to go back at the sight of the
lions; and when thou talkest of thy journey, and of what thou hast heard and
seen, thou art inwardly desirous of vain-glory in all that thou sayest or doest.
CHR. All this is true, and much more which thou hast left out; but the Prince whom I serve and honour is merciful, and ready to forgive; but, besides, these infirmities possessed me in thy country, for there I sucked them in; and I have groaned under them, been sorry for them, and have obtained pardon of my Prince.
{149}
[Apollyon in a rage falls upon Christian] APOL. 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.
CHR. Apollyon, beware what you do; for I am in the King's highway, the way of holiness; therefore take heed to yourself.
APOL. 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 further; here will I spill thy soul.
{150}
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.
[Christian wounded in his understanding, faith, and conversation] 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.
{151}
[Apollyon casteth to the ground the Christian] 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 of his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this
good man, Christian nimbly stretched out his hand for his sword, and caught it,
saying, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall I shall arise" [Micah
7:8]; [Christian's victory over Apollyon] 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's wings, and sped him away, that Christian
for a season saw him no more. [James 4:7]
{152}
[A brief relation of the combat by the spectator] 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.
A more unequal match can hardly be,-- CHRISTIAN must fight an Angel; but you see, The valiant man by handling Sword and Shield, Doth make him, tho' a Dragon, quit the field.
{153}
[Christian gives God thanks for deliverance] So when the battle was over,
Christian said, "I will here give thanks to him that 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, Design'd 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.
{154}
[Christian goes on his journey with his sword drawn in his hand] 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.
{155}
[The Valley of the Shadow of Death] 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 of pits, a land of drought, and of the shadow
of death, a land that no man" (but a Christian) "passed 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.
{156}
[The children of the spies go back] 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], making haste
to go back; to whom Christian spake as follows:--
{157}
CHR. Whither are you going?
MEN. They said, Back! back! and we would have you to do so too, if either life or peace is prized by you.
CHR. Why, what's the matter? said Christian.
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.
CHR. But what have you met with? said Christian.
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. [Ps. 44:19; 107:10]
CHR. But what have you seen? said Christian.
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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 hangs 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]
CHR. Then, said Christian, I perceive not yet, by what you have said, but that this is my way to the desired haven. [Jer. 2:6]
MEN. Be it thy 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.
{159}
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. [Ps. 69:14,15] Again,
behold, on the left hand, there was a very dangerous quag, into which, if even a
good man falls, he can find 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.
{160}
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
dangers mentioned above, the pathway was here so dark, and ofttimes, when he
lift up his foot to set forward, he knew not where or upon what he should set it
next.
Poor man! where art thou now? thy day is night. Good man, be not cast down, thou yet art right, Thy way to heaven lies by the gates of Hell; Cheer up, hold out, with thee it shall go well.
{161}
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!" [Ps. 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. [Christian put to a stand,
but for a while] 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 further.
{162}
[Christian made believe that he spake blasphemies, when it was Satan that
suggested them into his mind] 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 anything
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.
{163}
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." [Ps. 23:4]
{164}
Then he was 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 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]
{165}
[Christian glad at break of day] 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 mire 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]
{166}
[The second part of this valley very dangerous] Now was Christian much affected
with his deliverance from all the dangers of his solitary way; which dangers,
though he feared them more 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 upon my head, and by his light I walk
through darkness." [Job 29:3]
{167}
In this light, therefore, he came to the end of the valley. Now I saw in my
dream, that at the end of this 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 time; by whose power and tyranny the men
whose bones, blood, and ashes, &c., 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.
{168}
So I saw that Christian went on his way; yet, at the sight of the Old Man that
sat in the mouth of the cave, he could not tell what to think, especially
because he spake 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 deliver'd 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.
{169}
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."
{170}
[Christian overtakes Faithful] 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 vain-gloriously 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.
[Christian's fall makes Faithful and he go lovingly together] 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:
{171}
CHR. My honoured 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.
FAITH. I had thought, 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.
CHR. How long did you stay in the City of Destruction before you set out after me on your pilgrimage?
[Their talk about the country from whence they came] FAITH. Till I could stay no longer; for there was great talk presently after you were gone out that our city would, in short time, with fire from heaven, be burned down to the ground.
CHR. What! did your neighbours talk so?
FAITH. Yes, it was for a while in everybody's mouth.
CHR. What! and did no more of them but you come out to escape the danger?
FAITH. 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 and brimstone from above; and therefore I have made my escape.
{172}
CHR. Did you hear no talk of neighbour Pliable?
FAITH. Yes, Christian, I heard that he followed you till he came at 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.
CHR. And what said the neighbours to him?
[How Pliable was accounted of, when he got home] FAITH. 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.
CHR. But why should they be so set against him, since they also despise the way that he forsook?
FAITH. Oh, 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]
CHR. Had you no talk with him before you came out?
FAITH. 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.
{173}
CHR. 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 is happened to him according to
the true proverb, "The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that
was washed, to her wallowing in the mire." [2 Pet. 2:22]
FAITH. These are my fears of him too; but who can hinder that which will be?
CHR. Well, neighbour 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.
{174}
[Faithful assaulted by Wanton] FAITH. I escaped the Slough that I perceived you
fell into, and got up to the gate without that danger; only I met with one whose
name was Wanton, who had like to have done me a mischief.
CHR. 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?
FAITH. 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.
CHR. Nay, she did not promise you the content of a good conscience.
FAITH. You know what I mean; all carnal and fleshly content.
CHR. Thank God you have escaped her: "The abhorred of the Lord shall fall into her ditch." [Ps. 22:14]
FAITH. Nay, I know not whether I did wholly escape her or no.
CHR. Why, I trow, you did not consent to her desires?
FAITH. 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.
CHR. Did you meet with no other assault as you came?
{175}
[He is assaulted by Adam the First] FAITH. 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 am a pilgrim, going to the Celestial City. Then
said the old man, Thou lookest like an honest fellow; wilt thou be content to
dwell with me for the wages that I shall give thee? Then I asked him 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 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 in the world; and that his servants were those of his own
begetting. Then I asked if he had any children. He said that he had but three
daughters: The Lust of the Flesh, The Lust of the Eyes, and The Pride of Life,
and that I should marry them all if I would. [1 John 2:16] Then I asked how long
time he would have me live with him? And he told me, As long as he lived
himself.
CHR. Well, and what conclusion came the old man and you to at last?
FAITH. 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."
CHR. And how then?
{176}
FAITH. Then it came burning hot into my mind, 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 about half-way up, I looked behind, and saw one coming after me, swift as the wind; so he overtook me just about the place where the settle stands.
CHR. 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.
{177}
FAITH. But, good brother, hear me out. So soon as the man overtook me, he 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.
CHR. Who was that that bid him forbear?
FAITH. 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.
{178}
[The temper of Moses] CHR. That man that overtook you was Moses. He spareth
none, neither knoweth he how to show mercy to those that transgress his law.
FAITH. I know it very well; it was not the first time that he has met with me. It was 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.
CHR. But did you not see the house that stood there on the top of the hill, on the side of which Moses met you?
FAITH. 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.
CHR. 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?
{179}
[Faithful assaulted by Discontent] FAITH. 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 honour. He told me, moreover, that there
to go was the way to disobey 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.
CHR. Well, and how did you answer him?
{180}
[Faithful's answer to Discontent] FAITH. I told him, that although all these
that he named might claim 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, as 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 honour is humility, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Therefore, said I, I had rather go through this valley to the honour that was so accounted by the wisest, than choose that which he esteemed most worthy our affections.
CHR. Met you with nothing else in that valley?
{181}
[He is assaulted with Shame] FAITH. Yes, I met with Shame; but of all the men
that I met with in my pilgrimage, he, I think, bears the wrong name. The others
would be said nay, after a little argumentation, and somewhat else; but this
bold-faced Shame would never have done.
CHR. Why, what did he say to you?
FAITH. 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 accustom 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 [1 Cor. 1:26; 3:18; Phil. 3:7,8]; nor any of them neither [John 7:48], before they were persuaded to be fools, and to be of a voluntary fondness, to venture the loss of all, for nobody knows what. 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 neighbour 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?
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CHR. And what did you say to him?
FAITH. Say! I could not tell what to say at the 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 it 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, indeed is 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? Should I now be ashamed of his ways and servants, how can I expect the blessing? [Mark 8:38] But, indeed, this Shame was a bold villain; I could scarce 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 it was but in vain to attempt further 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 sometime else, we by them may Be taken, overcome, and cast away. Oh, let the pilgrims, let the pilgrims, then Be vigilant, and quit themselves like men.
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CHR. 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]
FAITH. I think we must cry to Him for help against Shame, who would have us to be valiant for the truth upon the earth.
CHR. You say true; but did you meet nobody else in that valley?
FAITH. 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.
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CHR. It was 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 broke, and the sun rose, and I
went through that which was behind with far more ease and quiet.
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[Talkative described] 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 is 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:
FAITH. Friend, whither away? Are you going to the heavenly country?
TALK. I am going to the same place.
FAITH. That is well; then I hope we may have your good company.
TALK. With a very good will will I be your companion.
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[Faithful and Talkative enter discourse] FAITH. Come on, then, and let us go
together, and let us spend our time in discoursing of things that are
profitable.
[Talkative's dislike of bad discourse] TALK. 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 that 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 for me.
FAITH. That is indeed a thing to be lamented; for what things so worthy of the use of the tongue and mouth of men on earth as are the things of the God of heaven?
TALK. I like you wonderful well, for your sayings are 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?
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FAITH. That is true; but to be profited by such things in our talk should be
that which we design.
[Talkative's fine discourse] TALK. That is 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, &c. Besides, by this a man may learn, by talk, 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. Further, by this a man may learn to refute false opinions, to vindicate the truth, and also to instruct the ignorant.
FAITH. All this is true, and glad am I to hear these things from you.
TALK. Alas! the want o