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{{box | text=[[Pilgrim''(A s Progress]] is a book by [[John Bunyan]])''}}{{rtoc}}----
THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
THE FIRST STAGE. - Christian's deplorable condition - Evangelist directs
him - Obstinate and Pliable - Slough of Despond - Worldly Wiseman -
Mount Sinai - Conversation with Evangelist
THE SECOND STAGE. - The Gate - conversation with Good-Will - the
Interpreter's House - Christian entertained - the sights there shown him
Pilgrimage of Christiana and her children
THE FIRST STAGE. - Christiana and Mercy - Slough of Despond - knocking
at the gate - the Dog - talk between the Pilgrims
THE EIGHTH STAGE. - Valiant-for-Truth's-Victory - his talk with Great-
Heart - the Enchanted Ground - Heedless and Too-bold - Mr. Stand-fast -
Madam Bubble's temptations - the land of Beulah - Christiana summoned -
her parting addresses - she passes the River - she is followed by Ready-
to-halt, Feeble-mind, Despondency and his daughter, Honest, Valiant,
Steadfast
Author's Farewell
Thus for to write, I did not understand
That I at all should make a little book
About their journey, and the way to glory,
In more than twenty things which I set down
The book that I already am about.
Well, so I did; but yet I did not think
I did it my own self to gratify.
Neither did I but vacant seasons spend
And quickly had my thoughts in black and white;
For having now my method by the end,
I show'd them others, that I might see whether
They would condemn them, or them justify:
Which was the best thing to be done by me:
At last I thought, Since ye are thus divided,
Thus I thought fit to put it to the test.
I further thought, if now I did deny
In such a method too, and yet not miss
My end-thy good? Why may it not be done?
She spews out both, and makes their blessing null.
You see the ways the fisherman doth take
By divers means! all which one cannot name.
His guns, his nets, his lime-twigs, light and bell:
That they may find it. Now my little book,
(Though void of all these paintings that may make
What do in brave but empty notions dwell.
"Well, yet I am not fully satisfied
That this your book will stand, when soundly tried."
"But they want solidness." Speak, man, thy mind.
"They drown the weak; metaphors make us blind."
All things solid in show, not solid be;
All things in parable despise not we,
Christ, his apostles too, shall plainly see,
That truths to this day in such mantles be.
Is everywhere so full of all these things,
Dark figures, allegories? Yet there springs
He findeth any; yea, and let him know,
That in his best things there are worse lines too.
Pleases the understanding, makes the will
Submit, the memory too it doth fill
But yet grave Paul him nowhere doth forbid
The use of parables, in which lay hid
Put on the words, things, readers, or be rude
In handling figure or similitude,
Thus to express my mind, thus to declare
Things unto thee that excellentest are.
Which way it pleases God: for who knows how,
Better than he that taught us first to plough,
This book will make a traveler of thee,
If by its counsel thou wilt ruled be;
It will direct thee to the Holy Land,
From New-Year's day to the last of December?
Then read my fancies; they will stick like burs,
Nothing but sound and honest gospel strains.
Would'st thou divert thyself from melancholy?
A man i' the clouds, and hear him speak to thee?
Would'st thou be in a dream, and yet not sleep?
And lay my book, thy head, and heart together.
JOHN BUNYAN.
I saw also that he looked this way, and that way, as if he would run;
yet he stood still because (as I perceived) he could not tell which way
to go. I looked then, and saw a man named Evangelist coming to him, and
he asked, "Wherefore dost thou cry?"
He answered, "Sir, I perceive, by the book in my hand, that I am
condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment, Heb. 9:27; and I
find that I am not willing to do the first, Job 10: 21,22, nor able to
do the second." Ezek. 22:14.
OBST. What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to
find them?
CHR. I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not
away, 1 Peter 1:4; and it is laid up in heaven, and safe there, Heb.
11:16, to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on them that diligently
seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my book.
OBST. What, more fools still! Be ruled by me, and go back; who knows
whither such a brain-sick fellow will lead you? Go back, go back, and
be wise.
CHR. Nay, but do thou come with thy neighbor Pliable; there are such
things to be had which I spoke of, and many more glories besides. If
you believe not me, read here in this book, and for the truth of what is
expressed therein, behold, all is confirmed by the blood of Him that
made it. Heb. 9: 17-21.
PLI. This is very pleasant; and what else?
CHR. There shall be no more crying, nor sorrow; for he that is owner of
the place will wipe all tears from our eyes. Isa. 25:8; Rev 7:16, 17;
21:4.
PLI. The hearing of this is enough to ravish one's heart. But are these
things to be enjoyed? How shall we get to be sharers thereof?
PLI. Well, my good companion, glad am I to hear of these things: come
on, let us mend our pace.
Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk, they drew
nigh to a very miry slough that was in the midst of the plain: and they
being heedless, did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of the
slough was Despond. Here, therefore, they wallowed for a time, being
grievously bedaubed with the dirt; and Christian, because of the burden
that was on his back, began to sink in the mire.
CHR. Truly, said Christian, I do not know.
Wherefore Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone;
but still he endeavored to struggle to that side of the slough that was
farthest from his own house, and next to the wicket-gate; the which he
did, but could not get out because of the burden that was upon his back:
but I beheld in my dream, that a man came to him, whose name was Help,
and asked him what he did there.
HELP. But why did not you look for the steps?
HELP. Then, said he, Give me thine hand: so he gave him his hand, and he
drew him out, Psalm 40:2, and he set him upon sound ground, and bid him
go on his way.
"It is not the pleasure of the King that this place should remain so
bad. Isa. 35:3,4. His laborers also have, by the direction of his
Majesty's surveyors, been for above this sixteen hundred years employed
about this patch of ground, if perhaps it might have been mended: yea,
and to my knowledge," said he, "there have been swallowed up at least
twenty thousand cart loads, yea, millions of wholesome instructions,
that have at all seasons been brought from all places of the King's
dominions, (and they that can tell, say, they are the best materials to
make good ground of the place,) if so be it might have been mended; but
it is the Slough of Despond still, and so will be when they have done
what they can.
Now I saw in my dream, that by this time Pliable was got home to his
house. So his neighbors came to visit him; and some of them called him
wise man for coming back, and some called him fool for hazarding himself
with Christian: others again did mock at his cowardliness, saying,
"Surely, since you began to venture, I would not have been so base as to
have given out for a few difficulties:" so Pliable sat sneaking among
them. But at last he got more confidence, and then they all turned
their tales, and began to deride poor Christian behind his back. And
thus much concerning Pliable.
WORLD. How now, good fellow, whither away after this burdened manner?
WORLD. Hast thou a wife and children?
WORLD. Wilt thou hearken to me, if I give thee counsel?
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 blessings which God hath
bestowed upon thee till then.
WORLD. Who bid thee go this way to be rid of thy burden?
I beshrew 5 him for his counsel! there is not a more dangerous and
troublesome way in the world than is that into which he hath directed
thee; and that thou shalt find, if thou 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
goest, wearisomeness, painfulness, hunger, perils, nakedness, sword,
lions, dragons, darkness, and, in a word, death, and what not. These
things are certainly true, having been confirmed by many testimonies.
And should a man so carelessly cast away himself, by giving heed to a
stranger?
WORLD. How camest thou by thy burden at first?
WORLD. I thought so; and it has happened unto thee as to other weak men,
who, meddling with things too high for them, do suddenly fall into 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.
WORLD. But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers
attend it? especially since (hadst thou but patience to hear me) I
could direct thee to the obtaining of what thou desirest, without the
dangers that thou in this way 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.
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 a very good name, that has skill to help men off with such
burdens as thine is from their shoulders; yea to my knowledge, he hath
done a great deal of good this way; aye, and besides, he hath skill to
cure those that are somewhat crazed in their wits with their burdens.
To him, as I said, thou 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 this village, where
there are houses now standing empty, one of which thou mayest have at a
reasonable rate: 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.
CHR. Sir, which is my way to this honest man's house?
CHR. Yes, very well.
So Christian turned out of his way to go to Mr. Legality's house for
help: but, behold, when he was got now hard by the hill, it seemed so
high, and also that side of it that was next the way-side did hang so
much over, that Christian was afraid to venture further, lest the hill
should fall on his head; wherefore there he stood still, and wotted not
what to do. Also his burden now seemed heavier to him than while he was
in his way. There came also flashes of fire, Ex. 19:16, 18, out of the
hill, that made Christian afraid that he should be burnt: here therefore
he did sweat and quake for fear. Heb. 12:21. And now he began to be
sorry that he had taken Mr. Worldly Wiseman's counsel; and with that he
saw Evangelist coming to meet him, at the sight also of whom he began to
blush for shame. So Evangelist drew nearer and nearer; and coming up to
him, he looked upon him, with a severe and dreadful countenance, and
thus began to reason with Christian.
CHR. Yes, dear sir, I am the man.
CHR. Yes, dear sir, said Christian.
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 could take off my burden.
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.
CHR. Why, he asked me whither I was going; and I told him.
CHR. He asked me if I had a family; and I told him. But, said I, I am
so laden with the burden that is on my back, that I cannot take pleasure
in them as formerly.
CHR. He bid me with speed get rid of my burden; and I told him it was
ease that I sought. And, said I, I am therefore going to yonder gate,
to receive farther direction how I may get to the place of deliverance.
So he said that he would show me a better way, and short, not so
attended with difficulties as the way, sir, that you set me in; which
way, said he, will direct you to a gentleman's house that hath skill to
take off these burdens: so I believed him, and turned out of that way
into this, if haply I might be soon eased of my burden. But when I came
to this place, and beheld things as they are, I stopped, for fear (as I
said) of danger: but I now know not what to do.
Then Christian fell down at his feet as dead, crying, Woe is me, for I
am undone! At the sight of which Evangelist caught him by the right
hand, saying, "All manner of sin and blasphemies shall be forgiven unto
men." Matt. 12:31. "Be not faithless, but believing." John 20:27.
Then did Christian again a little revive, and stood up trembling, as at
first, before Evangelist.
1. His turning thee out of the way.
3. And his setting thy feet in that way that leadeth unto the
administration of death.
Secondly, Thou must abhor his laboring to render the cross odious unto
thee; for thou art to prefer it before the treasures of Egypt. Heb.
11:25,26. Besides, the King of glory hath told thee, that he that will
save his life shall lose it. And he that comes after him, and hates not
his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and
sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be his disciple. Mark
8:38; John 12:25; Matt. 10:39; Luke 14:26. I say, therefore, for a man
to labor to persuade thee that that shall be thy death, without which,
the truth hath said, thou canst not have eternal life, this doctrine
thou must abhor.
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 sottish 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, which made the hair of his flesh stand
up. The words were pronounced: "As many as are of the works of the law,
are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that
continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to
do them." Gal. 3:10.
CHR. Sir, what think you? Is there any hope? May I now go back, and go
up to the wicket-gate? Shall I not be abandoned for this, and sent back
from thence ashamed? I am sorry I have hearkened to this man's counsel;
but may my sin be forgiven?
==THE SECOND STAGE.==
He knocked, therefore, more than once or twice, saying,
Open to sorry me, though I have been
Not fail to sing his lasting praise on high."
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.
So when Christian was stepping in, the other gave him a pull. Then said
Christian, What means that? The other told him, A little distance from
this gate there is erected a strong castle, of which Beelzebub is the
captain: from thence both he and they that are with him, shoot arrows at
those that come up to this gate, if haply they may die before they can
enter in. Then said Christian, I rejoice and tremble. So when he was
got in, the man of the Gate asked him who directed him thither.
GOOD. An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it.
GOOD. But how is it that you came alone?
GOOD. Did any of them know of your coming?
GOOD. But did none of them follow you, to persuade you to go back?
GOOD. But why did he not come through?
GOOD. Then said Goodwill, Alas, poor man; is the celestial glory of so
little esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazard
of a few difficulties to obtain it?
GOOD. Oh, did he light upon you? What, he would have had you have seek
for ease at the hands of Mr. Legality! They are both of them a very
cheat. But did you take his counsel?
GOOD. 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.
GOOD. We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they
have done before they come hither; they in no wise are cast out. John
6:37. And therefore good Christian, come a little way with me, and I
will teach thee about the way thou must go. Look before thee; dost thou
see this narrow way? That is the way thou must go. It was cast up by
the patriarchs, prophets, Christ, and his apostles, and it is as strait
as a rule can make it; this is the way thou must go.
GOOD. 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 strait and narrow. Matt. 7:14.
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."
Then he went on till he came at the house of the Interpreter, 6 where he
knocked over and over. At last one came to the door, and asked who was
there.
So he called for the master of the house, who, after a little time, came
to Christian, and asked him what he would have.
INTER. Then said Interpreter, Come in; I will show thee that which will
be profitable to thee. So he commanded his man to light the candle, and
bid Christian follow him; so he had him into a private room, and bid his
man open a door; the which when he had done, Christian saw the picture a
very grave person hang up against the wall; and this was the fashion of
it: It had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the
law of truth was written upon its lips, the world was behind its back;
it stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over
its head.
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. Now, said the Interpreter, I have
showed thee this picture first, because the man whose picture this is,
is the only man whom the Lord of the place whither thou art going hath
authorized to be thy guide in all difficult places thou mayest meet with
in the way: wherefore take good heed to what I have showed 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.
CHR. Then said Christian, What means this?
I saw moreover in my dream, that the Interpreter took him by the hand,
and had him into a little room, where sat two little children, each one
in his chair. The name of the eldest was Passion, and the name of the
other Patience. Passion seemed to be much disconted, but Patience was
very quiet. Then Christian asked, "What is the reason of the discontent
of Passion?" The Interpreter answered, "The governor of them would have
him stay for his best things till the beginning of the next year, but he
will have all now; but Patience is willing to wait."
CHR. Then said Christian to the Interpreter, Expound this matter more
fully to me.
CHR. Then said Christian, Now I see that Patience has the best wisdom,
and that upon many accounts. 1. Because he stays for the best things.
2. And also because he will have the glory of his, when the other has
nothing but rags.
CHR. Then I perceive it is not best to cover things that are now, but to
wait for things to come.
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.
The Interpreter answered, This fire is the work of grace that is wrought
in the heart; he that casts water upon it, to extinguish and put it out,
is the devil: but in that thou seest the fire, notwithstanding, burn
higher and hotter, thou shalt also see the reason of that. So he had
him about to the back side of the wall, where he saw a man with a vessel
of oil in his hand, of the which he did also continually cast (but
secretly) into the fire.
The Interpreter answered, This is Christ, who continually, with the oil
of his grace, maintains the work already begun in the heart; by the
means of which, notwithstanding what the devil can do, the souls of his
people prove gracious still. 2 Cor. 12:9. And in that thou sawest
that the man stood behind the wall to maintain the fire; this is to
teach thee, that it is hard for the tempted to see how this work of
grace is maintained in the soul.
Then said Christian may we go in thither?
"Come in, come in,
So he went in, and was clothed with such garments as they. Then
Christian smiled, and said, I think verily I know the meaning of this.
Now 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.
CHR. What wast thou once?
CHR. Well, but what art thou now?
CHR. But how camest thou into this condition?
Then said Christian to the Interpreter, But is there no hope for such a
man as this? Ask him, said the Interpreter.
MAN. No, none at all.
MAN. I have crucified him to myself afresh, Heb. 6:6; I have despised
his person, Luke 19:14; I have despised his righteousness; I have
counted his blood an unholy thing; I have done despite to the spirit of
grace, Heb. 10:29: therefore I have shut myself out of all the promises
and there now remains to me nothing but threatenings, dreadful
threatenings, faithful threatenings of certain judgment and fiery
indignation, which shall devour me as an adversary.
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.
MAN. God hath denied me repentance. His word gives me no encouragement
to believe; yea, himself hath shut me up in this iron cage: nor can all
the men in the world let me out. Oh eternity! eternity! how shall I
grapple with the misery that I must meet with in eternity?
CHR. Well, said Christian, this is fearful! God help me to watch and to
be sober, and to pray that I may shun the cause of this man's misery.
Sir, is it not time for me to go on my way now?
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.
CHR. But what was it that made you so afraid of this sight?
Then said the Interpreter to Christian, "Hast thou considered all these
things?"
"Here I have seen things rare and profitable,
In what I have begun to take in hand:
Wherefore they showed me were, and let me be
==THE THIRD STAGE.==
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.
"Thus far did I come laden with my sin,
Till I came hither. What a place is this!
Must here the burden fall from off my back?
Blest cross! blest sepulchre! blest rather be
I saw then in my dream, that he went on thus, even until he came at the
bottom, where he saw, a little out of the way, three men fast asleep,
with fetters upon their heels. The name of the one was Simple, of
another Sloth, and of the third Presumption.
Yet he was troubled to think that men in that danger should so little
esteem the kindness of him that so freely offered to help them, both by
awakening of them, counselling of them, and proffering to help them off
with their irons. And as he was troubled thereabout, he espied two men
come tumbling over the wall, on the left hand of the narrow way; and
they made up apace to him. The name of the one was Formalist, and the
name of the other Hypocrisy. So, as I said, they drew up unto him, who
thus entered with them into discourse.
FORM. AND HYP. We were born in the land of Vain-glory, and are going,
for praise, to Mount Zion.
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.
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.
FORM. AND HYP. They told him, that custom, it being of so long standing
as above a thousand years, would doubtless now be admitted as a thing
legal by an impartial judge: and besides, said they, if we get into the
way, what matter is it which way we get in? If we are in, we are in:
thou art but in the way, who, as we perceive, came in at the gate; and
we also are in the way, that came tumbling over the wall: wherein now is
thy condition better than ours?
To this they made him but little answer; only they bid him look to
himself. Then I saw that they went on, every man in his way, without
much conference one with another, save that these two men told
Christian, that as to laws and ordinances, they doubted not but that
they should as conscientiously do them as he. Therefore, said they, we
see not wherein thou differest from us, but by the coat that is on thy
back, which was, as we trow, given thee by some of thy neighbors, to
hide the shame of thy nakedness.
"The hill, though high, I covet to ascend;
For I perceive the way to life lies here:
Better, though difficult, the right way to go,
The other two also came to the foot of the hill. But when they saw that
the hill was steep and high, and that there were two other ways to go;
and supposing also that these two ways might meet again with that up
which Christian went, on the other side of the hill; therefore they were
resolved to go in those ways. Now the name of one of those ways was
Danger, and the name of the other Destruction. So the one took the way
which is called Danger, which led him into a great wood; and the other
took directly up the way to Destruction, which led him into a wide
field, full of dark mountains, where he stumbled and fell, and rose no
more.
Now when he was got up to the top of the hill, there came two men
running amain; the name of the one was Timorous, and of the other
Mistrust: to whom Christian said, Sirs, what's the matter? you run the
wrong way. Timorous answered, that they were going to the city of Zion,
and had got up that difficult place: but, said he, the farther we go,
the more danger we meet with; wherefore we turned, and are going back
again.
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. But thinking again of
what he had heard from the men, he felt in his bosom for his roll, that
he might read therein and be comforted; but he felt, and found it not.
Then was Christian in great distress, and knew not what to do; for he
wanted that which used to relieve him, and that which should have been
his pass into the celestial city. Here, therefore, he began to be much
perplexed, and knew not what to do. At last he bethought himself that
he had slept in the arbor that is on the side of the hill; and falling
down upon his knees, he asked God forgiveness for that foolish act, and
then went back to look for his roll. But all the way he went back, who
can sufficiently set forth the sorrow of Christian's heart? Sometimes
he sighed, sometimes he wept, and oftentimes he chid himself for being
so foolish to fall asleep in that place, which was erected only for a
little refreshment from his weariness. Thus, therefore, he went back,
carefully looking on this side and on that, all the way as he went, if
happily he might find his roll, that had been his comfort so many times
in his journey. He went thus till he came again in sight of the arbor
where he sat and slept; but that sight renewed his sorrow the more, by
bringing again, even afresh, his evil of sleeping unto his mind. Rev.
2:4; 1 Thess. 5:6-8. Thus, therefore, he now went on, bewailing his
sinful sleep, saying, O wretched man that I am, that I should sleep in
the daytime! that I should sleep in the midst of difficulty! that I
should so indulge the flesh as to use that rest for ease to my flesh
which the Lord of the hill hath erected only for the relief of the
spirits of pilgrims! How many steps have I taken in vain! Thus it
happened to Israel; for their sin they were sent back again by the way
of the Red Sea; and I am made to tread those steps with sorrow, which I
might have trod with delight, had it not been for this sinful sleep.
How far might I have been on my way by this time! I am made to tread
those steps thrice over, which I needed not to have trod but once: yea,
now also I am like to be benighted, for the day is almost spent. O that
I had not slept!
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 4:40. Fear not the lions, for they are
chained, and are placed there for trial of faith where it is, and for
discovery of those that have none: keep in the midst of the path, and no
hurt shall come unto thee.
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.
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.
CHR. I had been here sooner, but that, wretched man that I am, I slept
in the arbor that stands on the hill-side! Nay, I had, notwithstanding
that, been here much sooner, but that in my sleep I lost my evidence,
and came without it to the brow of the hill; and then feeling for it,
and not finding it, I was forced with sorrow of heart to go back to the
place where I slept my sleep, where I found it; and now I am come.
CHR. With a very good will; and I am glad that you are so well disposed.
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.
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.
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 judgment was
come.
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.
CHR. No; he took me, and had me where he showed me a stately palace, and
how the people were clad in gold that were in it; and how there came a
venturous man, and cut his way through the armed men that stood in the
door to keep him out; and how he was bid to come in, and win eternal
glory. Methought those things did ravish my heart. I would have stayed
at that good man's house a twelvemonth, but that I knew I had farther to
go.
CHR. Saw? Why, I went but a little farther, and I saw One, as I thought
in my mind, hang bleeding upon a tree; and the very sight of him made my
burden fall off my back; for I groaned under a very heavy burden, but
then it fell down from off me. It was a strange thing to me, for I
never saw such a thing before: yea, and while I stood looking up, (for
then I could not forbear looking,) three Shining Ones came to me. One
of them testified that my sins were forgiven me; another stripped me of
my rags, and gave me this broidered coat which you see; and the third
set the mark which you see in my forehead, and gave me this sealed roll,
(and with that he plucked it out of his bosom.)
CHR. The things that I have told you were the best: yet some other I
saw, as, namely, I saw three men, Simple, Sloth, and Presumption, lie
asleep, a little out of the way, as I came, with irons upon their heels;
but do you think I could awake them? I also saw Formality and Hypocrisy
come tumbling over the wall, to go, as they pretended, to Zion; but they
were quickly lost, even as I myself did tell them, but they would not
believe. But, above all, I found it hard work to get up this hill, and
as hard to come by the lions' mouths; and, truly, if it had not been for
the good man, the porter that stands at the gate, I do not know but
that, after all, I might have gone back again; but I thank God I am
here, and thank you for receiving me.
PRU. Do you not think sometimes of the country from whence you came?
PRU. Do you not yet bear away with you some of the things that then you
were conversant withal?
PRU. Do you not find sometimes as if those things were vanquished, which
at other times are your perplexity?
PRU. Can you remember by what means you find your annoyances at times as
if they were vanquished?
PRU. And what is it that makes you so desirous to go to Mount Zion?
CHAR. And why did you not bring them along with you?
CHAR. But you should have talked to them, and have endeavored to show
them the danger of staying behind.
CHAR. And did you pray to God that he would bless your counsel to them?
CHAR. But did you tell them of your own sorrow, and fear of destruction?
for I suppose that destruction was visible enough to you.
CHAR. But what could they say for themselves, why they came not?
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?
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; thou hast delivered thy soul from their blood.
Ezek. 3:19.
For, as they said, and as I believe, said Christian, he did it with the
loss of much blood. But that which put the glory of grace into all he
did, was, that he did it out of pure love to his country. And besides,
there were some of them of the household that said they had been and
spoke with him since he did die on the cross; and they have attested
that they had it from his own lips, that he is such a lover of poor
pilgrims, that the like is not to be found from the east to the west.
They, moreover, gave an instance of what they affirmed; and that was, he
had stripped himself of his glory that he might do this for the poor;
and that they heard him say and affirm, that he would not dwell in the
mountain of Zion alone. They said, moreover, that he had made many
pilgrims princes, though by nature they were beggars born, and their
original had been the dunghill. 1 Sam. 2:8; Psa. 113:7.
"Where am I now? Is this the love and care
Thus to provide that I should be forgiven,
So in the morning they all got up; and, after some more discourse, they
told him that he should not depart till they had shown him the rarities
of that place. And first they had him into the study, where they showed
him records of the greatest antiquity; in which, as I remember my dream,
they showed him the pedigree of the Lord of the hill, that he was the
Son of the Ancient of days, and came by eternal generation. Here also
was more fully recorded the acts that he had done, and the names of many
hundreds that he had taken into his service; and how he had placed them
in such habitations that could neither by length of days, nor decays of
nature, be dissolved.
Then they read again another part of the records of the house, where it
was shown how willing their Lord was to receive into his favor any, even
any, though they in time past had offered great affronts to his person
and proceedings. Here also were several other histories of many other
famous things, of all which Christian had a view; as of things both
ancient and modern, together with prophecies and predictions of things
that have their certain accomplishment, both to the dread and amazement
of enemies, and the comfort and solace of pilgrims.
They also showed him some of the engines with which some of his servants
had done wonderful things. They showed him Moses' rod; the hammer and
nail with which Jael slew Sisera; the pitchers, trumpets, and lamps too,
with which Gideon put to flight the armies of Midian. Then they showed
him the ox-goad wherewith Shamgar slew six hundred men. They showed him
also the jawbone with which Samson did such mighty feats. They showed
him moreover the sling and stone with which David slew Goliath of Gath;
and the sword also with which their Lord will kill the man of sin, in
the day that he shall rise up to the prey. They showed him besides many
excellent things, with which Christian was much delighted. This done,
they went to their rest again.
Now he bethought himself of setting forward, and they were willing he
should. But first, said they, let us go again into the armory. So they
did; and when he came there, they harnessed him from head to foot with
what was of proof, lest perhaps he should meet with assaults in the way.
He being therefore thus accoutred, walked out with his friends to the
gate; and there he asked the Porter if he saw any pilgrim pass by. Then
the Porter answered, Yes.
PORT. I asked his name, and he told me it was Faithful.
PORT. He is got by this time below the hill.
==THE FOURTH STAGE.==
Then I saw in my dream, that these good companions, when Christian was
got down to the bottom of the hill, gave him a loaf of bread, a bottle
of wine, and a cluster of raisins; and then he went on his way,
For all his griefs; and when they let him go,
But now, in this valley of Humiliation, poor Christian was hard put to
it; for he had gone but a little way before he espied a foul fiend
coming over the field to meet him: his name is Apollyon. Then did
Christian begin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind whether to go
back, or to stand his ground. But he considered again, that he had no
armor for his back, and therefore thought that to turn the back to him
might give him greater advantage with ease to pierce him with his darts;
therefore he resolved to venture and stand his ground: for, thought he,
had I no more in mine eye than the saving of my life, it would be the
best way to stand.
APOL. Whence came you, and whither are you bound?
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.
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, and what our country will
afford I do here promise to give thee.
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 to, and all shall be well.
APOL. Thou didst the same by me, and yet I am willing to pass by all, if
now thou wilt yet turn again and go back.
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 yet came from the place where he is, to deliver any
that served him out of their enemies' hands: but as for me, how many
times, as all the world very well knows, have I delivered, either by
power or fraud, those that have faithfully served me, from him and his,
though taken by them! And so will I deliver thee.
APOL. Thou hast already been unfaithful in thy service to him; and how
dost thou think to receive wages of 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 things.
Thou wast almost persuaded also to go back at the sight of the lions.
And when thou talkest of thy journey, and of what thou hast seen and
heard, thou art inwardly desirous of vainglory in all that thou sayest
or doest.
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.
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 farther: here will I
spill thy soul. And with that he threw a flaming dart at his breast;
but Christian had a shield in his hand, with which he caught it, and so
prevented the danger of that.
Then Apollyon, espying his opportunity, began to gather up close to
Christian, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and with
that Christian's sword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, I am
sure of thee now: and with that he had almost pressed him to death, so
that Christian began to despair of life. But, as God would have it,
while Apollyon was fetching his last blow, thereby to make a full end of
this good man, Christian nimbly reached out his hand for his sword, and
caught it, saying, Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I
shall arise, Mic. 7:8; and with that gave him a deadly thrust, which
made him give back, as one that had received his mortal wound.
Christian perceiving that, made at him again, saying, Nay, in all these
things we are more than conquerors, through Him that loved us. Rom.
8:37. And with that Apollyon spread forth his dragon wings, and sped
him away, that Christian saw him no more. James 4:7.
So when the battle was over, Christian said, I will here give thanks to
him that hath delivered me out of the mouth of the lion, to him that did
help me against Apollyon. And so he did, saying,
Designed my ruin; therefore to this end
That hellish was, did fiercely me engage:
By dint of sword, did quickly make him fly:
And thank and bless his holy name always."
Now at the end of this valley was another, called the Valley of the
Shadow of Death; and Christian must needs go through it, because the way
to the Celestial City lay through the midst of it. Now, this valley is
a very solitary place. The prophet Jeremiah thus describes it: "A
wilderness, a land of deserts and pits, a land of drought, and of the
Shadow of Death, a land that no man" (but a Christian) "passeth through,
and where no man dwelt." Jer. 2:6.
I saw then in my dream, that when Christian was got to the borders of
the Shadow of Death, there met him two men, children of them that
brought up an evil report of the good land Num.13:32, making haste to go
back; to whom Christian spake as follows.
CHR. Why, what's the matter? said Christian.
CHR. But what have you met with? said Christian.
CHR. But what have you seen? said Christian.
CHR. Then, said Christian, I perceive not yet, by what you have said,
but that this is my way to the desired haven. Psalm 44:18,19; Jer.
2:6.
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.
The pathway was here also exceeding narrow, and therefore good Christian
was the more put to it; for when he sought, in the dark, to shun the
ditch on the one hand, he was ready to tip over into the mire on the
other; also, when he sought to escape the mire, without great
carefulness he would be ready to fall into the ditch. Thus he went on,
and I heard him here sigh bitterly; for besides the danger mentioned
above, the pathway was here so dark, that ofttimes when he lifted up his
foot to go forward, he knew not where, or upon what he should set it
next.
One thing I would not let slip. I took notice that now poor Christian
was so confounded that he did not know his own voice; and thus I
perceived it. Just when he was come over against the mouth of the
burning pit, one of the wicked ones got behind him, and stepped up
softly to him, and whisperingly suggested many grievous blasphemies to
him, which he verily thought had proceeded from his own mind. This put
Christian more to it than any thing that he met with before, even to
think that he should now blaspheme Him that he loved so much before.
Yet if he could have helped it, he would not have done it; but he had
not the discretion either to stop his ears, or to know from whence these
blasphemies came.
Then was he glad, and that for these reasons:
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.
Now morning being come, he looked back, not out of desire to return, but
to see, by the light of the day, what hazards he had gone through in the
dark. So he saw more perfectly the ditch that was on the one hand, and
the quag that was on the other; also how narrow the way was which led
betwixt them both. Also now he saw the hobgoblins, and satyrs, and
dragons of the pit, but all afar off; for after break of day they came
not nigh; yet they were discovered to him, according to that which is
written, "He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out
to light the shadow of death." Job 12:22.
In this light, therefore, he came to the end of the valley. Now I saw
in my dream, that at the end of the valley lay blood, bones, ashes, and
mangled bodies of men, even of pilgrims that had gone this way formerly;
and while I was musing what should be the reason, I espied a little
before me a cave, where two giants, Pope and Pagan, dwelt in old times;
by whose power and tyranny the men whose bones, blood, ashes, etc., lay
there, were cruelly put to death. But by this place Christian went
without much danger, whereat I somewhat wondered; but I have learnt
since, that Pagan has been dead many a day; and as for the other, though
he be yet alive, he is, by reason of age, and also of the many shrewd
brushes that he met with in his younger days, grown so crazy and stiff
in his joints that he can now do little more than sit in his cave's
mouth, grinning at pilgrims as they go by, and biting his nails because
he cannot come at them.
"O world of wonders, (I can say no less,)
That I have met with here! O blessed be
Dangers in darkness, devils, hell, and sin,
Yea, snares, and pits, and traps, and nets did lie
But since I live, let Jesus wear the crown."
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.
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.
FAITH. I had thought, my dear friend, to have had your company quite
from our town, but you did get the start of me; wherefore I was forced
to come thus much of the way alone.
FAITH. Till I could stay no longer; for there was a great talk presently
after you were gone out, that our city would, in a short time, with fire
from heaven, be burnt down to the ground.
FAITH. Yes, it was for a while in every body's mouth.
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 brimstone
from above; and therefore I have made my escape.
FAITH. Yes, Christian, I heard that he followed you till he came to the
Slough of Despond, where, as some said, he fell in; but he would not be
known to have so done: but I am sure he was soundly bedabbled with that
kind of dirt.
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. Well, neighbor Faithful, said Christian, let us leave him, and talk
of things that more immediately concern ourselves. Tell me now what you
have met with in the way as you came; for I know you have met with some
things, or else it may be writ for a wonder.
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?
CHR. Nay, she did not promise you the content of a good conscience.
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.
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 was 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 his name,
and where he dwelt? He said his name was Adam the First, and that he
dwelt in the town of Deceit. Eph. 4:22. I asked him then what was his
work, and what the wages that he would give. He told me that his work
was many delights; and his wages, that I should be his heir at last. I
further asked him, what house he kept, and what other servants he had.
So he told me that his house was maintained with all the dainties of the
world, and that his servants were those of his own begetting. Then I
asked how many children he had. He said that he had but three
daughters, the Lust of the Flesh, the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of
Life, 1 John, 2:16; and that I should marry them if I would. Then I
asked, how long time he would have me live with him; And he told me, as
long as he lived himself.
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.
FAITH. I know it very well; it was not the first time that he has met
with me. 'Twas he that came to me when I dwelt securely at home, and
that told me he would burn my house over my head if I stayed there.
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.
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 honor. He told me, moreover, that to go
there was the way to disoblige all my friends, as Pride, Arrogancy, Self
-Conceit, Worldly Glory, with others, who he knew, as he said, would be
very much offended if I made such a fool of myself as to wade through
this valley.
FAITH. I told him, that although all these that he named, might claim a
kindred of me, and that rightly, (for indeed they were my relations
according to the flesh,) yet since I became a pilgrim they have disowned
me, and I also have rejected them; and therefore they were to me now no
more than if they had never been of my lineage. I told him, moreover,
that as to this valley, he had quite misrepresented the thing; for
before honor is humility, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Therefore, said I, I had rather go through this valley to the honor that
was so accounted by the wisest, than choose that which he esteemed most
worthy of our affections.
FAITH. Yes, I met with Shame; but of all the men that I met with on my
pilgrimage, he, I think, bears the wrong name. The other would be said
nay, after a little argumentation, and somewhat else; but this bold-
faced Shame would never have done.
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 accustomed
themselves unto, would make him the ridicule of the times. He objected
also, that but few of the mighty, rich, or wise, were ever of my
opinion; nor any of them neither, before they were persuaded to be
fools, and to be of a voluntary fondness to venture the loss of all for
nobody knows what. 1 Cor. 1:26; 3:18; Phil. 3:7-9; John 7:48. He,
moreover, objected the base and low estate and condition of those that
were chiefly the pilgrims of the times in which they lived; also their
ignorance and want of understanding in all natural science. Yea, he did
hold me to it at that rate also, about a great many more things than
here I relate; as, that it was a shame to sit whining and mourning under
a sermon, and a shame to come sighing and groaning home; that it was a
shame to ask my neighbor forgiveness for petty faults, or to make
restitution where I have taken from any. He said also, that religion
made a man grow strange to the great, because of a few vices, which he
called by finer names, and made him own and respect the base, because of
the same religious fraternity: And is not this, said he, a shame?
FAITH. Say? I could not tell what to say at first. Yea, he put me so
to it, that my blood came up in my face; even this Shame fetched it up,
and had almost beat me quite off. But at last I began to consider, that
that which is highly esteemed among men, is had in abomination with God.
Luke 16:15. And I thought again, this Shame tells me what men are; but
he tells me nothing what God, or the word of God is. And I thought,
moreover, that at the day of doom we shall not be doomed to death or
life according to the hectoring spirits of the world, but according to
the wisdom and law of the Highest. Therefore, thought I, what God says
is best, is indeed best, though all the men in the world are against it.
Seeing, then, that God prefers his religion; seeing God prefers a tender
Conscience; seeing they that make themselves fools for the kingdom of
heaven are wisest, and that the poor man that loveth Christ is richer
than the greatest man in the world that hates him; Shame, depart, thou
art an enemy to my salvation. Shall I entertain thee against my
sovereign Lord? How then shall I look him in the face at his coming?
Mark 8:38. Should I now be ashamed of his ways and servants, how can I
expect the blessing? But indeed this Shame was a bold villain; I could
scarcely shake him out of my company; yea, he would be haunting of me,
and continually whispering me in the ear, with some one or other of the
infirmities that attend religion. But at last I told him, that it was
but in vain to attempt farther in this business; for those things that
he disdained, in those did I see most glory: and so at last I got past
this importunate one. And when I had shaken him off, then I began to
sing,
That are obedient to the heavenly call,
And come, and come, and come again afresh;
Be taken, overcome, and cast away.
Be vigilant, and quit themselves like men."
FAITH. I think we must cry to Him for help against Shame, that would
have us to be valiant for truth upon the earth.
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.
Moreover, I saw in my dream, that as they went on, Faithful, as he
chanced to look on one side, saw a man whose name was Talkative, walking
at a distance beside them; for in this place there was room enough for
them all to walk. He was a tall man, and something more comely at a
distance than at hand. To this man Faithful addressed himself in this
manner.
TALK. I am going to the same place.
FAITH. That is true; but to be profited by such things in our talk,
should be our chief design.
FAITH. All this is true; and glad am I to hear these things from you.
FAITH. But, by your leave, heavenly knowledge of these is the gift of
God; no man attaineth to them by human industry, or only by the talk of
them.
FAITH. Well, then, said Faithful, what is that one thing that we shall
at this time found our discourse upon?
FAITH. Now did Faithful begin to wonder; and stepping to Christian, (for
he walked all this while by himself,) he said to him, but softly, What a
brave companion have we got! Surely, this man will make a very
excellent pilgrim.
FAITH. Do you know him, then?
FAITH. Pray what is he?
FAITH. Whose son is he? And whereabout doth he dwell?
FAITH. Well, he seems to be a very pretty man.