首页 >出版文学> The Pilgrim’s Progress>第1章
  THEPILGRIM’SPROGRESSFromThisWorldToThatWhichIsToComeDELIVEREDUNDERTHESIMILITUDEOFADREAMBYJOHNBUNYAN
  TheAuthor’sApologyforhisBook{1}
  WhenatthefirstItookmypeninhandThusfortowrite,IdidnotunderstandThatIatallshouldmakealittlebookInsuchamode;nay,IhadundertookTomakeanother;which,whenalmostdone,BeforeIwasaware,Ithisbegun。
  Andthusitwas:I,writingofthewayAndraceofsaints,inthisourgospelday,FellsuddenlyintoanallegoryAbouttheirjourney,andthewaytoglory,InmorethantwentythingswhichIsetdown。
  Thisdone,Itwentymorehadinmycrown;
  Andtheyagainbegantomultiply,Likesparksthatfromthecoalsoffiredofly。
  Nay,then,thoughtI,ifthatyoubreedsofast,I’llputyoubyyourselves,lestyouatlastShouldproveadinfinitum,andeatoutThebookthatIalreadyamabout。
  Well,soIdid;butyetIdidnotthinkToshewtoalltheworldmypenandinkInsuchamode;IonlythoughttomakeIknewnotwhat;nordidIundertakeTherebytopleasemyneighbour:no,notI;
  Ididitmyownselftogratify。
  {2}
  NeitherdidIbutvacantseasonsspendInthismyscribble;nordidIintendButtodivertmyselfindoingthisFromworserthoughtswhichmakemedoamiss。
  Thus,Isetpentopaperwithdelight,Andquicklyhadmythoughtsinblackandwhite。
  For,havingnowmymethodbytheend,StillasIpulled,itcame;andsoIpennedItdown:untilitcameatlasttobe,Forlengthandbreadth,thebignesswhichyousee。
  Well,whenIhadthusputmineendstogether,Ishewedthemothers,thatImightseewhetherTheywouldcondemnthem,orthemjustify:
  Andsomesaid,Letthemlive;some,Letthemdie;
  Somesaid,JOHN,printit;otherssaid,Notso;
  Somesaid,Itmightdogood;otherssaid,No。
  NowwasIinastrait,anddidnotseeWhichwasthebestthingtobedonebyme:
  AtlastIthought,Sinceyouarethusdivided,Iprintitwill,andsothecasedecided。
  {3}
  For,thoughtI,some,Isee,wouldhaveitdone,Thoughothersinthatchanneldonotrun:
  Toprove,then,whoadvisedforthebest,ThusIthoughtfittoputittothetest。
  Ifurtherthought,ifnowIdiddenyThosethatwouldhaveit,thustogratify。
  IdidnotknowbuthinderthemImightOfthatwhichwouldtothembegreatdelight。
  Forthosewhichwerenotforitscomingforth,Isaidtothem,OffendyouIamloth,Yet,sinceyourbrethrenpleasedwithitbe,Forbeartojudgetillyoudofurthersee。
  Ifthatthouwiltnotread,letitalone;
  Somelovethemeat,somelovetopickthebone。
  Yea,thatImightthembetterpalliate,Ididtoowiththemthusexpostulate:——
  {4}
  MayInotwriteinsuchastyleasthis?
  Insuchamethod,too,andyetnotmissMyend——thygood?Whymayitnotbedone?
  Darkcloudsbringwaters,whenthebrightbringnone。
  Yea,darkorbright,iftheytheirsilverdropsCausetodescend,theearth,byyieldingcrops,Givespraisetoboth,andcarpethnotateither,Buttreasuresupthefruittheyyieldtogether;
  Yea,socommixesboth,thatinherfruitNonecandistinguishthisfromthat:theysuitHerwellwhenhungry;but,ifshebefull,Shespewsoutboth,andmakestheirblessingsnull。
  YouseethewaysthefishermandothtakeTocatchthefish;whatenginesdothhemake?
  Beholdhowheengagethallhiswits;
  Alsohissnares,lines,angles,hooks,andnets;
  Yetfishtherebe,thatneitherhook,norline,Norsnare,nornet,norenginecanmakethine:
  Theymustbegropedfor,andbetickledtoo,Ortheywillnotbecatch’d,whate’eryoudo。
  HowdoesthefowlerseektocatchhisgameBydiversmeans!allwhichonecannotname:
  Hisguns,hisnets,hislime—twigs,light,andbell:
  Hecreeps,hegoes,hestands;yea,whocantellOfallhispostures?Yetthere’snoneoftheseWillmakehimmasterofwhatfowlsheplease。
  Yea,hemustpipeandwhistletocatchthis,Yet,ifhedoesso,thatbirdhewillmiss。
  Ifthatapearlmayinatoad’sheaddwell,Andmaybefoundtooinanoyster—shell;
  IfthingsthatpromisenothingdocontainWhatbetteristhangold;whowilldisdain,Thathaveaninklingofit,theretolook,Thattheymayfindit?Now,mylittlebook,(ThoughvoidofallthesepaintingsthatmaymakeItwiththisortheothermantotake)
  IsnotwithoutthosethingsthatdoexcelWhatdoinbravebutemptynotionsdwell。
  {5}
  `Well,yetIamnotfullysatisfied,Thatthisyourbookwillstand,whensoundlytried。’
  Why,what’sthematter?`Itisdark。’Whatthough?
  `Butitisfeigned。’Whatofthat?Itrow?
  Somemen,byfeignedwords,asdarkasmine,Maketruthtospangleanditsraystoshine。
  `Buttheywantsolidness。’Speak,man,thymind。
  `Theydrowntheweak;metaphorsmakeusblind。’
  Solidity,indeed,becomesthepenOfhimthatwriteththingsdivinetomen;
  ButmustIneedswantsolidness,becauseBymetaphorsIspeak?WerenotGod’slaws,Hisgospellaws,inoldentimesheldforthBytypes,shadows,andmetaphors?YetlothWillanysobermanbetofindfaultWiththem,lesthebefoundfortoassaultThehighestwisdom。No,heratherstoops,Andseekstofindoutwhatbypinsandloops,Bycalvesandsheep,byheifersandbyrams,Bybirdsandherbs,andbythebloodoflambs,Godspeakethtohim;andhappyisheThatfindsthelightandgracethatinthembe。
  {6}
  Benottooforward,therefore,toconcludeThatIwantsolidness——thatIamrude;
  Allthingssolidinshownotsolidbe;
  Allthingsinparablesdespisenotwe;
  Lestthingsmosthurtfullightlywereceive,Andthingsthatgoodare,ofoursoulsbereave。
  Mydarkandcloudywords,theydobutholdThetruth,ascabinetsenclosethegold。
  TheprophetsusedmuchbymetaphorsTosetforthtruth;yea,whosoconsidersChrist,hisapostlestoo,shallplainlysee,Thattruthstothisdayinsuchmantlesbe。
  AmIafraidtosay,thatholywrit,Whichforitsstyleandphraseputsdownallwit,Iseverywheresofullofallthesethings——
  Darkfigures,allegories?YettherespringsFromthatsamebookthatlustre,andthoseraysOflight,thatturnourdarkestnightstodays。
  {7}
  Come,letmycarpertohislifenowlook,AndfindtheredarkerlinesthaninmybookHefindethany;yea,andlethimknow,Thatinhisbestthingsthereareworselinestoo。
  Maywebutstandbeforeimpartialmen,TohispooroneIdareadventureten,ThattheywilltakemymeaningintheselinesFarbetterthanhisliesinsilvershrines。
  Come,truth,althoughinswaddlingclouts,Ifind,Informsthejudgement,rectifiesthemind;
  Pleasestheunderstanding,makesthewillSubmit;thememorytooitdothfillWithwhatdothourimaginationsplease;
  Likewiseittendsourtroublestoappease。
  Soundwords,Iknow,Timothyistouse,Andoldwives’fablesheistorefuse;
  ButyetgravePaulhimnowheredidforbidTheuseofparables;inwhichlayhidThatgold,thosepearls,andpreciousstonesthatwereWorthdiggingfor,andthatwithgreatestcare。
  Letmeaddonewordmore。OmanofGod,Artthouoffended?DostthouwishIhadPutforthmymatterinanotherdress?
  Or,thatIhadinthingsbeenmoreexpress?
  Threethingsletmepropound;thenIsubmitTothosethataremybetters,asisfit。
  {8}
  1。IfindnotthatIamdeniedtheuseOfthismymethod,soInoabusePutonthewords,things,readers;orberudeInhandlingfigureorsimilitude,Inapplication;but,allthatImay,SeektheadvanceoftruththisorthatwayDenied,didIsay?Nay,Ihaveleave(Exampletoo,andthatfromthemthathaveGodbetterpleased,bytheirwordsorways,Thananymanthatbreathethnow—a—days)
  Thustoexpressmymind,thustodeclareThingsuntotheethatexcellentestare。
  2。Ifindthatmen(ashighastrees)willwriteDialogue—wise;yetnomandoththemslightForwritingso:indeed,iftheyabuseTruth,cursedbethey,andthecrafttheyuseTothatintent;butyetlettruthbefreeTomakehersalliesupontheeandme,WhichwayitpleasesGod;forwhoknowshow,Betterthanhethattaughtusfirsttoplough,Toguideourmindandpensforhisdesign?
  Andhemakesbasethingsusherindivine。
  3。IfindthatholywritinmanyplacesHathsemblancewiththismethod,wherethecasesDocallforonething,tosetforthanother;
  UseitImay,then,andyetnothingsmotherTruth’sgoldenbeams:nay,bythismethodmayMakeitcastforthitsraysaslightasday。
  AndnowbeforeIdoputupmypen,I’llshewtheprofitofmybook,andthenCommitboththeeandituntothatHandThatpullsthestrongdown,andmakesweakonesstand。
  ThisbookitchalkethoutbeforethineeyesThemanthatseekstheeverlastingprize;
  Itshewsyouwhencehecomes,whitherhegoes;
  Whatheleavesundone,alsowhathedoes;
  Italsoshowsyouhowherunsandruns,Tillheuntothegateofglorycomes。
  {9}
  Itshows,too,whosetoutforlifeamain,Asifthelastingcrowntheywouldobtain;
  HerealsoyoumayseethereasonwhyTheylosetheirlabour,andlikefoolsdodie。
  Thisbookwillmakeatravellerofthee,Ifbyitscounselthouwiltruledbe;
  ItwilldirecttheetotheHolyLand,Ifthouwiltitsdirectionsunderstand:
  Yea,itwillmaketheslothfulactivebe;
  Theblindalsodelightfulthingstosee。
  Artthouforsomethingrareandprofitable?
  Wouldestthouseeatruthwithinafable?
  Artthouforgetful?WouldestthourememberFromNew—Year’sdaytothelastofDecember?
  Thenreadmyfancies;theywillsticklikeburs,Andmaybe,tothehelpless,comforters。
  ThisbookiswritinsuchadialectAsmaythemindsoflistlessmenaffect:
  Itseemsanovelty,andyetcontainsNothingbutsoundandhonestgospelstrains。
  Wouldstthoudivertthyselffrommelancholy?
  Wouldstthoubepleasant,yetbefarfromfolly?
  Wouldstthoureadriddles,andtheirexplanation?
  Orelsebedrownedinthycontemplation?
  Dostthoulovepickingmeat?OrwouldstthouseeAmanintheclouds,andhearhimspeaktothee?
  Wouldstthoubeinadream,andyetnotsleep?
  Orwouldstthouinamomentlaughandweep?
  Wouldestthoulosethyselfandcatchnoharm,Andfindthyselfagainwithoutacharm?
  Wouldstreadthyself,andreadthouknowestnotwhat,Andyetknowwhetherthouartblestornot,Byreadingthesamelines?Oh,thencomehither,Andlaymybook,thyhead,andhearttogether。
  JOHNBUNYAN。
  p10—p50THEPILGRIM’SPROGRESSIntheSimilitudeofaDream{10}
  AsIwalkedthroughthewildernessofthisworld,IlightedonacertainplacewherewasaDen,andIlaidmedowninthatplacetosleep:and,asIslept,Idreamedadream。
  Idreamed,andbehold,Isawamanclothedwithrags,standinginacertainplace,withhisfacefromhisownhouse,abookinhishand,andagreatburdenuponhisback。[Isa。64:6;
  Luke14:33;Ps。38:4;Hab。2:2;Acts16:30,31]Ilooked,andsawhimopenthebook,andreadtherein;and,asheread,hewept,andtrembled;and,notbeingablelongertocontain,hebrakeoutwithalamentablecry,saying,"WhatshallIdo?"[Acts2:37]
  {11}
  Inthisplight,therefore,hewenthomeandrefrainedhimselfaslongashecould,thathiswifeandchildrenshouldnotperceivehisdistress;buthecouldnotbesilentlong,becausethathistroubleincreased。Whereforeatlengthhebrakehismindtohiswifeandchildren;andthushebegantotalktothem:
  Omydearwife,saidhe,andyouthechildrenofmybowels,I,yourdearfriend,aminmyselfundonebyreasonofaburdenthatliethharduponme;moreover,Iamforcertaininformedthatthisourcitywillbeburnedwithfirefromheaven;
  inwhichfearfuloverthrow,bothmyself,withtheemywife,andyoumysweetbabes,shallmiserablycometoruin,except(thewhichyetIseenot)somewayofescapecanbefound,wherebywemaybedelivered。Atthishisrelationsweresoreamazed;
  notforthattheybelievedthatwhathehadsaidtothemwastrue,butbecausetheythoughtthatsomefrenzydistemperhadgotintohishead;therefore,itdrawingtowardsnight,andtheyhopingthatsleepmightsettlehisbrains,withallhastetheygothimtobed。
  Butthenightwasastroublesometohimastheday;wherefore,insteadofsleeping,hespentitinsighsandtears。So,whenthemorningwascome,theywouldknowhowhedid。
  Hetoldthem,Worseandworse:healsosettotalkingtothemagain;
  buttheybegantobehardened。
  Theyalsothoughttodriveawayhisdistemperbyharshandsurlycarriagestohim;sometimestheywouldderide,sometimestheywouldchide,andsometimestheywouldquiteneglecthim。
  Whereforehebegantoretirehimselftohischamber,toprayforandpitythem,andalsotocondolehisownmisery;hewouldalsowalksolitarilyinthefields,sometimesreading,andsometimespraying:
  andthusforsomedayshespenthistime。
  {12}
  Now,Isaw,uponatime,whenhewaswalkinginthefields,thathewas,ashewaswont,readinginhisbook,andgreatlydistressedinhismind;
  and,asheread,heburstout,ashehaddonebefore,crying,"WhatshallIdotobesaved?"
  {13}
  Isawalsothathelookedthiswayandthatway,asifhewouldrun;
  yethestoodstill,because,asIperceived,hecouldnottellwhichwaytogo。Ilookedthen,andsawamannamedEvangelistcomingtohimandasked,Whereforedostthoucry?[Job33:23]
  {14}
  Heanswered,Sir,Iperceivebythebookinmyhand,thatIamcondemnedtodie,andafterthattocometojudgement[Heb。9:27];
  andIfindthatIamnotwillingtodothefirst[Job16:21],norabletodothesecond。[Ezek。22:14]
  CHRISTIANnosoonerleavestheWorldbutmeetsEVANGELIST,wholovinglyhimgreetsWithtidingsofanother:anddothshowHimhowtomounttothatfromthisbelow。
  {15}
  ThensaidEvangelist,Whynotwillingtodie,sincethislifeisattendedwithsomanyevils?Themananswered,BecauseIfearthatthisburdenisuponmybackwillsinkmelowerthanthegrave,andIshallfallintoTophet。[Isa。30:33]And,Sir,ifIbenotfittogotoprison,Iamnotfit,Iamsure,togotojudgement,andfromthencetoexecution;andthethoughtsofthesethingsmakemecry。
  {16}
  ThensaidEvangelist,Ifthisbethycondition,whystandestthoustill?
  Heanswered,BecauseIknownotwhithertogo。Thenhegavehimaparchmentroll,andtherewaswrittenwithin,Fleefromthewrathtocome。[Matt。3。7]
  {17}
  Themanthereforereadit,andlookinguponEvangelistverycarefully,said,WhithermustIfly?ThensaidEvangelist,pointingwithhisfingeroveraverywidefield,Doyouseeyonderwicket—gate?
  [Matt。7:13,14]Themansaid,No。Thensaidtheother,Doyouseeyondershininglight?[Ps。119:105;2Pet。1:19]
  Hesaid,IthinkIdo。ThensaidEvangelist,Keepthatlightinyoureye,andgoupdirectlythereto:soshaltthouseethegate;atwhich,whenthouknockest,itshallbetoldtheewhatthoushaltdo。
  {18}
  SoIsawinmydreamthatthemanbegantorun。
  Now,hehadnotrunfarfromhisowndoor,buthiswifeandchildren,perceivingit,begantocryafterhimtoreturn;butthemanputhisfingersinhisears,andranon,crying,Life!life!
  eternallife![Luke14:26]Sohelookednotbehindhim,butfledtowardsthemiddleoftheplain。[Gen。19:17]
  {19}
  Theneighboursalsocameouttoseehimrun[Jer。20:10];and,asheran,somemocked,othersthreatened,andsomecriedafterhimtoreturn;and,amongthosethatdidso,thereweretwothatresolvedtofetchhimbackbyforce。
  ThenameoftheonewasObstinateandthenameoftheotherPliable。
  Now,bythistime,themanwasgotagooddistancefromthem;but,however,theywereresolvedtopursuehim,whichtheydid,andinalittletimetheyovertookhim。Thensaidtheman,Neighbours,whereforeareyecome?Theysaid,Topersuadeyoutogobackwithus。
  Buthesaid,Thatcanbynomeansbe;youdwell,saidhe,intheCityofDestruction,theplacealsowhereIwasborn:
  Iseeittobeso;and,dyingthere,soonerorlater,youwillsinklowerthanthegrave,intoaplacethatburnswithfireandbrimstone:becontent,goodneighbours,andgoalongwithme。
  {20}
  OBST。What!saidObstinate,andleaveourfriendsandourcomfortsbehindus?
  CHR。Yes,saidChristian,forthatwashisname,becausethatALL
  whichyoushallforsakeisnotworthytobecomparedwithalittleofthatwhichIamseekingtoenjoy[2Cor。4:18];and,ifyouwillgoalongwithme,andholdit,youshallfareasImyself;
  forthere,whereIgo,isenoughandtospare。[Luke15:17]
  Comeaway,andprovemywords。
  {21}
  OBST。Whatarethethingsyouseek,sinceyouleavealltheworldtofindthem?
  CHR。Iseekaninheritanceincorruptible,undefiled,andthatfadethnotaway[1Pet。1:4],anditislaidupinheaven,andsafethere[Heb。11:16],tobebestowed,atthetimeappointed,onthemthatdiligentlyseekit。Readitso,ifyouwill,inmybook。
  OBST。Tush!saidObstinate,awaywithyourbook;willyougobackwithusorno?
  CHR。No,notI,saidtheother,becauseIhavelaidmyhandtotheplough。[Luke9:62]
  {22}
  OBST。Come,then,neighbourPliable,letusturnagain,andgohomewithouthim;thereisacompanyofthesecrazy—headedcoxcombs,that,whentheytakeafancybytheend,arewiserintheirowneyesthansevenmenthatcanrenderareason。[Prov。26:16]
  PLI。ThensaidPliable,Don’trevile;ifwhatthegoodChristiansaysistrue,thethingshelooksafterarebetterthanours:
  myheartinclinestogowithmyneighbour。
  OBST。What!morefoolsstill!Beruledbyme,andgoback;
  whoknowswhithersuchabrain—sickfellowwillleadyou?Goback,goback,andbewise。
  {23}
  CHR。Nay,butdothoucomewiththyneighbour,Pliable;
  therearesuchthingstobehadwhichIspokeof,andmanymoregloriousbesides。Ifyoubelievenotme,readhereinthisbook;
  andforthetruthofwhatisexpressedtherein,behold,allisconfirmedbythebloodofHimthatmadeit。[Heb。9:17—22;13:20]
  PLI。Well,neighbourObstinate,saidPliable,Ibegintocometoapoint;Iintendtogoalongwiththisgoodman,andtocastinmylotwithhim:but,mygoodcompanion,doyouknowthewaytothisdesiredplace?
  {24}
  CHR。Iamdirectedbyaman,whosenameisEvangelist,tospeedmetoalittlegatethatisbeforeus,whereweshallreceiveinstructionsabouttheway。
  PLI。Come,then,goodneighbour,letusbegoing。Thentheywentbothtogether。
  OBST。AndIwillgobacktomyplace,saidObstinate;
  Iwillbenocompanionofsuchmisled,fantasticalfellows。
  {25}
  Now,Isawinmydream,thatwhenObstinatewasgoneback,ChristianandPliablewenttalkingovertheplain;andthustheybegantheirdiscourse。
  {26}
  CHR。Come,neighbourPliable,howdoyoudo?Iamgladyouarepersuadedtogoalongwithme。HadevenObstinatehimselfbutfeltwhatIhavefeltofthepowersandterrorsofwhatisyetunseen,hewouldnotthuslightlyhavegivenustheback。
  PLI。Come,neighbourChristian,sincetherearenonebutustwohere,tellmenowfurtherwhatthethingsare,andhowtobeenjoyed,whitherwearegoing。
  {27}
  CHR。Icanbetterconceiveofthemwithmymind,thanspeakofthemwithmytongue:butyet,sinceyouaredesiroustoknow,Iwillreadoftheminmybook。
  PLI。Anddoyouthinkthatthewordsofyourbookarecertainlytrue?
  CHR。Yes,verily;foritwasmadebyHimthatcannotlie。
  [Titus1:2]
  PLI。Wellsaid;whatthingsarethey?
  CHR。Thereisanendlesskingdomtobeinhabited,andeverlastinglifetobegivenus,thatwemayinhabitthatkingdomforever。[Isa。
  45:17;
  John10:28,29]
  PLI。Wellsaid;andwhatelse?
  CHR。Therearecrownsandglorytobegivenus,andgarmentsthatwillmakeusshinelikethesuninthefirmamentofheaven。
  [2Tim。4:8;Rev。3:4;Matt。13:43]
  PLI。Thisisverypleasant;andwhatelse?
  CHR。Thereshallbenomorecrying,norSorrow:forHethatisowneroftheplacewillwipealltearsfromoureyes。[Isa。25。6—8;
  Rev。7:17,21:4]
  {28}
  PLI。Andwhatcompanyshallwehavethere?
  CHR。Thereweshallbewithseraphimsandcherubims,creaturesthatwilldazzleyoureyestolookonthem。[Isa。6:2]
  Therealsoyoushallmeetwiththousandsandtenthousandsthathavegonebeforeustothatplace;noneofthemarehurtful,butlovingandholy;everyonewalkinginthesightofGod,andstandinginhispresencewithacceptanceforever。
  [1Thess。4:16,17;Rev。5:11]Inaword,thereweshallseetheelderswiththeirgoldencrowns[Rev。4:4],thereweshallseetheholyvirginswiththeirgoldenharps[Rev。14:1—5],thereweshallseementhatbytheworldwerecutinpieces,burntinflames,eatenofbeasts,drownedintheseas,forthelovethattheybaretotheLordoftheplace,allwell,andclothedwithimmortalityaswithagarment。
  [John12:25;2Cor。5:4]
  PLI。Thehearingofthisisenoughtoravishone’sheart。
  Butarethesethingstobeenjoyed?Howshallwegettobesharersthereof?
  CHR。TheLord,theGovernorofthecountry,hathrecordedthatinthisbook;thesubstanceofwhichis,Ifwebetrulywillingtohaveit,hewillbestowituponusfreely。
  PLI。Well,mygoodcompanion,gladamItohearofthesethings:
  comeon,letusmendourpace。
  CHR。IcannotgosofastasIwould,byreasonofthisburdenthatisonmyback。
  {29}
  NowIsawinmydream,thatjustastheyhadendedthistalktheydrewneartoaverymiryslough,thatwasinthemidstoftheplain;andthey,beingheedless,didbothfallsuddenlyintothebog。ThenameofthesloughwasDespond。Here,therefore,theywallowedforatime,beinggrievouslybedaubedwiththedirt;
  andChristian,becauseoftheburdenthatwasonhisback,begantosinkinthemire。
  {30}
  PLI。ThensaidPliable;Ah!neighbourChristian,whereareyounow?
  CHR。Truly,saidChristian,Idonotknow。
  PLI。AtthisPliablebegantobeoffended,andangrilysaidtohisfellow,Isthisthehappinessyouhavetoldmeallthiswhileof?
  Ifwehavesuchillspeedatourfirstsettingout,whatmayweexpectbetwixtthisandourjourney’send?MayIgetoutagainwithmylife,youshallpossessthebravecountryaloneforme。And,withthat,hegaveadesperatestruggleortwo,andgotoutofthemireonthatsideofthesloughwhichwasnexttohisownhouse:soawayhewent,andChristiansawhimnomore。
  {31}
  WhereforeChristianwaslefttotumbleintheSloughofDespondalone:
  butstillheendeavouredtostruggletothatsideofthesloughthatwasstillfurtherfromhisownhouse,andnexttothewicket—gate;
  thewhichhedid,butcouldnotgetout,becauseoftheburdenthatwasuponhisback:butIbeheldinmydream,thatamancametohim,whosenamewasHelp,andaskedhim,Whathedidthere?
  CHR。Sir,saidChristian,IwasbidgothiswaybyamancalledEvangelist,whodirectedmealsotoyondergate,thatImightescapethewrathtocome;andasIwasgoingthitherIfellinhere。
  {32}
  HELP。Butwhydidnotyoulookforthesteps?
  CHR。Fearfollowedmesohard,thatIfledthenextway,andfellin。
  HELP。Thensaidhe,Givemethyhand:sohegavehimhishand,andhedrewhimout,andsethimuponsoundground,andbidhimgoonhisway。[Ps。40:2]
  {33}
  ThenIsteppedtohimthatpluckedhimout,andsaid,Sir,wherefore,sinceoverthisplaceisthewayfromtheCityofDestructiontoyondergate,isitthatthisplatisnotmended,thatpoortravellersmightgothitherwithmoresecurity?Andhesaiduntome,Thismirysloughissuchaplaceascannotbemended;itisthedescentwhitherthescumandfilththatattendsconvictionforsindothcontinuallyrun,andthereforeitiscalledtheSloughofDespond;forstill,asthesinnerisawakenedabouthislostcondition,therearisethinhissoulmanyfears,anddoubts,anddiscouragingapprehensions,whichallofthemgettogether,andsettleinthisplace。Andthisisthereasonofthebadnessofthisground。
  {34}
  ItisnotthepleasureoftheKingthatthisplaceshouldremainsobad。
  [Isa。35:3,4]Hislabourersalsohave,bythedirectionofHisMajesty’ssurveyors,beenforabovethesesixteenhundredyearsemployedaboutthispatchofground,ifperhapsitmighthavebeenmended:yea,andtomyknowledge,saidhe,herehavebeenswallowedupatleasttwentythousandcart—loads,yea,millionsofwholesomeinstructions,thathaveatallseasonsbeenbroughtfromallplacesoftheKing’sdominions,andtheythatcantell,saytheyarethebestmaterialstomakegoodgroundoftheplace;ifsobe,itmighthavebeenmended,butitistheSloughofDespondstill,andsowillbewhentheyhavedonewhattheycan。
  {35}
  True,thereare,bythedirectionoftheLaw—giver,certaingoodandsubstantialsteps,placedeventhroughtheverymidstofthisslough;
  butatsuchtimeasthisplacedothmuchspewoutitsfilth,asitdothagainstchangeofweather,thesestepsarehardlyseen;
  or,iftheybe,men,throughthedizzinessoftheirheads,stepbeside,andthentheyarebemiredtopurpose,notwithstandingthestepsbethere;butthegroundisgoodwhentheyareoncegotinatthegate。
  [1Sam。12:23]
  {36}
  Now,Isawinmydream,thatbythistimePliablewasgothometohishouseagain,sothathisneighbourscametovisithim;
  andsomeofthemcalledhimwisemanforcomingback,andsomecalledhimfoolforhazardinghimselfwithChristian:othersagaindidmockathiscowardliness;saying,Surely,sinceyoubegantoventure,Iwouldnothavebeensobasetohavegivenoutforafewdifficulties。SoPliablesatsneakingamongthem。Butatlasthegotmoreconfidence,andthentheyallturnedtheirtales,andbegantoderidepoorChristianbehindhisback。
  AndthusmuchconcerningPliable。
  {37}
  Now,asChristianwaswalkingsolitarilybyhimself,heespiedoneafaroff,comecrossingoverthefieldtomeethim;
  andtheirhapwastomeetjustastheywerecrossingthewayofeachother。Thegentleman’snamethatmethimwasMr。WorldlyWiseman,hedweltinthetownofCarnalPolicy,averygreattown,andalsohardbyfromwhenceChristiancame。Thisman,then,meetingwithChristian,andhavingsomeinklingofhim,——
  forChristian’ssettingforthfromtheCityofDestructionwasmuchnoisedabroad,notonlyinthetownwherehedwelt,butalsoitbegantobethetowntalkinsomeotherplaces,——
  Mr。WorldlyWiseman,therefore,havingsomeguessofhim,bybeholdinghislaboriousgoing,byobservinghissighsandgroans,andthelike,beganthustoenterintosometalkwithChristian。
  {38}
  WORLD。Hownow,goodfellow,whitherawayafterthisburdenedmanner?
  CHR。Aburdenedmanner,indeed,asever,Ithink,poorcreaturehad!
  Andwhereasyouaskme,Whitheraway?Itellyou,Sir,Iamgoingtoyonderwicket—gatebeforeme;forthere,asIaminformed,Ishallbeputintoawaytoberidofmyheavyburden。
  WORLD。Hastthouawifeandchildren?
  CHR。Yes;butIamsoladenwiththisburdenthatIcannottakethatpleasureinthemasformerly;methinksIamasifIhadnone。
  [1Cor7:29]
  WORLD。WiltthouhearkenuntomeifIgivetheecounsel?
  CHR。Ifitbegood,Iwill;forIstandinneedofgoodcounsel。
  {39}
  WORLD。Iwouldadvisethee,then,thatthouwithallspeedgetthyselfridofthyburden;forthouwiltneverbesettledinthymindtillthen;norcanstthouenjoythebenefitsoftheblessingwhichGodhathbestowedupontheetillthen。
  CHR。ThatisthatwhichIseekfor,eventoberidofthisheavyburden;butgetitoffmyself,Icannot;noristhereanymaninourcountrythatcantakeitoffmyshoulders;
  thereforeamIgoingthisway,asItoldyou,thatImayberidofmyburden。
  WORLD。Whobidtheegothiswaytoberidofthyburden?
  CHR。Amanthatappearedtometobeaverygreatandhonourableperson;hisname,asIremember,isEvangelist。
  {40}
  WORLD。Ibeshrewhimforhiscounsel!thereisnotamoredangerousandtroublesomewayintheworldthanisthatuntowhichhehathdirectedthee;andthatthoushaltfind,ifthouwiltberuledbyhiscounsel。Thouhastmetwithsomething,asIperceive,already;
  forIseethedirtoftheSloughofDespondisuponthee;
  butthatsloughisthebeginningofthesorrowsthatdoattendthosethatgooninthatway。Hearme,Iamolderthanthou;
  thouartliketomeetwith,inthewaywhichthougoest,wearisomeness,painfulness,hunger,perils,nakedness,sword,lions,dragons,darkness,and,inaword,death,andwhatnot!Thesethingsarecertainlytrue,havingbeenconfirmedbymanytestimonies。
  Andwhyshouldamansocarelesslycastawayhimself,bygivingheedtoastranger?
  CHR。Why,Sir,thisburdenuponmybackismoreterribletomethanallthesethingswhichyouhavementioned;nay,methinksIcarenotwhatImeetwithintheway,ifsobeIcanalsomeetwithdeliverancefrommyburden。
  {41}
  WORLD。Howcamestthoubytheburdenatfirst?
  CHR。Byreadingthisbookinmyhand。
  WORLD。Ithoughtso;anditishappeneduntotheeastootherweakmen,who,meddlingwiththingstoohighforthem,dosuddenlyfallintothydistractions;whichdistractionsdonotonlyunmanmen,asthine,Iperceive,havedonethee,buttheyrunthemupondesperateventurestoobtaintheyknownotwhat。
  CHR。IknowwhatIwouldobtain;itiseaseformyheavyburden。
  {42}
  WORLD。Butwhywiltthouseekforeasethisway,seeingsomanydangersattendit?especiallysince,hadstthoubutpatiencetohearme,Icoulddirecttheetotheobtainingofwhatthoudesirest,withoutthedangersthatthouinthiswaywiltrunthyselfinto;yea,andtheremedyisathand。Besides,Iwilladd,thatinsteadofthosedangers,thoushaltmeetwithmuchsafety,friendship,andcontent。
  CHR。Pray,Sir,openthissecrettome。
  {43}
  WORLD。Why,inyondervillage——thevillageisnamedMorality——
  theredwellsagentlemanwhosenameisLegality,averyjudiciousman,andamanofverygoodname,thathasskilltohelpmenoffwithsuchburdensasthinearefromtheirshoulders:yea,tomyknowledge,hehathdoneagreatdealofgoodthisway;
  ay,andbesides,hehathskilltocurethosethataresomewhatcrazedintheirwitswiththeirburdens。Tohim,asIsaid,thoumayestgo,andbehelpedpresently。Hishouseisnotquiteamilefromthisplace,andifheshouldnotbeathomehimself,hehathaprettyyoungmantohisson,whosenameisCivility,thatcandoit(tospeakon)
  aswellastheoldgentlemanhimself;there,Isay,thoumayestbeeasedofthyburden;andifthouartnotmindedtogobacktothyformerhabitation,as,indeed,Iwouldnotwishthee,thoumayestsendforthywifeandchildrentotheetothisvillage,wheretherearehousesnowstandempty,oneofwhichthoumayesthaveatreasonablerates;provisionistherealsocheapandgood;
  andthatwhichwillmakethylifethemorehappyis,tobesure,therethoushaltlivebyhonestneighbours,increditandgoodfashion。
  {44}
  NowwasChristiansomewhatatastand;butpresentlyheconcluded,ifthisbetrue,whichthisgentlemanhathsaid,mywisestcourseistotakehisadvice;andwiththathethusfurtherspoke。
  {45}
  CHR。Sir,whichismywaytothishonestman’shouse?
  WORLD。Doyouseeyonderhill?
  CHR。Yes,verywell。
  WORLD。Bythathillyoumustgo,andthefirsthouseyoucomeatishis。
  {46}
  SoChristianturnedoutofhiswaytogotoMr。Legality’shouseforhelp;but,behold,whenhewasgotnowhardbythehill,itseemedsohigh,andalsothatsideofitthatwasnextthewaysidedidhangsomuchover,thatChristianwasafraidtoventurefurther,lestthehillshouldfallonhishead;whereforetherehestoodstillandwottednotwhattodo。Alsohisburdennowseemedheaviertohimthanwhilehewasinhisway。Therecamealsoflashesoffireoutofthehill,thatmadeChristianafraidthatheshouldbeburned。
  [Ex。19:16,18]Here,therefore,hesweatanddidquakeforfear。
  [Heb。12:21]
  WhenChristiansuntocarnalmengiveear,Outoftheirwaytheygo,andpayfor’tdear;
  ForMasterWorldlyWisemancanbutshewAsaintthewaytobondageandtowoe。
  {47}
  AndnowhebegantobesorrythathehadtakenMr。WorldlyWiseman’scounsel。AndwiththathesawEvangelistcomingtomeethim;
  atthesightalsoofwhomhebegantoblushforshame。SoEvangelistdrewnearerandnearer;andcominguptohim,helookeduponhimwithasevereanddreadfulcountenance,andthusbegantoreasonwithChristian。
  {48}
  EVAN。Whatdostthouhere,Christian?saidhe:atwhichwordsChristianknewnotwhattoanswer;whereforeatpresenthestoodspeechlessbeforehim。ThensaidEvangelistfurther,ArtnotthouthemanthatIfoundcryingwithoutthewallsoftheCityofDestruction?
  CHR。Yes,dearSir,Iamtheman。
  EVAN。DidnotIdirecttheethewaytothelittlewicket—gate?
  CHR。Yes,dearSir,saidChristian。
  EVAN。Howisit,then,thatthouartsoquicklyturnedaside?
  forthouartnowoutoftheway。
  {49}
  CHR。ImetwithagentlemansosoonasIhadgotovertheSloughofDespond,whopersuadedmethatImight,inthevillagebeforeme,findamanthatwouldtakeoffmyburden。
  EVAN。Whatwashe?
  CHR。Helookedlikeagentleman,andtalkedmuchtome,andgotmeatlasttoyield;soIcamehither;butwhenIbeheldthishill,andhowithangsovertheway,Isuddenlymadeastandlestitshouldfallonmyhead。
  EVAN。Whatsaidthatgentlemantoyou?
  CHR。Why,heaskedmewhitherIwasgoing,andItoldhim。
  EVAN。Andwhatsaidhethen?
  CHR。HeaskedmeifIhadafamily?AndItoldhim。
  But,saidI,Iamsoloadenwiththeburdenthatisonmyback,thatIcannottakepleasureinthemasformerly。
  EVAN。Andwhatsaidhethen?
  {50}
  CHR。Hebidmewithspeedgetridofmyburden;andItoldhimthatitwaseasethatIsought。AndsaidI,Iamthereforegoingtoyondergate,toreceivefurtherdirectionhowImaygettotheplaceofdeliverance。Sohesaidthathewouldshewmeabetterway,andshort,notsoattendedwithdifficultiesastheway,Sir,thatyousetmein;whichway,saidhe,willdirectyoutoagentleman’shousethathathskilltotakeofftheseburdens,soIbelievedhim,andturnedoutofthatwayintothis,ifhaplyImightbesooneasedofmyburden。ButwhenIcametothisplace,andbeheldthingsastheyare,Istoppedforfear(asIsaid)ofdanger:
  butInowknownotwhattodo。
  p101——p150
  Page101——Page150
  {101}
  CHR。Bylawsandordinancesyouwillnotbesaved,sinceyoucamenotinbythedoor。[Gal。2:16]Andasforthiscoatthatisonmyback,itwasgivenmebytheLordoftheplacewhitherIgo;
  andthat,asyousay,tocovermynakednesswith。AndItakeitasatokenofhiskindnesstome;forIhadnothingbutragsbefore。
  Andbesides,thusIcomfortmyselfasIgo:Surely,thinkI,whenIcometothegateofthecity,theLordthereofwillknowmeforgoodsinceIhavethiscoatonmyback——acoatthathegavemefreelyinthedaythathestrippedmeofmyrags。Ihave,moreover,amarkinmyforehead,ofwhich,perhaps,youhavetakennonotice,whichoneofmyLord’smostintimateassociatesfixedthereinthedaythatmyburdenfelloffmyshoulders。Iwilltellyou,moreover,thatIhadthengivenmearoll,sealed,tocomfortmebyreadingasIgoontheway;IwasalsobidtogiveitinattheCelestialGate,intokenofmycertaingoinginafterit;allwhichthings,Idoubt,youwant,andwantthembecauseyoucamenotinatthegate。
  {102}
  Tothesethingstheygavehimnoanswer;onlytheylookeduponeachother,andlaughed。Then,Isawthattheywentonall,savethatChristiankeptbefore,whohadnomoretalkbutwithhimself,andthatsometimessighingly,andsometimescomfortably;
  alsohewouldbeoftenreadingintherollthatoneoftheShiningOnesgavehim,bywhichhewasrefreshed。
  {103}
  Ibeheld,then,thattheyallwentontilltheycametothefootoftheHillDifficulty;atthebottomofwhichwasaspring。
  Therewerealsointhesameplacetwootherwaysbesidesthatwhichcamestraightfromthegate;oneturnedtothelefthand,andtheothertotheright,atthebottomofthehill;
  butthenarrowwaylayrightupthehill,andthenameofthegoingupthesideofthehilliscalledDifficulty。Christiannowwenttothespring,anddrankthereof,torefreshhimself[Isa。49:10],andthenbegantogoupthehill,saying——
  "Thehill,thoughhigh,Icovettoascend,Thedifficultywillnotmeoffend;
  ForIperceivethewaytolifelieshere。
  Come,pluckupheart,let’sneitherfaintnorfear;
  Better,thoughdifficult,therightwaytogo,Thanwrong,thougheasy,wheretheendiswoe。"
  {104}
  Theothertwoalsocametothefootofthehill;butwhentheysawthatthehillwassteepandhigh,andthatthereweretwootherwaystogo,andsupposingalsothatthesetwowaysmightmeetagain,withthatupwhichChristianwent,ontheothersideofthehill,thereforetheywereresolvedtogointhoseways。NowthenameofoneofthesewayswasDanger,andthenameoftheotherDestruction。
  SotheonetookthewaywhichiscalledDanger,whichledhimintoagreatwood,andtheothertookdirectlyupthewaytoDestruction,whichledhimintoawidefield,fullofdarkmountains,wherehestumbledandfell,androsenomore。
  "Shalltheywhowrongbeginyetrightlyend?
  Shalltheyatallhavesafetyfortheirfriend?
  No,no;inheadstrongmannertheysetout,Andheadlongwilltheyfallatlastnodoubt。"
  {105}
  Ilooked,then,afterChristian,toseehimgoupthehill,whereIperceivedhefellfromrunningtogoing,andfromgoingtoclamberinguponhishandsandhisknees,becauseofthesteepnessoftheplace。Now,aboutthemidwaytothetopofthehillwasapleasantarbour,madebytheLordofthehillfortherefreshingofwearytravellers;thither,therefore,Christiangot,wherealsohesatdowntoresthim。Thenhepulledhisrolloutofhisbosom,andreadthereintohiscomfort;healsonowbeganafreshtotakeareviewofthecoatorgarmentthatwasgivenhimashestoodbythecross。Thuspleasinghimselfawhile,heatlastfellintoaslumber,andthenceintoafastsleep,whichdetainedhiminthatplaceuntilitwasalmostnight;andinhissleep,hisrollfelloutofhishand。
  Now,ashewassleeping,therecameonetohim,andawakedhim,saying,Gototheant,thousluggard;considerherwaysandbewise。
  [Prov。6:6]AndwiththatChristianstartedup,andspedhimonhisway,andwentapace,tillhecametothetopofthehill。
  {106}
  Now,whenhewasgotuptothetopofthehill,therecametwomenrunningtomeethimamain;thenameoftheonewasTimorous,andoftheother,Mistrust;towhomChristiansaid,Sirs,what’sthematter?Yourunthewrongway。Timorousanswered,thattheyweregoingtotheCityofZion,andhadgotupthatdifficultplace;but,saidhe,thefurtherwego,themoredangerwemeetwith;whereforeweturned,andaregoingbackagain。
  Yes,saidMistrust,forjustbeforeuslieacoupleoflionsintheway,whethersleepingorwakingweknownot,andwecouldnotthink,ifwecamewithinreach,buttheywouldpresentlypullusinpieces。
  {107}
  CHR。ThensaidChristian,Youmakemeafraid,butwhithershallIflytobesafe?IfIgobacktomineowncountry,thatispreparedforfireandbrimstone,andIshallcertainlyperishthere。
  IfIcangettotheCelestialCity,Iamsuretobeinsafetythere。