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。