Imustventure。Togobackisnothingbutdeath;togoforwardisfearofdeath,andlife—everlastingbeyondit。Iwillyetgoforward。SoMistrustandTimorousrandownthehill,andChristianwentonhisway。But,thinkingagainofwhathehadheardfromthemen,hefeltinhisbosomforhisroll,thathemightreadtherein,andbecomforted;buthefelt,andfounditnot。ThenwasChristianingreatdistress,andknewnotwhattodo;forhewantedthatwhichusedtorelievehim,andthatwhichshouldhavebeenhispassintotheCelestialCity。
Here,therefore,hebeguntobemuchperplexed,andknewnotwhattodo。Atlasthebethoughthimselfthathehadsleptinthearbourthatisonthesideofthehill;
and,fallingdownuponhisknees,heaskedGod’sforgivenessforthathisfoolishact,andthenwentbacktolookforhisroll。
Butallthewayhewentback,whocansufficientlysetforththesorrowofChristian’sheart?Sometimeshesighed,sometimeshewept,andoftentimeshechidhimselfforbeingsofoolishtofallasleepinthatplace,whichwaserectedonlyforalittlerefreshmentforhisweariness。Thus,therefore,hewentback,carefullylookingonthissideandonthat,allthewayashewent,ifhappilyhemightfindhisroll,thathadbeenhiscomfortsomanytimesinhisjourney。
Hewentthus,tillhecameagainwithinsightofthearbourwherehesatandslept;butthatsightrenewedhissorrowthemore,bybringingagain,evenafresh,hisevilofsleepingintohismind。
[Rev。2:5;1Thes。5:7,8]
Thus,therefore,henowwentonbewailinghissinfulsleep,saying,OwretchedmanthatIamthatIshouldsleepintheday—time!
thatIshouldsleepinthemidstofdifficulty!thatIshouldsoindulgetheflesh,astousethatrestforeasetomyflesh,whichtheLordofthehillhatherectedonlyforthereliefofthespiritsofpilgrims!
{108}
HowmanystepshaveItookinvain!ThusithappenedtoIsrael,fortheirsin;theyweresentbackagainbythewayoftheRedSea;
andIammadetotreadthosestepswithsorrow,whichImighthavetrodwithdelight,haditnotbeenforthissinfulsleep。HowfarmightI
havebeenonmywaybythistime!Iammadetotreadthosestepsthriceover,whichIneedednottohavetrodbutonce;yea,nowalsoIamliketobebenighted,forthedayisalmostspent。
O,thatIhadnotslept!
{109}
Now,bythistimehewascometothearbouragain,whereforawhilehesatdownandwept;butatlast,asChristianwouldhaveit,lookingsorrowfullydownunderthesettle,thereheespiedhisroll;
thewhichhe,withtremblingandhaste,catchedup,andputitintohisbosom。Butwhocantellhowjoyfulthismanwaswhenhehadgottenhisrollagain!forthisrollwastheassuranceofhislifeandacceptanceatthedesiredhaven。Thereforehelaiditupinhisbosom,gavethankstoGodfordirectinghiseyetotheplacewhereitlay,andwithjoyandtearsbetookhimselfagaintohisjourney。Butoh,hownimblynowdidhegouptherestofthehill!Yet,beforehegotup,thesunwentdownuponChristian;
andthismadehimagainrecallthevanityofhissleepingtohisremembrance;andthusheagainbegantocondolewithhimself:
Othousinfulsleep;how,forthysake,amIliketobebenightedinmyjourney!Imustwalkwithoutthesun;darknessmustcoverthepathofmyfeet;andImusthearthenoiseofthedolefulcreatures,becauseofmysinfulsleep。[1Thes。5:6,7]NowalsoherememberedthestorythatMistrustandTimoroustoldhimof;howtheywerefrightedwiththesightofthelions。ThensaidChristiantohimselfagain,Thesebeastsrangeinthenightfortheirprey;andiftheyshouldmeetwithmeinthedark,howshouldIshiftthem?HowshouldIescapebeingbythemtorninpieces?Thushewentonhisway。
Butwhilehewasthusbewailinghisunhappymiscarriage,heliftuphiseyes,andbeholdtherewasaverystatelypalacebeforehim,thenameofwhichwasBeautiful;anditstoodjustbythehighwayside。
{110}
SoIsawinmydreamthathemadehasteandwentforward,thatifpossiblehemightgetlodgingthere。Now,beforehehadgonefar,heenteredintoaverynarrowpassage,whichwasaboutafurlongofftheporter’slodge;andlookingverynarrowlybeforehimashewent,heespiedtwolionsintheway。Now,thoughthe,IseethedangersthatMistrustandTimorousweredrivenbackby。
(Thelionswerechained,buthesawnotthechains。)
Thenhewasafraid,andthoughtalsohimselftogobackafterthem,forhethoughtnothingbutdeathwasbeforehim。Buttheporteratthelodge,whosenameisWatchful,perceivingthatChristianmadeahaltasifhewouldgoback,crieduntohim,saying,Isthystrengthsosmall?[Mark8:34—37]Fearnotthelions,fortheyarechained,andareplacedtherefortrialoffaithwhereitis,andfordiscoveryofthosethathadnone。
Keepinthemidstofthepath,nohurtshallcomeuntothee。
"Difficultyisbehind,Fearisbefore,Thoughhe’sgotonthehill,thelionsroar;
AChristianmanisneverlongatease,Whenonefright’sgone,anotherdothhimseize。"
{111}
ThenIsawthathewenton,tremblingforfearofthelions,buttakinggoodheedtothedirectionsoftheporter;
heheardthemroar,buttheydidhimnoharm。Thenheclappedhishands,andwentontillhecameandstoodbeforethegatewheretheporterwas。ThensaidChristiantotheporter,Sir,whathouseisthis?AndmayIlodgehereto—night?
Theporteranswered,ThishousewasbuiltbytheLordofthehill,andhebuiltitforthereliefandsecurityofpilgrims。
Theporteralsoaskedwhencehewas,andwhitherhewasgoing。
{112}
CHR。IamcomefromtheCityofDestruction,andamgoingtoMountZion;butbecausethesunisnowset,Idesire,ifImay,tolodgehereto—night。
POR。Whatisyourname?
CHR。MynameisnowChristian,butmynameatthefirstwasGraceless;
IcameoftheraceofJapheth,whomGodwillpersuadetodwellinthetentsofShem。[Gen。9:27]
POR。Buthowdothithappenthatyoucomesolate?Thesunisset。
{113}
CHR。Ihadbeenheresooner,butthat,"wretchedmanthatIam!"
Isleptinthearbourthatstandsonthehillside;nay,Ihad,notwithstandingthat,beenheremuchsooner,butthat,inmysleep。
Ilostmyevidence,andcamewithoutittothebrowofthehillandthenfeelingforit,andfindingitnot,Iwasforcedwithsorrowofheart,togobacktotheplacewhereIsleptmysleep,whereIfoundit,andnowIamcome。
POR。Well,Iwillcalloutoneofthevirginsofthisplace,whowill,ifshelikesyourtalk,bringyouintotherestofthefamily,accordingtotherulesofthehouse。SoWatchful,theporter,rangabell,atthesoundofwhichcameoutatthedoorofthehouse,agraveandbeautifuldamsel,namedDiscretion,andaskedwhyshewascalled。
{114}
Theporteranswered,ThismanisinajourneyfromtheCityofDestructiontoMountZion,butbeingwearyandbenighted,heaskedmeifhemightlodgehereto—night;soItoldhimIwouldcallforthee,who,afterdiscoursehadwithhim,mayestdoasseemeththeegood,evenaccordingtothelawofthehouse。
{115}
Thensheaskedhimwhencehewas,andwhitherhewasgoing,andhetoldher。Sheaskedhimalsohowhegotintotheway;
andhetoldher。Thensheaskedhimwhathehadseenandmetwithintheway;andhetold,her。Andlastsheaskedhisname;sohesaid,ItisChristian,andIhavesomuchthemoreadesiretolodgehereto—night,because,bywhatIperceive,thisplacewasbuiltbytheLordofthehillforthereliefandsecurityofpilgrims。
Soshesmiled,butthewaterstoodinhereyes;andafteralittlepause,shesaid,Iwillcallforthtwoorthreemoreofthefamily。Sosherantothedoor,andcalledoutPrudence,Piety,andCharity,who,afteralittlemorediscoursewithhim,hadhimintothefamily;andmanyofthem,meetinghimatthethresholdofthehouse,said,Comein,thoublessedoftheLord;
thishousewasbuiltbytheLordofthehill,onpurposetoentertainsuchpilgrimsin。Thenhebowedhishead,andfollowedthemintothehouse。Sowhenhewascomeinandsatdown,theygavehimsomethingtodrink,andconsentedtogether,thatuntilsupperwasready,someofthemshouldhavesomeparticulardiscoursewithChristian,forthebestimprovementoftime;andtheyappointedPiety,andPrudence,andCharitytodiscoursewithhim;andthustheybegan:
{116}
PIETY。Come,goodChristian,sincewehavebeensolovingtoyou,toreceiveyouinourhousethisnight,letus,ifperhapswemaybetterourselvesthereby,talkwithyouofallthingsthathavehappenedtoyouinyourpilgrimage。
CHR。Withaverygoodwill,andIamgladthatyouaresowelldisposed。
{117}
PIETY。Whatmovedyouatfirsttobetakeyourselftoapilgrim’slife?
CHR。Iwasdrivenoutofmynativecountrybyadreadfulsoundthatwasinmineears:towit,thatunavoidabledestructiondidattendme,ifIabodeinthatplacewhereIwas。
PIETY。Buthowdidithappenthatyoucameoutofyourcountrythisway?
CHR。ItwasasGodwouldhaveit;forwhenIwasunderthefearsofdestruction,Ididnotknowwhithertogo;butbychancetherecameaman,eventome,asIwastremblingandweeping,whosenameisEvangelist,andhedirectedmetothewicket—gate,whichelseIshouldneverhavefound,andsosetmeintothewaythathathledmedirectlytothishouse。
{118}
PIETY。ButdidyounotcomebythehouseoftheInterpreter?
CHR。Yes,anddidseesuchthingsthere,theremembranceofwhichwillstickbymeaslongasIlive;especiallythreethings:towit,howChrist,indespiteofSatan,maintainshisworkofgraceintheheart;howthemanhadsinnedhimselfquiteoutofhopesofGod’smercy;andalsothedreamofhimthatthoughtinhissleepthedayofjudgementwascome。
PIETY。Why,didyouhearhimtellhisdream?
CHR。Yes,andadreadfuloneitwas。Ithoughtitmademyheartacheashewastellingofit;butyetIamgladIheardit。
{119}
PIETY。WasthatallthatyousawatthehouseoftheInterpreter?
CHR。No;hetookmeandhadmewhereheshewedmeastatelypalace,andhowthepeoplewerecladingoldthatwereinit;andhowtherecameaventurousmanandcuthiswaythroughthearmedmenthatstoodinthedoortokeephimout,andhowhewasbidtocomein,andwineternalglory。Methoughtthosethingsdidravishmyheart!
Iwouldhavestayedatthatgoodman’shouseatwelvemonth,butthatIknewIhadfurthertogo。
{120}
PIETY。Andwhatsawyouelseintheway?
CHR。Saw!why,Iwentbutalittlefurther,andIsawone,asIthoughtinmymind,hangbleedinguponthetree;
andtheverysightofhimmademyburdenfalloffmyback,(forIgroanedunderaveryheavyburden,)butthenitfelldownfromoffme。Itwasastrangethingtome,forIneversawsuchathingbefore;yea,andwhileIstoodlookingup,forthenIcouldnotforbearlooking,threeShiningOnescametome。
Oneofthemtestifiedthatmysinswereforgivenme;anotherstrippedmeofmyrags,andgavemethisbroideredcoatwhichyousee;
andthethirdsetthemarkwhichyouseeinmyforehead,andgavemethissealedroll。(Andwiththathepluckeditoutofhisbosom。)
{121}
PIETY。Butyousawmorethanthis,didyounot?
CHR。ThethingsthatIhavetoldyouwerethebest;
yetsomeothermattersIsaw,as,namely——Isawthreemen,Simple,Sloth,andPresumption,lieasleepalittleoutoftheway,asIcame,withironsupontheirheels;butdoyouthinkIcouldawakethem?IalsosawFormalityandHypocrisycometumblingoverthewall,togo,astheypretended,toZion,buttheywerequicklylost,evenasImyselfdidtellthem;
buttheywouldnotbelieve。Butaboveall,Ifoundithardworktogetupthishill,andashardtocomebythelions’mouths,andtrulyifithadnotbeenforthegoodman,theporterthatstandsatthegate,IdonotknowbutthatafterallImighthavegonebackagain;butnowIthankGodIamhere,andIthankyouforreceivingofme。
{122}
ThenPrudencethoughtgoodtoaskhimafewquestions,anddesiredhisanswertothem。
PRUD。Doyounotthinksometimesofthecountryfromwhenceyoucame?
CHR。Yes,butwithmuchshameanddetestation:"Truly,ifIhadbeenmindfulofthatcountryfromwhenceIcameout,Imighthavehadopportunitytohavereturned;butnowIdesireabettercountry,thatis,anheavenly。"[Heb。11:15,16]
PRUD。Doyounotyetbearawaywithyousomeofthethingsthatthenyouwereconversantwithal?
CHR。Yes,butgreatlyagainstmywill;especiallymyinwardandcarnalcogitations,withwhichallmycountrymen,aswellasmyself,weredelighted;butnowallthosethingsaremygrief;
andmightIbutchoosemineownthings,
Iwouldchoosenevertothinkofthosethingsmore;butwhenIwouldbedoingofthatwhichisbest,thatwhichisworstiswithme。
[Rom7:16—19]
{123}
PRUD。Doyounotfindsometimes,asifthosethingswerevanquished,whichatothertimesareyourperplexity?
CHR。Yes,butthatisseldom;buttheyaretomegoldenhoursinwhichsuchthingshappentome。
PRUD。Canyourememberbywhatmeansyoufindyourannoyances,attimes,asiftheywerevanquished?
CHR。Yes,whenIthinkwhatIsawatthecross,thatwilldoit;
andwhenIlookuponmybroideredcoat,thatwilldoit;
alsowhenIlookintotherollthatIcarryinmybosom,thatwilldoit;andwhenmythoughtswaxwarmaboutwhitherIamgoing,thatwilldoit。
{124}
PRUD。AndwhatisitthatmakesyousodesiroustogotoMountZion?
CHR。Why,thereIhopetoseehimalivethatdidhangdeadonthecross;
andthereIhopetoberidofallthosethingsthattothisdayareinmeanannoyancetome;there,theysay,thereisnodeath;andthereI
shalldwellwithsuchcompanyasIlikebest。[Isa。25:8;Rev。21:4]
For,totellyoutruth,Ilovehim,becauseIwasbyhimeasedofmyburden;andIamwearyofmyinwardsickness。IwouldfainbewhereIshalldienomore,andwiththecompanythatshallcontinuallycry,"Holy,Holy,Holy!"
{125}
ThensaidCharitytoChristian,Haveyouafamily?Areyouamarriedman?
CHR。Ihaveawifeandfoursmallchildren。
CHAR。Andwhydidyounotbringthemalongwithyou?
CHR。ThenChristianwept,andsaid,Oh,howwillinglywouldIhavedoneit!buttheywereallofthemutterlyaversetomygoingonpilgrimage。
CHAR。Butyoushouldhavetalkedtothem,andhaveendeavouredtohaveshownthemthedangerofbeingbehind。
CHR。SoIdid;andtoldthemalsoofwhatGodhadshowntomeofthedestructionofourcity;"butIseemedtothemasonethatmocked",andtheybelievedmenot。[Gen。19:14]
CHAR。AnddidyoupraytoGodthathewouldblessyourcounseltothem?
CHR。Yes,andthatwithmuchaffection:foryoumustthinkthatmywifeandpoorchildrenwereverydearuntome。
CHAR。Butdidyoutellthemofyourownsorrow,andfearofdestruction?forIsupposethatdestructionwasvisibleenoughtoyou。
CHR。Yes,over,andover,andover。Theymightalsoseemyfearsinmycountenance,inmytears,andalsoinmytremblingundertheapprehensionofthejudgementthatdidhangoverourheads;
butallwasnotsufficienttoprevailwiththemtocomewithme。
CHAR。Butwhatcouldtheysayforthemselves,whytheycamenot?
{126}
CHR。Why,mywifewasafraidoflosingthisworld,andmychildrenweregiventothefoolishdelightsofyouth:sowhatbyonething,andwhatbyanother,theyleftmetowanderinthismanneralone。
CHAR。Butdidyounot,withyourvainlife,dampallthatyoubywordsusedbywayofpersuasiontobringthemawaywithyou?
{127}
CHR。Indeed,Icannotcommendmylife;forIamconscioustomyselfofmanyfailingstherein;Iknowalsothatamanbyhisconversationmaysoonoverthrowwhatbyargumentorpersuasionhedothlabourtofastenuponothersfortheirgood。YetthisIcansay,Iwasverywaryofgivingthemoccasion,byanyunseemlyaction,tomakethemaversetogoingonpilgrimage。Yea,forthisverythingtheywouldtellmeIwastooprecise,andthatIdeniedmyselfofthings,fortheirsakes,inwhichtheysawnoevil。Nay,IthinkImaysay,thatifwhattheysawinmedidhinderthem,itwasmygreattendernessinsinningagainstGod,orofdoinganywrongtomyneighbour。
CHAR。IndeedCainhatedhisbrother,"becausehisownworkswereevil,andhisbrother’srighteous"[1John3:12];andifthywifeandchildrenhavebeenoffendedwiththeeforthis,theytherebyshowthemselvestobeimplacabletogood,and"thouhastdeliveredthysoulfromtheirblood"。[Ezek。3:19]
{128}
NowIsawinmydream,thatthustheysattalkingtogetheruntilsupperwasready。Sowhentheyhadmadeready,theysatdowntomeat。Nowthetablewasfurnished"withfatthings,andwithwinethatwaswellrefined":
andalltheirtalkatthetablewasabouttheLordofthehill;
as,namely,aboutwhathehaddone,andwhereforehedidwhathedid,andwhyhehadbuildedthathouse。Andbywhattheysaid,Iperceivedthathehadbeenagreatwarrior,andhadfoughtwithandslain"himthathadthePowerofdeath",butnotwithoutgreatdangertohimself,whichmademelovehimthemore。
[Heb。2:14,15]
{129}
For,astheysaid,andasIbelieve(saidChristian),hediditwiththelossofmuchblood;butthatwhichputgloryofgraceintoallhedid,was,thathediditoutofpurelovetohiscountry。
Andbesides,thereweresomeofthemofthehouseholdthatsaidtheyhadbeenandspokewithhimsincehediddieonthecross;
andtheyhaveattestedthattheyhaditfromhisownlips,thatheissuchaloverofpoorpilgrims,thatthelikeisnottobefoundfromtheeasttothewest。
{130}
They,moreover,gaveaninstanceofwhattheyaffirmed,andthatwas,hehadstrippedhimselfofhisglory,thathemightdothisforthepoor;andthattheyheardhimsayandaffirm,"thathewouldnotdwellinthemountainofZionalone。"
Theysaid,moreover,thathehadmademanypilgrimsprinces,thoughbynaturetheywerebeggarsborn,andtheiroriginalhadbeenthedunghill。[1Sam2:8;Ps。113:7]
{131}
Thustheydiscoursedtogethertilllateatnight;andaftertheyhadcommittedthemselvestotheirLordforprotection,theybetookthemselvestorest:thePilgrimtheylaidinalargeupperchamber,whosewindowopenedtowardsthesun—rising:
thenameofthechamberwasPeace;whereheslepttillbreakofday,andthenheawokeandsang——
"WhereamInow?IsthistheloveandcareOfJesusforthementhatpilgrimsare?
Thustoprovide!thatIshouldbeforgiven!
Anddwellalreadythenextdoortoheaven!"
{132}
Sointhemorningtheyallgotup;and,aftersomemorediscourse,theytoldhimthatheshouldnotdeparttilltheyhadshownhimtheraritiesofthatplace。Andfirsttheyhadhimintothestudy,wheretheyshowedhimrecordsofthegreatestantiquity;inwhich,asIremembermydream,theyshowedhimfirstthepedigreeoftheLordofthehill,thathewasthesonoftheAncientofDays,andcamebythateternalgeneration。Herealsowasmorefullyrecordedtheactsthathehaddone,andthenamesofmanyhundredsthathehadtakenintohisservice;andhowhehadplacedtheminsuchhabitationsthatcouldneitherbylengthofdays,nordecaysofnature,bedissolved。
{133}
Thentheyreadtohimsomeoftheworthyactsthatsomeofhisservantshaddone:as,howtheyhad"subduedkingdoms,wroughtrighteousness,obtainedpromises,stoppedthemouthsoflions,quenchedtheviolenceoffire,escapedtheedgeofthesword,outofweaknessweremadestrong,waxedvaliantinfight,andturnedtoflightthearmiesofthealiens。"[Heb11:33,34]
{134}
Theythenreadagain,inanotherpartoftherecordsofthehouse,whereitwasshewedhowwillingtheirLordwastoreceiveintohisfavourany,evenany,thoughtheyintimepasthadofferedgreataffrontstohispersonandproceedings。Herealsowereseveralotherhistoriesofmanyotherfamousthings,ofallwhichChristianhadaview;asofthingsbothancientandmodern;
togetherwithpropheciesandpredictionsofthingsthathavetheircertainaccomplishment,bothtothedreadandamazementofenemies,andthecomfortandsolaceofpilgrims。
{135}
Thenextdaytheytookhimandhadhimintothearmoury,wheretheyshowedhimallmanneroffurniture,whichtheirLordhadprovidedforpilgrims,assword,shield,helmet,breastplate,ALL—PRAYER,andshoesthatwouldnotwearout。AndtherewashereenoughofthistoharnessoutasmanymenfortheserviceoftheirLordastherebestarsintheheavenformultitude。
{136}
Theyalsoshowedhimsomeoftheengineswithwhichsomeofhisservantshaddonewonderfulthings。TheyshewedhimMoses’rod;
thehammerandnailwithwhichJaelslewSisera;thepitchers,trumpets,andlampstoo,withwhichGideonputtoflightthearmiesofMidian。
Thentheyshowedhimtheox’sgoadwherewithShamgarslewsixhundredmen。Theyshowedhimalsothejaw—bonewithwhichSamsondidsuchmightyfeats。Theyshowedhim,moreover,theslingandstonewithwhichDavidslewGoliathofGath;andthesword,also,withwhichtheirLordwillkilltheManofSin,inthedaythatheshallriseuptotheprey。Theyshowedhim,besides,manyexcellentthings,withwhichChristianwasmuchdelighted。
Thisdone,theywenttotheirrestagain。
{137}
ThenIsawinmydream,thatonthemorrowhegotuptogoforward;
buttheydesiredhimtostaytillthenextdayalso;
andthen,saidthey,wewill,ifthedaybeclear,showyoutheDelectableMountains,which,theysaid,wouldyetfurtheraddtohiscomfort,becausetheywerenearerthedesiredhaventhantheplacewhereatpresenthewas;soheconsentedandstayed。
Whenthemorningwasup,theyhadhimtothetopofthehouse,andbidhimlooksouth;sohedid:andbehold,atagreatdistance,hesawamostpleasantmountainouscountry,beautifiedwithwoods,vineyards,fruitsofallsorts,flowersalso,withspringsandfountains,verydelectabletobehold。[Isa。33:16,17]
Thenheaskedthenameofthecountry。TheysaiditwasImmanuel’sLand;anditisascommon,saidthey,asthishillis,toandforallthepilgrims。Andwhenthoucomesttherefromthence,saidthey,thoumayestseetothegateoftheCelestialCity,astheshepherdsthatlivetherewillmakeappear。
{138}
Nowhebethoughthimselfofsettingforward,andtheywerewillingheshould。Butfirst,saidthey,letusgoagainintothearmoury。
Sotheydid;andwhentheycamethere,theyharnessedhimfromheadtofootwithwhatwasofproof,lest,perhaps,heshouldmeetwithassaultsintheway。Hebeing,therefore,thusaccoutred,walkethoutwithhisfriendstothegate,andthereheaskedtheporterifhesawanypilgrimspassby。
Thentheporteranswered,Yes。
{139}
CHR。Pray,didyouknowhim?saidhe。
POR。Iaskedhimhisname,andhetoldmeitwasFaithful。
CHR。Oh,saidChristian,Iknowhim;heismytownsman,mynearneighbour;hecomesfromtheplacewhereIwasborn。
Howfardoyouthinkhemaybebefore?
POR。Heisgotbythistimebelowthehill。
CHR。Well,saidChristian,goodPorter,theLordbewiththee,andaddtoallthyblessingsmuchincrease,forthekindnessthatthouhastshowedtome。
{140}
Thenhebegantogoforward;butDiscretion,Piety,Charity,andPrudencewouldaccompanyhimdowntothefootofthehill。
Sotheywentontogether,reiteratingtheirformerdiscourses,tilltheycametogodownthehill。ThensaidChristian,Asitwasdifficultcomingup,so,sofarasIcansee,itisdangerousgoingdown。Yes,saidPrudence,soitis,foritisahardmatterforamantogodownintotheValleyofHumiliation,asthouartnow,andtocatchnoslipbytheway;therefore,saidthey,arewecomeouttoaccompanytheedownthehill。Sohebegantogodown,butverywarily;yethecaughtasliportwo。
{141}
ThenIsawinmydreamthatthesegoodcompanions,whenChristianwasgonetothebottomofthehill,gavehimaloafofbread,abottleofwine,andaclusterofraisins;andthenhewentonhisway。
Butnow,inthisValleyofHumiliation,poorChristianwashardputtoit;forhehadgonebutalittleway,beforeheespiedafoulfiendcomingoverthefieldtomeethim;hisnameisApollyon。
ThendidChristianbegintobeafraid,andtocastinhismindwhethertogobackortostandhisground。Butheconsideredagainthathehadnoarmourforhisback;andthereforethoughtthattoturnthebacktohimmightgivehimthegreateradvantagewitheasetopiercehimwithhisdarts。Thereforeheresolvedtoventureandstandhisground;for,thoughthe,hadInomoreinmineeyethanthesavingofmylife,itwouldbethebestwaytostand。
{142}
Sohewenton,andApollyonmethim。Nowthemonsterwashideoustobehold;hewasclothedwithscales,likeafish,(andtheyarehispride,)hehadwingslikeadragon,feetlikeabear,andoutofhisbellycamefireandsmoke,andhismouthwasasthemouthofalion。WhenhewascomeuptoChristian,hebeheldhimwithadisdainfulcountenance,andthusbegantoquestionwithhim。
{143}
APOL。Whencecomeyou?andwhitherareyoubound?
CHR。IamcomefromtheCityofDestruction,whichistheplaceofallevil,andamgoingtotheCityofZion。
APOL。BythisIperceivethouartoneofmysubjects,forallthatcountryismine,andIamtheprinceandgodofit。
Howisit,then,thatthouhastrunawayfromthyking?
WereitnotthatIhopethoumayestdomemoreservice,Iwouldstriketheenow,atoneblow,totheground。
{144}
CHR。Iwasborn,indeed,inyourdominions,butyourservicewashard,andyourwagessuchasamancouldnotliveon,"forthewagesofsinisdeath"[Rom6:23];therefore,whenIwascometoyears,Idid,asotherconsideratepersonsdo,lookout,if,perhaps,Imightmendmyself。
APOL。Thereisnoprincethatwillthuslightlylosehissubjects,neitherwillIasyetlosethee;butsincethoucomplainestofthyserviceandwages,becontenttogoback:whatourcountrywillafford,Idoherepromisetogivethee。
CHR。ButIhaveletmyselftoanother,eventotheKingofprinces;
andhowcanI,withfairness,gobackwiththee?
{145}
APOL。Thouhastdoneinthis,accordingtotheproverb,"Changedabadforaworse";butitisordinaryforthosethathaveprofessedthemselveshisservants,afterawhiletogivehimtheslip,andreturnagaintome。Dothousotoo,andallshallbewell。
CHR。Ihavegivenhimmyfaith,andswornmyallegiancetohim;
how,then,canIgobackfromthis,andnotbehangedasatraitor?
APOL。Thoudidstthesametome,andyetIamwillingtopassbyall,ifnowthouwiltyetturnagainandgoback。
{146}
CHR。WhatIpromisedtheewasinmynonage;and,besides,IcountthePrinceunderwhosebannernowIstandisabletoabsolveme;
yea,andtopardonalsowhatIdidastomycompliancewiththee;
andbesides,OthoudestroyingApollyon!tospeaktruth,Ilikehisservice,hiswages,hisservants,hisgovernment,hiscompany,andcountry,betterthanthine;and,therefore,leaveofftopersuademefurther;Iamhisservant,andIwillfollowhim。
{147}
APOL。Consider,again,whenthouartincoolblood,whatthouartliketomeetwithinthewaythatthougoest。
Thouknowestthat,forthemostpart,hisservantscometoanillend,becausetheyaretransgressorsagainstmeandmyways。
Howmanyofthemhavebeenputtoshamefuldeaths!and,besides,thoucountesthisservicebetterthanmine,whereashenevercameyetfromtheplacewhereheistodeliveranythatservedhimoutoftheirhands;butasforme,howmanytimes,asalltheworldverywellknows,haveIdelivered,eitherbypower,orfraud,thosethathavefaithfullyservedme,fromhimandhis,thoughtakenbythem;andsoIwilldeliverthee。
CHR。Hisforbearingatpresenttodeliverthemisonpurposetotrytheirlove,whethertheywillcleavetohimtotheend;
andasfortheillendthousayesttheycometo,thatismostgloriousintheiraccount;for,forpresentdeliverance,theydonotmuchexpectit,fortheystayfortheirglory,andthentheyshallhaveitwhentheirPrincecomesinhisandthegloryoftheangels。
APOL。Thouhastalreadybeenunfaithfulinthyservicetohim;
andhowdostthouthinktoreceivewagesofhim?
CHR。Wherein,OApollyon!haveIbeenunfaithfultohim?
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APOL。Thoudidstfaintatfirstsettingout,whenthouwastalmostchokedintheGulfofDespond;thoudidstattemptwrongwaystoberidofthyburden,whereasthoushouldsthavestayedtillthyPrincehadtakenitoff;thoudidstsinfullysleepandlosethychoicething;thouwast,also,almostpersuadedtogobackatthesightofthelions;andwhenthoutalkestofthyjourney,andofwhatthouhastheardandseen,thouartinwardlydesirousofvain—gloryinallthatthousayestordoest。
CHR。Allthisistrue,andmuchmorewhichthouhastleftout;
butthePrincewhomIserveandhonourismerciful,andreadytoforgive;but,besides,theseinfirmitiespossessedmeinthycountry,forthereIsuckedthemin;andIhavegroanedunderthem,beensorryforthem,andhaveobtainedpardonofmyPrince。
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APOL。ThenApollyonbrokeoutintoagrievousrage,saying,IamanenemytothisPrince;Ihatehisperson,hislaws,andpeople;
Iamcomeoutonpurposetowithstandthee。
CHR。Apollyon,bewarewhatyoudo;forIamintheKing’shighway,thewayofholiness;thereforetakeheedtoyourself。
APOL。ThenApollyonstraddledquiteoverthewholebreadthoftheway,andsaid,Iamvoidoffearinthismatter:preparethyselftodie;
forIswearbymyinfernalden,thatthoushaltgonofurther;
herewillIspillthysoul。
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Andwiththathethrewaflamingdartathisbreast;butChristianhadashieldinhishand,withwhichhecaughtit,andsopreventedthedangerofthat。
ThendidChristiandraw,forhesawitwastimetobestirhim;
andApollyonasfastmadeathim,throwingdartsasthickashail;
bythewhich,notwithstandingallthatChristiancoulddotoavoidit,Apollyonwoundedhiminhishead,hishand,andfoot。
ThismadeChristiangivealittleback;Apollyon,therefore,followedhisworkamain,andChristianagaintookcourage,andresistedasmanfullyashecould。Thissorecombatlastedforabovehalfaday,eventillChristianwasalmostquitespent;
foryoumustknowthatChristian,byreasonofhiswounds,mustneedsgrowweakerandweaker。
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ThenApollyon,espyinghisopportunity,begantogatherupclosetoChristian,andwrestlingwithhim,gavehimadreadfulfall;
andwiththatChristian’sswordflewoutofhishand。
ThensaidApollyon,Iamsureoftheenow。Andwiththathehadalmostpressedhimtodeath,sothatChristianbegantodespairoflife;butasGodwouldhaveit,whileApollyonwasfetchingofhislastblow,therebytomakeafullendofthisgoodman,Christiannimblystretchedouthishandforhissword,andcaughtit,saying,"Rejoicenotagainstme,Omineenemy;
whenIfallIshallarise"[Micah7:8];andwiththatgavehimadeadlythrust,whichmadehimgiveback,asonethathadreceivedhismortalwound。
Christianperceivingthat,madeathimagain,saying,"Nay,inallthesethingswearemorethanconquerorsthroughhimthatlovedus"。[Rom。8:37]AndwiththatApollyonspreadforthhisdragon’swings,andspedhimaway,thatChristianforaseasonsawhimnomore。[James4:7]
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Inthiscombatnomancanimagine,unlesshehadseenandheardasIdid,whatyellingandhideousroaringApollyonmadeallthetimeofthefight——hespakelikeadragon;and,ontheotherside,whatsighsandgroansburstfromChristian’sheart。Ineversawhimallthewhilegivesomuchasonepleasantlook,tillheperceivedhehadwoundedApollyonwithhistwo—edgedsword;then,indeed,hedidsmile,andlookupward;butitwasthedreadfullestsightthateverIsaw。
Amoreunequalmatchcanhardlybe,——
CHRISTIANmustfightanAngel;butyousee,ThevaliantmanbyhandlingSwordandShield,Dothmakehim,tho’aDragon,quitthefield。
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Sowhenthebattlewasover,Christiansaid,"Iwillheregivethankstohimthatdeliveredmeoutofthemouthofthelion,tohimthatdidhelpmeagainstApollyon。"Andsohedid,saying——
GreatBeelzebub,thecaptainofthisfiend,Design’dmyruin;thereforetothisendHesenthimharness’dout:andhewithrageThathellishwas,didfiercelymeengage。
ButblessedMichaelhelpedme,andI,Bydintofsword,didquicklymakehimfly。
Thereforetohimletmegivelastingpraise,Andthankandblesshisholynamealways。
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Thentherecametohimahand,withsomeoftheleavesofthetreeoflife,thewhichChristiantook,andappliedtothewoundsthathehadreceivedinthebattle,andwashealedimmediately。
Healsosatdowninthatplacetoeatbread,andtodrinkofthebottlethatwasgivenhimalittlebefore;so,beingrefreshed,headdressedhimselftohisjourney,withhissworddrawninhishand;
forhesaid,Iknownotbutsomeotherenemymaybeathand。ButhemetwithnootheraffrontfromApollyonquitethroughthisvalley。
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Now,attheendofthisvalleywasanother,calledtheValleyoftheShadowofDeath,andChristianmustneedsgothroughit,becausethewaytotheCelestialCitylaythroughthemidstofit。
Now,thisvalleyisaverysolitaryplace。TheprophetJeremiahthusdescribesit:"Awilderness,alandofdesertsandofpits,alandofdrought,andoftheshadowofdeath,alandthatnoman"
(butaChristian)"passedthrough,andwherenomandwelt。"[Jer。
2:6]
NowhereChristianwasworseputtoitthaninhisfightwithApollyon,asbythesequelyoushallsee。
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Isawtheninmydream,thatwhenChristianwasgottothebordersoftheShadowofDeath,theremethimtwomen,childrenofthemthatbroughtupanevilreportofthegoodland[Num。13],makinghastetogoback;towhomChristianspakeasfollows:——
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CHR。Whitherareyougoing?
MEN。Theysaid,Back!back!andwewouldhaveyoutodosotoo,ifeitherlifeorpeaceisprizedbyyou。
CHR。Why,what’sthematter?saidChristian。
MEN。Matter!saidthey;weweregoingthatwayasyouaregoing,andwentasfaraswedurst;andindeedwewerealmostpastcomingback;
forhadwegonealittlefurther,wehadnotbeenheretobringthenewstothee。
CHR。Butwhathaveyoumetwith?saidChristian。
MEN。Why,wewerealmostintheValleyoftheShadowofDeath;
butthat,bygoodhap,welookedbeforeus,andsawthedangerbeforewecametoit。[Ps。44:19;107:10]
CHR。Butwhathaveyouseen?saidChristian。
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MEN。Seen!Why,theValleyitself,whichisasdarkaspitch;
wealsosawtherethehobgoblins,satyrs,anddragonsofthepit;
weheardalsointhatValleyacontinualhowlingandyelling,asofapeopleunderunutterablemisery,whotheresatboundinafflictionandirons;andoverthatValleyhangsthediscouragingcloudsofconfusion。Deathalsodothalwaysspreadhiswingsoverit。Inaword,itiseverywhitdreadful,beingutterlywithoutorder。[Job3:5;10:22]
CHR。Then,saidChristian,Iperceivenotyet,bywhatyouhavesaid,butthatthisismywaytothedesiredhaven。[Jer。2:6]
MEN。Beitthyway;wewillnotchooseitforours。So,theyparted,andChristianwentonhisway,butstillwithhissworddrawninhishand,forfearlestheshouldbeassaulted。
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Isawtheninmydream,sofarasthisvalleyreached,therewasontherighthandaverydeepditch;thatditchisitintowhichtheblindhaveledtheblindinallages,andhaveboththeremiserablyperished。[Ps。69:14,15]Again,behold,onthelefthand,therewasaverydangerousquag,intowhich,ifevenagoodmanfalls,hecanfindnobottomforhisfoottostandon。IntothatquagKingDavidoncedidfall,andhadnodoubtthereinbeensmothered,hadnotHEthatisablepluckedhimout。
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Thepathwaywasherealsoexceedingnarrow,andthereforegoodChristianwasthemoreputtoit;forwhenhesought,inthedark,toshuntheditchontheonehand,hewasreadytotipoverintothemireontheother;alsowhenhesoughttoescapethemire,withoutgreatcarefulnesshewouldbereadytofallintotheditch。
Thushewenton,andIheardhimheresighbitterly;for,besidesthedangersmentionedabove,thepathwaywasheresodark,andofttimes,whenheliftuphisfoottosetforward,heknewnotwhereoruponwhatheshouldsetitnext。
Poorman!whereartthounow?thydayisnight。
Goodman,benotcastdown,thouyetartright,ThywaytoheavenliesbythegatesofHell;
Cheerup,holdout,withtheeitshallgowell。
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Aboutthemidstofthisvalley,Iperceivedthemouthofhelltobe,anditstoodalsohardbythewayside。Now,thoughtChristian,whatshallIdo?Andeverandanontheflameandsmokewouldcomeoutinsuchabundance,withsparksandhideousnoises,(thingsthatcarednotforChristian’ssword,asdidApollyonbefore),thathewasforcedtoputuphissword,andbetakehimselftoanotherweaponcalledAll—prayer。[Eph。6:18]Sohecriedinmyhearing,"OLord,Ibeseechthee,delivermysoul!"[Ps。
116:4]
Thushewentonagreatwhile,yetstilltheflameswouldbereachingtowardshim。Alsohehearddolefulvoices,andrushingstoandfro,sothatsometimeshethoughtheshouldbetorninpieces,ortroddendownlikemireinthestreets。Thisfrightfulsightwasseen,andthesedreadfulnoiseswereheardbyhimforseveralmilestogether;
and,comingtoaplacewherehethoughtheheardacompanyoffiendscomingforwardtomeethim,hestopped,andbegantomusewhathehadbesttodo。Sometimeshehadhalfathoughttogoback;
thenagainhethoughthemightbehalfwaythroughthevalley;
herememberedalsohowhehadalreadyvanquishedmanyadanger,andthatthedangerofgoingbackmightbemuchmorethanfortogoforward;soheresolvedtogoon。Yetthefiendsseemedtocomenearerandnearer;butwhentheywerecomeevenalmostathim,hecriedoutwithamostvehementvoice,"IwillwalkinthestrengthoftheLordGod!"sotheygaveback,andcamenofurther。
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OnethingIwouldnotletslip。ItooknoticethatnowpoorChristianwassoconfounded,thathedidnotknowhisownvoice;
andthusIperceivedit。Justwhenhewascomeoveragainstthemouthoftheburningpit,oneofthewickedonesgotbehindhim,andsteppedupsoftlytohim,andwhisperinglysuggestedmanygrievousblasphemiestohim,whichheverilythoughthadproceededfromhisownmind。ThisputChristianmoretoitthananythingthathemetwithbefore,eventothinkthatheshouldnowblasphemehimthathelovedsomuchbefore;yet,ifhecouldhavehelpedit,hewouldnothavedoneit;buthehadnotthediscretioneithertostophisears,ortoknowfromwhencetheseblasphemiescame。
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WhenChristianhadtravelledinthisdisconsolateconditionsomeconsiderabletime,hethoughtheheardthevoiceofaman,asgoingbeforehim,saying,"ThoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil,forthouartwithme。"
[Ps。23:4]
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Thenhewasglad,andthatforthesereasons:
First,Becausehegatheredfromthence,thatsomewhofearedGodwereinthisvalleyaswellashimself。
Secondly,ForthatheperceivedGodwaswiththem,thoughinthatdarkanddismalstate;andwhynot,thoughthe,withme?though,byreasonoftheimpedimentthatattendsthisplace,Icannotperceiveit。[Job9:11]
Thirdly,Forthathehoped,couldheovertakethem,tohavecompanybyandby。Sohewenton,andcalledtohimthatwasbefore;
butheknewnotwhattoanswer;forthathealsothoughttobealone。
Andbyandbythedaybroke;thensaidChristian,Hehathturned"theshadowofdeathintothemorning"。[Amos5:8]
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Nowmorningbeingcome,helookedback,notoutofdesiretoreturn,buttosee,bythelightoftheday,whathazardshehadgonethroughinthedark。Sohesawmoreperfectlytheditchthatwasontheonehand,andthemirethatwasontheother;alsohownarrowthewaywaswhichledbetwixtthemboth;alsonowhesawthehobgoblins,andsatyrs,anddragonsofthepit,butallafaroff,(forafterbreakofday,theycamenotnigh;)yettheywerediscoveredtohim,accordingtothatwhichiswritten,"Hediscoverethdeepthingsoutofdarkness,andbringethouttolighttheshadowofdeath。"
[Job12:22]
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NowwasChristianmuchaffectedwithhisdeliverancefromallthedangersofhissolitaryway;whichdangers,thoughhefearedthemmorebefore,yethesawthemmoreclearlynow,becausethelightofthedaymadethemconspicuoustohim。
Andaboutthistimethesunwasrising,andthiswasanothermercytoChristian;foryoumustnote,thatthoughthefirstpartoftheValleyoftheShadowofDeathwasdangerous,yetthissecondpartwhichhewasyettogo,was,ifpossible,farmoredangerous;forfromtheplacewherehenowstood,eventotheendofthevalley,thewaywasallalongsetsofullofsnares,traps,gins,andnetshere,andsofullofpits,pitfalls,deepholes,andshelvingsdownthere,that,haditnowbeendark,asitwaswhenhecamethefirstpartoftheway,hadhehadathousandsouls,theyhadinreasonbeencastaway;
but,asIsaidjustnow,thesunwasrising。Thensaidhe,"Hiscandleshinethuponmyhead,andbyhislightIwalkthroughdarkness。"[Job29:3]
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Inthislight,therefore,hecametotheendofthevalley。