Almostfivethousandyearsagone,therewerepilgrimswalkingtotheCelestialCity,asthesetwohonestpersonsare:
andBeelzebub,Apollyon,andLegion,withtheircompanions,perceivingbythepaththatthepilgrimsmade,thattheirwaytothecitylaythroughthistownofVanity,theycontrivedheretosetupafair;afairwherein,shouldbesoldallsortsofvanity,andthatitshouldlastalltheyearlong:thereforeatthisfairareallsuchmerchandisesold,ashouses,lands,trades,places,honours,preferments,titles,countries,kingdoms,lusts,pleasures,anddelightsofallsorts,aswhores,bawds,wives,husbands,children,masters,servants,lives,blood,bodies,souls,silver,gold,pearls,preciousstones,andwhatnot。
And,moreover,atthisfairthereisatalltimestobeseenjugglingcheats,games,plays,fools,apes,knaves,androgues,andthatofeverykind。
Herearetobeseen,too,andthatfornothing,thefts,murders,adulteries,falseswearers,andthatofablood—redcolour。
{217}
Andasinotherfairsoflessmoment,therearetheseveralrowsandstreets,undertheirpropernames,wheresuchandsuchwaresarevended;soherelikewiseyouhavetheproperplaces,rows,streets,(viz。countriesandkingdoms),wherethewaresofthisfairaresoonesttobefound。HereistheBritainRow,theFrenchRow,theItalianRow,theSpanishRow,theGermanRow,whereseveralsortsofvanitiesaretobesold。But,asinotherfairs,someonecommodityisasthechiefofallthefair,sothewareofRomeandhermerchandiseisgreatlypromotedinthisfair;onlyourEnglishnation,withsomeothers,havetakenadislikethereat。
{218}
Now,asIsaid,thewaytotheCelestialCityliesjustthroughthistownwherethislustyfairiskept;andhethatwillgotothecity,andyetnotgothroughthistown,mustneedsgooutoftheworld。[1Cor。5:10]
ThePrinceofprinceshimself,whenhere,wentthroughthistowntohisowncountry,andthatuponafairdaytoo;yea,andasIthink,itwasBeelzebub,thechieflordofthisfair,thatinvitedhimtobuyofhisvanities;yea,wouldhavemadehimlordofthefair,wouldhebuthavedonehimreverenceashewentthroughthetown。
[Matt。4:8,Luke4:5—7]Yea,becausehewassuchapersonofhonour,Beelzebubhadhimfromstreettostreet,andshowedhimallthekingdomsoftheworldinalittletime,thathemight,ifpossible,alluretheBlessedOnetocheapenandbuysomeofhisvanities;buthehadnomindtothemerchandise,andthereforeleftthetown,withoutlayingoutsomuchasonefarthinguponthesevanities。Thisfair,therefore,isanancientthing,oflongstanding,andaverygreatfair。
{219}
Nowthesepilgrims,asIsaid,mustneedsgothroughthisfair。
Well,sotheydid:
but,behold,evenastheyenteredintothefair,allthepeopleinthefairweremoved,andthetownitselfasitwereinahubbubaboutthem;
andthatforseveralreasons:for——
{220}
First,Thepilgrimswereclothedwithsuchkindofraimentaswasdiversefromtheraimentofanythattradedinthatfair。
Thepeople,therefore,ofthefair,madeagreatgazinguponthem:
somesaidtheywerefools,sometheywerebedlams,andsometheyareoutlandishmen。[1Cor。2:7—8]
{221}
Secondly,Andastheywonderedattheirapparel,sotheydidlikewiseattheirspeech;forfewcouldunderstandwhattheysaid;
theynaturallyspokethelanguageofCanaan,buttheythatkeptthefairwerethemenofthisworld;sothat,fromoneendofthefairtotheother,theyseemedbarbarianseachtotheother。
{222}
Thirdly,Butthatwhichdidnotalittleamusethemerchandiserswas,thatthesepilgrimssetverylightbyalltheirwares;theycarednotsomuchastolookuponthem;andiftheycalleduponthemtobuy,theywouldputtheirfingersintheirears,andcry,Turnawaymineeyesfrombeholdingvanity,andlookupwards,signifyingthattheirtradeandtrafficwasinheaven。[Ps。119:37,Phil。3:19—20]
{223}
Onechancedmockingly,beholdingthecarriageofthemen,tosayuntothem,Whatwillyebuy?Butthey,lookinggravelyuponhim,answered,"Webuythetruth。"[Prov。23:23]
Atthattherewasanoccasiontakentodespisethementhemore;
somemocking,sometaunting,somespeakingreproachfully,andsomecallinguponotherstosmitethem。
Atlastthingscametoahubbubandgreatstirinthefair,insomuchthatallorderwasconfounded。Nowwaswordpresentlybroughttothegreatoneofthefair,whoquicklycamedown,anddeputedsomeofhismosttrustyfriendstotakethesemenintoexamination,aboutwhomthefairwasalmostoverturned。
Sothemenwerebroughttoexamination;
andtheythatsatuponthem,askedthemwhencetheycame,whithertheywent,andwhattheydidthere,insuchanunusualgarb?
Thementoldthemthattheywerepilgrimsandstrangersintheworld,andthattheyweregoingtotheirowncountry,whichwastheheavenlyJerusalem,[Heb。11:13—16]andthattheyhadgivennooccasiontothemenofthetown,noryettothemerchandisers,thustoabusethem,andtoletthemintheirjourney,exceptitwasforthat,whenoneaskedthemwhattheywouldbuy,theysaidtheywouldbuythetruth。Buttheythatwereappointedtoexaminethemdidnotbelievethemtobeanyotherthanbedlamsandmad,orelsesuchascametoputallthingsintoaconfusioninthefair。
Thereforetheytookthemandbeatthem,andbesmearedthemwithdirt,andthenputthemintothecage,thattheymightbemadeaspectacletoallthemenofthefair。
BeholdVanityFair!thePilgrimsthereArechain’dandstandbeside:
EvensoitwasourLordpass’dhere,AndonMountCalvarydied。
{224}
There,therefore,theylayforsometime,andweremadetheobjectsofanyman’ssport,ormalice,orrevenge,thegreatoneofthefairlaughingstillatallthatbefellthem。Butthemenbeingpatient,andnotrenderingrailingforrailing,butcontrariwise,blessing,andgoodwordsforbad,andkindnessforinjuriesdone,somemeninthefairthatweremoreobserving,andlessprejudicedthantherest,begantocheckandblamethebasersortfortheircontinualabusesdonebythemtothemen;they,therefore,inangrymanner,letflyatthemagain,countingthemasbadasthemeninthecage,andtellingthemthattheyseemedconfederates,andshouldbemadepartakersoftheirmisfortunes。
Theotherrepliedthat,foraughttheycouldsee,themenwerequiet,andsober,andintendednobodyanyharm;andthatthereweremanythattradedintheirfairthatweremoreworthytobeputintothecage,yea,andpillorytoo,thanwerethementheyhadabused。Thus,afterdiverswordshadpassedonbothsides,themenbehavingthemselvesallthewhileverywiselyandsoberlybeforethem,theyfelltosomeblowsamongthemselves,anddidharmonetoanother。
Thenwerethesetwopoormenbroughtbeforetheirexaminersagain,andtherechargedasbeingguiltyofthelatehubbubthathadbeeninthefair。
Sotheybeatthempitifully,andhangedironsuponthem,andledtheminchainsupanddownthefair,foranexampleandaterrortoothers,lestanyshouldspeakintheirbehalf,orjointhemselvesuntothem。
ButChristianandFaithfulbehavedthemselvesyetmorewisely,andreceivedtheignominyandshamethatwascastuponthem,withsomuchmeeknessandpatience,thatitwontotheirside,thoughbutfewincomparisonoftherest,severalofthemeninthefair。Thisputtheotherpartyyetintogreaterrage,insomuchthattheyconcludedthedeathofthesetwomen。
Whereforetheythreatened,thatthecagenorironsshouldservetheirturn,butthattheyshoulddie,fortheabusetheyhaddone,andfordeludingthemenofthefair。
Thenweretheyremandedtothecageagain,untilfurtherordershouldbetakenwiththem。Sotheyputthemin,andmadetheirfeetfastinthestocks。
{225}
Here,therefore,theycalledagaintomindwhattheyhadheardfromtheirfaithfulfriendEvangelist,andwerethemoreconfirmedintheirwayandsufferingsbywhathetoldthemwouldhappentothem。
Theyalsonowcomfortedeachother,thatwhoselotitwastosuffer,evenheshouldhavethebestofit;thereforeeachmansecretlywishedthathemighthavethatpreferment:butcommittingthemselvestotheall—wisedisposalofHimthatrulethallthings,withmuchcontent,theyabodeintheconditioninwhichtheywere,untiltheyshouldbeotherwisedisposedof。
{226}
Thenaconvenienttimebeingappointed,theybroughtthemforthtotheirtrial,inordertotheircondemnation。Whenthetimewascome,theywerebroughtbeforetheirenemiesandarraigned。Thejudge’snamewasLordHate—good。Theirindictmentwasoneandthesameinsubstance,thoughsomewhatvaryinginform,thecontentswhereofwerethis:——
{227}
"Thattheywereenemiestoanddisturbersoftheirtrade;
thattheyhadmadecommotionsanddivisionsinthetown,andhadwonapartytotheirownmostdangerousopinions,incontemptofthelawoftheirprince。"
Now,FAITHFUL,playtheman,speakforthyGod:
Fearnotthewicked’smalice;northeirrod:
Speakboldly,man,thetruthisonthyside:
Dieforit,andtolifeintriumphride。
{228}
ThenFaithfulbegantoanswer,thathehadonlysethimselfagainstthatwhichhathsetitselfagainstHimthatishigherthanthehighest。
And,saidhe,asfordisturbance,Imakenone,beingmyselfamanofpeace;thepartiesthatwerewontous,werewonbybeholdingourtruthandinnocence,andtheyareonlyturnedfromtheworsetothebetter。Andastothekingyoutalkof,sinceheisBeelzebub,theenemyofourLord,Idefyhimandallhisangels。
{229}
Thenproclamationwasmade,thattheythathadaughttosayfortheirlordthekingagainsttheprisoneratthebar,shouldforthwithappearandgiveintheirevidence。Sotherecameinthreewitnesses,towit,Envy,Superstition,andPickthank。
Theywerethenaskediftheyknewtheprisoneratthebar;
andwhattheyhadtosayfortheirlordthekingagainsthim。
{230}
ThenstoodforthEnvy,andsaidtothiseffect:MyLord,Ihaveknownthismanalongtime,andwillattestuponmyoathbeforethishonourablebench,thatheis——
JUDGE。Hold!Givehimhisoath。(Sotheyswarehim。)
Thenhesaid——
ENVY。MyLord,thisman,notwithstandinghisplausiblename,isoneofthevilestmeninourcountry。Heneitherregardethprincenorpeople,lawnorcustom;butdothallthathecantopossessallmenwithcertainofhisdisloyalnotions,whichheinthegeneralcallsprinciplesoffaithandholiness。
And,inparticular,IheardhimoncemyselfaffirmthatChristianityandthecustomsofourtownofVanitywerediametricallyopposite,andcouldnotbereconciled。Bywhichsaying,myLord,hedothatoncenotonlycondemnallourlaudabledoings,butusinthedoingofthem。
JUDGE。ThendidtheJudgesaytohim,Hastthouanymoretosay?
ENVY。MyLord,Icouldsaymuchmore,onlyIwouldnotbetedioustothecourt。Yet,ifneedbe,whentheothergentlemenhavegivenintheirevidence,ratherthananythingshallbewantingthatwilldespatchhim,Iwillenlargemytestimonyagainsthim。
Sohewasbidtostandby。ThentheycalledSuperstition,andbidhimlookupontheprisoner。Theyalsoasked,whathecouldsayfortheirlordthekingagainsthim。Thentheyswarehim;sohebegan。
{231}
SUPER。MyLord,Ihavenogreatacquaintancewiththisman,nordoIdesiretohavefurtherknowledgeofhim;however,thisIknow,thatheisaverypestilentfellow,fromsomediscoursethat,theotherday,Ihadwithhiminthistown;forthen,talkingwithhim,Iheardhimsay,thatourreligionwasnaught,andsuchbywhichamancouldbynomeanspleaseGod。Whichsayingsofhis,myLord,yourLordshipverywellknows,whatnecessarilythencewillfollow,towit,thatwedostillworshipinvain,areyetinoursins,andfinallyshallbedamned;andthisisthatwhichIhavetosay。
{232}
ThenwasPickthanksworn,andbidsaywhatheknew,inbehalfoftheirlordtheking,againsttheprisoneratthebar。
Pick。MyLord,andyougentlemenall,ThisfellowIhaveknownofalongtime,andhaveheardhimspeakthingsthatoughtnottobespoke;forhehathrailedonournobleprinceBeelzebub,andhathspokencontemptiblyofhishonourablefriends,whosenamesaretheLordOldMan,theLordCarnalDelight,theLordLuxurious,theLordDesireofVainGlory,myoldLordLechery,SirHavingGreedy,withalltherestofournobility;andhehathsaid,moreover,Thatifallmenwereofhismind,ifpossible,thereisnotoneofthesenoblemenshouldhaveanylongerabeinginthistown。
Besides,hehathnotbeenafraidtorailonyou,myLord,whoarenowappointedtobehisjudge,callingyouanungodlyvillain,withmanyothersuchlikevilifyingterms,withwhichhehathbespatteredmostofthegentryofourtown。
{233}
WhenthisPickthankhadtoldhistale,theJudgedirectedhisspeechtotheprisoneratthebar,saying,Thourunagate,heretic,andtraitor,hastthouheardwhatthesehonestgentlemenhavewitnessedagainstthee?
FAITH。MayIspeakafewwordsinmyowndefence?
JUDGE。Sirrah!sirrah!thoudeservesttolivenolonger,buttobeslainimmediatelyupontheplace;yet,thatallmenmayseeourgentlenesstowardsthee,letushearwhatthou,vilerunagate,hasttosay。
{234}
FAITH。1。Isay,then,inanswertowhatMr。Envyhathspoken,Ineversaidaughtbutthis,Thatwhatrule,orlaws,orcustoms,orpeople,wereflatagainsttheWordofGod,arediametricallyoppositetoChristianity。IfIhavesaidamissinthis,convincemeofmyerror,andIamreadyherebeforeyoutomakemyrecantation。
{235}
2。Astothesecond,towit,Mr。Superstition,andhischargeagainstme,Isaidonlythis,ThatintheworshipofGodthereisrequiredaDivinefaith;buttherecanbenoDivinefaithwithoutaDivinerevelationofthewillofGod。Therefore,whateveristhrustintotheworshipofGodthatisnotagreeabletoDivinerevelation,cannotbedonebutbyahumanfaith,whichfaithwillnotbeprofitabletoeternallife。
{236}
3。AstowhatMr。Pickthankhathsaid,Isay(avoidingterms,asthatIamsaidtorail,andthelike)thattheprinceofthistown,withalltherabblement,hisattendants,bythisgentlemannamed,aremorefitforabeinginhell,thaninthistownandcountry:
andso,theLordhavemercyuponme!
{237}
ThentheJudgecalledtothejury(whoallthiswhilestoodby,tohearandobserve):Gentlemenofthejury,youseethismanaboutwhomsogreatanuproarhathbeenmadeinthistown。
Youhavealsoheardwhattheseworthygentlemenhavewitnessedagainsthim。Alsoyouhaveheardhisreplyandconfession。
Itliethnowinyourbreaststohanghimorsavehislife;
butyetIthinkmeettoinstructyouintoourlaw。
{238}
TherewasanActmadeinthedaysofPharaohtheGreat,servanttoourprince,thatlestthoseofacontraryreligionshouldmultiplyandgrowtoostrongforhim,theirmalesshouldbethrownintotheriver。[Exo。1:22]TherewasalsoanActmadeinthedaysofNebuchadnezzartheGreat,anotherofhisservants,thatwhosoeverwouldnotfalldownandworshiphisgoldenimage,shouldbethrownintoafieryfurnace。[Dan。3:6]TherewasalsoanActmadeinthedaysofDarius,thatwhoso,forsometime,calleduponanygodbuthim,shouldbecastintothelions’den。
[Dan。6]Nowthesubstanceoftheselawsthisrebelhasbroken,notonlyinthought,(whichisnottobeborne),butalsoinwordanddeed;whichmustthereforeneedsbeintolerable。
{239}
ForthatofPharaoh,hislawwasmadeuponasupposition,topreventmischief,nocrimebeingyetapparent;
buthereisacrimeapparent。Forthesecondandthird,youseehedisputethagainstourreligion;andforthetreasonhehathconfessed,hedeservethtodiethedeath。
{240}
Thenwentthejuryout,whosenameswere,Mr。Blind—man,Mr。No—good,Mr。Malice,Mr。Love—lust,Mr。Live—loose,Mr。Heady,Mr。High—mind,Mr。Enmity,Mr。Liar,Mr。Cruelty,Mr。Hate—light,andMr。Implacable;
whoeveryonegaveinhisprivateverdictagainsthimamongthemselves,andafterwardsunanimouslyconcludedtobringhiminguiltybeforetheJudge。Andfirst,amongthemselves,Mr。Blind—man,theforeman,said,Iseeclearlythatthismanisaheretic。ThensaidMr。No—good,Awaywithsuchafellowfromtheearth。Ay,saidMr。Malice,forIhatetheverylooksofhim。ThensaidMr。Love—lust,Icouldneverendurehim。NorI,saidMr。Live—loose,forhewouldalwaysbecondemningmyway。Hanghim,hanghim,saidMr。Heady。Asorryscrub,saidMr。High—mind。
Myheartrisethagainsthim,saidMr。Enmity。Heisarogue,saidMr。Liar。Hangingistoogoodforhim,saidMr。Cruelty。
Letusdespatchhimoutoftheway,saidMr。Hate—light。
ThensaidMr。Implacable,MightIhavealltheworldgivenme,Icouldnotbereconciledtohim;therefore,letusforthwithbringhiminguiltyofdeath。
Andsotheydid;thereforehewaspresentlycondemnedtobehadfromtheplacewherehewas,totheplacefromwhencehecame,andtheretobeputtothemostcrueldeaththatcouldbeinvented。
{241}
Theythereforebroughthimout,todowithhimaccordingtotheirlaw;
and,first,theyscourgedhim,thentheybuffetedhim,thentheylancedhisfleshwithknives;afterthat,theystonedhimwithstones,thenprickedhimwiththeirswords;and,lastofall,theyburnedhimtoashesatthestake。ThuscameFaithfultohisend。
{242}
NowIsawthattherestoodbehindthemultitudeachariotandacoupleofhorses,waitingforFaithful,who(sosoonashisadversarieshaddespatchedhim)wastakenupintoit,andstraightwaywascarriedupthroughtheclouds,withsoundoftrumpet,thenearestwaytotheCelestialGate。
BraveFAITHFUL,bravelydoneinwordanddeed;
Judge,witnesses,andjuryhave,insteadOfovercomingthee,butshowntheirrage:
Whentheyaredead,thou’ltlivefromagetoage*。
*IntheNewHeavenandNewEarth。{footnotefromoneedition}
{243}
ButasforChristian,hehadsomerespite,andwasremandedbacktoprison。Sohethereremainedforaspace;
butHethatoverrulesallthings,havingthepoweroftheirrageinhisownhand,sowroughtitabout,thatChristianforthattimeescapedthem,andwenthisway。Andashewent,hesang,saying——
Well,Faithful,thouhastfaithfullyprofestUntothyLord;withwhomthoushaltbeblest,Whenfaithlessones,withalltheirvaindelights,Arecryingoutundertheirhellishplights:
Sing,Faithful,sing,andletthynamesurvive;
Forthoughtheykill’dthee,thouartyetalive!
{244}
NowIsawinmydream,thatChristianwentnotforthalone,fortherewasonewhosenamewasHopeful(beingmadesobythebeholdingofChristianandFaithfulintheirwordsandbehaviour,intheirsufferingsatthefair),whojoinedhimselfuntohim,and,enteringintoabrotherlycovenant,toldhimthathewouldbehiscompanion。Thus,onediedtobeartestimonytothetruth,andanotherrisesoutofhisashes,tobeacompanionwithChristianinhispilgrimage。
ThisHopefulalsotoldChristian,thatthereweremanymoreofthemeninthefair,thatwouldtaketheirtimeandfollowafter。
{245}
SoIsawthatquicklyaftertheyweregotoutofthefair,theyovertookonethatwasgoingbeforethem,whosenamewasBy—ends:
sotheysaidtohim,Whatcountryman,Sir?andhowfargoyouthisway?
HetoldthemthathecamefromthetownofFair—speech,andhewasgoingtotheCelestialCity(buttoldthemnothisname)。
FromFair—speech!saidChristian。Isthereanygoodthatlivesthere?
[Prov。26:25]
BY—ENDS。Yes,saidBy—ends,Ihope。
CHR。Pray,Sir,whatmayIcallyou?saidChristian。
BY—ENDS。Iamastrangertoyou,andyoutome:ifyoubegoingthisway,Ishallbegladofyourcompany;ifnot,Imustbecontent。
CHR。ThistownofFair—speech,saidChristian,Ihaveheardof;
and,asIremember,theysayitisawealthyplace。
BY—ENDS。Yes,Iwillassureyouthatitis;andIhaveverymanyrichkindredthere。
{246}
CHR。Pray,whoareyourkindredthere?ifamanmaybesobold。
BY—ENDS。Almostthewholetown;andinparticular,myLordTurn—about,myLordTime—server,myLordFair—speech,(fromwhoseancestorsthattownfirsttookitsname),alsoMr。Smooth—man,Mr。Facing—both—ways,Mr。Any—thing;andtheparsonofourparish,Mr。Two—tongues,wasmymother’sownbrotherbyfather’sside;
andtotellyouthetruth,Iambecomeagentlemanofgoodquality,yetmygreat—grandfatherwasbutawaterman,lookingonewayandrowinganother,andIgotmostofmyestatebythesameoccupation。
CHR。Areyouamarriedman?
BY—ENDS。Yes,andmywifeisaveryvirtuouswoman,thedaughterofavirtuouswoman;shewasmyLadyFeigning’sdaughter,thereforeshecameofaveryhonourablefamily,andisarrivedtosuchapitchofbreeding,thatsheknowshowtocarryittoall,eventoprinceandpeasant。Itistruewesomewhatdifferinreligionfromthoseofthestrictersort,yetbutintwosmallpoints:
first,weneverstriveagainstwindandtide;secondly,wearealwaysmostzealouswhenreligiongoesinhissilverslippers;
welovemuchtowalkwithhiminthestreet,ifthesunshines,andthepeopleapplaudhim。
{247}
ThenChristiansteppedalittleasidetohisfellow,Hopeful,saying,ItrunsinmymindthatthisisoneBy—endsofFair—speech;
andifitbehe,wehaveasveryaknaveinourcompanyasdwellethinalltheseparts。ThensaidHopeful,Askhim;methinksheshouldnotbeashamedofhisname。SoChristiancameupwithhimagain,andsaid,Sir,youtalkasifyouknewsomethingmorethanalltheworlddoth;
andifItakenotmymarkamiss,IdeemIhavehalfaguessofyou:
IsnotyournameMr。By—ends,ofFair—speech?
BY—ENDS。Thisisnotmyname,butindeeditisanick—namethatisgivenmebysomethatcannotabideme:andImustbecontenttobearitasareproach,asothergoodmenhavebornetheirsbeforeme。
{247}
CHR。Butdidyounevergiveanoccasiontomentocallyoubythisname?
BY—ENDS。Never,never!TheworstthateverIdidtogivethemanoccasiontogivemethisnamewas,thatIhadalwaysthelucktojumpinmyjudgmentwiththepresentwayofthetimes,whateveritwas,andmychancewastogetthereby;butifthingsarethuscastuponme,letmecountthem,ablessing;
butletnotthemaliciousloadmethereforewithreproach。
{248}
CHR。Ithought,indeed,thatyouwerethemanthatIheardof;
andtotellyouwhatIthink,Ifearthisnamebelongstoyoumoreproperlythanyouarewillingweshouldthinkitdoth。
BY—ENDS。Well,ifyouwillthusimagine,Icannothelpit;
youshallfindmeafaircompany—keeper,ifyouwillstilladmitmeyourassociate。
CHR。Ifyouwillgowithus,youmustgoagainstwindandtide;
thewhich,Iperceive,isagainstyouropinion;youmustalsoownreligioninhisrags,aswellaswheninhissilverslippers;
andstandbyhim,too,whenboundinirons,aswellaswhenhewalkeththestreetswithapplause。
BY—ENDS。Youmustnotimpose,norlorditovermyfaith;
leavemetomyliberty,andletmegowithyou。
CHR。Notastepfurther,unlessyouwilldoinwhatIpropoundaswe。
ThensaidBy—ends,Ishallneverdesertmyoldprinciples,sincetheyareharmlessandprofitable。IfImaynotgowithyou,ImustdoasIdidbeforeyouovertookme,evengobymyself,untilsomeovertakemethatwillbegladofmycompany。
{249}
NowIsawinmydreamthatChristianandHopefulforsookhim,andkepttheirdistancebeforehim;butoneofthemlookingback,sawthreemenfollowingMr。By—ends,andbehold,astheycameupwithhim,hemadethemaverylowconge{conge’};
andtheyalsogavehimacompliment。
Themen’snameswereMr。Hold—the—world,Mr。Money—love,andMr。Save—all;menthatMr。By—endshadformerlybeenacquaintedwith;forintheirminoritytheywereschoolfellows,andweretaughtbyoneMr。Gripe—man,aschoolmasterinLove—gain,whichisamarkettowninthecountyofCoveting,inthenorth。
Thisschoolmastertaughtthemtheartofgetting,eitherbyviolence,cozenage,flattery,lying,orbyputtingontheguiseofreligion;
andthesefourgentlemenhadattainedmuchoftheartoftheirmaster,sothattheycouldeachofthemhavekeptsuchaschoolthemselves。
{250}
Well,whentheyhad,asIsaid,thussalutedeachother,Mr。Money—lovesaidtoMr。By—ends,Whoaretheyupontheroadbeforeus?(forChristianandHopefulwereyetwithinview)。
BY—ENDS。Theyareacoupleoffarcountrymen,that,aftertheirmode,aregoingonpilgrimage。
MONEY—LOVE。Alas!Whydidtheynotstay,thatwemighthavehadtheirgoodcompany?forthey,andwe,andyou,Sir,Ihope,areallgoingonpilgrimage。
BY—ENDS。Weareso,indeed;butthemenbeforeusaresorigid,andlovesomuchtheirownnotions,anddoalsosolightlyesteemtheopinionsofothers,thatletamanbeneversogodly,yetifhejumpsnotwiththeminallthings,theythrusthimquiteoutoftheircompany。
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SAVE—ALL。Thatisbad,butwereadofsomethatarerighteousovermuch;
andsuchmen’srigidnessprevailswiththemtojudgeandcondemnallbutthemselves。But,Ipray,what,andhowmany,werethethingswhereinyoudiffered?
BY—ENDS。Why,they,aftertheirheadstrongmanner,concludethatitisdutytorushontheirjourneyallweathers;
andIamforwaitingforwindandtide。TheyareforhazardingallforGodataclap;andIamfortakingalladvantagestosecuremylifeandestate。Theyareforholdingtheirnotions,thoughallothermenareagainstthem;butIamforreligioninwhat,andsofarasthetimes,andmysafety,willbearit。Theyareforreligionwheninragsandcontempt;butIamforhimwhenhewalksinhisgoldenslippers,inthesunshine,andwithapplause。
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HOLD—THE—WORLD。Ay,andholdyoutherestill,goodMr。By—ends;
for,formypart,Icancounthimbutafool,that,havingthelibertytokeepwhathehas,shallbesounwiseastoloseit。
Letusbewiseasserpents;itisbesttomakehaywhenthesunshines;
youseehowthebeeliethstillallwinter,andbestirsheronlywhenshecanhaveprofitwithpleasure。Godsendssometimesrain,andsometimessunshine;iftheybesuchfoolstogothroughthefirst,yetletusbecontenttotakefairweatheralongwithus。Formypart,IlikethatreligionbestthatwillstandwiththesecurityofGod’sgoodblessingsuntous;forwhocanimagine,thatisruledbyhisreason,sinceGodhasbestoweduponusthegoodthingsofthislife,butthathewouldhaveuskeepthemforhissake?AbrahamandSolomongrewrichinreligion。
AndJobsays,thatagoodmanshalllayupgoldasdust。
Buthemustnotbesuchasthemenbeforeus,iftheybeasyouhavedescribedthem。
SAVE—ALL。Ithinkthatweareallagreedinthismatter,andthereforethereneedsnomorewordsaboutit。
MONEY—LOVE。No,thereneedsnomorewordsaboutthismatter,indeed;forhethatbelievesneitherScripturenorreason(andyouseewehavebothonourside)neitherknowshisownliberty,norseekshisownsafety。
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BY—ENDS。Mybrethren,weare,asyousee,goingallonpilgrimage;
and,forourbetterdiversionfromthingsthatarebad,givemeleavetopropounduntoyouthisquestion:——
Supposeaman,aminister,oratradesman,&c。,shouldhaveanadvantageliebeforehim,togetthegoodblessingsofthislife,yetsoasthathecanbynomeanscomebythemexcept,inappearanceatleast,hebecomesextraordinarilyzealousinsomepointsofreligionthathemeddlednotwithbefore,mayhenotusethesemeanstoattainhisend,andyetbearighthonestman?
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MONEY—LOVE。Iseethebottomofyourquestion;and,withthesegentlemen’sgoodleave,Iwillendeavourtoshapeyouananswer。Andfirst,tospeaktoyourquestionasitconcernsaministerhimself:Supposeaminister,aworthyman,possessedbutofaverysmallbenefice,andhasinhiseyeagreater,morefat,andplumpbyfar;hehasalsonowanopportunityofgettingofit,yetsoasbybeingmorestudious,bypreachingmorefrequentlyandzealously,and,becausethetemperofthepeoplerequiresit,byalteringofsomeofhisprinciples;formypart,Iseenoreasonbutamanmaydothis,(providedhehasacall),ay,andmoreagreatdealbesides,andyetbeanhonestman。Forwhy——
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1。Hisdesireofagreaterbeneficeislawful,(thiscannotbecontradicted),sinceitissetbeforehimbyProvidence;sothen,hemaygetit,ifhecan,makingnoquestionforconscience’sake。
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2。Besides,hisdesireafterthatbeneficemakeshimmorestudious,amorezealouspreacher,&c。,andsomakeshimabetterman;
yea,makeshimbetterimprovehisparts,whichisaccordingtothemindofGod。
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3。Now,asforhiscomplyingwiththetemperofhispeople,bydissenting,toservethem,someofhisprinciples,thisargueth,(1)Thatheisofaself—denying,temper;
(2)Ofasweetandwinningdeportment;andso(3)morefitfortheministerialfunction。
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4。Iconclude,then,thataministerthatchangesasmallforagreat,shouldnot,forsodoing,bejudgedascovetous;butrather,sincehehasimprovedinhispartsandindustrythereby,becountedasonethatpursueshiscall,andtheopportunityputintohishandstodogood。
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Andnowtothesecondpartofthequestion,whichconcernsthetradesmanyoumentioned。Supposesuchaonetohavebutapooremployintheworld,butbybecomingreligious,hemaymendhismarket,perhapsgetarichwife,ormoreandfarbettercustomerstohisshop;formypart,Iseenoreasonbutthatthismaybelawfullydone。Forwhy——
1。Tobecomereligiousisavirtue,bywhatmeanssoeveramanbecomesso。
2。Norisitunlawfultogetarichwife,ormorecustomtomyshop。
3。Besides,themanthatgetsthesebybecomingreligious,getsthatwhichisgood,ofthemthataregood,bybecominggoodhimself;
sothenhereisagoodwife,andgoodcustomers,andgoodgain,andallthesebybecomingreligious,whichisgood;therefore,tobecomereligious,togetallthese,isagoodandprofitabledesign。
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Thisanswer,thusmadebythisMr。Money—lovetoMr。By—ends’squestion,washighlyapplaudedbythemall;whereforetheyconcludeduponthewhole,thatitwasmostwholesomeandadvantageous。
Andbecause,astheythought,nomanwasabletocontradictit,andbecauseChristianandHopefulwereyetwithincall,theyjointlyagreedtoassaultthemwiththequestionassoonastheyovertookthem;andtheratherbecausetheyhadopposedMr。By—endsbefore。Sotheycalledafterthem,andtheystopped,andstoodstilltilltheycameuptothem;buttheyconcluded,astheywent,thatnotMr。By—ends,butoldMr。Hold—the—world,shouldpropoundthequestiontothem,because,astheysupposed,theiranswertohimwouldbewithouttheremainderofthatheatthatwaskindledbetwixtMr。By—endsandthem,attheirpartingalittlebefore。
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Sotheycameuptoeachother,andafterashortsalutation,Mr。Hold—the—worldpropoundedthequestiontoChristianandhisfellow,andbidthemtoansweritiftheycould。
CHR。ThensaidChristian,Evenababeinreligionmayanswertenthousandsuchquestions。ForifitbeunlawfultofollowChristforloaves,(asitisinthesixthofJohn),howmuchmoreabominableisittomakeofhimandreligionastalking—horsetogetandenjoytheworld!Nordowefindanyotherthanheathens,hypocrites,devils,andwitches,thatareofthisopinion。
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1。Heathens;forwhenHamorandShechemhadamindtothedaughterandcattleofJacob,andsawthattherewasnowayforthemtocomeatthem,butbybecomingcircumcised,theysaytotheircompanions,Ifeverymaleofusbecircumcised,astheyarecircumcised,shallnottheircattle,andtheirsubstance,andeverybeastoftheirs,beours?Theirdaughterandtheircattlewerethatwhichtheysoughttoobtain,andtheirreligionthestalking—horsetheymadeuseoftocomeatthem。
Readthewholestory。[Gen。34:20—23]
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2。ThehypocriticalPhariseeswerealsoofthisreligion;
longprayersweretheirpretence,buttogetwidows’houseswastheirintent;andgreaterdamnationwasfromGodtheirjudgment。
[Luke20:46—47]
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3。Judasthedevilwasalsoofthisreligion;hewasreligiousforthebag,thathemightbepossessedofwhatwastherein;
buthewaslost,castaway,andtheverysonofperdition。
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4。Simonthewitchwasofthisreligiontoo;forhewouldhavehadtheHolyGhost,thathemighthavegotmoneytherewith;
andhissentencefromPeter’smouthwasaccording。[Acts8:19—22]
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5。Neitherwillitoutofmymind,butthatthatmanthattakesupreligionfortheworld,willthrowawayreligionfortheworld;
forsosurelyasJudasresignedtheworldinbecomingreligious,sosurelydidhealsosellreligionandhisMasterforthesame。
Toanswerthequestion,therefore,affirmatively,asIperceiveyouhavedone,andtoacceptof,asauthentic,suchanswer,isbothheathenish,hypocritical,anddevilish;andyourrewardwillbeaccordingtoyourworks。Thentheystoodstaringoneuponanother,buthadnotwherewithtoanswerChristian。HopefulalsoapprovedofthesoundnessofChristian’sanswer;sotherewasagreatsilenceamongthem。Mr。By—endsandhiscompanyalsostaggeredandkeptbehind,thatChristianandHopefulmightoutgothem。ThensaidChristiantohisfellow,Ifthesemencannotstandbeforethesentenceofmen,whatwilltheydowiththesentenceofGod?Andiftheyaremutewhendealtwithbyvesselsofclay,whatwilltheydowhentheyshallberebukedbytheflamesofadevouringfire?
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ThenChristianandHopefuloutwentthemagain,andwenttilltheycametoadelicateplaincalledEase,wheretheywentwithmuchcontent;
butthatplainwasbutnarrow,sotheywerequicklygotoverit。
NowatthefurthersideofthatplainwasalittlehillcalledLucre,andinthathillasilvermine,whichsomeofthemthathadformerlygonethatway,becauseoftherarityofit,hadturnedasidetosee;butgoingtoonearthebrinkofthepit,thegroundbeingdeceitfulunderthem,broke,andtheywereslain;somealsohadbeenmaimedthere,andcouldnot,totheirdyingday,betheirownmenagain。
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ThenIsawinmydream,thatalittleofftheroad,overagainstthesilvermine,stoodDemas(gentlemanlike)
tocalltopassengerstocomeandsee;whosaidtoChristianandhisfellow,Ho!turnasidehither,andIwillshowyouathing。
CHR。Whatthingsodeservingastoturnusoutofthewaytoseeit?
DEMAS。Hereisasilvermine,andsomedigginginitfortreasure。
Ifyouwillcome,withalittlepainsyoumayrichlyprovideforyourselves。
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Hope。ThensaidHopeful,Letusgosee。
CHR。NotI,saidChristian,Ihaveheardofthisplacebeforenow;
andhowmanyhavetherebeenslain;andbesidesthat,treasureisasnaretothosethatseekit;forithindereththemintheirpilgrimage。ThenChristiancalledtoDemas,saying,Isnottheplacedangerous?Hathitnothinderedmanyintheirpilgrimage?[Hos。14:8]
DEMAS。Notverydangerous,excepttothosethatarecareless,(butwithal,heblushedashespake)。
CHR。ThensaidChristiantoHopeful,Letusnotstirastep,butstillkeeponourway。
HOPE。Iwillwarrantyou,whenBy—endscomesup,ifhehaththesameinvitationaswe,hewillturninthithertosee。
CHR。Nodoubtthereof,forhisprinciplesleadhimthatway,andahundredtoonebuthediesthere。
DEMAS。ThenDemascalledagain,saying,Butwillyounotcomeoverandsee?
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CHR。ThenChristianroundlyanswered,saying,Demas,thouartanenemytotherightwaysoftheLordofthisway,andhastbeenalreadycondemnedforthineownturningaside,byoneofHisMajesty’sjudges[2Tim。4:10];andwhyseekestthoutobringusintothelikecondemnation?Besides,ifweatallturnaside,ourLordandKingwillcertainlyhearthereof,andwillthereputustoshame,wherewewouldstandwithboldnessbeforehim。
Demascriedagain,thathealsowasoneoftheirfraternity;
andthatiftheywouldtarryalittle,healsohimselfwouldwalkwiththem。
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CHR。ThensaidChristian,Whatisthyname?IsitnotthesamebythewhichIhavecalledthee?
DEMAS。Yes,mynameisDemas;IamthesonofAbraham。
CHR。Iknowyou;Gehaziwasyourgreat—grandfather,andJudasyourfather;andyouhavetrodintheirsteps。
[2Kings5:20,Matt。26:14,15,27:1—5]Itisbutadevilishprankthatthouusest;thyfatherwashangedforatraitor,andthoudeservestnobetterreward。Assurethyself,thatwhenwecometotheKing,wewilldohimwordofthisthybehaviour。Thustheywenttheirway。
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BythistimeBy—endsandhiscompanionswerecomeagainwithinsight,andthey,atthefirstbeck,wentovertoDemas。Now,whethertheyfellintothepitbylookingoverthebrinkthereof,orwhethertheywentdowntodig,orwhethertheyweresmotheredinthebottombythedampsthatcommonlyarise,ofthesethingsIamnotcertain;butthisIobserved,thattheyneverwereseenagainintheway。ThensangChristian——
By—endsandsilverDemasbothagree;
Onecalls,theotherruns,thathemaybeAsharerinhislucre;sothesedoTakeupinthisworld,andnofurthergo。
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NowIsawthat,justontheothersideofthisplain,thepilgrimscametoaplacewherestoodanoldmonument,hardbythehighwayside,atthesightofwhichtheywerebothconcerned,becauseofthestrangenessoftheformthereof;
foritseemedtothemasifithadbeenawomantransformedintotheshapeofapillar;here,thereforetheystoodlooking,andlookinguponit,butcouldnotforatimetellwhattheyshouldmakethereof。AtlastHopefulespiedwrittenabovetheheadthereof,awritinginanunusualhand;buthebeingnoscholar,calledtoChristian(forhewaslearned)toseeifhecouldpickoutthemeaning;sohecame,andafteralittlelayingofletterstogether,hefoundthesametobethis,"RememberLot’sWife"。Sohereadittohisfellow;afterwhichtheybothconcludedthatthatwasthepillarofsaltintowhichLot’swifewasturned,forherlookingbackwithacovetousheart,whenshewasgoingfromSodomforsafety。[Gen。19:26]Whichsuddenandamazingsightgavethemoccasionofthisdiscourse。
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CHR。Ah,mybrother!thisisaseasonablesight;
itcameopportunelytousaftertheinvitationwhichDemasgaveustocomeovertoviewtheHillLucre;andhadwegoneover,ashedesiredus,andasthouwastincliningtodo,mybrother,wehad,foraughtIknow,beenmadeourselveslikethiswoman,aspectacleforthosethatshallcomeaftertobehold。
HOPE。IamsorrythatIwassofoolish,andammadetowonderthatIamnotnowasLot’swife;forwhereinwasthedifferencebetwixthersinandmine?Sheonlylookedback;andIhadadesiretogosee。
Letgracebeadored,andletmebeashamedthateversuchathingshouldbeinmineheart。
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CHR。Letustakenoticeofwhatweseehere,forourhelpfortimetocome。Thiswomanescapedonejudgment,forshefellnotbythedestructionofSodom;yetshewasdestroyedbyanother,asweseesheisturnedintoapillarofsalt。
HOPE。True;andshemaybetousbothcautionandexample;
caution,thatweshouldshunhersin;orasignofwhatjudgmentwillovertakesuchasshallnotbepreventedbythiscaution;
soKorah,Dathan,andAbiram,withthetwohundredandfiftymenthatperishedintheirsin,didalsobecomeasignorexampletootherstobeware。[Num。26:9,10]Butaboveall,Imuseatonething,towit,howDemasandhisfellowscanstandsoconfidentlyyondertolookforthattreasure,whichthiswoman,butforlookingbehindherafter,(forwereadnotthatshesteppedonefootoutoftheway)wasturnedintoapillarofsalt;especiallysincethejudgmentwhichovertookherdidmakeheranexample,withinsightofwheretheyare;
fortheycannotchoosebutseeher,didtheybutliftuptheireyes。
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CHR。Itisathingtobewonderedat,anditargueththattheirheartsaregrowndesperateinthecase;andIcannottellwhotocomparethemtosofitly,astothemthatpickpocketsinthepresenceofthejudge,orthatwillcutpursesunderthegallows。
ItissaidofthemenofSodom,thattheyweresinnersexceedingly,becausetheyweresinnersbeforetheLord,thatis,inhiseyesight,andnotwithstandingthekindnessesthathehadshowedthem[Gen。13:13];
forthelandofSodomwasnowlikethegardenofEdenheretofore。
[Gen。13:10]This,therefore,provokedhimthemoretojealousy,andmadetheirplagueashotasthefireoftheLordoutofheavencouldmakeit。Anditismostrationallytobeconcluded,thatsuch,evensuchastheseare,thatshallsininthesight,yea,andthattooindespiteofsuchexamplesthataresetcontinuallybeforethem,tocautionthemtothecontrary,mustbepartakersofseverestjudgments。
HOPE。Doubtlessthouhastsaidthetruth;butwhatamercyisit,thatneitherthou,butespeciallyI,amnotmademyselfthisexample!
ThisministerethoccasiontoustothankGod,tofearbeforehim,andalwaystorememberLot’swife。
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Isaw,then,thattheywentontheirwaytoapleasantriver;
whichDavidthekingcalled"theriverofGod",butJohn,"theriverofthewateroflife"。[Ps。65:9,Rev。22,Ezek。47]
Nowtheirwaylayjustuponthebankoftheriver;here,therefore,Christianandhiscompanionwalkedwithgreatdelight;
theydrankalsoofthewateroftheriver,whichwaspleasant,andenliveningtotheirwearyspirits:besides,onthebanksofthisriver,oneitherside,weregreentrees,thatboreallmanneroffruit;
andtheleavesofthetreesweregoodformedicine;
withthefruitofthesetreestheywerealsomuchdelighted;
andtheleavestheyeattopreventsurfeits,andotherdiseasesthatareincidenttothosethatheattheirbloodbytravels。
Oneithersideoftheriverwasalsoameadow,curiouslybeautifiedwithlilies,anditwasgreenalltheyearlong。Inthismeadowtheylaydown,andslept;
forheretheymightliedownsafely。Whentheyawoke,theygatheredagainofthefruitofthetrees,anddrankagainofthewateroftheriver,andthenlaydownagaintosleep。
[Ps。23:2,Isa。14:30]Thustheydidseveraldaysandnights。