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  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。

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