第2章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Pilgrim’s Progress",免费读到尾

  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?

  {148}

  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。

  {149}

  APOL。ThenApollyonbrokeoutintoagrievousrage,saying,IamanenemytothisPrince;Ihatehisperson,hislaws,andpeople;

  Iamcomeoutonpurposetowithstandthee。

  CHR。Apollyon,bewarewhatyoudo;forIamintheKing’shighway,thewayofholiness;thereforetakeheedtoyourself。

  APOL。ThenApollyonstraddledquiteoverthewholebreadthoftheway,andsaid,Iamvoidoffearinthismatter:preparethyselftodie;

  forIswearbymyinfernalden,thatthoushaltgonofurther;

  herewillIspillthysoul。

  {150}

  Andwiththathethrewaflamingdartathisbreast;butChristianhadashieldinhishand,withwhichhecaughtit,andsopreventedthedangerofthat。

  ThendidChristiandraw,forhesawitwastimetobestirhim;

  andApollyonasfastmadeathim,throwingdartsasthickashail;

  bythewhich,notwithstandingallthatChristiancoulddotoavoidit,Apollyonwoundedhiminhishead,hishand,andfoot。

  ThismadeChristiangivealittleback;Apollyon,therefore,followedhisworkamain,andChristianagaintookcourage,andresistedasmanfullyashecould。Thissorecombatlastedforabovehalfaday,eventillChristianwasalmostquitespent;

  foryoumustknowthatChristian,byreasonofhiswounds,mustneedsgrowweakerandweaker。

  p151——p200

  Page151——Page200

  {151}

  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]

  {152}

  Inthiscombatnomancanimagine,unlesshehadseenandheardasIdid,whatyellingandhideousroaringApollyonmadeallthetimeofthefight——hespakelikeadragon;and,ontheotherside,whatsighsandgroansburstfromChristian’sheart。Ineversawhimallthewhilegivesomuchasonepleasantlook,tillheperceivedhehadwoundedApollyonwithhistwo—edgedsword;then,indeed,hedidsmile,andlookupward;butitwasthedreadfullestsightthateverIsaw。

  Amoreunequalmatchcanhardlybe,——

  CHRISTIANmustfightanAngel;butyousee,ThevaliantmanbyhandlingSwordandShield,Dothmakehim,tho’aDragon,quitthefield。

  {153}

  Sowhenthebattlewasover,Christiansaid,\"Iwillheregivethankstohimthatdeliveredmeoutofthemouthofthelion,tohimthatdidhelpmeagainstApollyon。\"Andsohedid,saying——

  GreatBeelzebub,thecaptainofthisfiend,Design’dmyruin;thereforetothisendHesenthimharness’dout:andhewithrageThathellishwas,didfiercelymeengage。

  ButblessedMichaelhelpedme,andI,Bydintofsword,didquicklymakehimfly。

  Thereforetohimletmegivelastingpraise,Andthankandblesshisholynamealways。

  {154}

  Thentherecametohimahand,withsomeoftheleavesofthetreeoflife,thewhichChristiantook,andappliedtothewoundsthathehadreceivedinthebattle,andwashealedimmediately。

  Healsosatdowninthatplacetoeatbread,andtodrinkofthebottlethatwasgivenhimalittlebefore;so,beingrefreshed,headdressedhimselftohisjourney,withhissworddrawninhishand;

  forhesaid,Iknownotbutsomeotherenemymaybeathand。ButhemetwithnootheraffrontfromApollyonquitethroughthisvalley。

  {155}

  Now,attheendofthisvalleywasanother,calledtheValleyoftheShadowofDeath,andChristianmustneedsgothroughit,becausethewaytotheCelestialCitylaythroughthemidstofit。

  Now,thisvalleyisaverysolitaryplace。TheprophetJeremiahthusdescribesit:\"Awilderness,alandofdesertsandofpits,alandofdrought,andoftheshadowofdeath,alandthatnoman\"

  (butaChristian)\"passedthrough,andwherenomandwelt。\"[Jer。

  2:6]

  NowhereChristianwasworseputtoitthaninhisfightwithApollyon,asbythesequelyoushallsee。

  {156}

  Isawtheninmydream,thatwhenChristianwasgottothebordersoftheShadowofDeath,theremethimtwomen,childrenofthemthatbroughtupanevilreportofthegoodland[Num。13],makinghastetogoback;towhomChristianspakeasfollows:——

  {157}

  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。

  {158}

  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。

  {159}

  Isawtheninmydream,sofarasthisvalleyreached,therewasontherighthandaverydeepditch;thatditchisitintowhichtheblindhaveledtheblindinallages,andhaveboththeremiserablyperished。[Ps。69:14,15]Again,behold,onthelefthand,therewasaverydangerousquag,intowhich,ifevenagoodmanfalls,hecanfindnobottomforhisfoottostandon。IntothatquagKingDavidoncedidfall,andhadnodoubtthereinbeensmothered,hadnotHEthatisablepluckedhimout。

  {160}

  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。

  {161}

  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。

  {162}

  OnethingIwouldnotletslip。ItooknoticethatnowpoorChristianwassoconfounded,thathedidnotknowhisownvoice;

  andthusIperceivedit。Justwhenhewascomeoveragainstthemouthoftheburningpit,oneofthewickedonesgotbehindhim,andsteppedupsoftlytohim,andwhisperinglysuggestedmanygrievousblasphemiestohim,whichheverilythoughthadproceededfromhisownmind。ThisputChristianmoretoitthananythingthathemetwithbefore,eventothinkthatheshouldnowblasphemehimthathelovedsomuchbefore;yet,ifhecouldhavehelpedit,hewouldnothavedoneit;buthehadnotthediscretioneithertostophisears,ortoknowfromwhencetheseblasphemiescame。

  {163}

  WhenChristianhadtravelledinthisdisconsolateconditionsomeconsiderabletime,hethoughtheheardthevoiceofaman,asgoingbeforehim,saying,\"ThoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil,forthouartwithme。\"

  [Ps。23:4]

  {164}

  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]

  {165}

  Nowmorningbeingcome,helookedback,notoutofdesiretoreturn,buttosee,bythelightoftheday,whathazardshehadgonethroughinthedark。Sohesawmoreperfectlytheditchthatwasontheonehand,andthemirethatwasontheother;alsohownarrowthewaywaswhichledbetwixtthemboth;alsonowhesawthehobgoblins,andsatyrs,anddragonsofthepit,butallafaroff,(forafterbreakofday,theycamenotnigh;)yettheywerediscoveredtohim,accordingtothatwhichiswritten,\"Hediscoverethdeepthingsoutofdarkness,andbringethouttolighttheshadowofdeath。\"

  [Job12:22]

  {166}

  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]

  {167}

  Inthislight,therefore,hecametotheendofthevalley。

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