第4章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Pilgrim’s Progress",免费读到尾

  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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  {251}

  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。

  {252}

  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。

  {253}

  BY—ENDS。Mybrethren,weare,asyousee,goingallonpilgrimage;

  and,forourbetterdiversionfromthingsthatarebad,givemeleavetopropounduntoyouthisquestion:——

  Supposeaman,aminister,oratradesman,&c。,shouldhaveanadvantageliebeforehim,togetthegoodblessingsofthislife,yetsoasthathecanbynomeanscomebythemexcept,inappearanceatleast,hebecomesextraordinarilyzealousinsomepointsofreligionthathemeddlednotwithbefore,mayhenotusethesemeanstoattainhisend,andyetbearighthonestman?

  {254}

  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——

  {255}

  1。Hisdesireofagreaterbeneficeislawful,(thiscannotbecontradicted),sinceitissetbeforehimbyProvidence;sothen,hemaygetit,ifhecan,makingnoquestionforconscience’sake。

  {256}

  2。Besides,hisdesireafterthatbeneficemakeshimmorestudious,amorezealouspreacher,&c。,andsomakeshimabetterman;

  yea,makeshimbetterimprovehisparts,whichisaccordingtothemindofGod。

  {257}

  3。Now,asforhiscomplyingwiththetemperofhispeople,bydissenting,toservethem,someofhisprinciples,thisargueth,(1)Thatheisofaself—denying,temper;

  (2)Ofasweetandwinningdeportment;andso(3)morefitfortheministerialfunction。

  {258}

  4。Iconclude,then,thataministerthatchangesasmallforagreat,shouldnot,forsodoing,bejudgedascovetous;butrather,sincehehasimprovedinhispartsandindustrythereby,becountedasonethatpursueshiscall,andtheopportunityputintohishandstodogood。

  {259}

  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。

  {260}

  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。

  {260}

  Sotheycameuptoeachother,andafterashortsalutation,Mr。Hold—the—worldpropoundedthequestiontoChristianandhisfellow,andbidthemtoansweritiftheycould。

  CHR。ThensaidChristian,Evenababeinreligionmayanswertenthousandsuchquestions。ForifitbeunlawfultofollowChristforloaves,(asitisinthesixthofJohn),howmuchmoreabominableisittomakeofhimandreligionastalking—horsetogetandenjoytheworld!Nordowefindanyotherthanheathens,hypocrites,devils,andwitches,thatareofthisopinion。

  {261}

  1。Heathens;forwhenHamorandShechemhadamindtothedaughterandcattleofJacob,andsawthattherewasnowayforthemtocomeatthem,butbybecomingcircumcised,theysaytotheircompanions,Ifeverymaleofusbecircumcised,astheyarecircumcised,shallnottheircattle,andtheirsubstance,andeverybeastoftheirs,beours?Theirdaughterandtheircattlewerethatwhichtheysoughttoobtain,andtheirreligionthestalking—horsetheymadeuseoftocomeatthem。

  Readthewholestory。[Gen。34:20—23]

  {262}

  2。ThehypocriticalPhariseeswerealsoofthisreligion;

  longprayersweretheirpretence,buttogetwidows’houseswastheirintent;andgreaterdamnationwasfromGodtheirjudgment。

  [Luke20:46—47]

  {263}

  3。Judasthedevilwasalsoofthisreligion;hewasreligiousforthebag,thathemightbepossessedofwhatwastherein;

  buthewaslost,castaway,andtheverysonofperdition。

  {264}

  4。Simonthewitchwasofthisreligiontoo;forhewouldhavehadtheHolyGhost,thathemighthavegotmoneytherewith;

  andhissentencefromPeter’smouthwasaccording。[Acts8:19—22]

  {265}

  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?

  {266}

  ThenChristianandHopefuloutwentthemagain,andwenttilltheycametoadelicateplaincalledEase,wheretheywentwithmuchcontent;

  butthatplainwasbutnarrow,sotheywerequicklygotoverit。

  NowatthefurthersideofthatplainwasalittlehillcalledLucre,andinthathillasilvermine,whichsomeofthemthathadformerlygonethatway,becauseoftherarityofit,hadturnedasidetosee;butgoingtoonearthebrinkofthepit,thegroundbeingdeceitfulunderthem,broke,andtheywereslain;somealsohadbeenmaimedthere,andcouldnot,totheirdyingday,betheirownmenagain。

  {267}

  ThenIsawinmydream,thatalittleofftheroad,overagainstthesilvermine,stoodDemas(gentlemanlike)

  tocalltopassengerstocomeandsee;whosaidtoChristianandhisfellow,Ho!turnasidehither,andIwillshowyouathing。

  CHR。Whatthingsodeservingastoturnusoutofthewaytoseeit?

  DEMAS。Hereisasilvermine,andsomedigginginitfortreasure。

  Ifyouwillcome,withalittlepainsyoumayrichlyprovideforyourselves。

  {268}

  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?

  {269}

  CHR。ThenChristianroundlyanswered,saying,Demas,thouartanenemytotherightwaysoftheLordofthisway,andhastbeenalreadycondemnedforthineownturningaside,byoneofHisMajesty’sjudges[2Tim。4:10];andwhyseekestthoutobringusintothelikecondemnation?Besides,ifweatallturnaside,ourLordandKingwillcertainlyhearthereof,andwillthereputustoshame,wherewewouldstandwithboldnessbeforehim。

  Demascriedagain,thathealsowasoneoftheirfraternity;

  andthatiftheywouldtarryalittle,healsohimselfwouldwalkwiththem。

  {270}

  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。

  {271}

  BythistimeBy—endsandhiscompanionswerecomeagainwithinsight,andthey,atthefirstbeck,wentovertoDemas。Now,whethertheyfellintothepitbylookingoverthebrinkthereof,orwhethertheywentdowntodig,orwhethertheyweresmotheredinthebottombythedampsthatcommonlyarise,ofthesethingsIamnotcertain;butthisIobserved,thattheyneverwereseenagainintheway。ThensangChristian——

  By—endsandsilverDemasbothagree;

  Onecalls,theotherruns,thathemaybeAsharerinhislucre;sothesedoTakeupinthisworld,andnofurthergo。

  {272}

  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。

  {273}

  CHR。Ah,mybrother!thisisaseasonablesight;

  itcameopportunelytousaftertheinvitationwhichDemasgaveustocomeovertoviewtheHillLucre;andhadwegoneover,ashedesiredus,andasthouwastincliningtodo,mybrother,wehad,foraughtIknow,beenmadeourselveslikethiswoman,aspectacleforthosethatshallcomeaftertobehold。

  HOPE。IamsorrythatIwassofoolish,andammadetowonderthatIamnotnowasLot’swife;forwhereinwasthedifferencebetwixthersinandmine?Sheonlylookedback;andIhadadesiretogosee。

  Letgracebeadored,andletmebeashamedthateversuchathingshouldbeinmineheart。

  {274}

  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。

  {275}

  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。

  {276}

  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。

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