Latest / Philosophy and Faith / 17 - Part 2 - The Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan

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17 - Part 2 - The Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan · Philosophy and Faith

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Speaker 1: Part two, the eighth stage. When they were gone from
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Speaker 1: the shepherds, they quickly came to the place where Christian
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Speaker 1: met with one turn away that dwelt in the town
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Speaker 1: of Apostasy. Wherefore of him, mister Greatheart, their guide now
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Speaker 1: put them in mind, saying, this is the place where
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Speaker 1: Christian met with one turn away, who carried with him
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Speaker 1: the character of his rebellion at his back. And this
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Speaker 1: I have to say concerning this man. He would hearken
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Speaker 1: to no counsel, but once a falling persuasion could not
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Speaker 1: stop him. When he came to the place where the
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Speaker 1: cross and sepulcher were, he did meet with one that
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Speaker 1: did bid him look there, But he gnashed with his
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Speaker 1: teeth and stamped, and said he was resolved to go
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Speaker 1: back to his own town. Before he came to the gate,
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Speaker 1: he met with evangelist, who offered to lay hands on
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Speaker 1: him to turn him into the way again. But this
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Speaker 1: turn away resisted him, and, having done much despite unto him,
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Speaker 1: he got away over the wall, and so escaped his hand.
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Speaker 1: Then they went on, and just at the place where
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Speaker 1: little Faith formerly was robbed, there stood a man with
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Speaker 1: his sword drawn and his face all over with blood.
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Speaker 1: Then said mister greatheart, who art thou. The man made answer, saying,
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Speaker 1: I am one whose name is valiant for truth. I
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Speaker 1: am a pilgrim, and am going to the celestial city.
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Speaker 1: Now as I was in my way, there were three
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Speaker 1: men that did beset me and propounded unto me these
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Speaker 1: three things. One whether I would become one of them,
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Speaker 1: two or go back from whence I came? Three or
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Speaker 1: die upon the place Proverbs one eleven to fourteen. To
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Speaker 1: the first, I answered, I had been a true man
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Speaker 1: for a long season, and there for it could not
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Speaker 1: be expected that I should now cast in my lot
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Speaker 1: with thieves. Then they demanded what I would say to
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Speaker 1: the second. So I told them that the place from
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Speaker 1: whence I came, had I not found in commodity there,
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Speaker 1: I had not forsaken it at all, but finding it
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Speaker 1: altogether unsuitable to me and very unprofitable for me, I
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Speaker 1: forsook it for this way. Then they asked me what
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Speaker 1: I said to the third, And I told them, my
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Speaker 1: life costs far more dear than that I should lightly
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Speaker 1: give it away. Besides, you have nothing to do thus
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Speaker 1: to put things to my choice. Wherefore, at your peril
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Speaker 1: be it if you meddle. Then these three to wit
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Speaker 1: wild head, inconsiderate and pragmatic, drew upon me, and I
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Speaker 1: also drew upon them. So we fell to it, one
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Speaker 1: against three. For the space of above three hours. They
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Speaker 1: have left upon me, as you see, some of them
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Speaker 1: marks of their valor, and have also carried away with
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Speaker 1: them some of mine. They are but just now gone.
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Speaker 1: I suppose they might as the saying is hear your
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Speaker 1: horse dash? And so they betook themselves to flight. Mister Greatheart,
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Speaker 1: but here was great odds, three against one, valiant for
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Speaker 1: truth tis true? But little and more are nothing to
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Speaker 1: him that has the truth on his side. Though an
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Speaker 1: host should encamp against me, said one Psalm twenty seven three,
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Speaker 1: my heart shall not fear, though war should rise against me.
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Speaker 1: In this will I be confident, et cetera. Besides, said he,
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Speaker 1: I have read in some records that one man has
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Speaker 1: fought an army, And how many did Samson slay with
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Speaker 1: the jawbone of an ass. Mister Greatheart, then said the guide,
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Speaker 1: Why did you not cry out that some might have
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Speaker 1: come in for your succor, valiant for truth? So I
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Speaker 1: did to my king, who I knew could hear me
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Speaker 1: and afford invisible help, and that was sufficient for me.
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Speaker 1: Mister Greatheart, then said, mister Greatheart, to mister Valiant for truth,
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Speaker 1: thou hast worthily behaved thyself. Let me see thy sword.
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Speaker 1: So he showed it him. When he had taken it
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Speaker 1: in his hand, and looked thereon a while, he said, ha,
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Speaker 1: it is a right Jerusalem blade, Valiant for truth. It
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Speaker 1: is so. Let a man have one of these blades,
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Speaker 1: with a hand to wield it and skill to use it,
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Speaker 1: and he may venture upon an angel with it. He
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Speaker 1: need not fear its holding, if he can but tell
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Speaker 1: how to lay on. Its edge will never blunt. It
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Speaker 1: will cut flesh and bones, and soul and spirit and
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Speaker 1: all Hebrews four twelve. Mister Greatheart, but you fought a
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Speaker 1: great while. I wonder you was not weary. Valiant for truth,
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Speaker 1: I fought till my sword did cleave to my hand,
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Speaker 1: and then they were joined together, as if a sword
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Speaker 1: grew out of my arm, And when the blood ran
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Speaker 1: through my fingers, then I fought with most courage. Mister Greatheart,
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Speaker 1: thou hast done well. Thou hast resisted unto blood, striving
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Speaker 1: against sin. Thou shalt abide by us, come in and
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Speaker 1: go out with us, for we are thy companions. Then
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Speaker 1: they took him and washed his wounds, and gave him
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Speaker 1: of what they had to refresh him. And so they
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Speaker 1: went together. Now as they went on, because mister Greatheart
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Speaker 1: was delighted in him, for he loved one greatly that
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Speaker 1: he found to be a man of his hands, and
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Speaker 1: because they were in company those that were feeble and weak.
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Speaker 1: Therefore he questioned with him about many things, as first,
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Speaker 1: what countryman he was valiant for truth? I am of
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Speaker 1: dark Land, for there was I born, and there my
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Speaker 1: father and mother are still. Mister Greatheart, dark Land, said
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Speaker 1: the guide, doth not that lie on the same coast
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Speaker 1: with the city of Destruction? Valiant for truth? Yes, it
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Speaker 1: doth now. That which caused me to come on pilgrimage
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Speaker 1: was this. We had one mister Teldrue come into our parts,
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Speaker 1: and he told it about what Christian had done that
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Speaker 1: went from the City of Destruction, namely how he had
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Speaker 1: forsaken his wife and children, and had betaken himself to
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Speaker 1: a pilgrim's life. It was also confidently reported how he
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Speaker 1: had killed a serpent that did come out to resist
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Speaker 1: him in his journey, and how he got through to
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Speaker 1: whither he intended. It was also told what welcome he
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Speaker 1: had at all his lord's lodgings, especially when he came
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Speaker 1: to the gates of the celestial city. For there said
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Speaker 1: the man, he was received with sound of trumpet by
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Speaker 1: a company of shining ones. He told also how all
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Speaker 1: the bells in the city did ring for joy at
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Speaker 1: his reception, and what golden garments he was clothed with,
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Speaker 1: and with many other things that now I shall forbear
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Speaker 1: to relate in a word. That man so told the
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Speaker 1: story of Christian and his travels, that my heart fell
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Speaker 1: into a burning haste to be gone after him. Nor
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Speaker 1: could father or mother stay me. So I got from
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Speaker 1: them and am come thus far on my way. Mister greatheart,
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Speaker 1: you came in at the gate, did you not valiant
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Speaker 1: for truth? Yes? Yes, For the same man also told
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Speaker 1: us that all would be nothing if we did not
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Speaker 1: begin to enter this way at the gate. Mister greatheart, look,
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Speaker 1: you said, the guide to Christiania, the pilgrimage of your husband,
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Speaker 1: and what he has gotten thereby is spread abroad far
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Speaker 1: and near. Valiant for truth? Why is this Christian's wife,
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Speaker 1: mister greatheart? Yes, that is and these also are his
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Speaker 1: four sons valiant for truth? What and going on pilgrimage too,
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Speaker 1: mister Greatheart, Yes, verily they are following after valiant for truth.
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Speaker 1: It glads me at the heart, good man, How joyful
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Speaker 1: will he be when he shall see them that would
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Speaker 1: not go with him yet to enter after him in
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Speaker 1: at the gates into the celestial city. Mister Greatheart, without
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Speaker 1: doubt it will be a comfort to him, for next
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Speaker 1: to the joy of seeing himself there, it will be
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Speaker 1: a joy to meet there his wife and children valiant
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Speaker 1: for truth. But now you are upon that pray, let
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Speaker 1: me hear your opinion about it. Some make question whether
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Speaker 1: we shall know one another when we are there, mister Greatheart.
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Speaker 1: Do you think they shall know themselves then, or that
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Speaker 1: they shall rejoice to see themselves in that bliss? And
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Speaker 1: if they think they shall know and do this, why
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Speaker 1: not know others and rejoice in their welfare? Also? Again,
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Speaker 1: since our relations are our second self. Though that state
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Speaker 1: will be dissolved there, yet, why may it not be
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Speaker 1: rationally concluded that we shall be more glad to see
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Speaker 1: them there than to see they are wanting valiant for truth. Well,
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Speaker 1: I perceive whereabouts you are as to this. Have you
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Speaker 1: any more things to ask me about my beginning to
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Speaker 1: come on pilgrimage, mister Greatheart? Yes, were your father and
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Speaker 1: mother willing that you should become pilgrim? Valiant for truth? Oh? No,
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Speaker 1: They used all means imaginable to persuade me to stay
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Speaker 1: at home. Mister Greatheart. Why what could they say against it?
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Speaker 1: Valiant for truth? They said it was an idle life,
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Speaker 1: and if I myself were not inclined to sloth and laziness,
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Speaker 1: I would never countenance a pilgrim's condition, mister Greatheart. And
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Speaker 1: what did they say else? Valiant for truth? Why? They
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Speaker 1: told me that it was a dangerous way. Yea, the
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Speaker 1: most dangerous way in the world, said they, is that
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Speaker 1: which the pilgrims go, mister Greatheart. Did they show you
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Speaker 1: where in this way is so dangerous? Valiant for truth? Yes,
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Speaker 1: And that in many particulars, mister Greatheart, name some of
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Speaker 1: them valiant for truth? They told me of the slow
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Speaker 1: of Despond, where Christian was well nigh smothered. They told
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Speaker 1: me that there were archers standing ready in Beelzeburg Castle
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Speaker 1: to shoot them. Who should knock at the wicket gate
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Speaker 1: for entrance? They told me also of the wood and
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Speaker 1: dark mountains, of the hill difficulty of the lions, and
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Speaker 1: also of the three giants, Bloody Man, Moul and slay Good.
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Speaker 1: They said moreover that there was a foul fiend haunted
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Speaker 1: the Valley of Humiliation, and that Christian was by him
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Speaker 1: almost bereft of life. Besides, said they, you must go
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Speaker 1: over the valley of the shadow of Death, where the
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Speaker 1: hobgoblins are, where the light is darkness, where the ways
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Speaker 1: full of snares, pits, traps and ginns. They told me
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Speaker 1: also of giant despair, of doubting castle, and of the
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Speaker 1: ruin that the Pilgrims met with here. Further, they said,
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Speaker 1: I must go over the enchanted ground, which was dangerous,
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Speaker 1: and that after all this I should find a river
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Speaker 1: over which there was no bridge, and that that river
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Speaker 1: did lie betwixt me and the celestial country, mister Greatheart.
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Speaker 1: And was this all valiant for truth? No? They also
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Speaker 1: told me that this way was full of deceivers and
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Speaker 1: of persons that lay in wait there to turn good
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Speaker 1: men out of the path, mister Greatheart. But how did
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Speaker 1: they make that out valiant for truth? They told me
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Speaker 1: that mister worldly Wise men did lie there in wait
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Speaker 1: to deceive. They said also that they were formality and
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Speaker 1: hypocrisy continually on the road. They said also that Bay
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Speaker 1: ends talkative, or Damus would go near to gather me up,
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Speaker 1: that the flatterer would catch me in his net, or
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Speaker 1: that with green headed ignorance, I would presume to go
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Speaker 1: on to the gate. From whence he was sent back
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Speaker 1: to the hole that was in the side of the hill,
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Speaker 1: and made to go the by way to hell. Mister greatheart,
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Speaker 1: I promise you this was enough to discourage you. But
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Speaker 1: did they make an end here valiant for truth? No stay.
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Speaker 1: They told me also of many that had tried that
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Speaker 1: way of old, and that had gone a great way
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Speaker 1: therein to see if they could find something of the
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Speaker 1: glory there that so many had so much talked of
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Speaker 1: from time to time, And how they came back again
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Speaker 1: and befooled themselves for setting a foot out of doors
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Speaker 1: in that path to the satisfaction of all the country.
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Speaker 1: And they named several that did so as obstinate and pliable,
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Speaker 1: mistrust and timrous turn away and old atheist, with several
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Speaker 1: more who they said, had some of them gone far
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Speaker 1: to see what they could find, but not one of
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Speaker 1: them had found so much advantage by going as amounted
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Speaker 1: to the weight of a feather. Mister Greatheart, said they
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Speaker 1: anything more to discourage you, Valiant for truth? Yes, they
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Speaker 1: told me of one mister Fearing who was a pilgrim,
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Speaker 1: and how he found his way so solitary that he
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Speaker 1: never had a comfortable hour therein, Also that mister Despondency
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Speaker 1: had liked to have been starved therein yea. And also
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Speaker 1: which I had almost forgot, that Christian himself, about whom
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Speaker 1: there has been such a noise after all, his adventures
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Speaker 1: for a celestial crown were certainly drowned in the Black
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Speaker 1: river and never went afoot further. However, it was smothered up,
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Speaker 1: mister Greatheart. And did none of these things discourage you,
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Speaker 1: Valiant for Truth? No, they seemed, but at so many
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Speaker 1: nothings to me, mister Greatheart, how came that about valiant
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Speaker 1: for truth? Why I still believe what mister Teldrew had said,
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Speaker 1: and that carried me beyond them all. Mister Greatheart, Then
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Speaker 1: this was your victory, even your faith, valiant for truth.
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Speaker 1: It was so I believed, and therefore came out got
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Speaker 1: into the way fought all that set themselves against me,
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Speaker 1: and by believing, and come to this place, who would
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Speaker 1: true valor see? Let him come hither one here will
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Speaker 1: constant be, come wind, come weather. There's no discouragement shall
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Speaker 1: make him once relent his first avowed intent to be
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Speaker 1: a pilgrim. Whoso beset him round with dismal stories do
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Speaker 1: but themselves confound his strength. The more is, no lion
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Speaker 1: can him fright? He'll with a giant fight, but he
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Speaker 1: will have a right to be a howgoblin nor foul
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Speaker 1: fiend can daunt his spirit. He knows he at the
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Speaker 1: end shall life inherit then fancies fly away. He'll not
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Speaker 1: fear what men say. He'll labor night and day to
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Speaker 1: be a pilgrim. By this time they were got to
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Speaker 1: the enchanted ground, where the air naturally tended to make
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Speaker 1: one drowsy. And that place was all grown over with
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Speaker 1: briars and thorns, excepting here and there where was an
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Speaker 1: enchanted arbor, upon which if a man sits, or in
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Speaker 1: which if a man sleeps, it is a question some say,
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Speaker 1: whether ever he shall rise or wake again in this
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Speaker 1: world over this forest. Therefore they went both one and another,
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Speaker 1: and mister Greatheart went before, for that he was the guide,
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Speaker 1: and mister Valiant, for truth, came behind, being rear guard,
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Speaker 1: for fear lest peradventures fiend or dragon, or giant or
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Speaker 1: thief should fall upon their rear, and so do mischief.
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Speaker 1: They went on here, each man with a sword drawn
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Speaker 1: in his hand, for they knew it was a dangerous place. Also,
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Speaker 1: they cheered up one another as well as they could.
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Speaker 1: Feeble mind, mister Greatheart commanded should come up after him,
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Speaker 1: and mister Despondency was under the eye of mister Valiant.
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Speaker 1: Now they had not gone far, but a great mist
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Speaker 1: and darkness fell upon them all, so that they could
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Speaker 1: scarce for a great while, though one see the other.
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Speaker 1: Wherefore they were forced for some time to feel one
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Speaker 1: for another by words, for they walked not by sight.
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Speaker 1: But any one must think that here was but sorry
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Speaker 1: going for the best of them all, But how much
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Speaker 1: worse for the women and children, who both of feet
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Speaker 1: and heart were but tender. Yet so it was that,
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Speaker 1: through the encouraging words of him that lad in the front,
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Speaker 1: and of him that brought them up behind, they made
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Speaker 1: a pretty good shift to wag along their way. Also,
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Speaker 1: here was very wearisome through dirt and slabbiness. Nor was
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Speaker 1: there on all this ground so much as one inn
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Speaker 1: or victorilling house, wherein to refresh the feebler sort. Here
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Speaker 1: therefore was grunting and puffing and sighing, while one tumbleth
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Speaker 1: over a bush, another sticks fast in the dirt, and
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Speaker 1: the children, some of them lost their shoes in the mire,
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Speaker 1: while one cries out, I am down, and another, ho,
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Speaker 1: where are you? And a third the bushes have got
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Speaker 1: such fast hold on me. I think I cannot get
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Speaker 1: away from them. Then there came at an arbor, warm
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Speaker 1: and promising much refreshing to the pilgrims. For it was
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Speaker 1: finely wrought above head, beautified with greens, furnished with benches
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Speaker 1: and settles. It also had in it a soft couch
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Speaker 1: whereon the weary might lean. This, you must think, all
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Speaker 1: things considered, was tempting, for the pilgrims already began to
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Speaker 1: be foiled with the badness of the way. But there
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Speaker 1: was not one of them that made so much as
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Speaker 1: a motion to stop. There. Yea for aught, I could perceive.
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Speaker 1: They continually gave so good heed to the advice of
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Speaker 1: their guide, and he did so faithfully tell them of dangers,
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Speaker 1: and of the nature of the dangers when they were
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Speaker 1: at them, that usually when they were nearest to them,
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Speaker 1: they did most pluck up their spirits and hearten one
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Speaker 1: another to deny the flesh. This arbor was called the
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Speaker 1: slothful's friend, and was made on purpose to allure, if
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Speaker 1: it might be some of the pilgrims there to take
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Speaker 1: up their rest when weary. I saw them in my dream,
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Speaker 1: that they went on in this their solitary ground, till
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Speaker 1: they came to a place at which a man is
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Speaker 1: apt to lose his way. Now, though when it was light,
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Speaker 1: their guide could well enough tell how to miss those
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Speaker 1: ways that led wrong. Yet in the dark he was
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Speaker 1: put to a stand. But he had in his pocket
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Speaker 1: a map of all ways leading to or from the
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Speaker 1: celestial city. Wherefore he struck a light, for he never
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Speaker 1: goes without his tinder box, also, and takes a view
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Speaker 1: of his book or map, which bids him to be
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Speaker 1: careful in that place to turn to the right hand.
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Speaker 1: And had he not been careful here to look in
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Speaker 1: his map, they had in all probability been smothered in
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Speaker 1: the mud. For just a little before them, And that
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Speaker 1: at the end of the cleanest way, too, was a
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Speaker 1: pit none knows how deep, full of nothing but mud,
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Speaker 1: there made on purpose to destroy the pilgrims in. Then
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Speaker 1: thought I with myself, who that goeth on pilgrimage, but
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Speaker 1: would have one of these maps about him, that he
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Speaker 1: may look when he is at a stand, which is
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Speaker 1: the way he must take. Then they went on in
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Speaker 1: this enchanted ground till they came to where there was
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Speaker 1: another arbor, and it was built by the highwayside. And
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Speaker 1: in that arbor they lay two men whose names were
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Speaker 1: Heedless and too Bold. These two went thus far on pilgrimage,
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Speaker 1: but here, being wearied from their journey, they sat down
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Speaker 1: to rest themselves, and so fell fast asleep. When the
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Speaker 1: pilgrim saw them, they stood still and shook their heads,
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Speaker 1: for they knew that the sleepers were in a pitiful case.
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Speaker 1: Then they consulted what to do, whether to go on
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Speaker 1: and leave them in their sleep, or to step to
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Speaker 1: them and try to awake them. So they concluded to
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Speaker 1: go to them and awake them, that is, if they could,
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Speaker 1: but with this caution, namely to take heed that they
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Speaker 1: themselves did not sit down nor embrace the offered benefit
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Speaker 1: of that arbor. So they went in and speake to
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Speaker 1: the men, and called each by his name. For the guide,
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Speaker 1: it seems, did know them, but there was no voice
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Speaker 1: nor answer. Then the Guide did shake them and do
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Speaker 1: what he could to disturb them. Then said one of them,
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Speaker 1: I will pay you when I take my money, at
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Speaker 1: which the guide shook his head. I will fight so
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Speaker 1: long as I can hold my sword in my hand,
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Speaker 1: said the other. At that one of the children laughed.
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Speaker 1: Then said Christiana, what is the meaning of this? The
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Speaker 1: Guide said, they talk in their sleep. If you strike them,
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Speaker 1: beat them, or whatever else you do to them, they
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Speaker 1: will answer you after this fashion, Or as one of
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Speaker 1: them said in old time, when the waves of the
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Speaker 1: sea did beat upon him, and he slept as one
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Speaker 1: upon the mast of a ship Proverbs twenty three, thirty
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Speaker 1: four and thirty five. When I awake, I will seek
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Speaker 1: it yet again. They know when men talk in their sleep,
23:01
Speaker 1: they say anything, but their words are not governed either
23:05
Speaker 1: by faith or reason. There is an incoherency in their
23:09
Speaker 1: words now as there was before betwixt their going on
23:12
Speaker 1: pilgrimage and sitting down here. This, then, is the mischief
23:16
Speaker 1: of it. When heedless ones go on pilgrimage tis twenty
23:20
Speaker 1: to one. But they are served thus, for this enchanted
23:24
Speaker 1: ground is one of the last refuges that the enemy
23:27
Speaker 1: to pilgrims has. Wherefore it is, as you see, placed
23:31
Speaker 1: almost at the end of the way, and so it
23:33
Speaker 1: standeth against us with the more advantage. For when thinks
23:37
Speaker 1: the enemy or these fools, be so desirous to sit
23:40
Speaker 1: down as when they are weary, and when so like
23:43
Speaker 1: to be weary as when almost at their journey's end.
23:48
Speaker 1: Therefore it is I say that the enchanted ground is
23:51
Speaker 1: placed so nigh to the land Bayola, and so near
23:54
Speaker 1: the end of their race. Wherefore let pilgrims look to themselves,
23:58
Speaker 1: lest it happen to them as it has done to these, that,
24:02
Speaker 1: as you see, are fallen asleep, and none can awake them.
24:08
Speaker 1: Then the pilgrims desired, with trembling to go forward. Only
24:12
Speaker 1: they prayed their guide to strike a light, that they
24:14
Speaker 1: might go the rest of their way by the help
24:17
Speaker 1: of the light of a lantern. So he struck a light,
24:21
Speaker 1: and they went by the help of that through the
24:22
Speaker 1: rest of this way, though the darkness was very great
24:27
Speaker 1: tewod Peter one nineteen. But the children began to be
24:31
Speaker 1: sorely weary, and they cried out unto him that loveth
24:35
Speaker 1: pilgrims to make their way more comfortable. So by that
24:40
Speaker 1: they had gone a little further, a wind arose that
24:43
Speaker 1: drove away the fog, so the air became more clear.
24:47
Speaker 1: Yet they were not off by much of the enchanted ground.
24:51
Speaker 1: Only now they could see one another better and the
24:54
Speaker 1: way wherein they should walk. Now, when they were almost
24:59
Speaker 1: at the end of this ground, they perceived that a
25:01
Speaker 1: little before them was a solemn noise, as of one
25:04
Speaker 1: that was much concerned. So they went on and looked
25:08
Speaker 1: before them, and behold they saw, as they thought, a
25:12
Speaker 1: man upon his knees, with hands and eyes lifted up,
25:16
Speaker 1: and speaking, as they thought, earnestly to one that was above.
25:21
Speaker 1: They drew nigh, but could not tell what he said,
25:25
Speaker 1: so they went softly till he had done. When he
25:28
Speaker 1: had done, he got up and began to run towards
25:31
Speaker 1: the celestial city. Then mister Greahart called after him, saying, so,
25:37
Speaker 1: her friend, let us have your company if you go
25:40
Speaker 1: as I suppose you do to the celestial city. So
25:45
Speaker 1: the man stopped, and they came up to him, But
25:48
Speaker 1: as soon as mister Honest saw him, he said, I
25:51
Speaker 1: know this man. Then said mister Valiant, for truth, prithee,
25:56
Speaker 1: who is it? It is? One? Said he that comes
26:01
Speaker 1: from whereabout I dwelt. His name is Standfast. He is
26:05
Speaker 1: certainly a right good pilgrim. So they came up to
26:09
Speaker 1: one another, and presently Standfast said to old Honest, O,
26:14
Speaker 1: father Honest, are you there? I said he that I
26:18
Speaker 1: am as sure as you are there? Right glad am,
26:22
Speaker 1: I said, mister Standfast, that I have found you on
26:25
Speaker 1: this road. And as glad am, I said the other
26:29
Speaker 1: that I spied you on your knees. Then mister Standfast
26:33
Speaker 1: blushed and said, but why did you see me? Yes,
26:38
Speaker 1: that I did, quoth the other, And with my heart
26:41
Speaker 1: was glad at the sight. Why what did you think,
26:44
Speaker 1: said Standfast, think, said old Honest? What could I think?
26:49
Speaker 1: I thought we had an honest man upon the road,
26:52
Speaker 1: and therefore should have his company by and by. If
26:56
Speaker 1: you thought not, amiss, said Standfast, how happy am I?
27:00
Speaker 1: But if I be not as I should, tis I
27:03
Speaker 1: alone must spare it. That is true, said the other.
27:07
Speaker 1: But your fear doth further confirm me that things are
27:11
Speaker 1: write betwixt the Prince of Pilgrims, and your soul, for
27:14
Speaker 1: he saith blessed is the man that feareth always Proverbs
27:19
Speaker 1: twenty eight fourteen, valiant for truth. Well, but brother, I
27:26
Speaker 1: pray THEE tell us, what was it that was the
27:28
Speaker 1: cause of thy being upon thy knees? Even now? Was
27:32
Speaker 1: it for that some special mercy laid obligations upon THEE? Or?
27:35
Speaker 1: How stand fast? Why we are as you see, upon
27:42
Speaker 1: the enchanted ground. And as I was coming along, I
27:46
Speaker 1: was musing with myself of what a dangerous nature the
27:49
Speaker 1: road in this place was, and how many that had
27:52
Speaker 1: come even thus far on pilgrimage had here been stopped
27:56
Speaker 1: and been destroyed. I thought also of the manner of
28:00
Speaker 1: the death with which this place destroyeth men. Those that
28:04
Speaker 1: die here die of no violent distemper. The death of
28:08
Speaker 1: which such dies not grievous to them. For he that
28:12
Speaker 1: goeth away in a sleep begins that journey with desire
28:15
Speaker 1: and pleasure. Yea such aqueous in the will of that disease,
28:22
Speaker 1: mister Honest. Then, mister Honest, interrupting him, said, did you
28:27
Speaker 1: see the two men asleep in the arbor? Stand fast? Aye? Aye?
28:34
Speaker 1: I saw heedless and too bold there and for aught.
28:37
Speaker 1: I know there they will lie till they rot Proverbs
28:41
Speaker 1: ten seven. But let me go on with my tail.
28:45
Speaker 1: As I was thus musing, as I said, there was
28:49
Speaker 1: one in very pleasant attire, but old, who presented herself
28:53
Speaker 1: to me and offered me three things to wit her body,
28:58
Speaker 1: her purse, and her bed. Now the truth is I
29:02
Speaker 1: was both weary and sleepy. I am also as poor
29:06
Speaker 1: as an owlet, and that perhaps the witch knew well.
29:10
Speaker 1: I repulsed her once and again, but she put by
29:13
Speaker 1: my repulses and smiled. Then I began to be angry,
29:18
Speaker 1: but she mattered that nothing at all. Then she made
29:21
Speaker 1: offers again and said, if I would be ruled by her,
29:25
Speaker 1: she would make me great and happy. For said she,
29:30
Speaker 1: I am the mistress of the world, and men are
29:32
Speaker 1: made happy by me. Then I asked her name, and
29:37
Speaker 1: she told me it was Madam Bubble. This set me
29:41
Speaker 1: further from her, but she still followed me with enticements.
29:45
Speaker 1: Then I betook me as you saw, to my knees,
29:48
Speaker 1: and with hands lifted up and cries, I prayed to
29:52
Speaker 1: him that had said he would help. So just as
29:55
Speaker 1: you came up, the gentlewoman went her way. Then I
29:59
Speaker 1: continued to give thanks for this my great deliverance, for
30:02
Speaker 1: I verily believe she intended no good, but rather sought
30:06
Speaker 1: to make stop of me in my journey. Mister honest,
30:12
Speaker 1: without doubt her designs were bad. But stay now you
30:16
Speaker 1: talk of her. Methinks I either have seen her or
30:19
Speaker 1: have read some story of her. Stand fast, perhaps you
30:24
Speaker 1: have done both, mister honest. Madam Bubble, is she not
30:30
Speaker 1: a tall, comely dame, something of a swarthy complexion? Stand fast,
30:36
Speaker 1: right you hit it? She is just such a one,
30:40
Speaker 1: mister honest. Does she not speak very smoothly and give
30:45
Speaker 1: you a smile at the end of a sentence? Stand fast,
30:49
Speaker 1: you'll fall right upon it again, for these are her
30:52
Speaker 1: very actions, mister honest. Does she not wear a great
30:58
Speaker 1: purse by her side, and is not her hand often
31:01
Speaker 1: in it, fingering her money, as if that was her
31:04
Speaker 1: heart's delight? Standfast? Tis just so? Had she stood by
31:10
Speaker 1: all this while ye could not more amply have set
31:13
Speaker 1: her forth before me, nor have better described her features,
31:18
Speaker 1: mister Honest, than he that drew her picture was a
31:21
Speaker 1: good limner, and he that wrote of hers so true,
31:26
Speaker 1: mister great heart, this woman is a witch, and it
31:30
Speaker 1: is by virtue of her sorceries, that this ground is enchanted.
31:34
Speaker 1: Whoever doth lay his head down in her lap, had
31:37
Speaker 1: as good lay it down on that block over which
31:39
Speaker 1: the axe doth hang, And whoever lay their eyes upon
31:43
Speaker 1: her beauty accounted the enemies of God. This is she
31:48
Speaker 1: that maintaineth in their splendor, all those that are the
31:51
Speaker 1: enemies of pilgrims James four four YEA. This is she
31:57
Speaker 1: that has brought off many a man from a pilgrim's life.
32:00
Speaker 1: She is a great gossiper. She is always both she
32:04
Speaker 1: and her daughters at one pilgrim's heels or another, now
32:08
Speaker 1: commending and then preferring the excellences of this life. She
32:13
Speaker 1: is a bold and impudent slut. She will talk with
32:16
Speaker 1: any man. She always laugh at poor pilgrims to scorn,
32:21
Speaker 1: but highly commends the rich. If there be one cunning
32:25
Speaker 1: to get money in a place, she will speak well
32:28
Speaker 1: of him. From house to house. She loveth banqueting and
32:32
Speaker 1: feasting mainly well. She is always at one full table
32:36
Speaker 1: or another. She has given it out in some places
32:40
Speaker 1: that she is a goddess, and therefore some do worship her.
32:44
Speaker 1: She has her time and open places of cheating, and
32:48
Speaker 1: she will say and avow it that none can show
32:51
Speaker 1: a good comparable to hers. She promiseth to dwell with
32:56
Speaker 1: children's children, if they will but love her and make
32:59
Speaker 1: much of her. She will cast out of her purse
33:02
Speaker 1: gold like dust. In some places and to some persons.
33:06
Speaker 1: She loves to be sought after, spoken well of, and
33:10
Speaker 1: to line the bosoms of men. She is never weary
33:14
Speaker 1: of commending her commodities, and she loves them mosts that
33:17
Speaker 1: think best of her. She will promise to some crowns
33:21
Speaker 1: and kingdoms, if they will but take her advice. Yet
33:26
Speaker 1: many has she brought to the halter, and ten thousand
33:29
Speaker 1: times more to hell. Standfast, oh, said, standfast? What a
33:36
Speaker 1: mercy is it that I did resist her? For whither
33:40
Speaker 1: might she have drawn me, mister greatheart? Whither? Nay, none,
33:46
Speaker 1: but God knows whither. But in general, to be sure,
33:50
Speaker 1: she would have drawn THEE into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
33:54
Speaker 1: which drown men in destruction and perdition. First Timothy six nine.
34:01
Speaker 1: Twas she that set Absalom against his father, and Jeroboam
34:05
Speaker 1: against his master, Twas she that persuaded Judas to sell
34:10
Speaker 1: his lord and that prevailed with demas to forsake the
34:13
Speaker 1: godly pilgrim's life. None can tell of the mischief that
34:18
Speaker 1: she doth. She makes variance betwixt rulers and subjects, betwixt
34:23
Speaker 1: parents and children, betwixt neighbor and neighbour, betwixt a man
34:28
Speaker 1: and his wife, betwixt a man and himself, betwixt the
34:32
Speaker 1: flesh and the spirit. Wherefore, good mister, standfast, be as
34:36
Speaker 1: your name is, and when you have done all stand
34:42
Speaker 1: at this this course, there was among the pilgrims a
34:45
Speaker 1: mixture of joy and trembling. But at length they broke
34:48
Speaker 1: out and sang, what danger is the pilgrim? In? How
34:52
Speaker 1: many are his foes? How many ways they are to sin?
34:56
Speaker 1: No living mortal knows. Some in the which are spoilered, yeay,
35:01
Speaker 1: can lie tumbling in the mire. Some, though they shun
35:05
Speaker 1: the frying pan, do leap into the fire. After this
35:12
Speaker 1: I beheld until they were come into the land of Baola,
35:15
Speaker 1: where the sun shineth night and day. Here, because they
35:20
Speaker 1: were weary, they betook themselves a while to rest, And
35:24
Speaker 1: because this country was common for pilgrims, and because the
35:28
Speaker 1: orchards and vineyards that were here belonged to the King
35:31
Speaker 1: of the celestial country. Therefore they were licensed to make
35:35
Speaker 1: bold with any of his things. But a little while
35:39
Speaker 1: soon refreshed them here, for the bells did so ring,
35:42
Speaker 1: and the trumpets continually sound so melodiously that they could
35:47
Speaker 1: not sleep. And yet they received as much refreshing as
35:51
Speaker 1: if they had slept their sleep ever so soundly. Here also,
35:56
Speaker 1: all the noise of them that walked the street was
35:59
Speaker 1: morek pilgrims come to town, And another would answer, saying,
36:03
Speaker 1: and so many went over the water and were let
36:06
Speaker 1: in at the golden gates. Today they would cry again,
36:11
Speaker 1: there is now a legion of shining ones just come
36:14
Speaker 1: to town, by which we know that there are more
36:17
Speaker 1: pilgrims upon the road. For here they come to wait
36:20
Speaker 1: for them and to comfort them after all their sorrow.
36:25
Speaker 1: Then the pilgrims got up and walked to and fro.
36:28
Speaker 1: But how were their ears now filled with heavenly noises,
36:32
Speaker 1: and their eyes delighted with celestial visions. In this land
36:36
Speaker 1: they heard nothing, saw nothing, felt nothing, smelt nothing, tasted
36:42
Speaker 1: nothing that was offensive to their stomach or mind. Only
36:46
Speaker 1: when they tasted of the water of the river over
36:48
Speaker 1: which they were to go. They thought that it tasted
36:51
Speaker 1: a little British to the palate, but it proved sweeter
36:55
Speaker 1: when it was down. In this place there was a
37:01
Speaker 1: record kept of the names of them that had been
37:03
Speaker 1: pilgrims of old, and a history of all the famous
37:07
Speaker 1: acts that they had done. It was here also much
37:11
Speaker 1: discoursed how the river to some had had its flowings,
37:15
Speaker 1: and what ebbings it has had while others have gone over.
37:19
Speaker 1: It has been in a manner dry for some, while
37:22
Speaker 1: it has overflowed its banks for others. In this place
37:29
Speaker 1: the children of the town would go into the king's
37:31
Speaker 1: gardens and gather nosegays for the pilgrims, and bring them
37:35
Speaker 1: to them with much affection. Here also grew camphire, with
37:40
Speaker 1: spikenard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees
37:44
Speaker 1: of frankencense, myrh, and aloes with all chief spices. With
37:50
Speaker 1: these the pilgrim's chambers were perfumed while they stayed here,
37:53
Speaker 1: and with these were their bodies anointed to prepare them
37:57
Speaker 1: to go over the river when the time appointed was now.
38:02
Speaker 1: While they lay here and waited for the good hour,
38:06
Speaker 1: there was a noise in the town that there was
38:07
Speaker 1: a post come from the celestial city with matter of
38:11
Speaker 1: great importance to one Christiana, the wife of Christian the Pilgrim.
38:16
Speaker 1: So inquiry was made for her, and the house was
38:19
Speaker 1: found out where she was. So the post presented her
38:23
Speaker 1: with a letter. The contents were, Hail, good woman, I
38:28
Speaker 1: bring thee tidings that the Master calleth for thee and
38:32
Speaker 1: expecteth that thou should stand in his presence in clothes
38:36
Speaker 1: of immortality within these ten days. When he had read
38:42
Speaker 1: this letter to her, he gave her therewith a sure
38:45
Speaker 1: token that he was a true messenger and was come
38:48
Speaker 1: to bid her make haste to be gone. The token
38:52
Speaker 1: was an arrow with a point sharpened with love, led
38:56
Speaker 1: easily into her heart, which by degrees wrought so effect
39:00
Speaker 1: truly with her that at the time appointed she must
39:03
Speaker 1: be gone. When Christiana saw that her time was come,
39:09
Speaker 1: and that she was the first of this company that
39:11
Speaker 1: was to go over, she called for mister Greatheart, her guide,
39:15
Speaker 1: and told him how matters were. So he told her
39:19
Speaker 1: he was heartily glad of the news, and could have
39:22
Speaker 1: been glad had the post come for him. Then she
39:26
Speaker 1: bid him that he should give her advice how all
39:28
Speaker 1: things should be prepared for her journey, he told her, saying,
39:33
Speaker 1: thus and thus it must be, and we that survive
39:36
Speaker 1: will accompany you to the river side. Then she called
39:41
Speaker 1: for her children and gave them her blessing, and told
39:44
Speaker 1: them that she had read with comfort the mark that
39:47
Speaker 1: was set in their foreheads, and was glad to see
39:50
Speaker 1: them with her there, and that they had kept their
39:53
Speaker 1: garments so white. Lastly, she bequeathed to the poor that
39:58
Speaker 1: little she had, and command that her sons and daughters
40:01
Speaker 1: to be ready against the messengers should come for them.
40:05
Speaker 1: When she had spoken these words to her guide and
40:08
Speaker 1: to her children, she called for mister Valiant for truth,
40:11
Speaker 1: and said unto him, Sir, you have in all places
40:16
Speaker 1: showed yourself truehearted, be faithful unto death, and my King
40:21
Speaker 1: will give you a crown of life. Revelations two ten.
40:26
Speaker 1: I would also entreat you to have an eye to
40:28
Speaker 1: my children, and if at any time you see them faint,
40:32
Speaker 1: speak comfortably to them. For my daughters, my son's wives,
40:37
Speaker 1: they have been faithful, and a fulfilling of the promise
40:41
Speaker 1: upon them will be their end. But she gave mister
40:44
Speaker 1: Steadfast a ring. Then she called for old mister honest,
40:49
Speaker 1: and said of him, behold an Israelite, indeed in whom
40:54
Speaker 1: is no guile. John one forty seven then said, he,
41:00
Speaker 1: I wish you a fair day when you set out
41:02
Speaker 1: for Mount Sion, and shall be glad to see that
41:05
Speaker 1: ye go over the river dry shod. But she answered,
41:10
Speaker 1: come wet, come dry. I long to be gone, for
41:13
Speaker 1: however the weather is in my journey, I shall have
41:19
Speaker 1: time enough when I come there, to sit down and
41:22
Speaker 1: rest me and dry me. Then came in that good
41:28
Speaker 1: man mister, ready to halt to see her. So she
41:31
Speaker 1: said to him, thy travel hitherto has been with difficulty,
41:37
Speaker 1: but that will make thy rest the sweeter, watch, and
41:40
Speaker 1: be ready, for at an hour when ye think not,
41:44
Speaker 1: the messenger may come. After him came mister Despondency and
41:50
Speaker 1: his daughter, much afraid, to whom she said, you ought
41:54
Speaker 1: with thankfulness for ever to remember your deliverance from the
41:57
Speaker 1: hands of giant despair and out of doubting castle. The
42:02
Speaker 1: effect of that mercy is that you are brought with safety.
42:06
Speaker 1: Hither be ye watchful and cast away fear, be sober
42:11
Speaker 1: and hope to the end. Then she said to mister
42:16
Speaker 1: feeble mind, thou wast delivered from the mouth of giant
42:20
Speaker 1: slay good, that thou mightest live in the light of
42:23
Speaker 1: the living and see thy king with comfort. Only advise
42:28
Speaker 1: thee to repent of thine aptness to fear and doubt
42:31
Speaker 1: of his goodness before he sends for thee, lest thou
42:34
Speaker 1: should'st when he comes, be forced to stand before him
42:38
Speaker 1: for that fault with blushing. Now the day drew on
42:44
Speaker 1: that Christiana must be gone. So the road was full
42:48
Speaker 1: of people to see her take her journey. But behold,
42:52
Speaker 1: all the banks beyond the river were full of horses
42:55
Speaker 1: and chariots which were come down from above to accompany
42:59
Speaker 1: her to the city. So she came forth and entered
43:03
Speaker 1: the river with a beckon of farewell to those that
43:06
Speaker 1: followed her. The last words that she was heard to
43:09
Speaker 1: say were, I come Lord, to be with thee, and
43:12
Speaker 1: bless thee. So her children and friends returned to their place,
43:18
Speaker 1: for those that waited for Christiana had carried her out
43:21
Speaker 1: of their sight. So she went and called and entered
43:25
Speaker 1: in at the gate with all the ceremonies of joy
43:28
Speaker 1: that her husband Christian had entered with before her. At
43:32
Speaker 1: her departure, the children wept but mister Greatheart and mister
43:37
Speaker 1: Valiant played upon the well tuned symbol and harp for joy.
43:41
Speaker 1: So all departed to their respective places. In process of time,
43:48
Speaker 1: they came a post to the town again, and his
43:50
Speaker 1: business was with mister Ready to Halt. So he inquired
43:55
Speaker 1: him out and said, I am come from him whom
43:59
Speaker 1: thou hast loved and followed thore upon crutches, and my
44:03
Speaker 1: message is to tell THEE that he expects THEE at
44:06
Speaker 1: his table to sup with him in his kingdom the
44:09
Speaker 1: next day after Easter. Wherefore, prepare thyself for this journey.
44:15
Speaker 1: Then he also gave him a token that he was
44:17
Speaker 1: a true messenger, saying I have broken thy golden bowl
44:21
Speaker 1: and loosed thy silver cord Ecclesiastes twelve six. After this,
44:30
Speaker 1: mister Ready to Halt called for his fellow pilgrims and
44:33
Speaker 1: told them, saying, I am sent for, and God shall
44:38
Speaker 1: surely visit you also. So he desired mister Valiant to
44:44
Speaker 1: make his will, and because he had nothing to bequeath
44:47
Speaker 1: to them that should survive him but his crutches and
44:50
Speaker 1: his good wishes. Therefore, thus he said, these crutches I
44:55
Speaker 1: bequeathed to my son that shall tread in my steps
44:58
Speaker 1: with a hundred warm wishes, that he may prove better
45:01
Speaker 1: than I have been. Then he thanked mister Greatheart for
45:06
Speaker 1: his conduct and kindness, and so addressed himself to his journey.
45:11
Speaker 1: When he came to the brink of the river, he said,
45:14
Speaker 1: now I shall have no more need of these crutches,
45:17
Speaker 1: since yonder are chariots and horses for me to ride on.
45:21
Speaker 1: The last words he was heard to say, were welcome life.
45:26
Speaker 1: So he went his way. After this, mister feeble Mind
45:32
Speaker 1: had tidings brought him that the post sounded his horn
45:35
Speaker 1: at his chamber door. Then he came in and told him, saying,
45:41
Speaker 1: I am come to tell THEE that thy master hath
45:44
Speaker 1: need of thee, and that in a very little time
45:47
Speaker 1: thou must behold his face in brightness, and take this
45:51
Speaker 1: as a token of the truth of my message. Those
45:55
Speaker 1: that look out at the windows shall be darkened Ecclesiastes
45:59
Speaker 1: twelve three. Then mister feeble Mind called for his friends
46:05
Speaker 1: and told them what errand had been brought unto him,
46:07
Speaker 1: and what token he had received of the truth of
46:10
Speaker 1: the message. Then he said, since I have nothing to
46:15
Speaker 1: bequeath to any to what purpose should I make a
46:18
Speaker 1: will as for my feeble mind, that I will leave
46:22
Speaker 1: behind me, For that I shall have no need of
46:25
Speaker 1: it in the place whither I go, Nor is it
46:28
Speaker 1: worth bestowing upon the poorest pilgrims. Wherefore, when I am gone,
46:33
Speaker 1: I desired that you, mister Valiant, would bury it in
46:36
Speaker 1: a dunghill. This done, and the day being come on
46:41
Speaker 1: which he was to depart, he entered the river as
46:44
Speaker 1: the rest. His last words were hold out faith and patience.
46:50
Speaker 1: So he went over to the other side. When days
46:55
Speaker 1: had many of them passed away, mister Despondency was sent
46:59
Speaker 1: for for a post was come and brought this message
47:03
Speaker 1: to him, trembling man. These are to summon thee to
47:07
Speaker 1: be ready with the king by the next lord's day,
47:10
Speaker 1: to shout for joy, for thy deliverance from all thy doubtings.
47:14
Speaker 1: Anne said the messenger, that my message is true. Take
47:19
Speaker 1: this for a proof. So he gave him a grasshopper
47:22
Speaker 1: to be a burden unto him Ecclesiastes twelve five. Now
47:29
Speaker 1: mister Despondency's daughter, whose name was much Afraid, said, when
47:33
Speaker 1: she heard what was done, that she would go with
47:36
Speaker 1: her father. Then mister Despondency said to his friends myself
47:42
Speaker 1: and my daughter. You know what we have been, and
47:45
Speaker 1: how troublesomely we have behaved ourselves in every company. My
47:50
Speaker 1: will and my daughters is that our desponds and slavish
47:54
Speaker 1: fears be by no man ever received from the day
47:58
Speaker 1: of our departure for ever, For I know that after
48:02
Speaker 1: my death they will offer themselves to others. For to
48:06
Speaker 1: be plain with you, they are ghosts which we entertained
48:10
Speaker 1: when we first began to be pilgrims, and could never
48:13
Speaker 1: shake them off after, and they will walk about and
48:17
Speaker 1: seek entertainment of the pilgrims. But for our sakes shut
48:22
Speaker 1: the doors upon them. When the time was come for
48:25
Speaker 1: them to depart, they went up to the brink of
48:27
Speaker 1: the river. The last words of mister Despondency were farewell night,
48:34
Speaker 1: welcome day. His daughter went through the river singing, but
48:39
Speaker 1: none could understand what she said. Then it came to
48:44
Speaker 1: pass a while after that there was a post in
48:47
Speaker 1: the town that inquired for mister Honest. So he came
48:51
Speaker 1: to the house where he was and delivered to his
48:54
Speaker 1: hand these lines. Thou Art commanded to be ready against
48:59
Speaker 1: this day seven nine to present thyself before thy lord
49:02
Speaker 1: at his father's house, and for a token that my
49:06
Speaker 1: message is true, all the daughters of music shall be
49:10
Speaker 1: brought low Ecclesiastes twelve four. Then mister Honest called for
49:16
Speaker 1: his friends and said, unto them, I die, but shall
49:20
Speaker 1: make no will as for my honesty. It shall go
49:24
Speaker 1: with me, that him that comes after be told of this.
49:29
Speaker 1: When the day that he was to be gone was come,
49:31
Speaker 1: he addressed himself to go over the river. Now the
49:36
Speaker 1: river at that time overflowed its banks in some places,
49:39
Speaker 1: But mister Honest in his lifetime had spoken to one
49:43
Speaker 1: good conscience to meet him there, the which he also did,
49:47
Speaker 1: and lent him his hand, and so helped him over
49:51
Speaker 1: the last words of mister Honest were grace reigns. So
49:56
Speaker 1: he left the world. After this, it was noised abroad
50:01
Speaker 1: that mister Valiant for Truth was taken with the summons
50:04
Speaker 1: by the same post as the other, and had this
50:07
Speaker 1: for a token that the summons was true. That his
50:10
Speaker 1: picture was broken at the fountain Ecclesiastes twelve six. When
50:16
Speaker 1: he understood it, he called for his friends and told
50:19
Speaker 1: them of it. Then said he I am going to
50:22
Speaker 1: my father's and though with great difficulty I have got hither.
50:27
Speaker 1: Yet now I do not repent me of all the
50:29
Speaker 1: trouble I have been at to arrive where I am.
50:32
Speaker 1: My sword I give to him that shall succeed me
50:34
Speaker 1: in my pilgrimage, and my courage and skill to him
50:38
Speaker 1: that can get it. My marks and scars I carry
50:41
Speaker 1: with me, to be a witness for me that I
50:44
Speaker 1: have fought his battles, who will now be my rewarder.
50:48
Speaker 1: When the day that he must go hence was come,
50:51
Speaker 1: many accompanied him to the river side, into which as
50:54
Speaker 1: he went he said, death, where is thy sting? And
50:59
Speaker 1: as he went down he said, grave, where is thy victory?
51:04
Speaker 1: First Corinthians fifteen fifty five. So he passed over, and
51:10
Speaker 1: all the trumpets sounded for him on the other side.
51:15
Speaker 1: Then they came forth a summons for mister Steadfast. This
51:19
Speaker 1: mister Steadfast was he whom the rest of the pilgrims
51:22
Speaker 1: found upon his knees in the enchanted ground, and the
51:26
Speaker 1: post brought at him open in his hands. The contents
51:30
Speaker 1: thereof were that he must prepare for a change of life,
51:34
Speaker 1: for his master was not willing that he should be
51:36
Speaker 1: so far from him any longer. At this mister Steadfast
51:41
Speaker 1: was put into amuse. Nay, said the messenger, YE need
51:46
Speaker 1: not doubt of the truth of my message, for here
51:48
Speaker 1: is a token of the truth. Thereof thy wheel is
51:52
Speaker 1: broken at the cistern Ecclesiastes twelve six. Then he called
51:58
Speaker 1: to him, mister Greatheart, who were their guide, and said,
52:01
Speaker 1: unto him, sir, although it was not my hap to
52:06
Speaker 1: be much in your good company during the days of
52:08
Speaker 1: my pilgrimage, yet since the time I knew you, you
52:13
Speaker 1: have been profitable to me. When I came from home,
52:17
Speaker 1: I left behind a wife and five small children. Let
52:21
Speaker 1: me entreat you at your return, for I know that
52:24
Speaker 1: you go and return to your master's house in hopes
52:28
Speaker 1: that you may yet be a conductor to more of
52:30
Speaker 1: the holy pilgrims that you send to my family. And
52:34
Speaker 1: let them be acquainted with all that hath and shall
52:37
Speaker 1: happen unto me. Tell them moreof of my happy arrival
52:41
Speaker 1: at this place, and of the present and late blessed
52:45
Speaker 1: condition I am in. Tell them also of Christian and Christiana,
52:50
Speaker 1: his wife, and how she and her children came after
52:53
Speaker 1: her husband. Tell them also of what a happy end
52:58
Speaker 1: she made, and whither she is gone. I have little
53:03
Speaker 1: or nothing to send to my family, unless it be
53:06
Speaker 1: prayers and tears for them, of which it will suffice
53:09
Speaker 1: that you acquaint them, if, peradventure they may prevail. When
53:14
Speaker 1: mister Steadfast had thus set things in order, the time
53:17
Speaker 1: being come for him to haste him away, he also
53:21
Speaker 1: went down to the river. Now there was a great
53:25
Speaker 1: calm at that time in the river. Wherefore mister Steadfast,
53:29
Speaker 1: when he was about half way in, stood awhile and
53:32
Speaker 1: talked with his companions that had waited upon him thither.
53:36
Speaker 1: And he said, this river has been a terror to many. Yea,
53:42
Speaker 1: the thoughts of it also have often frightened me. But
53:46
Speaker 1: now methinks I stand easy. My foot is fixed upon
53:50
Speaker 1: that on which the feet of the priests that bare
53:53
Speaker 1: the ark of the Covenant stood while Israel went over
53:56
Speaker 1: Jordan Joshua three seventeen. The waters, indeed are to the
54:03
Speaker 1: palliate bitter and to the stomach cold. Yet the thoughts
54:07
Speaker 1: of what I am going to, and of the convoy
54:10
Speaker 1: that waits for me on the other side, do lie
54:12
Speaker 1: as a glowing coal at my heart. I see myself
54:17
Speaker 1: now at the end of my journey, My talsome days
54:21
Speaker 1: are ended. I am going to see that head which
54:24
Speaker 1: was crowned with thorns, and that face which was spit
54:28
Speaker 1: upon for me. I have formerly lived by hearsay and faith.
54:33
Speaker 1: But now I go where I shall live by sight,
54:36
Speaker 1: and shall be with him in whose company I delight myself.
54:41
Speaker 1: I have loved to hear my Lord spoken of, And
54:44
Speaker 1: wherever I have seen the print of his shoe in
54:46
Speaker 1: the earth, there I have coveted to set my foot to.
54:51
Speaker 1: His name has been to me as a civet box,
54:54
Speaker 1: yea sweeter than all perfumes. His voice to me has
54:58
Speaker 1: been most sweet, and his countenance I have more desired
55:02
Speaker 1: than they that have most desired the light of the sun.
55:06
Speaker 1: His words I did use to gather for my food
55:09
Speaker 1: and for antidotes against my faintings. He hath held me
55:14
Speaker 1: and had kept me from mine iniquities. Yea, my steps
55:18
Speaker 1: hath he strengthened in his way. Now, while he was
55:23
Speaker 1: thus in discourse, his countenance changed, His strong man bowed
55:28
Speaker 1: under him, and after he had said, take me, for
55:32
Speaker 1: I come unto thee he ceased to be seen of them.
55:38
Speaker 1: But glorious it was to see how the open region
55:41
Speaker 1: was filled with horses and chariots, with trumpeters and pipers,
55:45
Speaker 1: with singers and players upon stringed instruments to welcome the
55:49
Speaker 1: pilgrims as they went up and followed one another in
55:52
Speaker 1: at the beautiful gate of the city. As for Christiana's children,
55:59
Speaker 1: the four boys that Christiana brought with their wives and children,
56:04
Speaker 1: I did not stay where I was till they were
56:06
Speaker 1: gone over. Also, since I came away, I heard one
56:11
Speaker 1: say that they were yet alive, and so would be
56:14
Speaker 1: for the increase of the church in that place where
56:17
Speaker 1: they were for a time. End Part two, The eighth
56:24
Speaker 1: Stage