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17 - Part 2 - The Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan · Sacred Texts Archive

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