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01 - The Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan · Wisdom of the Ages Library

• As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a den, and laid me down in that place to sleep. And as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I dreamed, and behold, I saw a man clothed with rags, standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back Isaiah sixty four six, Luke fourteen thirty three, Psalm thirty eight four. I looked and saw him open the book and read therein. And as he read, he wept and trembled, and, not being able longer to contain, he brake out with a lamentable cry, saying, what shall I do? Acts two thirty seven, sixteen thirty He BACKUK one two and three in this plight. Therefore he went home and restrained himself as long as he could, that his wife and children should not perceive his distress. But he could not be silent long because that his trouble increased. Wherefore, at length he brake his mind to his wife and children, and he began to talk to them. Oh, my dear wife, said he and knew the children of my bowels, Ay your dear friend, am in myself undone by reason of a burden that lieth hard upon me. Moreover, I am certainly informed that this sole city will be burnt with fire from heaven, in which fearful overthrow both myself with thee my wife, and you, my sweet babes, shall miserably come to ruin, except the which yet I see not somewhere of his scape can be found whereby remay be delivered. At this, his relations were so amazed, not for that they believed that what he had said to them was true, but because they thought that some frenzied distemper had got into his head. Therefore, it drawn towards night, and they, hoping that sleep might settle his brains, with all haste they got him to bed. But the night was as troublesome to him as the day, Wherefore, instead of sleeping, he spent it in sighs and tears. So when the morning was come they would know how he did. He told them worse and worse. He also set to talking to them again, but they began to be hardened. They also thought to drive away his distemper by harsh and surly carriage to him. Sometimes they would deride. Sometimes they would chied, and sometimes they would quite neglect him. Wherefore he began to retire himself to his chamber to pray for and pity them, and also to condole his own misery. He would also walk solitarily in the fields, sometimes reading and sometimes praying, And thus for some days he spent his time. Now, I saw upon a time when he was walking in the fields, that he was as he was wont reading in his book, and greatly distressed in his mind. And as he read, he burst out, as he had done before, crying, what shall I do to be saved? Acts sixteen thirty thirty one. I saw so that he looked this way and that way, as if he would run. Yet he stood still, because, as I perceived, he could not tell which way to go. I looked and saw a man named Evangelist coming to him, and he asked, wherefore dost thou cry? He answered, sir, I perceive by the book in my hand that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment Hebrews nine twenty seven. And I find that I am not willing to do the first Jove ten twenty one and twenty two, nor able to do the second Ezekiel twenty two fourteen. Then said the evangelist, why not willing to die? Since this life is attended with so many evils? The man answered, because I fear that this burden that is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall into tofort Isaiah thirty thirty three. And Sir, if I be not fit to go to prison, I am not fit to go to judgment, and from thence to execution. And the thoughts of these things make me cry. Then said the evangelist, If this be thy condition, why standest thou still? He answered, because I know not whither to go. Then he gave him a parchment roll, and there was written within fly from the Wrath to Come Matthew three seven. The man therefore read it, and, looking upon evangelist very carefully, said whither must I fly? Then said evangelist, pointing with his finger over a very wide field. Do you see yonder wicked gate? Matthew seven thirteen and fourteen. The man said no, Then said the other do you see yonder shining light? Some one hundred and nineteen one hundred and five tewod Peter one, What nineteen, He said, I think I do. Then said evangelist, keep that light in your eye and go up directly there. So shalt thou see the gate, at which when thou knockers, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do. So I saw in my dream that the man began to run, now he had not run from his own door. When his wife and children, perceiving it, began to cry after him to return. But the man put his fingers in his ears and ran on, crying, Life, Life, Eternal Life, Luke, fourteen twenty six. So he looked not behind him Genesis nineteen seventeen, but fled towards the middle of the plain. The neighbors also came out to see him run Jeremiah twenty ten. And as he ran, some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to return. And among those that did so, there were two that were resolved to fetch him back by force. The name of the one was obstinate, and the name of the other pliable. Now by this time the man was got a good distance from them, But however they were resolved to pursue him, which they did, and a little time they overtook him. Then said the man, neighbors, wherefore are you come? They said, to persuade you to go back with us, But he said that can by no means be you dwell, said he in the city of destruction, the place also where I was born, I see it to be so, and dining there sooner or later you will think lower than the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone. Be content, good neighbors, and go along with me. Obstinate what said Obstinate, and leave our friends and our comforts behind us. Christian, Yes, said Christian, for that was his name. Because that all which you forsake is not worthy to be compared with a little of that I am seeking to enjoy Second Corinthians four eighteen. And if you will go along with me and hold it, you shall fare as I myself, For there where I go is enough, and to spare Luke fifteen seventeen. Come away and prove my words. Obstinate. What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them? Christian? I seek an inheritance, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away First Peter one four. And it is laid up in heaven and safe there Hebrews eleven sixteen, to be bestowed at the time appointed on them that diligently seek it. Read it. So if you will in my book obstinate, Tush said, obstinate away with your book. Will you go back with us or no? Christian? No, not, I said the other, because I have laid my hand to the plow. Luke nine sixty two. Obstinate. Come, then, neighbor, pliable, let us turn again and go home without him. There is a company of these crazy headed cockscombs, that when they take a fancy by the end, are wiser in their own eyes than seven men that can render a reason. Pliable, then said pliable, don't revile. If what the good Christian says is true, the things he looks after are better than our its. My heart inclines to go with my neighbor, obstinate, what more fools still be ruled by me and go back? Who knows whether such a brainsick fellow will lead you go back, go back and be wise Christian? Nay, But do thou come with thy nigh a pliable? There are such things to be had which I spoke of, and many more glorious Besides, if you believe not me, read here in this book, and for the truth of what is expressed therein behold, all is confirmed by the blood of Him that made it Hebrews nine seventeen to twenty one. Pliable, well neighbor, Obstinate, said Pliable, I begin to come to a point. I intend to go along with this good man and to cast in my lot with him. But my good companion, do you know the way to this desired place? Christian? I am directed by a man whose name is Evangelist to speed me to a little gate that is before us, where we shall receive instructions about the way. Pliable, come good, nay, but let us be going. Then they both went together, Obstinate, and I will go back to my place, said Obstinate. I will be no companion of such misled, fantastical fellows. Now I saw in my dream that when Obstinate was gone back, Christian and Pliable went talking of the plane. And thus they began their discourse. Christian, Come now, labor, Pliable, how do you do? I am glad you are persuaded to go along with me. Had even Obstinate himself but felt what I have felt of the powers and terrors of what is yet unseen, He would not thus lightly have given us the back. Pliable, Come labor, Christian, since there are none but us to you here, Tell me now, Father, what the things are and how to be enjoyed? Whither we are going? Christian? I can better conceive of them with my mind than speak of them with my tongue. But yet, since you are desirous to know, I will read of them in my book. Pliable. And do you think that the words of your book are certainly true? Christian? Yes, verily, if it was made by him, that cannot lie. Titus one two pliable, Well said, What things are they? Christian? There is an endless kingdom to be inhabited, an everlasting life to be given us, that we may inhabit that kingdom forever Isaiah sixty five seventeen, John ten twenty seven to twenty nine pliable, well said. And what else, Christian? There are crowns of glory to be given us, and garments that will make us shine like the sun in the firmament of heaven two Timothy four eight, Revelations twenty two five. Matthew thirteen forty three pliable. This is very pleasant and what else Christian, there shall be no more crying nor sorrow, for he that is owner of the place will wipe all tears from our eyes Isaiah twenty five eight, Revelations seven, sixteen and seventeen twenty one four pliable, And what company shall we have there, Christian? There we shall be with Seraphim and Cherubim Isaiah six two, first Thessalonians four sixteen and seventeen, Revelations five eleven, creatures that will dazzle your eyes to look on them. There also you shall meet with thousands and ten thousands that have gone before us to that place. None of them are hurtful, but loving and holy, every one walking in the sight of God and standing in His presence with acceptance forever. In a word, There we shall see the elders with their golden crowns Revelations four four. There we shall see the holy virgins with their golden harps Revelations fourteen one to five. There we shall see men that by the world were cut in pieces, burnt in flames, eaten of beasts, drowned in the seas, for the love they bear to the Lord of the place. John twelve twenty five. All well, clothed with immortality as with a garment second Corinthians five to two, pliable. The hearing of this is enough to ravish one's heart. But are these things to be enjoyed? How shall we get to be shared? As thereof? Christian the Lord, the governor of the country had to record it that in this book Isaiah fifty five one and two, John six thirty seven, seven thirty seven, Revelations twenty one six twenty two seventeen, the substance of which is, if we be truly willing to have it, he will bestow it upon us freely pliable. Well, my good companion, glad am I to hear of these things. Come on, let us mend our place. Christian, I cannot go as fast as I would by reason of this burden that is on my back. Now I saw in my dream that just as they had ended this talk, they drew night were very miry slow, that was in the midst of the plane, and they, being heedless, did both four sudden into the bog. The name of the slow was despond Here. Therefore they wallered for a time, being grievously bedulbed with the dirt, and Christian because of the burden that was on his back began to sink in the mire. Pliable, then said, pliable, our neighbor, Christian, where are you now? Christian truly said Christian, I do not know Pliable. At this Pliable began to be offended, and angrily said to his fellow, is this the happiness you have told me all this while? Love? If we have such ill speed at our first setting out, what may we expect between this and our journey's end? May I get out again with my life? Ye shall possess the brave country alone from me. And with that he gave a desperate struggle or two and got out of the mire on that side of the slow, which was next to his own house. So away he went, and Christian saw him no more. Wherefore Christian was left to tumble and the slow of despond alone. But still he endeavored to struggle to that side of the slow that was furthest from his own house and next to the wicked gate, the which he did, but could not get out because of the burden that was upon his back. But I beheld in my dream that a man came to him whose name was Help, and asked him what he did there Christian, Sir, said Christian, I was bid to go this way by a man called Evangelists. He directed me also to yonder Gate, that I might escape the rath to come. And as I was going thither, I fell in here help, But why did you not look for the steps? Christian fear followed me so hard that I fled the next way and fell in help. Then said he give me thine hand. So he gave him his hand, and he drew him out some forty two and he set him upon sound ground and bid him go on his way. Then I stepped to him that plucked him out, and said, sir, wherefore, since over this place the way from the city of Destruction to yonder Gate, is it that this plot is not mended? That poor travelers might go thither with more security? And he said, unto me, this Mariuslow is such a place as cannot be mended. It is the descent, whether the scum and filth that tends conviction for sin doth continually run. And therefore it is called the slow of despond For still, as the sinners awakened about his lost condition, there arise in his soul many fears and doubts and discouraging apprehensions, which all of them get together and settle in this place. And this is the reason of the badness in this ground. It is not the pleasure of the King that this place should remain so bad Isaiah thirty five three and four. His laborers also have, by the direction of His Majesty's surveyors, been for above this sixteen hundred years, employed about this patch of ground. If perhaps it might have been mended. Yea, and to my knowledge, said he, they have been swallow up at least twenty thousand cartloads. Yeah, millions of wholesome instructions that have at all seasons been brought from all places of the King's dominions. And they that can tell say they are the best materials to make good ground of the place, if so be it might have been mended. But it is the slow of despond still, and so will be when they have done what they can. True, there are, by the direction of the lawgiver, certain good and substantial steps placed even through the very midst of this slow But at such time as this place doth much spew at its filth, as it doth against change of weather, these steps are hardly seen, or if they be men, through the dizziness of their heads, step beside, and then they are bemired to purpose, notwithstanding the steps be there, but the ground is good when they are once got in at the gate first Samuel twelve twenty three. Now I saw in my dream that by this time Pliable was got home to his house. So his neighbors came to visit him in Some of them called him wise man for coming back, and some called him fool for hazarding himself with Christian. Others again did mock at his cowardliness, saying, surely, since you began to venture, I would not have been so base as to have given out for a few difficulties. So Pliable sat sneaking among them, But at last he got more confidence, and then they all turned their tales and began to deride poor Christian behind his back, and thus much concerning Pliable. Now, as Christian was walking solitarily by himself, he espied one afar off come crossing over the field to meet him, and their hap was to meet just as they were crossing the way of each other. The gentleman's name that met him was mister worldly wise man. He dwelt in the town of carnal Policy, a very great town, and also haar by from whence Christian came. This man, then, meeting with Christian, and having some inkling of him, for Christians setting forth from the city of Destruction, was much noised about, not only in the town where he dwelt, but also it began to be the town talk in some other places. Mister worldly Wiseman, therefore, having some guess of him, by beholding his laborious going, by observing his sighs and groans and the like, began thus to enter into some talk with Christian. Mister worldley wise man. How now, good fellow, whither away up for this burdened manner Christian? A burden manner indeed, as ever I think poor creature had. And whereas you ask me whither away, I tell you, sir, I am going to yonder wicked gate before me for theirs. I am informed I shall be put into a way to be rid of my heavy burden. Mister worldy wiseman, hast thou wife and children. Christian? Yes, but I am so laden with this burden that I cannot take that pleasure in them as formerly methinks I am as if I had none First Corinthian seven twenty nine. Mister worldley wise man, wilt thou hearken to me if I give THEE counsel, if it be good, I will, for I stand in need of good counsel. Mister worldly wise man, I would advise THEE then that thou, with all speed, get thyself rid of thy burden, for thou wilt never be settled in thy mind till then, Nor canst thou enjoy the benefits of the blessings which God hath bestowed upon THEE till then, Christian, that is that which I seek for, even to be rid of this heavy burden. But get it off myself I cannot, nor is there any man in our country that can take it off my shoulders. Therefore am I going this way as I told you, that I may be rid of my burden, mister worldly wise man, who bid THEE go this way to be rid of thy burden? Christian, a man that appeared to me to be a very great and honorable person. His name, as I remember, is Evangelist. Mister worldly wise man. I besrw him for his counsel. There is not a more dangerous and troublesome way in the world, than is that into which he hath direct to thee, and that thou shalt find, if thou wilt be ruled by his counsel, Thou hast met with something as I perceive already, For I see the dirt of the slow of desponders upon thee. But that slow is the beginning of the sorrows that do attend those that go on in that way. Hear me, I am older than thou. Thou art like to meet with in the way which thou goest wearisomeness, painfulness, hunger, perils, nakedness, sword, lions, dragons, darkness, and in a word, death, and whatnot. These things are certainly true, having been confirmed by many testimonies. And should a man so carelessly cast away himself by giving heed to a stranger Christian, Why sir, this burden on my back is more terrible to me than are all these things which you have mentioned, Nay me things. I care not what I meet with in the way, If so be I can also meet with deliverance from my burden. Mister worldlywisn how camest thou by thy burden? At first? Christian? By reading this book in my hand, mister worldly wise men, I thought so, and it has happened unto THEE, as to other weak men, who meddling with things too high for them, do suddenly fall into thy distractions. Which distractions do not only unmad men, as thine I perceive, have done THEE, but they run them upon desperate ventures to obtain They know not what Christian. I know what I would obtain. It is ease from my heavy burden, mister worldly wise men. But why woult thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers attended, Especially since hadst thou but patience to hear me, I could direct THEE to the obtaining of what thou desirest, without the dangers that Thou in this way wilt run thyself into yea and the remedy is at hand. Besides, thou will add that instead of those dangers, thou shalt meet with safety, friendship, and content. Christian, Sir, I pray open the secret to me, mister wildly wise man. Why in yonder village, the village's name Morality, there dwells a gentlemen whose name is Legality, a very judicious man and a man of a very good name, that has skill to help men off with such burdens as thine is from their shoulders. Yet to my knowledge he hath done a great deal of good this way, ay, And besides he hath skilled to cure those that are somewhat crazed in their wits with their burdens to him, As I said, thou mayest go and be helped. Presently. His house is not quite a mile from this place, And if he should not be at home himself, he had the pretty young man to his son, whose name is Civility, that can do it to speak on as well as the old gentleman himself. There, I say, thou mayst be eased of thy burden, if thou art not minded to go back to thy former habitation, as indeed I would not wish thee thou mayest send for thy wife and children to this village, where there are houses now standing empty, one of which thou mayest have at a reasonable rate. Provision is there all so cheap and good, And that which will make thy life the more happy is to be sure there thou shalt leave thy honest neighbors in credit and good fashion. Now was Christian somewhat at a stand. But presently he concluded, if this be true, which this gentleman has said, my wisest course is to take his advice. And with that he thus further spake Christian, Sir, which is my way to this honest man's house. Mister worldly wise man, do you see yonder high hill? Christian? Yes, very well, mister worldly wise man. By that hill you must go in the first house you come at, is his. So Christian turned out of his way to go to mister legality's house for help. But behold, when he was got now hard by the hill, it seemed so high, and also that side of it that was next the wayside, did hang so much over that Christian was afraid to venture further lest the hill should fall on his head. Wherefore there he stood still and wotted not what to do. Also, his burden now seemed heavier to him than while he was in his way. There came also flashes of fire Exodus nineteen sixteen and eighteen out of the hill, that made Christian afraid that he should be burnt here. Therefore he did sweat and quake for fear he Brews twelve twenty one. And now he began to be sorry that he had taken mister worldly wiseman's counsel. And with that he saw Evangelist coming to meet him at the sight, also of whom he began to blush for shame. So Evangelist drew nearer and nearer, and coming up to him, he looked upon him with a severe and dreadful countenance, and thus began to reason with Christian Evangelist. What doest thou here? Christian? Said he, at which words Christian knew not what to answer, Wherefore at present he stood speechless before him, then said Evangelists, father, art not thou the man that I found crying without the war or the city of destruction? Christian, Yes, dear sir, I am the man, Evangelist. Did not I direct thee the way to the little wicket gate? Christian? Yes, dear sir, said Christian Evangelist. How is it then that thou art so quickly turned aside? For thou art now out of the way, Christian. I met with a gentleman, so soon as I had got over the slur of despond, who persuaded me that I might, in the village before me find a man that could take off my burden. Evangelist. What was he? Christian? He looked like a gentleman and talked much to me and got me at last to yield. So I came hither. But when I beheld this hill and how it hangs over the way, I suddenly made a stand lest it should fall on my head. Evangelist. What said that gentleman to you? Christian? Why? He asked me whither I was going? And I told him Evangelist? And what said he? Then? Christian? He asked me if I had a family? And I told him, but said I I am so laden with the burden that is on my back that I cannot take pleasure in them. As formerly Evangelist? And what said he? Then? Christian? He bid me with speed get rid of my burden. I told him it was ease that I sought, and said I I am therefore going to Yondergate to receive farther direction how I may get to the place of deliverance. So he said that he would show me a better way, and short, not so attended with difficulties as the way, sir, that you set me in. Which way said he will direct you to a gentleman's house that had skill to take off these burdens. So I believed him and turned out of that way into this. If haply, I might be soon eased up my burden. But when I came to this place and beheld things as they are, I stopped for fears, I said, of danger. But I now know not what to do. Evangelist then said, evangelist, stand still a little, that I show thee the words of God. So he stood trembling. Then said evangelist, see that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escape not who refused him that spake on earth. Much more shall not we escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven Hebrews twelve twenty five. He said, moreover, now that just shall live by faith. But if any man draw back my soul shall have no pleasure in him Hebrews ten thirty eight. He also did thus apply them, Thou art, the man that art running into this misery. Thou hast begun to reject the counsel of the most High, and to draw back thy foot from the way of peace, even almost to the hazarding of thy perdition. Then Christian fell down at his feet as dead, crying, woe is to me for I am undone at the sight of which evangelists caught him by the right hand, saying, all manner of sin and blasphemis shall be forgiven unto men Matthew twelve thirty one, be not faithless but believing John twenty twenty seven. Then did Christian again a little revive and stood up trembling as at first before evangelist. Then evangelist proceeded saying, give more earnest heed to the things that I shall tell THEE of I will now show THEE who it was that deluded THEE, and who it was also to whom he sent THEE. The man that met THEE is one worldly wise man, and rightly as he is so called, partly because he savereth only the doctrine of this world first John four five. Therefore he always goes to the town of the morality to church, and partly because he loveth that doctrine best, for it saveth him best from the cross Galatians six twelve. And because he is of this carnal temper. Therefore he seeketh to pervert my ways. Though right now there are three things in this man's counsel that thou must utterly abhor one his turning THEE out of the way, two, his laboring to render the cross odious to THEE, three and his setting thy feet in that way that leadeth unto the administration of death. First, thou must abhor his turning THEE out of the way, yea in thine own, consenting there too, because this is to reject the counsel of God for the sake of the counsel of a worldly wise man. The Lord says, strive to enter in at the straight gate Luke thirteen twenty four. The gate to which I send THEE for straight is the gate that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it Matthew seven thirteen and fourteen. From this little wicked gate, and from the way thereto hath this wicked man turned THEE to the bringing of THEE almost to destruction. Hate therefore his turning THEE out of the way, and abhor thyself for hearkening to him. Secondly, thou must abhor his laboring to render the cross odious unto THEE, for thou art to prefer it before the treasures of Egypt Hebrews eleven twenty six. Besides, the King of glory hath told THEE that he that will save his life shall lose it. And he that comes after him and hates not his father and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren and sisters yea, and his own life, also he cannot be his disciple. Mark eight thirty eight, John twelve twenty five, Matthew ten thirty nine, Luke fourteen twenty six. I say, therefore, for a man to labor to persuade THEE that that shall be thy death, without which the Truth has said, thou canst not have eternal life. This doctrine thou must abhor. Thirdly, thou must hate his setting off thy feet in the way that leadeth to the administration of death. And for this thou must consider to whom he sent THEE, and also how unable that person was to deliver THEE from thy burden. He to whom thou wast sent for ease, being by name legality, is the son of the bond woman, which now is and is in bond with her children Galatians for twenty one to twenty seven, and is in a mystery this Mount Sinai, which thou hast feared will fall on thy head. Now she with her children are in bondage, how canst thou expect by them to be made free? This Legality therefore is not able to set THEE free from thy burden. No man was as yet ever rid of his burden by him, No nor ever is like to be. Ye cannot be justified by the works of the law, but by the deeds of the law, no man living can be rid of his burden. Therefore, mister worldly wise man is an alien, and mister Legality is a cheat. And for his son's civility, notwithstanding his simpering looks, he is but a hypocrite, and cannot help THEE. Believe me, there is nothing in all this noise that thou hast heard of these Scottish men, but a desire to beguile thee of thy salvation by turning THEE from the way in which I had set thee. After this, evangelists called aloud to the heavens for confirmation of what he had said. And with that there came words and fire out of the mountain under which poor Christians stood, which made the hair of his flesh stand up. The words were pronounced, as many as are of the works of the law are under the cursed, for it is written cursed, as every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them Galatians three ten. Now Christian looked for nothing but death and began to quiet lamentably, even cursing the time in which he met with mister worldly wise man, still calling himself a thousand fools for hearkening to his counsel. He also was greatly ashamed to think that this gentleman's arguments, flowing only from the flesh, should have the prevalency with him, so far as to cause him to forsake the right way. This done, he applied himself again to evangelists in words and senses follows Christian, Sir, what think you? Is there any hope? May I now go back and go up to the wicket gate? Shall I not be abandoned for this? And sent back? From thence ashamed? I am sorry. I have hearkened to this man's counsel, But may my sin be forgiven? Evangelist, And then then said evangelist to him, thy sin is very great, for by it thou hast committed two evils. Thou hast forsaken the way that is good to tread in forbidden paths. Yet will the man at the gate receive thee For he has good will for men. Only, said he take heed that thou turn not aside again, lest thou perish from the way when his wrath is kindled. But a little Psalm two twelve end Part one, The first stage