p10-p50

THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS

In the Similitude of a Dream

{10}

As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on

a certain place where was a Den <The Jail/Gaol>, and I 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. [Isa. 64:6;

Luke 14:33; Ps. 38:4; Hab. 2:2; Acts 16:30,31] 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,

<His Outcry> he brake out with a lamentable cry, saying,

"What shall I do?" [Acts 2:37]

{11}

In this plight, therefore, he went home and refrained 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 thus he began to talk to them:

O my dear wife, said he, and you the children of my bowels,

I, your dear friend, am in myself undone by reason of a burden

that lieth hard upon me; moreover, I am for certain informed that

this our city <This world> will be burned 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) some way of escape can be found,

whereby we may be delivered. <He knows not the way yet/He knows no way

of escape as of yet> At this his relations were sore amazed;

not for that they believed that what he had said to them was true,

but because they thought that some frenzy distemper had got into

his head; therefore, it drawing 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. <Carnal physic for a sick soul>

They also thought to drive away his distemper by harsh and surly

carriages to him; sometimes they would deride, sometimes they

would chide, 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.

{12}

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?"

{13}

I saw also 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 then, and saw a man named Evangelist

coming to him and asked, Wherefore dost thou cry? [Job 33:23]

{14}

He answered, Sir, I perceive by the book in my hand, that I am

condemned to die, and after that to come to judgement [Heb. 9:27];

and I find that I am not willing to do the first [Job 16:21],

nor able to do the second. [Ezek. 22:14]

CHRISTIAN no sooner leaves the World but meets

EVANGELIST, who lovingly him greets

With tidings of another: and doth show

Him how to mount to that from this below.

{15}

Then said Evangelist, Why not willing to die, since this life

is attended with so many evils? The man answered, Because I fear

that this burden is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave,

and I shall fall into Tophet. [Isa. 30:33] And, Sir, if I be not fit

to go to prison, I am not fit, I am sure, to go to judgement,

and from thence to execution; and the thoughts of these things

make me cry.

{16}

Then said 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, Flee from the wrath

to come. [Matt. 3.7]

{17}

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 wicket-gate?

[Matt. 7:13,14] <Christ, and the way to Him cannot be found

without the Word> The man said, No. Then said the other,

Do you see yonder shining light? [Ps. 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:19] He said,

I think I do. Then said Evangelist, Keep that light in your eye,

and go up directly thereto: so shalt thou see the gate; at which,

when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do.

{18}

So I saw in my dream that the man began to run.

Now, he had not run far from his own door, but 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 14:26] So he looked not behind him,

but fled towards the middle of the plain. [Gen. 19:17]

{19}

The neighbours also came out to see him run [Jer. 20:10]; 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 resolved

to fetch him back by force. <Obstinate and Pliable follow him>

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 in a little time they overtook him. Then said the man, Neighbours,

wherefore are ye 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, dying there, sooner or later,

you will sink lower than the grave, into a place that burns

with fire and brimstone: be content, good neighbours,

and go along with me.

{20}

OBST. What! said Obstinate, and leave our friends and our comforts

behind us?

CHR. Yes, said Christian, for that was his name, because that ALL

which you shall forsake is not worthy to be compared with a little

of that which I am seeking to enjoy [2 Cor. 4:18]; 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 15:17]

Come away, and prove my words.

{21}

OBST. What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world

to find them?

CHR. I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that

fadeth not away [1 Pet. 1:4], and it is laid up in heaven,

and safe there [Heb. 11:16], to be bestowed, at the time appointed,

on them that diligently seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my book.

OBST. Tush! said Obstinate, away with your book; will you

go back with us or no?

CHR. No, not I, said the other, because I have laid my hand

to the plough. [Luke 9:62]

{22}

OBST. Come, then, neighbour Pliable, let us turn again, and go home

without him; there is a company of these crazy-headed coxcombs, that,

when they take a fancy by the end, are wiser in their own eyes

than seven men that can render a reason. [Prov. 26:16]

PLI. Then said Pliable, Don't revile; if what the good Christian says

is true, the things he looks after are better than ours:

my heart inclines to go with my neighbour.

OBST. What! more fools still! Be ruled by me, and go back;

who knows whither such a brain-sick fellow will lead you? Go back,

go back, and be wise.

{23}

CHR. Nay, but do thou come with thy neighbour, 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. [Heb. 9:17-22; 13:20]

PLI. Well, neighbour Obstinate, said Pliable, <Pliable contented to go

with Christian> 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?

{24}

CHR. 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.

PLI. Come, then, good neighbour, let us be going. Then they went

both together.

OBST. And I will go back to my place, said Obstinate;

<Obstinate goes railing back> I will be no companion of such misled,

fantastical fellows.

{25}

Now, I saw in my dream, that when Obstinate was gone back,

Christian and Pliable went talking over the plain; and thus they began

their discourse. <Talk between Christian and Pliable>

{26}

CHR. Come, neighbour 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.

PLI. Come, neighbour Christian, since there are none but us two here,

tell me now further what the things are, and how to be enjoyed,

whither we are going.

{27}

CHR. I can better conceive of them with my mind, than speak of them

with my tongue <God's things unspeakable>: but yet, since you are

desirous to know, I will read of them in my book.

PLI. And do you think that the words of your book are certainly true?

CHR. Yes, verily; for it was made by Him that cannot lie. [Titus 1:2]

PLI. Well said; what things are they?

CHR. There is an endless kingdom to be inhabited, and everlasting life

to be given us, that we may inhabit that kingdom for ever. [Isa. 45:17;

John 10:28,29]

PLI. Well said; and what else?

CHR. There are crowns and glory to be given us, and garments

that will make us shine like the sun in the firmament of heaven.

[2 Tim. 4:8; Rev. 3:4; Matt. 13:43]

PLI. This is very pleasant; and what else?

CHR. There shall be no more crying, nor Sorrow: for He that is

owner of the place will wipe all tears from our eyes. [Isa. 25.6-8;

Rev. 7:17, 21:4]

{28}

PLI. And what company shall we have there?

CHR. There we shall be with seraphims and cherubims,

creatures that will dazzle your eyes to look on them. [Isa. 6:2]

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 for ever.

[1 Thess. 4:16,17; Rev. 5:11] In a word, there we shall see the elders

with their golden crowns [Rev. 4:4], there we shall see the holy virgins

with their golden harps [Rev. 14:1-5], 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 that they bare to the Lord

of the place, all well, and clothed with immortality as with a garment.

[John 12:25; 2 Cor. 5:4]

PLI. The hearing of this is enough to ravish one's heart.

But are these things to be enjoyed? How shall we get to be

sharers thereof?

CHR. The Lord, the Governor of the country, hath recorded that

in this book; the substance of which is, If we be truly willing

to have it, he will bestow it upon us freely.

PLI. Well, my good companion, glad am I to hear of these things:

come on, let us mend our pace.

CHR. I cannot go so fast as I would, by reason of this burden

that is on my back.

{29}

Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk

they drew near to a very miry slough, that was in the midst

of the plain; and they, being heedless, did both fall suddenly

into the bog. The name of the slough was Despond. Here, therefore,

they wallowed for a time, being grievously bedaubed with the dirt;

and Christian, because of the burden that was on his back,

began to sink in the mire.

{30}

PLI. Then said Pliable; Ah! neighbour Christian, where are you now?

CHR. Truly, said Christian, I do not know.

PLI. At this Pliable began to be offended, and angrily said

to his fellow, Is this the happiness you have told me all this while of?

If we have such ill speed at our first setting out, what may we expect

betwixt this and our journey's end? May I get out again with my life,

you shall possess the brave country alone for me. <It is not enough

to be pliable> And, with that, he gave a desperate struggle or two,

and got out of the mire on that side of the slough which was next to

his own house: so away he went, and Christian saw him no more.

{31}

Wherefore Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone:

but still he endeavoured to struggle to that side of the slough

that was still further from his own house, and next to the wicket-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?

CHR. Sir, said Christian, I was bid go this way by a man

called Evangelist, who directed me also to yonder gate,

that I might escape the wrath to come; and as I was going thither

I fell in here.

{32}

HELP. But why did not you look for the steps?

CHR. Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next way, and fell in.

HELP. Then said he, Give me thy hand: so he gave him his hand,

and he drew him out, and set him upon sound ground, and bid him

go on his way. [Ps. 40:2]

{33}

Then I stepped to him that plucked him out, and said, Sir, wherefore,

since over this place is the way from the City of Destruction

to yonder gate, is it that this plat is not mended, that poor travellers

might go thither with more security? And he said unto me,

<What makes the Slough of Despond> This miry slough is such a place

as cannot be mended; it is the descent whither the scum and filth

that attends conviction for sin doth continually run, and therefore

it is called the Slough of Despond; for still, as the sinner is awakened

about his lost condition, there ariseth 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 of this ground.

{34}

It is not the pleasure of the King that this place should remain so bad.

[Isa. 35:3,4] His labourers also have, by the direction of

His Majesty's surveyors, been for above these sixteen hundred years

employed about this patch of ground, if perhaps it might

have been mended: yea, and to my knowledge, said he,

here have been swallowed up at least twenty thousand cart-loads,

yea, 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 Slough of Despond still, and so will be when they have done

what they can.

{35}

True, there are, by the direction of the Law-giver, certain good and

substantial steps, placed even through the very midst of this slough;

but at such time as this place doth much spew out 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.

[1 Sam. 12:23]

{36}

Now, I saw in my dream, that by this time Pliable was got home

to his house again, so that his neighbours came to visit him;

<His entertainment by them at his return> and 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

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.

{37}

<Mr. Worldly Wiseman meets with Christian>

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 Mr. Worldly Wiseman,

he dwelt in the town of Carnal Policy, a very great town,

and also hard by from whence Christian came. This man, then,

meeting with Christian, and having some inkling of him,--

for Christian's setting forth from the City of Destruction was

much noised abroad, not only in the town where he dwelt,

but also it began to be the town talk in some other places,--

Mr. 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.

{38}

WORLD. How now, good fellow, whither away after this burdened manner?

CHR. A burdened 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 wicket-gate before me; for there, as I am informed,

I shall be put into a way to be rid of my heavy burden.

WORLD. Hast thou a wife and children?

CHR. 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.

[1 Cor 7:29]

WORLD. Wilt thou hearken unto me if I give thee counsel?

CHR. If it be good, I will; for I stand in need of good counsel.

{39}

<Mr. Worldly Wiseman's counsel to Christian>

WORLD. 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 blessing which God hath bestowed upon thee till then.

CHR. 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.

WORLD. Who bid thee go this way to be rid of thy burden?

CHR. A man that appeared to me to be a very great and

honourable person; his name, as I remember, is Evangelist.

{40}

<Mr. Worldly Wiseman condemned Evangelist's counsel>

WORLD. I beshrew him for his counsel! there is not a more dangerous

and troublesome way in the world than is that unto which he hath

directed 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 Slough of Despond is upon thee;

but that slough 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 what not! These things

are certainly true, having been confirmed by many testimonies.

And why should a man so carelessly cast away himself, by giving heed

to a stranger?

CHR. Why, Sir, this burden upon my back is more terrible to me

than all these things which you have mentioned; nay, methinks I care not

what I meet with in the way, if so be I can also meet with deliverance

from my burden.

{41}

<Worldly Wiseman does not like that men should be serious

in reading the Bible>

WORLD. How camest thou by the burden at first?

CHR. By reading this book in my hand.

WORLD. I thought so; and it is 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 unman men,

as thine, I perceive, have done thee, but they run them upon

desperate ventures to obtain they know not what.

CHR. I know what I would obtain; it is ease for my heavy burden.

{42}

WORLD. But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers

attend it? 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, I will add, that instead of

those dangers, thou shalt meet with much safety, friendship,

and content.

CHR. Pray, Sir, open this secret to me.

{43}

WORLD. Why, in yonder village--the village is named Morality--

there dwells a gentleman whose name is Legality, a very judicious man,

and a man of very good name, that has skill to help men off

with such burdens as thine are from their shoulders: yea,

to my knowledge, he hath done a great deal of good this way;

ay, and besides, he hath skill 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 hath a 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 mayest be

eased of thy burden; and 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 thee to this village,

where there are houses now stand empty, one of which thou mayest have

at reasonable rates; provision is there also cheap and good;

and that which will make thy life the more happy is, to be sure,

there thou shalt live by honest neighbours, in credit and good fashion.

{44}

Now was Christian somewhat at a stand; but presently he concluded,

if this be true, which this gentleman hath said, my wisest course

is to take his advice; and with that he thus further spoke.

{45}

CHR. Sir, which is my way to this honest man's house?

WORLD. Do you see yonder hill?

CHR. Yes, very well.

WORLD. By that hill you must go, and the first house you come at

is his.

{46}

So Christian turned out of his way to go to Mr. 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

out of the hill, that made Christian afraid that he should be burned.

[Ex. 19:16,18] Here, therefore, he sweat and did quake for fear.

[Heb. 12:21]

When Christians unto carnal men give ear,

Out of their way they go, and pay for 't dear;

For Master Worldly Wiseman can but shew

A saint the way to bondage and to woe.

{47}

<Evangelist findeth Christian under Mount Sinai, and looketh severely

upon him>

And now he began to be sorry that he had taken Mr. 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.

{48}

EVAN. What dost thou here, Christian? said he: at which words

Christian knew not what to answer; wherefore at present he stood

speechless before him. Then said Evangelist further,

Art not thou the man that I found crying without the walls

of the City of Destruction?

CHR. Yes, dear Sir, I am the man.

EVAN. Did not I direct thee the way to the little wicket-gate?

CHR. Yes, dear Sir, said Christian.

EVAN. How is it, then, that thou art so quickly turned aside?

for thou art now out of the way.

{49}

CHR. I met with a gentleman so soon as I had got over

the Slough of Despond, who persuaded me that I might,

in the village before me, find a man that would take off my burden.

EVAN. What was he?

CHR. 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.

EVAN. What said that gentleman to you?

CHR. Why, he asked me whither I was going, and I told him.

EVAN. And what said he then?

CHR. He asked me if I had a family? And I told him. But, said I,

I am so loaden with the burden that is on my back, that I cannot

take pleasure in them as formerly.

EVAN. And what said he then?

{50}

CHR. He bid me with speed get rid of my burden; and I told him

that it was ease that I sought. And said I, I am therefore going

to yonder gate, to receive further direction how I may get to the place

of deliverance. So he said that he would shew 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 hath 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

of my burden. But when I came to this place, and beheld things

as they are, I stopped for fear (as I said) of danger:

but I now know not what to do.