p251-p300

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{251}

SAVE-ALL. That is bad, but we read of some that are righteous overmuch;

and such men's rigidness prevails with them to judge and condemn

all but themselves. But, I pray, what, and how many,

were the things wherein you differed?

BY-ENDS. Why, they, after their headstrong manner,

conclude that it is duty to rush on their journey all weathers;

and I am for waiting for wind and tide. They are for hazarding all

for God at a clap; and I am for taking all advantages to secure

my life and estate. They are for holding their notions,

though all other men are against them; but I am for religion in what,

and so far as the times, and my safety, will bear it. They are for

religion when in rags and contempt; but I am for him when he walks

in his golden slippers, in the sunshine, and with applause.

{252}

HOLD-THE-WORLD. Ay, and hold you there still, good Mr. By-ends;

for, for my part, I can count him but a fool, that, having the liberty

to keep what he has, shall be so unwise as to lose it.

Let us be wise as serpents; it is best to make hay when the sun shines;

you see how the bee lieth still all winter, and bestirs her only

when she can have profit with pleasure. God sends sometimes rain,

and sometimes sunshine; if they be such fools to go through the first,

yet let us be content to take fair weather along with us. For my part,

I like that religion best that will stand with the security

of God's good blessings unto us; for who can imagine,

that is ruled by his reason, since God has bestowed upon us

the good things of this life, but that he would have us keep them

for his sake? Abraham and Solomon grew rich in religion.

And Job says, that a good man shall lay up gold as dust.

But he must not be such as the men before us, if they be

as you have described them.

SAVE-ALL. I think that we are all agreed in this matter,

and therefore there needs no more words about it.

MONEY-LOVE. No, there needs no more words about this matter,

indeed; for he that believes neither Scripture nor reason

(and you see we have both on our side) neither knows his own liberty,

nor seeks his own safety.

{253}

BY-ENDS. My brethren, we are, as you see, going all on pilgrimage;

and, for our better diversion from things that are bad,

give me leave to propound unto you this question:--

Suppose a man, a minister, or a tradesman, &c., should have

an advantage lie before him, to get the good blessings of this life,

yet so as that he can by no means come by them except,

in appearance at least, he becomes extraordinarily zealous

in some points of religion that he meddled not with before,

may he not use these means to attain his end, and yet be

a right honest man?

{254}

MONEY-LOVE. I see the bottom of your question; and,

with these gentlemen's good leave, I will endeavour to shape you

an answer. And first, to speak to your question as it concerns

a minister himself: Suppose a minister, a worthy man,

possessed but of a very small benefice, and has in his eye a greater,

more fat, and plump by far; he has also now an opportunity

of getting of it, yet so as by being more studious, by preaching

more frequently and zealously, and, because the temper of the people

requires it, by altering of some of his principles; for my part,

I see no reason but a man may do this, (provided he has a call), ay,

and more a great deal besides, and yet be an honest man. For why--

{255}

1. His desire of a greater benefice is lawful, (this cannot

be contradicted), since it is set before him by Providence; so then,

he may get it, if he can, making no question for conscience' sake.

{256}

2. Besides, his desire after that benefice makes him more studious,

a more zealous preacher, &c., and so makes him a better man;

yea, makes him better improve his parts, which is according to

the mind of God.

{257}

3. Now, as for his complying with the temper of his people,

by dissenting, to serve them, some of his principles,

this argueth, (1) That he is of a self-denying, temper;

(2) Of a sweet and winning deportment; and so (3) more fit

for the ministerial function.

{258}

4. I conclude, then, that a minister that changes a small for a great,

should not, for so doing, be judged as covetous; but rather,

since he has improved in his parts and industry thereby,

be counted as one that pursues his call, and the opportunity

put into his hands to do good.

{259}

And now to the second part of the question, which concerns

the tradesman you mentioned. Suppose such a one to have

but a poor employ in the world, but by becoming religious,

he may mend his market, perhaps get a rich wife, or more and far better

customers to his shop; for my part, I see no reason but that this

may be lawfully done. For why--

1. To become religious is a virtue, by what means soever

a man becomes so.

2. Nor is it unlawful to get a rich wife, or more custom to my shop.

3. Besides, the man that gets these by becoming religious, gets that

which is good, of them that are good, by becoming good himself;

so then here is a good wife, and good customers, and good gain,

and all these by becoming religious, which is good; therefore,

to become religious, to get all these, is a good and profitable design.

{260}

This answer, thus made by this Mr. Money-love to Mr. By-ends's question,

was highly applauded by them all; wherefore they concluded

upon the whole, that it was most wholesome and advantageous.

And because, as they thought, no man was able to contradict it,

and because Christian and Hopeful were yet within call,

they jointly agreed to assault them with the question as soon

as they overtook them; and the rather because they had opposed

Mr. By-ends before. So they called after them, and they stopped,

and stood still till they came up to them; but they concluded,

as they went, that not Mr. By-ends, but old Mr. Hold-the-world,

should propound the question to them, because, as they supposed,

their answer to him would be without the remainder of that heat

that was kindled betwixt Mr. By-ends and them, at their parting

a little before.

{260}

So they came up to each other, and after a short salutation,

Mr. Hold-the-world propounded the question to Christian and his fellow,

and bid them to answer it if they could.

CHR. Then said Christian, Even a babe in religion may answer

ten thousand such questions. For if it be unlawful to follow Christ

for loaves, (as it is in the sixth of John), how much more

abominable is it to make of him and religion a stalking-horse

to get and enjoy the world! Nor do we find any other than heathens,

hypocrites, devils, and witches, that are of this opinion.

{261}

1. Heathens; for when Hamor and Shechem had a mind to the daughter

and cattle of Jacob, and saw that there was no way for them

to come at them, but by becoming circumcised, they say

to their companions, If every male of us be circumcised,

as they are circumcised, shall not their cattle, and their substance,

and every beast of theirs, be ours? Their daughter and their cattle

were that which they sought to obtain, and their religion

the stalking-horse they made use of to come at them.

Read the whole story. [Gen. 34:20-23]

{262}

2. The hypocritical Pharisees were also of this religion;

long prayers were their pretence, but to get widows' houses

was their intent; and greater damnation was from God their judgment.

[Luke 20:46-47]

{263}

3. Judas the devil was also of this religion; he was religious

for the bag, that he might be possessed of what was therein;

but he was lost, cast away, and the very son of perdition.

{264}

4. Simon the witch was of this religion too; for he would have had

the Holy Ghost, that he might have got money therewith;

and his sentence from Peter's mouth was according. [Acts 8:19-22]

{265}

5. Neither will it out of my mind, but that that man that

takes up religion for the world, will throw away religion for the world;

for so surely as Judas resigned the world in becoming religious,

so surely did he also sell religion and his Master for the same.

To answer the question, therefore, affirmatively, as I perceive

you have done, and to accept of, as authentic, such answer,

is both heathenish, hypocritical, and devilish; and your reward will be

according to your works. Then they stood staring one upon another,

but had not wherewith to answer Christian. Hopeful also approved of

the soundness of Christian's answer; so there was a great silence

among them. Mr. By-ends and his company also staggered and kept behind,

that Christian and Hopeful might outgo them. Then said Christian

to his fellow, If these men cannot stand before the sentence of men,

what will they do with the sentence of God? And if they are mute

when dealt with by vessels of clay, what will they do when they shall be

rebuked by the flames of a devouring fire?

{266}

Then Christian and Hopeful outwent them again, and went till they came

to a delicate plain called Ease, where they went with much content;

but that plain was but narrow, so they were quickly got over it.

<Lucre Hill a dangerous hill> Now at the further side of that plain

was a little hill called Lucre, and in that hill a silver mine,

which some of them that had formerly gone that way,

because of the rarity of it, had turned aside to see; but going too near

the brink of the pit, the ground being deceitful under them, broke,

and they were slain; some also had been maimed there, and could not,

to their dying day, be their own men again.

{267}

<Demas at the Hill Lucre. He calls to Christian and Hopeful

to come to him>

Then I saw in my dream, that a little off the road,

over against the silver mine, stood Demas (gentlemanlike)

to call to passengers to come and see; who said to Christian

and his fellow, Ho! turn aside hither, and I will show you a thing.

CHR. What thing so deserving as to turn us out of the way to see it?

DEMAS. Here is a silver mine, and some digging in it for treasure.

If you will come, with a little pains you may richly provide

for yourselves.

{268}

Hope. Then said Hopeful, Let us go see.

CHR. Not I, said Christian, I have heard of this place before now;

and how many have there been slain; and besides that,

treasure is a snare to those that seek it; for it hindereth them

in their pilgrimage. Then Christian called to Demas, saying,

Is not the place dangerous? Hath it not hindered many

in their pilgrimage? [Hos. 14:8]

DEMAS. Not very dangerous, except to those that are careless,

(but withal, he blushed as he spake).

CHR. Then said Christian to Hopeful, Let us not stir a step,

but still keep on our way.

HOPE. I will warrant you, when By-ends comes up, if he hath

the same invitation as we, he will turn in thither to see.

CHR. No doubt thereof, for his principles lead him that way,

and a hundred to one but he dies there.

DEMAS. Then Demas called again, saying, But will you not

come over and see?

{269}

CHR. Then Christian roundly answered, saying, Demas,

thou art an enemy to the right ways of the Lord of this way,

and hast been already condemned for thine own turning aside,

by one of His Majesty's judges [2 Tim. 4:10]; and why seekest thou

to bring us into the like condemnation? Besides, if we at all

turn aside, our Lord and King will certainly hear thereof,

and will there put us to shame, where we would stand with boldness

before him.

Demas cried again, that he also was one of their fraternity;

and that if they would tarry a little, he also himself

would walk with them.

{270}

CHR. Then said Christian, What is thy name? Is it not the same

by the which I have called thee?

DEMAS. Yes, my name is Demas; I am the son of Abraham.

CHR. I know you; Gehazi was your great-grandfather,

and Judas your father; and you have trod in their steps.

[2 Kings 5:20, Matt. 26:14,15, 27:1-5] It is but a devilish prank

that thou usest; thy father was hanged for a traitor,

and thou deservest no better reward. Assure thyself,

that when we come to the King, we will do him word of this

thy behaviour. Thus they went their way.

{271}

<By-ends goes over to Demas>

By this time By-ends and his companions were come again within sight,

and they, at the first beck, went over to Demas. Now,

whether they fell into the pit by looking over the brink thereof,

or whether they went down to dig, or whether they were smothered

in the bottom by the damps that commonly arise, of these things

I am not certain; but this I observed, that they never were seen again

in the way. Then sang Christian--

By-ends and silver Demas both agree;

One calls, the other runs, that he may be

A sharer in his lucre; so these do

Take up in this world, and no further go.

{272}

Now I saw that, just on the other side of this plain,

the pilgrims came to a place where stood an old monument,

hard by the highway side, at the sight of which they were

both concerned, because of the strangeness of the form thereof;

for it seemed to them as if it had been a woman transformed

into the shape of a pillar; here, therefore they stood looking,

and looking upon it, but could not for a time tell what

they should make thereof. At last Hopeful espied written above

the head thereof, a writing in an unusual hand; but he being no scholar,

called to Christian (for he was learned) to see if he could pick out

the meaning; so he came, and after a little laying of letters together,

he found the same to be this, "Remember Lot's Wife". So he read it

to his fellow; after which they both concluded that that was

the pillar of salt into which Lot's wife was turned,

for her looking back with a covetous heart, when she was going

from Sodom for safety. [Gen. 19:26] Which sudden and amazing sight

gave them occasion of this discourse.

{273}

CHR. Ah, my brother! this is a seasonable sight;

it came opportunely to us after the invitation which Demas gave us

to come over to view the Hill Lucre; and had we gone over,

as he desired us, and as thou wast inclining to do, my brother,

we had, for aught I know, been made ourselves like this woman,

a spectacle for those that shall come after to behold.

HOPE. I am sorry that I was so foolish, and am made to wonder

that I am not now as Lot's wife; for wherein was the difference betwixt

her sin and mine? She only looked back; and I had a desire to go see.

Let grace be adored, and let me be ashamed that ever such a thing

should be in mine heart.

{274}

CHR. Let us take notice of what we see here, for our help

for time to come. This woman escaped one judgment,

for she fell not by the destruction of Sodom; yet she was destroyed

by another, as we see she is turned into a pillar of salt.

HOPE. True; and she may be to us both caution and example;

caution, that we should shun her sin; or a sign of what judgment

will overtake such as shall not be prevented by this caution;

so Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, with the two hundred and fifty men

that perished in their sin, did also become a sign or example to others

to beware. [Num. 26:9,10] But above all, I muse at one thing, to wit,

how Demas and his fellows can stand so confidently yonder to look for

that treasure, which this woman, but for looking behind her after,

(for we read not that she stepped one foot out of the way) was turned

into a pillar of salt; especially since the judgment which overtook her

did make her an example, within sight of where they are;

for they cannot choose but see her, did they but lift up their eyes.

{275}

CHR. It is a thing to be wondered at, and it argueth that

their hearts are grown desperate in the case; and I cannot tell who

to compare them to so fitly, as to them that pick pockets

in the presence of the judge, or that will cut purses under the gallows.

It is said of the men of Sodom, that they were sinners exceedingly,

because they were sinners before the Lord, that is, in his eyesight,

and notwithstanding the kindnesses that he had showed them [Gen. 13:13];

for the land of Sodom was now like the garden of Eden heretofore.

[Gen. 13:10] This, therefore, provoked him the more to jealousy,

and made their plague as hot as the fire of the Lord out of heaven

could make it. And it is most rationally to be concluded, that such,

even such as these are, that shall sin in the sight, yea,

and that too in despite of such examples that are set continually

before them, to caution them to the contrary, must be partakers

of severest judgments.

HOPE. Doubtless thou hast said the truth; but what a mercy is it,

that neither thou, but especially I, am not made myself this example!

This ministereth occasion to us to thank God, to fear before him,

and always to remember Lot's wife.

{276}

I saw, then, that they went on their way to a pleasant river;

which David the king called "the river of God", but John,

"the river of the water of life". [Ps. 65:9, Rev. 22, Ezek. 47]

Now their way lay just upon the bank of the river; here, therefore,

Christian and his companion walked with great delight;

they drank also of the water of the river, which was pleasant,

and enlivening to their weary spirits: <Trees by the river.

The fruit and leaves of the tree> besides, on the banks of this river,

on either side, were green trees, that bore all manner of fruit;

and the leaves of the trees were good for medicine;

with the fruit of these trees they were also much delighted;

and the leaves they eat to prevent surfeits, and other diseases

that are incident to those that heat their blood by travels.

<A meadow in which they lie down to sleep> On either side of the river

was also a meadow, curiously beautified with lilies, and it was green

all the year long. In this meadow they lay down, and slept;

for here they might lie down safely. When they awoke,

they gathered again of the fruit of the trees, and drank again

of the water of the river, and then lay down again to sleep.

[Ps. 23:2, Isa. 14:30] Thus they did several days and nights.

Then they sang--

Behold ye how these crystal streams do glide,

To comfort pilgrims by the highway side;

The meadows green, beside their fragrant smell,

Yield dainties for them; and he that can tell

What pleasant fruit, yea, leaves, these trees do yield,

Will soon sell all, that he may buy this field.

So when they were disposed to go on, (for they were not, as yet,

at their journey's end,) they ate and drank, and departed.

{277}

<By-path Meadow>

Now, I beheld in my dream, that they had not journeyed far,

but the river and the way for a time parted; at which they were not

a little sorry; yet they durst not go out of the way.

Now the way from the river was rough, and their feet tender,

by reason of their travels; so the souls of the pilgrims

were much discouraged because of the way. [Num. 21:4] Wherefore,

still as they went on, they wished for better way. Now,

a little before them, there was on the left hand of the road a meadow,

and a stile to go over into it; and that meadow is called

By-path Meadow. <One temptation does make way for another> Then said

Christian to his fellow, If this meadow lieth along by our wayside,

let us go over into it. Then he went to the stile to see, and behold,

a path lay along by the way, on the other side of the fence.

It is according to my wish, said Christian. Here is the easiest going;

come, good Hopeful, and let us go over.

{278}

HOPE. But how if this path should lead us out of the way?

CHR. That is not like, said the other. Look, doth it not go along

by the wayside? So Hopeful, being persuaded by his fellow,

went after him over the stile. <See what it is too suddenly

to fall in with strangers> When they were gone over,

and were got into the path, they found it very easy for their feet;

and withal, they, looking before them, espied a man walking as they did,

(and his name was Vain-confidence); so they called after him,

and asked him whither that way led. He said, To the Celestial Gate.

Look, said Christian, did not I tell you so? By this you may see

we are right. So they followed, and he went before them.

But, behold, the night came on, and it grew very dark;

so that they that were behind lost the sight of him that went before.

{279}

He, therefore, that went before, (Vain-confidence by name),

not seeing the way before him, fell into a deep pit [Isa. 9:16],

which was on purpose there made, by the Prince of those grounds,

to catch vain-glorious fools withal, and was dashed in pieces

with his fall.

{280}

Now Christian and his fellow heard him fall. So they called to know

the matter, but there was none to answer, only they heard a groaning.

Then said Hopeful, Where are we now? Then was his fellow silent,

as mistrusting that he had led him out of the way; and now it began

to rain, and thunder, and lighten in a very dreadful manner;

and the water rose amain.

Then Hopeful groaned in himself, saying, Oh, that I had kept on my way!

{281}

CHR. Who could have thought that this path should have led us

out of the way?

HOPE. I was afraid on it at the very first, and therefore gave you

that gentle caution. I would have spoken plainer, but that you

are older than I.

<Christian's repentance for leading of his brother out of the way>

CHR. Good brother, be not offended; I am sorry I have brought thee

out of the way, and that I have put thee into such imminent danger;

pray, my brother, forgive me; I did not do it of an evil intent.

HOPE. Be comforted, my brother, for I forgive thee; and believe, too,

that this shall be for our good.

CHR. I am glad I have with me a merciful brother; but we must not

stand thus: let us try to go back again.

HOPE. But, good brother, let me go before.

CHR. No, if you please, let me go first, that if there be any danger,

I may be first therein, because by my means we are both gone out

of the way.

{282}

HOPE. No, said Hopeful, you shall not go first; for your mind

being troubled may lead you out of the way again. Then,

for their encouragement, they heard the voice of one saying,

"Set thine heart toward the highway, even the way which thou wentest;

turn again." [Jer. 31:21] But by this time the waters

were greatly risen, by reason of which the way of going back

was very dangerous. (Then I thought that it is easier going out

of the way, when we are in, than going in when we are out.)

Yet they adventured to go back, but it was so dark,

and the flood was so high, that in their going back they had like

to have been drowned nine or ten times.

{283}

Neither could they, with all the skill they had, get again to the stile

that night. Wherefore, at last, lighting under a little shelter,

they sat down there until the daybreak; but, being weary,

they fell asleep. <He finds them in his grounds, and carries them

to Doubting Castle> Now there was, not far from the place

where they lay, a castle called Doubting Castle, the owner whereof

was Giant Despair; and it was in his grounds they now were sleeping:

wherefore he, getting up in the morning early, and walking up and down

in his fields, caught Christian and Hopeful asleep in his grounds.

Then, with a grim and surly voice, he bid them awake; and asked them

whence they were, and what they did in his grounds. They told him

they were pilgrims, and that they had lost their way.

Then said the Giant, You have this night trespassed on me,

by trampling in and lying on my grounds, and therefore you must go along

with me. So they were forced to go, because he was stronger than they.

They also had but little to say, for they knew themselves in a fault.

<The grievousness of their imprisonment> The Giant, therefore,

drove them before him, and put them into his castle,

into a very dark dungeon, nasty and stinking to the spirits of these

two men. [Ps. 88:18] Here, then, they lay from Wednesday morning

till Saturday night, without one bit of bread, or drop of drink,

or light, or any to ask how they did; they were, therefore,

here in evil case, and were far from friends and acquaintance.

Now in this place Christian had double sorrow, because it was through

his unadvised counsel that they were brought into this distress.

The pilgrims now, to gratify the flesh,

Will seek its ease; but oh! how they afresh

Do thereby plunge themselves new griefs into!

Who seek to please the flesh, themselves undo.

{284}

Now, Giant Despair had a wife, and her name was Diffidence.

So when he was gone to bed, he told his wife what he had done; to wit,

that he had taken a couple of prisoners and cast them into his dungeon,

for trespassing on his grounds. Then he asked her also what he

had best to do further to them. So she asked him what they were,

whence they came, and whither they were bound; and he told her.

Then she counselled him that when he arose in the morning

he should beat them without any mercy. So, when he arose,

he getteth him a grievous crab-tree cudgel, and goes down into

the dungeon to them, and there first falls to rating of them

as if they were dogs, although they never gave him a word of distaste.

Then he falls upon them, and beats them fearfully, in such sort that

they were not able to help themselves, or to turn them upon the floor.

This done, he withdraws and leaves them there to condole their misery

and to mourn under their distress. So all that day they spent the time

in nothing but sighs and bitter lamentations. The next night, she,

talking with her husband about them further, and understanding they were

yet alive, did advise him to counsel them to make away themselves.

So when morning was come, he goes to them in a surly manner as before,

and perceiving them to be very sore with the stripes that he had

given them the day before, he told them, that since they were

never like to come out of that place, their only way would be forthwith

to make an end of themselves, either with knife, halter, or poison,

for why, said he, should you choose life, seeing it is attended

with so much bitterness? But they desired him to let them go.

<The giant sometimes has fits> With that he looked ugly upon them,

and, rushing to them, had doubtless made an end of them himself,

but that he fell into one of his fits, (for he sometimes,

in sunshiny weather, fell into fits), and lost for a time the use

of his hand; wherefore he withdrew, and left them as before, to consider

what to do. Then did the prisoners consult between themselves

whether it was best to take his counsel or no; and thus they began

to discourse:--

{285}

CHR. Brother, said Christian, what shall we do? The life that

we now live is miserable. For my part I know not whether is best,

to live thus, or to die out of hand. "My soul chooseth strangling

rather than life", and the grave is more easy for me than this dungeon.

[Job 7:15] Shall we be ruled by the Giant?

{286}

HOPE. Indeed, our present condition is dreadful, and death would be

far more welcome to me than thus for ever to abide; but yet,

let us consider, the Lord of the country to which we are going

hath said, Thou shalt do no murder: no, not to another man's person;

much more, then, are we forbidden to take his counsel to kill ourselves.

Besides, he that kills another, can but commit murder upon his body;

but for one to kill himself is to kill body and soul at once.

And, moreover, my brother, thou talkest of ease in the grave;

but hast thou forgotten the hell, for certain the murderers go?

"For no murderer hath eternal life," &c. And let us consider, again,

that all the law is not in the hand of Giant Despair. Others,

so far as I can understand, have been taken by him, as well as we;

and yet have escaped out of his hand. Who knows, but the God

that made the world may cause that Giant Despair may die? or that,

at some time or other, he may forget to lock us in? or that he may,

in a short time, have another of his fits before us, and may lose

the use of his limbs? and if ever that should come to pass again,

for my part, I am resolved to pluck up the heart of a man,

and to try my utmost to get from under his hand. I was a fool

that I did not try to do it before; but, however, my brother,

let us be patient, and endure a while. The time may come

that may give us a happy release; but let us not be our own murderers.

With these words Hopeful at present did moderate the mind

of his brother; so they continued together (in the dark) that day,

in their sad and doleful condition.

{287}

Well, towards evening, the Giant goes down into the dungeon again,

to see if his prisoners had taken his counsel; but when he came there

he found them alive; and truly, alive was all; for now,

what for want of bread and water, and by reason of the wounds

they received when he beat them, they could do little but breathe.

But, I say, he found them alive; at which he fell into a grievous rage,

and told them that, seeing they had disobeyed his counsel,

it should be worse with them than if they had never been born.

{288}

At this they trembled greatly, and I think that Christian

fell into a swoon; but, coming a little to himself again,

they renewed their discourse about the Giant's counsel; and whether yet

they had best to take it or no. Now Christian again seemed to be

for doing it, but Hopeful made his second reply as followeth:--

{289}

HOPE. My brother, said he, rememberest thou not how valiant

thou hast been heretofore? Apollyon could not crush thee,

nor could all that thou didst hear, or see, or feel,

in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. What hardship, terror,

and amazement hast thou already gone through! And art thou now

nothing but fear! Thou seest that I am in the dungeon with thee,

a far weaker man by nature than thou art; also, this Giant has wounded

me as well as thee, and hath also cut off the bread and water

from my mouth; and with thee I mourn without the light.

But let us exercise a little more patience; remember how thou

playedst the man at Vanity Fair, and wast neither afraid of the chain,

nor cage, nor yet of bloody death. Wherefore let us (at least

to avoid the shame, that becomes not a Christian to be found in)

bear up with patience as well as we can.

{290}

Now, night being come again, and the Giant and his wife being in bed,

she asked him concerning the prisoners, and if they had taken

his counsel. To which he replied, They are sturdy rogues,

they choose rather to bear all hardship, than to make away themselves.

Then said she, Take them into the castle-yard to-morrow, and show them

the bones and skulls of those that thou hast already despatched,

and make them believe, ere a week comes to an end, thou also wilt

tear them in pieces, as thou hast done their fellows before them.

{291}

<On Saturday, the Giant threatened that shortly he would

pull them in pieces>

So when the morning was come, the Giant goes to them again,

and takes them into the castle-yard, and shows them, as his wife

had bidden him. These, said he, were pilgrims as you are, once,

and they trespassed in my grounds, as you have done;

and when I thought fit, I tore them in pieces, and so, within ten days,

I will do you. Go, get you down to your den again; and with that

he beat them all the way thither. They lay, therefore,

all day on Saturday in a lamentable case, as before. Now,

when night was come, and when Mrs. Diffidence and her husband,

the Giant, were got to bed, they began to renew their discourse

of their prisoners; and withal the old Giant wondered,

that he could neither by his blows nor his counsel bring them to an end.

And with that his wife replied, I fear, said she, that they live in hope

that some will come to relieve them, or that they have picklocks

about them, by the means of which they hope to escape.

And sayest thou so, my dear? said the Giant; I will, therefore,

search them in the morning.

{292}

Well, on Saturday, about midnight, they began to pray,

and continued in prayer till almost break of day.

<A key in Christian's bosom, called Promise, opens any lock

in Doubting Castle>

Now, a little before it was day, good Christian, as one half amazed,

brake out in this passionate speech:-- What a fool, quoth he, am I,

thus to lie in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty!

I have a key in my bosom, called Promise, that will, I am persuaded,

open any lock in Doubting Castle. Then said Hopeful,

That is good news, good brother; pluck it out of thy bosom, and try.

{293}

Then Christian pulled it out of his bosom, and began to try

at the dungeon door, whose bolt (as he turned the key) gave back,

and the door flew open with ease, and Christian and Hopeful

both came out. Then he went to the outward door that leads into

the castle-yard, and, with his key, opened that door also.

After, he went to the iron gate, for that must be opened too;

but that lock went damnable hard, yet the key did open it.

Then they thrust open the gate to make their escape with speed,

but that gate, as it opened, made such a creaking, that it waked

Giant Despair, who, hastily rising to pursue his prisoners,

felt his limbs to fail, for his fits took him again,

so that he could by no means go after them. Then they went on,

and came to the King's highway, and so were safe, because they were

out of his jurisdiction.

{294}

Now, when they were over the stile, they began to contrive

with themselves what they should do at that stile to prevent those

that should come after from falling into the hands of Giant Despair.

So they consented to erect there a pillar, and to engrave upon

the side thereof this sentence--"Over this stile is the way

to Doubting Castle, which is kept by Giant Despair,

who despiseth the King of the Celestial Country, and seeks to destroy

his holy pilgrims." Many, therefore, that followed after

read what was written, and escaped the danger. This done,

they sang as follows:--

Out of the way we went, and then we found

What 'twas to tread upon forbidden ground;

And let them that come after have a care,

Lest heedlessness makes them, as we, to fare.

Lest they for trespassing his prisoners are,

Whose castle's Doubting, and whose name's Despair.

{295}

They went then till they came to the Delectable Mountains,

which mountains belong to the Lord of that hill of which

we have spoken before; so they went up to the mountains,

to behold the gardens and orchards, the vineyards and fountains

of water; where also they drank and washed themselves,

and did freely eat of the vineyards. <They are refreshed

in the mountains> Now there were on the tops of these mountains

Shepherds feeding their flocks, and they stood by the highway side.

<Talk with the Shepherds> The Pilgrims therefore went to them,

and leaning upon their staves, (as is common with weary pilgrims

when they stand to talk with any by the way), they asked,

Whose Delectable Mountains are these? And whose be the sheep

that feed upon them?

Mountains delectable they now ascend,

Where Shepherds be, which to them do commend

Alluring things, and things that cautious are,

Pilgrims are steady kept by faith and fear.

{296}

SHEP. These mountains are Immanuel's Land, and they are within sight

of his city; and the sheep also are his, and he laid down his life

for them. [John 10:11]

CHR. Is this the way to the Celestial City?

SHEP. You are just in your way.

CHR. How far is it thither?

SHEP. Too far for any but those that shall get thither indeed.

CHR. Is the way safe or dangerous?

SHEP. Safe for those for whom it is to be safe; but the transgressors

shall fall therein. [Hos. 14:9]

CHR. Is there, in this place, any relief for pilgrims

that are weary and faint in the way?

SHEP. The Lord of these mountains hath given us a charge not to be

forgetful to entertain strangers, therefore the good of the place

is before you. [Heb. 13:1-2]

{297}

I saw also in my dream, that when the Shepherds perceived

that they were wayfaring men, they also put questions to them,

to which they made answer as in other places; as, Whence came you?

and, How got you into the way? and, By what means have you

so persevered therein? For but few of them that begin to come hither

do show their face on these mountains. But when the Shepherds heard

their answers, being pleased therewith, they looked very lovingly

upon them, and said, Welcome to the Delectable Mountains.

{298}

The Shepherds, I say, whose names were Knowledge, Experience, Watchful,

and Sincere, took them by the hand, and had them to their tents,

and made them partake of that which was ready at present.

They said, moreover, We would that ye should stay here awhile,

to be acquainted with us; and yet more to solace yourselves

with the good of these Delectable Mountains. They then told them,

that they were content to stay; so they went to their rest that night,

because it was very late.

{299}

Then I saw in my dream, that in the morning the Shepherds called up

to Christian and Hopeful to walk with them upon the mountains;

so they went forth with them, and walked a while,

having a pleasant prospect on every side. Then said the Shepherds

one to another, Shall we show these pilgrims some wonders?

<The Mountain of Error> So when they had concluded to do it,

they had them first to the top of a hill called Error,

which was very steep on the furthest side, and bid them look down

to the bottom. So Christian and Hopeful looked down,

and saw at the bottom several men dashed all to pieces by a fall

that they had from the top. Then said Christian, What meaneth this?

The Shepherds answered, Have you not heard of them that were made to err

by hearkening to Hymeneus and Philetus as concerning the faith

of the resurrection of the body? [2 Tim. 2:17,18] They answered, Yes.

Then said the Shepherds, Those that you see lie dashed in pieces

at the bottom of this mountain are they; and they have continued

to this day unburied, as you see, for an example to others

to take heed how they clamber too high, or how they come too near

the brink of this mountain.

{300}

Then I saw that they had them to the top of another mountain,

and the name of that is Caution, and bid them look afar off;

which, when they did, they perceived, as they thought,

several men walking up and down among the tombs that were there;

and they perceived that the men were blind, because they

stumbled sometimes upon the tombs, and because they could not get out

from among them. Then said Christian, What means this?