IS? A 1847 i niE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, IN TWO PARTS i BY JOHN BUNYAN WITH NOTES, AND A LIFE OF THE AUTHOR, TUn F^E'ir. T. SCOTT, LATE CHAPLAIN TO THE LOCK HOSPITAt. PART FIRST, BOSTON: PHILLIPS AND SAMPSON, 110 Washington Street. 1847. .<# PREFACE. The high estimation in which < The Pilgrim's Progress' has been held for above a century, sufficiently evinces its intrinsic value : and there is every reason to suppose, that it will be read with admiration and advantage for ages to come ; probably till the consummation of all things. The pious Christian, in proportion to ' his growth in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus,' derives more and more instruc- tion from repeated perusals of this remarka- ble book ; while his enlarged experience and extended observation enable hun to unfold, with progressive evidence, the meaning of the agreeable similitudes employed by its inge- nious author. And even the careless or un- instructed reader is fascinated to attention, by the simple and artless manner in which the interesting narrative is arranged. Nor should this be represented as a mere amusement, which answers no farther purpose : for it has been observed by men of great discernment, 4 PREFACE. and acquaintance with the human mind, that young per&ons, having pei"u«ed the Pilgrim as a pleasing tale, have often retained a re- membrance of its leading mcidents, which, after continumg perhaps in a dormant state for several years, has at length germinated, as it were, into the most important and sea- sonable instruction ; while the events of their own lives placed it before their minds in a new and affecting point of view. It may, there- fore, be questioned, whether modern ages have produced any work which has more promoted the best interests of mankind. These observations indeed more especially apply to the first part of the Pilgrim's Pro- gress ; that being complete in itself, and in all respects superior to the second. Yet this, also, contains many edifying and interesting passages; though in unity of design, lU ar- rangement of incident, and in simplicity of allegory, it is not comparable to the other. Indeed, the author, in his first effort, had near- ly exhausted his subject ; and nothing re- mained, for this second attempt, but a few detached episodes (so to speak) to his original plan : nor could any vigour of genius have wrought them up to an equal degree of ex- cellence. It must, however, be allowed, that Blr. Bunyan here frequently sinks below hmi- self, both in fertility of invention, force of imagination, and aptness of illustration : nay, he sometimes even stoops to a puerile play of fancy, and a refined nicety in explaining doctrines, vvhich do not at all accord v/ith the PREFACE. 5 rest of the work. But the same grand prin- ciples of evangelical and practical religion, which stamp an inestimable vaJue on the first part, are in the second also exhibited with equal purity, though not with equal simplicity : and, on many occasions, the author rises su- perior to his disadvantages ; and introduces characters, or incidents, which arrest the attention, and interest the heart of every pious and intelligent reader. It would not perhaps be difficult to shew, that the Pilgrim's Progress, as first published, is as really an original production of vigor- ous native genius, as any of those works, in prose or verse, which have excited the admi- ration of mankind, through successive ages, and in different nations. It does not indeed possess those ornaments which are often mis- taken for intrinsic excellence : but the rude- ness of its style (which at the same time is characteristic of the subject) concurs to prove it a most extraordinary book : for, had it not been written with very great ingenuity, a religious treatise, evidently inculcating doc- trines always offensive, but now more un- fashionable than formerly, would not, in so homely a garb, have so durably attracted the attention of a polished age and nation Yet it is undeniable, tiiat Bunyan's Pilgrim contmues to be read and admired by vast mul- titudes ; while publications on a similar plan, by persons of respectable learning and tal- ents, are consigned to almost total neglect and oblivion ! 1# 6 PREFACE. This is not, however that view of the work, which entitles it to its highest hor*our, or most endears it to the pious mind : for, comparing it with the other productions of the same au- thor (which are indeed edifying to the humble believer, but not much suited to the taste of the ingenious,) we shall be led to conclude, that in penning this he was favoured with a pecu- liar measure of the Divine assistance : espe- cially when we recollect, that, within the con- fines of a jail, he was able so to delineate the Christian's course, with its various difficul- ties, perils, conflicts, &c., that scarcely any thing seems to have escaped his notice. In- deed, the accurate observer of the church in his own days, and the learned student of ec- clesiastical history, must be equally surprised to find, that hardly one remarkable charac- ter, good or bad, or mixed in any manner or proportion imaginable ; or that one fatal de- lusion, bye-path, or injurious mistake, can be singled out, which may not be paralleled in the Pilo-rim's Progress : that is, as to the grand outlines ; for the mmutice, about which bigoted and frivolous minds waste their zeal and force, are, with very few exceptions, wise- ly passed over. This circumstance is not only surprising, but it suggest an argument, not easily answered, in support of the truth of those religious sentiments, which are now often derided under the title of orthodoxy ; for every part of this singular book exclu- sively suits the different descriptions of such as profess those doctrines ; and relates PREF.iCE. 7 the experiences, mistakes, falls, recoveries distresses, temptations, conflicts, supports, and consolations of serious persons of this class in our own times, as exactly as if it had been penned from the observation of them, and for their immediate benefit : while, like the sacred Scriptures, it remains a sealed book to all who are strangers to evangelical religion. These remarks may very properly be con- cluded with the words of a justly admired po- et of the present day, who in the following iines has fully sanctioned all that has been ?>ere advanced — 'Oh thou, whom, borne on Fancy's eager wing Back to the season of life's happy spring, 1 pleas'd remember, anil while niem'iy yet Holds fast her ofBce here, can ne'er forget. Ingenious dreamer, in whose well-told tale Sweet fiction and sweet truth alike prevail, Whose hum'rous vein, strong sense, and simple style, Blay teach the gayest, make the gravest smile. Witty, anil well employ'd, and, like thy Lord, Speaking in parables his slighted word — I name thee not, lest so rlespised a name Should move a sneer at thy deserved fame ; Yet e'en in transitory life's late day That mingles all my brown with sober gray. Revere the man, whose Pilgrim marks the road And guides the progress of the soul to God. 'Tvvere well with most, if hooks that could engage Their childhood, pleased them at a riper age ; The man approving what had charmed the boy, Would die at last in comfort, peace, and joy, And not with curses on his art who stole The gem of trulh from his unguarded soul.' Cowper, Tirocinium, v. 129, In respect of the present edition of the Pilgrim's Progress it may be proper to ob- 8 PREFACE. serve, that it having become general to pub- lish every approved work in such a style of elegance, and with such decorations, as may recommend it to a place in the collections of the curious and affluent, and thus attract the notice of those who would perhaps otherwise have overlooked it ; something of this nature was proposed by the proprietors of this edi- tion, who deemed it requisite that it should be accompanied with original explanatory notes. Several persons have indeed already favoured the public with illustrations of this kind : but as the proprietors did not deem that consideration a sufficient reason for omitting this part of their design ; so the edi- tor, on mature deliberation, did not think himself precluded by it from communicating his sentiments on a favourite book, according to a plan he had formed in his own mind. Every man, who thinks for himself, has his own view of a subject, which commonly varies, more or less, from the sentiments of others, whom he nevertheless esteems and loves with great cordiality : and the great Head of the church has intrusted different talents to his servants, to qualify them for usefulness among distinct descriptions of persons. It is indeed incontrovertable, that some men will receive the great truths of Christianity with candour and docility, when exhibited in a style and manner suited to their peculiar taste, who disregard and reject them, when conveyed in language which numbers, perhaps justly, think far more interesting and affect- PREFACE. 9 ing. It need not, therefore, be apprehended, that the labours of different writers on the same subject should materially interfere witii each other : rather we may indulge a hope, that, as far as they accord to this standard of divine truth, they will, in different circles, pro- mote the common cause of vital godliness. The editor's aim, in this attempt to elu- cidate the Pilgrim's Progress, is, to give a brief key to the grand outlines of the allegory, from which the attentive reader may obtain a general idea of the author's design as ho proceeds ; to bestow more pains in fixing the precise meaning of those parts, which might most perplex the reader, and which seem to have most escaped the notice, or divided the sentiments of expositors ; to state and estab- lish, compendiously but clearly, those doctri- nal, practical, and experimental views of Christianity, which Mr. Bunyan meant to convey, guarding them carefully from those extremes and perversions which he never fa- voured, but which too frequently increase men's prejudices against them ; to delineate the more prominent features of his various characters, with a special reference to the present state of religious profession, and'with cautions to the reader, to distinguish accu- rately what he approves from the defects even of true pilgrims ; and, in fine, to give as just a representation, as may be, of the author's sentiments concerning the right way to hea- ven ; and of the many false ways, and bye- paths, which prove injurious to all who ven- /-^ 10 PREFACE. ture into them, and fatal to unnumbered mul- titudes. 1 In executing this plan, no informa- tion that he can procure is neglected ; but he does not invariably adhere to the sentiments of any man : and while his dependance is. placed, as he hopes, on the promised teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, he does not think himself authorized to spare any pains, in en- deavouring to render the publication accepta- ble and useful. t The text is, in most places, printed as it' stands in those old editions, which may be supposed to contain the author's own terms ; which latter editors have frequently modern- ized, A few obsolete or unclassical words, and unusual phrases, seem to become the character of the Pilgrim ; and they are often more emphatical than any which can be substituted in their stead. A few exceptions, however, are made to this rule ; as the au- thor, if living, would certainly change some expressions for others less offensive to modern ears. Great pains have been taken to collate different copies of the work, and to examine every scriptural reference ; in order to render this edition, in all respects, as correct as pos- sible.' The author's marginal references seemed so essential a part of the work, that it was deemed indispensably requisite to insert them in their places. But as the other mar- ginal notes do not appear to convey any ma- terial instruction distinct from that contained in the text, and to be principally useful in pointing out any passage, to which the read- PREFACE. 1 1 er might wish to refer, it was thought most advisable to omit them. _ Mr. Bunyan prefixed to each part of the Pilgrim's Progress a copy of verses : but as his poetry does not much suit the taste of these days, it hath been deemed expedient to omit them. That prefixed to the first part is entitled, ' The Author's Apology for his Book ;' but it is now generally allowed, that the book, so far from needing an apology, in- deed merits the highest commendation. In this he informs us, that he was unawares drawn into the allegory, when employed about another work ; that the farther he proceeded, the more rapidly did ideas flow into his mind ; that this induced him to form it into a sepa- rate book ; and that shewing it to his friends, ' Some said, John, print it ; others said, Not so ; Some said. It might do good ; others said, No.' The public will not hesitate in determining which opinion was the result of the deeper penetration ; but will wonder, that a long apology for such a publication should have been deemed necessary. This was, however, the case ; and the author, .having .solidly, though rather verbosely, answered several ob- jections, and adduced some obvious argu- ments in very unpoetical rhymes, concludes with these lines, which may serve as a fa- vourable specimen of the whole : — ' Would'st thou divert thyself from melancholy ? Would'st thou be pieasnnt, yet be far from foliy ? Would'st thou read riddles and their expliiiatiOn ? 12 PREFACE. Or else be dro>vnecl in tliy contemplation 1 Dost thou love picking meat 1 Or would'st thou see A man i' tlie clouds, and hear him speak to thee "i Would'st thou be in a dream, and yet not sleep 1 Or would'st thou in a moment laugh and weep 1 Or would'st thou lose thyself, and catch no harm 1 And find thyself again witliout a charm 1 Wou'd'st read thyself, and read thou know'st not what. And yet know whither thou art blest or not, By reading the same lines 1 O then come hither, And lay my book, thy heart and head together.' The poem prefixed to the second part, in a kind of dialogue with his book, is less inter- esting ; and serves to shew, that the pious autlior had a more favourable opinion of its comparative merit than posterity has formed ; which is no singular case. It is, therefore, presumed, that the omission of it in this edi- tion will not be thought to require any farther apology with the more judicious admirers of the work. Some verses are likewise found at the bottom of certain places that accompa- nied the old editions, which they, who omit the plates, or substitute others, know not where to insert. To shew all regard, howev- er, to every thing that Mr. Bunyan wrote as a part of the work, such as are most material may be found in the notes on the incidents to which they refer T. SCOTT. THE LIFE OF JOHN BUNYAN The celebrated author of the Pilgrim's Pro- gress was born, A. D. 1628, at Elstow, a smallj village near Bedford. His father earned his| bread by the low occupation of a common^ tinker ; but he bore a fair character, and took care that his son, whom he brought up to the same business, should be taught to read and write. We are told, indeed, that he quickly forgot all he had learned, through his extreme profligacy ; yet it is probable, that he retain- ed so much as enabled him to recover the rest, when his mind became better disposed, and that it was very useful to him in the subsequent part of his life. The materials, from which an account of this valuable man must be compiled, are so scanty and confused, that nothing very satis- factory should be expected. He seems from his earliest youth to have been greatly addict- ed to impiety and profligacy ; yet he was in- terrupted in his course by continual alarms and convictions, which were sometimes pecu- liarly overwhelming, but had no other efl^ect at the time, than to extort from him the most absurd wishes that can be imagined. A co- pious narrative of these early conflicts and crimes is contained in a treatise published by himself, under the title of ' Grace abounding to the chief of Sinn-ers ' Vol. I. 2 14 THE LIFE OF During this part of his life he was twice preserved from the most imminent danger of drowning : and being a soldier in the parlia- ment's army at the siege of Leicester, A. J). 1645, he was drawn out to stand centinel • but one of his comrades, having by his own desire taken his place, was shot through the head on his post ; and thus Bunyan was reserved by the all disposing hand of God for better purpos- es. He seems, however, to have made pro- gressive advances in wickedness, and to have become the ringleader of youth in every kind of profaneness and excess. His career of vice received a considera- ble check, in consequence of his marriage with the daughter of a person, who had been very religious in his way, and remarkably bold in reproving vice, but who was then dead. His wife's discourse to him concern- ing her father's piety e.xcited him to go regu- larly to church : and as she brought him, for her whole portion. The practice of Piety, and, the Plain Man's Pathway to Heaven, he em- ployed himself frequently in reading these books. The events recorded of our author are so destitute of dates, or regard to the order in which they happened, that no clear arrange- ment can now be made of them : but it is probable, that this new attention to religion, though ineffectual to the reformation of his conduct, rendered him more susceptible of convictions ; and his vigorous imagination, at the time wholly unrestrained by knowledge or JOHN BUNYAN. li» discretion, laid him open to a variety of im- pressions, sleeping and waking, wWcli he verily supposed to arise from words spoken to him, or objects presented before his bodily senses ; and he never after was able to break the association of ideas thus formed in his mind. Accordingly he says, that one day, when he was engaged in divei-sion with his companions, ' A voice did suddenly dart from heaven into my soul, which said, Wilt thou leave thy sins and go to licaven, or have thy sins and go to hell ?' The consciousness of his wicked course of life, accompanied with the recollection of the truths he had read, sud- denly meeting, as it were, in his mind, thus produced a violent alarm, and made such an impression on his imagination, that he se-emed to liave heard these words, and to have seen Christ frowning and menacing him. But we must not suppose, that there was any mir- acle wrouglit ; nor could there be any oc- casion for a new revelation to suggest or en- force so scriptural a warning. This may serve as a specimen of those impressions, which constitute a large part of his religious experience •, but which need not be particu- larized in this place. He was next tempted to 'conclude, that it was then too late to repent or seek salvation ; and, as he ignorantly listened to the sugges- tion, he indulged his corrupt inclinations without restraint, imagining that this was the only Avay in wliich he could possibly have the leiisf. ovMr Bunyan. Bunyan is indeed as decidedly the first ofallegorists, as Demosihenes is the first of orators, or Shakspeare the first of dramati.^ts. Other allegorists have shown equal ingenuity; but no other allegorist has ever been able to touch the heart, and to make abstractions objects of terror, of pity, and of love. .^rfjT ii>tf' ***^ 28 THE LIFE OF He was undoubtedly endued with extraor- dinary natural talents ; his understanding, discernment, memory, invention, and imagin- ation, were remarkably sound and vigorous : so that he made very great proficiency in the knowledge of scriptural divinity, though brought up in ignorance ; but he never made much progress in human learning. Even such persons, as did not favour his religious principles, have done ample justice to his Tl.e ,arl?3§.ltf^l>,';>ft'V^ftrfi- .The,.„RQlfi.h,r3tP-4*D^ n.nToferiTvme, w.tl, tJsmsle e tion of Eilwarils. These Jiscciirses are I'amiliar to theologians wherever the English language is spoken.- OrUans Frotestaiit. His sermons are, by general consent, among the finest specimens of that kind of writing which the languaj (ords.— IHellwUist Quarttrly Review. Field's Scripture Illustrated, By Interesting Facts, Incidents, and Anecdotes. With an Introduction Rev. John Todd, D.D. 18mo, Roan, 60 cents ; Muslin, 50 cents. A collection of anecdotes illustrative of passages of .Siriptnre which are connected wilh them. The colle is made with great discrimination, and always with the earnest intention of doing good. We commend it he; narticularlv to o.- ..-.."-«-»• ' ' » ■-^" ' ;'■-•'-"• -■■■h^--.--, -.-.-.-., .^i-wW,^. above all things wonderful, that liunyan's im- agination, fertile and vigorous in a very great degree, and wholly untutored by the rules of learning, should in this instance have been so disciplined by sound judgment, and deep ac- quaintance with the Scripture, as to produce, in the form of an allegory, one of the fairest and most unexceptionable treatises on the system of Calvinism, that can be found in the English language. In several of his other pub- lications his imagination sometimes carried him beyond just bounds : but here he avoids all ex- tremes, and seems not to deviate either to the right hand or to the left. Perhaps, as he was himself liable to depression of spirit, and had oassed through deep distresses, tho view he iOjIN BUNYAN. 29 gives of the pilgrim's temptation may be too gloomy ; but he has shown in the course of the workj that this arose principally from in- adequate views of evangelical truth, and the «iant of Christian communion, with the bene- fits to bo derived from the counsels of a faithful ministez T. SCOTT. 3=^ Bunyan. Bunyan is indeed as decidedly the first of allegorists, as Demoslhenes is the fir:ut the ground is good when they are once got in at the gate. (1 Sam. xii. 22.) No'.y I saw* in my dream, that by this time Pliable was got home to his house. So his neighbours came to visit him ; and some of them called him wise man for coming back ; and some called him fool for hazarding him- * ' Nnw I saw' — Tliey, wlio affect to despise real Cliris- lians, ol'teii Ijolli express mid feel great contempt for those that cast ofT tlieir profession ; t^iicli men are unable, for a time, to resume their wonted confidence anuing tlieir former companions ; and this excites them to pay court to tliem by reviling and deriding tliosc whom tiiey have forsaken. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 49 self 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 difficul- ties :' so Pliable sat sneaking among them. But at last he got more confidence, and then they all turned their tales, and began to de- ride poor Christian behind his back. And tlms much concerning Pliable. Now as Christian was walking solitarily by himself, he spied one afar off, 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 ♦ ' Worldly- Wiseman' — The wise men of this worlil care- fully notice those who begin to turn their thoughts to relig- ion, and attempt to counteract their conviction before the case becomes desperate : from their desponding fears they take occasion to insinuate that tliey are deluded or disorder- ed in their minds ; that diey make too much ado about reli- gion J and that a decent regard to it (wiiich is all diat is requi- site) consists with the enjoyment of tiiis life, and even con- duces to secular advantage. Worldly-Wiseman, therefore, is a person of consequence, whose superiority gives hira in- fluence over poor pilgrims : he is a reputable and successful man ; prudent, sagacious, and acquainted with mankind ; moral and religious in his way, and qualified to give the very best counsel to those who wish to serve both God and Mam- mon : but he is decided in his judgment against all kinds and degrees of religion, which interfere with a man's worldly in- terest, disquiet his mind, or spoil his relish for outward en- joyments. He resides at Carnal-pohcy, a great town near the city of Destruction : for worKUy prudence, modelling a man's religion, is as ruinous as open vice and impieiy; tliough it be very prevalent among decent and virtuous peo- ple. Such men attend to tlie reports that are circulated about the conversion of tiieir neighbours, and often watcii tlieir opportunity of entering into e holy ^ i THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Chr. Yes, very well. World. By that hill you must go, and the first house you come at is his. 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 way side did hang so much over, that Christian was afraid to venture far- ther, lest the hill should fall on his head ; wnerefore, there he stood still, and wotted not what to do. Also his burthen now seem- ed 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 (Exod. xix. 16 — 18 ; Heb. xii. 21 ;) here, therefore, he sweat and did quake for fear. And now he began to be sorry that he had taken Mr. Worldly-Wise- man's counsel. And with that he saw Evan- gelist coming to meet him ; at the sight also law wliicli was ilelivered from that mountain (for 'they are alive without the law') ; but because tliey substitute their own scanty obedience in the place of Christ's rigiiteousness and atonement. They, who are not duly humbled and en- lighlene 1, iierceiving little danger, pass on quietly and se- curely : but the sinner, who is deeply convinced of his guilt, finds every attempt ' to establish hij own righteousness' en- tirely abortive : the more narrowly he compares his conduct and character with the holy law, the greater is his alarm : and he trembles lest its carses should immediately fall upon him, with vengeance more tremendous than the most awful thunder. Then the counsels of worldly wisdom appear in their true liglit, and the sinner is prepared to welcome the Gospel of free salvation : but if the minister, whose instruc- tions lie had f)rsaken, meet him, his terror will unite with conscious shame ; and he will even be tempted to shun his faithful fiiend, through fear of his mprWoH reproofs. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 57 of whom he began to blush for shame. So EvangeUst 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. 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 Evangel- ist farther, Art thou not the man that I found crying without the walls of the city of De- struction ? Chr. Yes, dear Sir, I am the man. Evan. Did not I direct thee the way to the little wicket-gate ? 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. Chr. I met with a gentleman, so soon as I had got over the slough of Despond, who per- suaded me that I might, in the village be- fore me, find a man that could take off my burthen. 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 ray head. Evan. What said that gentleman to yoa ? Chr. Why he asked me whither I was go- ing ; and I told him 58 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Tlvan. And what said he then ? Chr. He asked me if I had a family ; and I told him. But, said I, I am so loaded with the burthen that is on my back, that I cannot take pleasure in them as formerly. Evan. And what said he then .^ Chr. He bid me with speed get rid of my burthen ; and I told him it was ease that I sought. And, said I, I am therefore going to yonder gate to receive farther directions how 1 might get to the place of deliverance. So he said that he would shew me a better way, and short, not so attended with difficul- ties as the way, Sir, that you set me in , which way, said he, will direct you to a gen- tleman's house that has skill to take off' these burthens : so I believed him, and turned out of that way into this, if haply I might be soon eased of my burthen. But when 1 came to this place, and beheld things as they are, 1 stopped for fear, as I said, of danger ; but now know not what to do. Then, said Evangelist, stand still* a little, that I may shew thee the words of God. So * ' Stand still' — Our author judged it right, in dealing with persons under great terror of conscience, to aim rather at preparing lc' (Matt. X. 37—39 ; Mark viii. 34, 35 ; Lnko x\v. 26, 27 ; John xii. 25.) I say, therctbre, for amantolabour to persuade thee, th;it thiit shall be thy death, without which the truth hath said thou canst not have eternal life this doctrine ihou must abho! Thirdly, thou must hate his setting of tiiy feet in the way that leadeth to the ministra- tion of death. And for this thou must con- sider to whom he sent thee., and also, how un- able that person was to deliver thee from thy burthen. Vol. I. 6 62 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, He to whom* thou was sent for ease, being by name Legality, is ' the son of the bond- woman, which now is, and is in bondage with her children' (Gal. iv. 21 — 27 ;) and is, in a mystery, this mount Sinai, which thou has feared will fall on thy head. Now if she with her children are in bondage, how canst thou expect by them to be made free ? This Le- gality, therefore, is not able to set thee free from thy burthen. No man was as yet ever rid of his burthen by him ; no, nor ever is like to be. ' Ye cannot be justified by the works of the law ; for by deeds of the law no man living' can be rid of his burthen : there- fore, Mr. Worldly- Wiseman is an alien, and Mr. Legality a cheat ; and for his son Civili- ty, notwithstanding his simpering looks, he is * ' He to whom' — When Christ had finished his work on earth, tiie Sinai covenant with Israel was abrogated. The Jews, therefore, by cleaving to the Mosaic law as a complex covenant of works, were left in bondage and under condemna- tion ; and all professed Christians, who thus depend on no- tions, sacraments, religious duties, and morality, to the neg- lect of Christ and the new covenant in his blood, are entan- gled in the same fatal error. Legality can only lead a man to a false peace ; it can never deliver a sinner from guilt, or quiet the conscience of one who is really humbled and enlightejied. The Scriptures adduced by Evangelist are so pertinent and conclusive against the fashionable religion, which has at present almost superseded the Gospel, that they can never be fliirly answered : nay, the more any man con- siders them as the testimony of God, the greater must be his alarm (even as if he heard the voice from mount Sinai out of the midst of the fire ;) unless he be conscious of having re- nounced every other confidence, to ' flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before us' in the (iJospel. Such alarms pre- pare men to attend to the counsel of tliose who preach salva- tion by faith in Christ alone, provided there may yet be hope ; of which there is no reason to doubt. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 63 but a hypocrite; and cannot help thee. Be- lieve me, there is nothing in all this noise that thou hast heard of those sottish men, but a de- sign to beguile thee of thy salvation, by turn- ing thee from the way in which I had set thee. After this Evangelist called aloud to the heav- ens for confirmalion of what he had said ; and with that, there came words and fire out of the mountain under which poor Christian stood, that made the hair of his flesh stand up. The words were thus pronounced : ' As ma- ny as are of the works of the law are under the curse : for it is written. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them' (Gal. iii. 10.) . ,. , u Now Christian looked for nothmg but death, and began to cry out lamentably, even curs- ing the time in which he met with Mr. World- ly-Wiseman ; still calling himself a thousand fools for hearkening to his counsel. He also was crreatly ashamed to think that this gen- tleman's arguments, flowing only from the flesh, should have the prevalency with him as to cause him to forsake the right way. Ihis done, he applied himself again to Evangelist, in words and sense as follows : — Sir, what think you ? Is there 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 barkened to this man's counsel ; but may ray sin be forgiven ? 64 THE PILGROrS ?ROGRF.?.=' Then said Evangelist, to hhn, thy* sin is very great, for by it thou hast committed two evils ; thou hast forsaken the way that is o-ood, 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 lliat thou turn not aside again, ' lest thou per- ish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little' (Psal. ii. 12.) Then did Chris- tian address himselftogoback ; and Evangel- ist, after he had kissed him, gave him one smile, and bid him God speed. So he went on with haste, neither spake he to any man by the way ; nor if any asked him would he vouchsafe them any answer. He went like one that was all the while treading on forbidden ground, and could by no means think himself safe till again he was got into the way which he left to fol- low Mr. Worldly- Wiseman's counsel. So in process of time Christian got up tot the gate. * ' Thy sin' — In attempting to encourage those who des- pond, we should by no means persuade them that their sins are few or trivial, or even that they judge too hardly of their own comkict ; nay, we should endeavour to convince them, that their guilt is even far greater than they suppose ; though not tot) great to be pardoned by the infinite mercy of God in Clu-ist Jesus : for this tends to take them off more speedily froai every vain attempt to justify themselves, and renders them more unreserved in relying on Christ for acceptance. In the miilst ofihsmost affectionate encouragements, the faithful minister nmst also solemnly warn young converts not to turn aside ; nor can the himible ever find confidence or comfort, till they are conscious of having regained the way they had forsaken. t ' Got up to' — The gate, at which Christian desired ad mission, represents Christ himself, aj received by the penitent sinner in all his ofiic.es, and for all the purposes of salvation, according to the measureof his explicit knowledge ; by which WITH SCOTT'S NOTES 65 Now over the gate there was written, ' Knock, and it shall be opened unto you' (Matt. vii. 7,8.) he actually enters into a state of acceptance with God. The Scriptures referred to were spoken by our Lord himself, pre- vious to tl>e full revelation of his character and redemption ; and may be very properly explained of a man's finally and decidedly recouncing his worldly and sinful pursuits, and en- gaging with diligence and self-denial in a life of ilevdicdness to God. ' The broad road leads to destruction ;' the gate by which men enter into it is wide ; for we are all ' born in sin and the children of wrath,' and ' turn every one to his own way' of folly and transgression : but a strait gate opens into ' the narrow way that leadeth unto lile ;' and at this the penitent finds admission witli difficulty and conflict. As it is strait (or, in the language of the allegory, a wicket, or a little gate,) the convert cannot carry along with him any of his sinful practices, ungodly companions, worldly idols, or carnal confidences, when he strives to enter in at it ; nor can he ef- fectually contend with those enemies that obstruct his passage, unless he wrestle continually with God in prayer, for his gra- cious assistance. But, while we advert to these things, we must not forget, that the sinner returns to God by faith in Christ : genuine repentance comes from him and leads to him ; and the true believer not only trusts in the Lord fur salvation, but also seeks his liberty and happiness in his ser- vice. To enter in this manner, by Christ the door, is so contrary to man's pride and lusts, to the course of the world, and to the temptations of the devrl, that striving or wrest- ling is more necessary in this tlian it can be conceived to be in any other kind of conversion. Various things commoiiiy precede this unreserved acceptanse of Christ, in the experi- ence of those who are born of God ; but they are not easily distinguishable from many temporary convictions, impressions, and slarts of devotion, which evidently vanish and come to nothing. Yet even this is judiciously distinguished by our au- thor from that view of the cross by which Christian was de- livered from his burthen, for reasons which will speedily be stated. The following lines are here inserted, under an en- graving ; — ' He that would enter in, must first without Stand knocking at the gate, nor need he doubt. That is a knocker, but to enter in ; For God can love him, and forgive Itis sin.' 6* 66 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, He knocked therefore more than once or twice, saying — May I now enter here 1 Will lie within Open to sorry me, though I have been An undeserving rebel "? Then shall I Not fail to sing his lasting praise on high. At last there came a grave person to the gate, named Goodwill,* who asked who was there ? and whence he came ? and what he would have ? C/ir. Here is a poor burthened sinner. I come from the city of Destruction, but am going to mount Zion, that I may be delivered from the wrath to come. I would, therefore, Sir, since I am informed that by this gate is the way thither, know if you are willing to let me in. * ' Goodwill' — Goodwill seenis to be an allegorical person, die emblem of the compassionate love of God to siiineiis, in and through Jesus Clirist (Luke ii. 14.) He ' came fron? heaven to do the will of him that sent him,' and ' he will in no wise cast out any that come to him,' either on account of their former sins, or their present mistakes, infirmities, evil propensities and habits, or peculiar temptations. ' He waits to be gracious,' till sinners apply by earnest persevering prayer for his salvation ; and even the preparation of heart which leads to this is not requisite to induce the Lord to re- ceive them, but to make them willing to apply to him. Num- bers give themselves no concern about their souls ; others, af- ter convictions, turn back with Pliable, or finally cleave to the counsels of worldly wisdom : but all, who come to Christ with a real desire of his whole salvation, are cordially wel- comed ; over them angels rejoice, and in them tlie Redeemer ' sees of the travail of his soul and is satisfied.' So that in- quirei-3 are greatly mistaken when they fear lest Christ should reject them ; since they need only dread being tempted to re« jeiU him, or being partial and hypocriticalin their application V) him. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 67 I am willing with all my heart, said he. And with that he opened the gate. So wlicn* Christian was stepping in the other gave him a pull. Then said Christian, What means that ? The other told him, ' A little distance from tliis gate there is erected a strong castle, of which Beelzebub is the captain ; from thence both he and they that are with him shoot arrows at those that come up to this gate, if haply they may die before they can enter in.' Then said Christian, I rejoice and tremble So when he was got in, the man of the gate asked him who directed him thither. Chr. Evangelist bid me come hither and knock, as I did ; and he said that you. Sir, would tell me what I must do. Good. ' An open door is before thee, and no man can shut it.' Chr. Now I begin to reap the benefits of my hazards. * ' So when' — As sinners become more decided in apply- ing to Christ, and assiduous in tlie means of grace, Satan, if permitted, will be more vehement in his endeavours to dis- courage them; that, if possible, he may induce them to de- sist, and so to come short of the prize. Indeed, the Lord will accomplish the good work which he hath begun by his special grace ; but probably die powers of darkness cannot exactly distinguish between those impressions which are the effects of regeneration, and such as result from the excitement of natural passions. It is, however, certain, that they at- tempt to disturb those who earnestly C17 for mercy, by vari- ous suggestions, to which t^iey were wholly strangers, while satisfied with a form of gouliness : and that the Cliristian'a grand conflict, to the end of nis course, consists in surmount- ing ihe hindrances and opposition that he experiences, 'm keeping near to the throne of grace, by fervent, iraportun4te, and pfersevering prayer. 68 THE PILGRIM'S PR0GRF:SS, Good. But hoAv is it that you come alone ? Chr. Because none of my neighbours saw their danger, as I saw mine. Good. Did any of them know of your com- '"S ■ Chr. Yes, my wife and children saw me at the first, and called after me to turn again ; also some of my neighbours stood crying and calling after me to return ; but I put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my way. Good. But did none of them follow you to persuade you to go back ? Chr. Yes, both Obstinate and Pliable : but when they saw that they could not prevail, Obstinate went railing back, but Pliable came with me a little way. Good. But why did he not come through ? Chr. We indeed came both together until we came at the slough of Despond, into the which we also suddenly fell. And then was my neighbour Pliable discouraged, and would not adventure farther. Wherefore, getting out again on that side next to his own house he told me I should possess the brave country alone for him : so he went his way, and I came mine ; he after Obstinate, and I to this gate. Then said Goodwill, Alas, poor man ! is the celestial glory of so small esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazard of a few difficulties to obtain it ? Truly, sard Christian, I have said the truth of Pliable ; and if I should also say all the truth of myself, it will appear there is no bet- WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 69 terment* betwixt him and myself. It is true he went back to his own liouse, but I also turned aside to go into the way of death, be- ing persua-dcd (Ik it to by llie carnal argument of one Mr. Worldly-Wiseman. Good. Oh, did he light upon you ? What, he would have had you have sought for ease at the hands of Mr. Legality ! they are both of them very cheats. But did you take his counsel r Chr. Yes, as far as I durst. I went to find out Mr. Legality, until 1 thought that the mountain that stands by his house would have fallen upon my head ; wherefore there I was forced to stop. Good. That mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more. It is well you escaped ; being by it not dash- ed in pieces. Chr. Why, truly, I do not know what had become of me there, had not Evangelist hap- pily met me again as I was musing in the midst of my dumps : but it was God's mercy that he came to me again, for else I had never come hither. But now I am come, * ' Betterment' — Our author here puts a very emphatical word into Christian's mouth (' there is no betterment Ije- twlxi him and myself',) which later editors have changed for difference. This is far from an improvement, tliougU the word be more classical : for g^rare had made an immense difference between Christian and Plinble ; but the former thought his conduct equally criminal, and therelijre, in re- sfiect of their deservings, there w:i3 no betterment betwixt them. There are many alterations of a similar nature, in which the old copies have been generally followed ; but it woL'ld preclude more useful matter were they constantly noted. 70 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, such an one as I am, more fit i-ndeed foi death by that mountain, than thus to stand talking with my Lord. But, oh ! what a favour is this to me, that yet I am admitted entrance here. Good. We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they have done be- fore they come hither. ' They in no wise are cast out' (John vi. 37 ;) and therefore, good Christian, come a little way with me, and I will teach thee about the way thou must go. Look before thee ; dost thou see this narrow* way ? that is the way thou must go. It was cast up by the patriarchs, prophets, * ' Narrow' — Christian, being admitted at the strait gate, is directed in the narrow way. In the broad road every man may choose a path suited to his inclinations, shift about to avoid difficulties, or accommodate himself to circumstances ; and he will be sure of company agreeable to his taste. But Clwistians must follow one another in the narrow way, along the same track, surmounting difficulties, facing enemies, and bearing hardships, without any room to evade them : nor is any indulgence given to different tastes, habits, or propensi- ties. It is, therefore, a straitened, or, as some render the word, an afflicted way ; being indeed an habitual course of repentance, faith, love, self-denial, patience, and mortifica- tion to sin and the world, according to the rule of tlie Holy Scriptures. Christ himself is the way, by which we come to the Father and walk with him; but true faith works by love, and ' sets us in the way of his steps' (Psalm Ixxxv 13.) This path is also straight, as opposed to the crookea ways of wicked men (Psalm cxxv. 5 ;) for it consists in an uniform regard to piety, integrity, sincerity, and kindness at a distance from all the hypocrisies, frauds, and artifices by which ungodly men wind about, to avoid detection, keep up their credit, deceive others, or impose on themselves The question proposed by Christian impUes, that believer» are more afraid of missing the way, than encountering hard ships in it : and Goodwill's answer, tliat many ways butted down on it, or opened into it, in various directions, shews. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 71 Christ and his apostles, and it is as straight as a rule can make it : this is the way thou must But, said Christian, are there no turnings nor windings, by which a stranger may lose his way ? Good. Yes, there are many ways butt down upon this, and they are crooked and wide : but thus thou must distinguish the right from the wrong, the right only being strait and nar row (Matt. vii. 13, 14.) Then I saw in my dream, that Christian asked him* farther, if he could not help him off with the burthen that was upon his back : for as yet he had not got rid thereof, nor could he by any means get it off without help. that the careless and self-willed are extremely liable to be deceived : but it follows, that all these ways are crooked and wide; they turn aside from the direct line of living faith and holy obedience, and are more soot'liing, indulgent, and plea.«- 'ng to corrupt nature than the path of hfe ; w'hich lies straight forward, and is everywhere contrai-y to the bias of the carnal mind. * ' Asked him' — A general reliance on the mercy of God 1y faith in Christ, accompanied with consciousness of sin- cerity in applying for this salvation, gives some encourage- ment to the convinced sinner's hope ; and transient joys are often vouchsafed in a large proportion to unestablished be- lievers : but more distinct views of the glory of the Go.«pel are necessary to abiding peace. The young convert's con- solations resemble the breaking forth of the sun in a cloudy and tempestuous day ; those of the experienced Christian, lii.« more constant light in settled weather, which is not long togeth er interrupted, tliough it be sometimes dimmed by intervenin" clouds. Believers should not, therefore, rest in such tran sient glimpses, but press forward to more abiding peace and joy: and, as Clirist does not in general bestow this blessin" on tlie imestahlished, the endeavours of ministers to do so mus)' be vain. 72 THE PILGRIBI'S PROGRESS, He told him, As to thy burthen, be content to bear it until thou comest to the place of de- liverance ; for there it will fall from thy back of itself. Then Christian began to gird up his loins, and to address himself to his journey. So the other told him, that by that he was gone some distance from the gate he would come at the house of* the Interpreter, at whose door he should knock, and he would shew him ex- cellent things. Then Christian took his leave of his friend, and he again bid him God speed. Then he went on till he came to the house of the Interpreter, where he knocked over and over : at last one came to the door, and ask- ed who was there ? Chr. Sir, here is a traveller, who was bid * ' Hous^ of — We continually meet with fresh proofs of our author's exact acquaintance with the Scriptures, hia sound •utlgment, deep experience, and extensive observation. With great propriety he places the house of the Interpreter beyond the strait gate : for the knowledge of divine things, which precedes conversion to God by faith in Christ, is very scanty, compared with the diligent believer's subsequent attainments. A few leading truths deeply impressed on the heart, and pro- ducing efficacious fears, hopes, desires, and affections, char- acterize the state of a new-born babe : but reliance on the mercy of God through Jesus Christ prepares him to receive farther instruction : and, ' having tasted that the Lord is gracious, he desires the sincere milk of the word, that he may grow thereby.' The Interpreter is an emblem of the teach- ing of the Holy Spirit, according to the Scripture, by means of reading, hearing, praying, and meditating, accompanied by daily experience and observation. Believers depend on this continual teaching, and are not satisfied with human in- struction, but look to the fountain of wisdom, that they may be delivered from prejudice, preserved fiom error, and ena- bled to profit by the ministry of the word. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 73 by an acquaintance of the good man of this house to call here for my profit. 1 would therefore speak with the master of the house. So he called for the master of the house, who after a little time came to Christian, and risk- ed him what ne would have ? Sir, said Christian, I am a man that am come from the city of Destruction, and am going to the mount Zion ; and I was told by the man that stands at the gate at the Head of this way, that if I called here you would shew me excel- lent things, such as would be a help to me in my journey. Then said the * Interpreter, Come in ; 1 will shew thee that which will be profitable to * ' Then said' — The condescending love of the Holy Spirit, in readily granting the desires of those who apply for his teaching, notwithstanding their sins, prejudices, and slow- ness of lieart to understand, can never sufficiently he admired (Psalm cxliii. 10). Ke employs men as his instruments, who, by explaining the Scriptures, may be said to ' light the candle :' but he alone efficaciously opens the mind to instruc- tion. ' The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him'' (Psalm XXV. 14). The Interpreter leads them apart to communicate to them heavenly wisdom, which is hidden from the most sagacious of worldly men. The first lesson here in- culcated relates to the character of the true minister : for nothing can lie more important to every one who inquires the way to heaven, than to be able to distinguish faithful past-ors from hirelings, blind guides, and false teachers; who are Sa- tan's principal agents in deceiving mankind, and in prevent- ing the stability, consistency, and fruitfulness of believers. This portrait and its key need no explanation : but all, who sustain, or mean to assume, the sacred office, should serious- ly examine it. clause by clause, with the Scriptures from which it is deduced ; inquiring impartially how far the resemble it, and praying earnestly for more exact conformit\ , ami every one should be extremely careful not to intrust ins soul to the guidance of those who are wholly unlike tfcis emblematic rep- Vor. I. 7 74 THE PU.GRIM'S PROGRESS, thee. So he commanded his man to light a candle, and bid Christian follow him : so he had him into a private room, and bid his man open a door, the which when he had done, Christian saw the picture of a very grave per- son hang up against the wall ; and this was the fashion of it : it had eyes lilted up to heaven, the best of books in its hand, the law of truth was written upon its lips, the world was behind its back ; it stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over its head. Then said Christian, What meaneth this ? Interp. The man. whose picture this is, is one of a thousand ; he can beget children (1 Cor. iv. 15.) travail in birth with children (Gal. iv. 19.) and nurse them himself when they are born. And whereas thou seest him with his eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, and the law of truth written on his lips ; it is to shew thee, that his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners ; even as also thou seest him stand as if he pleaded with men : and whereas thou seest the world as cast behind him, and that a crown resentation. For surely a slothful, frivolous, dissipated, li- centious, ambitious, profane, or contentious man, in the garb of a minister, cannot safely be trusted as a guide in tl>e way to heaven ! He . who never studies, or studies any thing in pre- ference to the Bible, cannot be ciualilied to ' unfold dark things to sinners !' and he. who is abundantly more careful about his income, ease, or consequence, than about the souls of his flock, cannot be followed without the most evident danger and the most inexcusable folly ! For who would employ an ignorant, indolent, or fraudulent lawyer, or physician, merely because he happened to Kve in the same parish ! WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 75 hangs over his head ; that is to shew thee, that slighting and despising the things that are present, for the love that he hath to his Master's service, he is sure in the world that comes next to have glory tor his reward. Now, said the Interpreter, I have shewed thee this pic- ture first, because the man, whose picture this is, is the only man whom the Lord of the place whither thou art going hath authorized to be thy guide, in all difficult places thou mayest meet with in the way : wherefore, take good heed to what 1 have shewed thee, and bear well in thy mind what thou hast seen ; lest in thy journey thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right, but their way goes down to death. Then he took* him by the hand, and led him into a very large parlour that was full of * ' He took' — All true believers desire sanctification, of which the moral law is the standard : yet evei-y attempt to produce conformity in heart and life to that standard, by re- garding the precepts, apart from the truths and promises of Scripture, excites and discovers the evils which before lay dormant in tiie heart ; accmding to the significant emblem here adduced. Mere moral preaching;, indeed, has no such eftect : because, in the place of the divine law, it substitutes another rule, which is so vague, that self-flattery will enable almost any man, who is not scandalously vicious, to deem himself justified according to it : go that, instead of enmity being ex- cited in the heart, he allows the rule by which he is approv- ed ; and loves his idea of God, because it accords so well with his own character. But, when the holy law is brought with eneigy to the conscience, it* strictness, spirituality, and severity, awaken the latent ciiniity of the heart : the absolute se'.f-denial it demands, even in the niost plausible claims of self-love, its express prohibition of the darling sin, with tlw «xf>erienccd impractibility of adixjuate otedience, and the awful sentence it denounces against every transgressor, con- cur in exciting opposition to it, and even to him who gave itV 76 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, dust, because never swept ; the which, aflet he had reviewed a little while, the Interpreter called for a man to sweep. Now when he began to sweep, the dust began so abundant- ly to fly about, that Christian had almost there- with been choked. Then said the Interpre- ter to a damsel that stood by, Bring hither wa- ter and sprinkle the room ; the which when she had done, it was swept and cleansed with pleasure. Then said Christian, What means this ? The Interpreter answered, This parlour is the heart of a man, that was never sanctified by the sweet grace of the Gospel : the dust is his original sin and inward corruptions, that have defiled the whole man. He, that began to sweep at first, is the Law ; but she^ that brought that water and did sprinkle it, is the Gospel, Now whereas thou sawest, that so soon as the first began to sweep, the dust Moreover, the consciousness of a hankering after things pro- hibited, and a conviction of the evil of such concupiscence, in- duce a man to conclude that he is viler than ever ; and, in- deed, clearer knowledge must aggravate the guilt &f every sin. A little discouragement of this kind prevails with numbers to cease from all endeavours, at least for a season ; supposing tliat at present it is impossible for them to serve God ; but others, being more deeply humbled, and taken off from all self-confidence, are thus prepared to understand and welcome the free salvation of the Gospel. The law then appears dis- armed of its curse, as the rule and starnlard of holiness ; while righteousness and strength are sought by faith in Jesua Christ : the believer is encouraged by the truths and promises erf the Gospel, excited by its motives, and inclined by ilie Holy Spirit, to desire advancing sanctification : while by the prevalence of hope and love his inward enmity is subdued, and he delights in ' cleansing himself from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and perfecting holiness in the fear of (>oiJ_' WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 77 did so fly about that the room by him could not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choked therewith ; this is to shew thee, that the law instead of cleansing the heart, bj its working, from sin, doth revive, put strength into, and increase it in the soul, even as it doth discover and forbid it ; for it doth not give power to subdue it (Rom. v. 20 ; vii. 7 —11; 1 Cor. XV. 56.) Again as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure ; this is to shew thee, that when the Gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences thereof to the heart, then, I say, even as thou sawest the damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean through faith of it, and conse- quently fit for the King of glory to inhabit (John xiv. 21 — 23 ; xv. 3 ; Acts xv. 9 ; Rom. xvi. 25,26; Eph. v. 26.) I saw, moreover, in my dream, that the In- terpreter took him by the hand, and had him in a little room where sat two little children,* each * • Two children'— In this instructive emblem. Passion represents the prevalence of the carnal affections over reason and religion. Whatever be the object, this dominion of the passions produces fretfulness and childish perverseness, when a man cannot obtain tlie imagined good his heart is set upon, which wholly relates to the present life. But this impatience erf delay or disappointment is succeeded by pride, insolence, contempt of others, and inordinate momentary delight, if he be indulged with tlie possession of his idol. Such men may scorn believers as foolish and wretched : but they soon grow dissatisfied with success, and speedily lavish away their good things. On the oiher hand. Patience is the emblem of those who quietly and meekly wait for fiiture happiness, renounc- 78 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, one in his chair. The name of the eldest was Passion, and the name of the other Patience. Passion seemed to be much discontented, but Patience was very quiet. Then Christian asked, what is the reason of the discontent of Passion ? The Interpreter answered. The governor of them would have him stay for his best things till the beginning of the next year 5 but he will have all now. But Patience is willing to wait. Then I saw that one came to Passion and brought him a bag of treasure, and poured it down at his feet : the which he took up and rejoiced therein, and withall laughed Patience to scorn. But I beheld but a while, and he had lavished all away, and had nothing left him but rags. Then said Christian to the Interpreter, Ex- pound this matter more fully to me. So he said. These two lads are figures : Passion of the men of this world, and Patience of the men of that which is to come. For as here thou seest Passion will have all now this ing present things for the sake of it. True riches, honours, and pleasures are intended for them, but not here ; and aa well educated little children, they simply wait for them till the appointed season, in the way of patience and obedience. Rea- son determines, that a greater and more permanent good here- after is preferable to a less and fleeting enjoyment at present : faith realizes, as attainable, a felicity infinitely more valuable than all which this world can possibly propose to us ; so that in this respect the life of Ciith is the reign of reason over pas- sim, while unbelief makes way for the triumph of passion over reason. Nor can any thing be more essential to prac- tice religion than an abiding conviction, that it is the only true wisdom, uniformly and cheerfully to part with every tena- pora.l good, whenever it interferes with the grand conceriiB ^i' eternity. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 79 year, that is to say in this world ; so are the aien of this world : they must have all their good things now, they cannot stay till next year, that is, until the next world, for their portion of good. That proverb, ' A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,' is of more authority with them than are all the divine testimonies of the good world to come. But as thou sawest that he had quickly lavished all away, and had presently left him nothing but rags ; so will it be with all such men at the end of this world. Then said Christian, Now I see that Pa- tience has the best wisdom, and that upon many accounts : because he stays for the best things : — and also because he will have the glory of his, when the other has nothing but rags. Interp. Nay, you may add another, to ■\fit, the glory of the next world will never wear out ; but these are suddenly gone. There- fore Passion had not so much reason to laugh at Patience, because he had his good things first, as Patience will have to laugh at Passion because he had his best things last : for first must give place to last, because last must have its time to come ; but last gives place to nothing, for there is not another to succeed, he, therefore, that hath his portion first must needs have a time to spend it ; but he that has his portion last must have it last- ingly : therefore it is said of Dives, ' In thy life- time thou receivedst thy good things, and like- wise Lazarus evil things ; but now he is com- 80 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, torted and thou art tormented (Luke xvL 19—31.) Chr. Then I perceive it is not best to cov- et things that are now, but to wait for things to come. Interp. You say truth ; ' For the things that are seen are temporal ; but the things that are not seen are eternal' (2 Cor. iv. 18). But, though this be so, yet, since things pre- sent and our fleshly appetite are such near neighbours one to another ; and again, be- cause things to come and carnal sense are such strangers one to another ; therefore it is that the first of these so suddenly fall into amity, and that distance is so continually be- tween the second. Then I saw in my dream that the Inter- t^' A fire' — The doctrine of the true believer's final per- ueverance is here stated in so guarded a manner as to pre- clude every abuse of it. The emblem implies, that the soul is indeed quickened by special grace, and endued with holy affections ; and this heavenly flame is not almost extinguish- ed or covered with ashes for many years, and then revived a little at the closing scene ; but it ' burns higher and hotter,* notwithstanding the opposition of depraved nature, and the unremitted efforts of Satan to quench it ; for the Lord se- cretly feeds it with the oil of his grace. Unbelievers can persevere in nothing but impiety or hypocrisy : when a pro- fessor remarkably loses the vigour of his affections, the real- ity of his conversion becomes doubtful, and he can take no warranted encouragement from the doctrine in question ; but when any one grows more spiritual, zealous, humble, and exemplary, in the midst of harassing temptations, while he gives the whole glory to the Lord, he may take comfort from the assurance, that ' he shall be kept by his power, through faith, unto salvation.' Yet the way, in which the tempted are preserved, often so far exceeds their expectations, that they are a wonder to themselves : every thing seems to con- cur in giving Satan advantage against them, and his e^rta WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 81 preter took Christian by the hand, and led him into a place where was a fire* burning against a wall, and one standing by it, al- ways casting much water upon it to quench it ; yet did the fire burn higher and hotter. Then said Christian, What means this ? The Interpreter answered, This fire is the work of grace that is wrought in the heart ; he that casts water upon it to extinguish and put it out, is the devil : but in that thou seest the fire notwithstanding burn higher and hot- ter, thou shalt also see the reason of that. So he had him about to the backside of the wall, where he saw a man with a vessel of oil in his hand, of which he did also continu- ally cast, but secretly, into the fire. Then said Christian, What means this ? The Interpreter answered, This is Christ, who continually with the oil of his grace main- tains the work already begun in the heart : by the means of which, notwithstanding what the devil can do, the souls of his people prove gracious still (2 Cor, xii. 9), And in that thou sawest that the man stood behind the wall to maintain the fire ; that is to teach thee, that it is hard for the tempted to see how this work of grace is maintained in the soul. appear very successfbl ; yet they continue from year to year, ' cleaving with purpose of heart unto the Lord,' trusting in his mercy, and desirous of hving to his glory. The instruc tion especially inculcated by tliis emblenj is, an entire reli- ance on the secret but powerful influence of divine grace, to maintain and carry on the sanctifying work that has been be- gan in the soul. 82 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, I saw also that the Interpreter took hira again by the hand, and led him into a pleas- ant* place, where was builded a stately pal- ace, beautiful to behold ; at the sight of which Christian was greatly delighted : he saw al- so upon the top thereof, cenain persons walk- ing, who were clothed all in gold. Then said Christian, May we go in thither ? Then the Interpreter took him and led him up towards the door of the palace ; and be- hold at the door stood a great company of men, as desirous to go in, but durst not. There also sat a man at a little distance from the door, at a table-side, with a book and his inkhorn before him, to take the name of him that should enter therein : he saw also, that in the doorway stood many men in armour to keep it, being resolved to do to the men that * ' Pleasant' — Many desire the joys and glories of heaven (according to their carnal ideas of tliem,) but few are wil- ling to • fight the good fight of faith :' yet, without this fix- ed purpose of heart, the result of Divine grace, profession will end in apostacy : — ' the man began to build, but was not able to finish.' This is emphatically taught us by the next emblem. Salvation is altogether free and without price; but we must learn to value it so highly as to venture or suf- fer ' the loss of all things tliat we may win Christ ;' or we shall not be able to break through the combined opposition of the world, the flesh, and the devil. If we fear any mis- chief that our enemies can attempt against us, more than coming short of salvation, we shall certainly perish, not- witlistanding our notions and convictions. We should, there- fore, count our cost, and pray for courage and constancy, that we may give in our names as in earnest to win the prize : then, ' putting on the whole armour of God,' and relying on his grace, we must fight our way tlirough with patience and resolution ; while manv, ' being harnessed and carrying bows,' shamefully' turn back in the day of battle.' WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 83 would enter what hurt and mischief they could. Now was Christian somewhat in amaze : at last, when every man started back for fear of the armed men. Christian saw a man of a very stout countenance come up to the man that sat there to write, saying, ' Set down my name, Sir :' the which when he had done, he saw the man draw his sword, and put a hel- met upon his head, and rush towards the door upon the armed men, who laid upon him with deadly force ; but the man was not at all dis- couraged, but fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. So after he had received and given many wounds to those that attempted to keep him out, he cut his way through them all, and pressed forward into the palace ; at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that were within, even of those that walked upon the top of the palace, saying, Come in, come in ; Eternal glory thou shalt win. So he went in, and was clothed with such gar- ments as they. Then Christian smiled, and said, I think verily I know the meaning of this. Now, said Christian, let me go* hence. * • Let me go' — The time, spent in acquiring knowledge, and sound judgment, is not lost, though it may seem to re- tard a man's progress, or interfere \vl;h his more active ser- vices : and the next emblem is admirably suited to teach the young convert watchfulness and caution. Christian's discourse with the man in the iron cage sufficiently explaioa the author's meaning; but it has been observed by several persons, that the man's opinion of his own case, does not prove that it was indeed desperate. Doubtless these fears prevail in some cases of deep despondency, when there is 84 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Nay, stay, said the Interpreter, till I have shewed thee a little more, and after that thou shalt go on thy way. So he took him by the hand again, and led him into a very dark room, v/here there sat a man in an iron cage Now the man, to look on, seemed very sad. He sat with his eyes looking down to the ground, his haruis folded together, and he sighed as if he would break his heart. Then said Christian, what means this ? At which the Interpreter bid him talk with the man. Then said Christian to the man. What art thou ? The man answered, I am what I was not once. Chr. What wert thou once .-' The man said, I was once a fair and flour- ishing professor, both in mine own eyes, and also in the eyes of others : I once was, as I thought, fair for the celestial city, and had then even joy at the thoughts that I should get thither (Luke viii. 13). Chr. Well, but what art thou now ? Man. I am now a man of despair, and am every reason to conclude them groundless ; and we should always propose tlie free grace of the Gospel to those that have sinned in the most af^gravated manner, v\hen tlicy hc- conie sensible of their guilt and danger : yet it is an awfoj fact, that some are thus ' shut up under despair,' heyond re- lief; and ' It is im[)ORsible to renew them to repentance.' No true penitent, therefore, can be in this case : and we are commanded ' in meekness to instruct those that ojipose them- selves, if peradventure God will give them repentance.' But, at the same lime, we should leave the doom o^ apparent apostates to God ; and improve their example, as a warning to ourselves and others, not to venture one step in so dange- rmis a path. This our author has judiciously attempted, and we should be careful not to counteract his obvious intention- WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 85 shut up in it, as in this iron cage : I cannot get out ; O now I cannot ! Chr. But how earnest thou in this condi- tion ? Man. I left off to watch and be sober ; I laid the reins upon the neck of my lusts ; I sinned against the light of the word, and the goodness of God : I have grieved the Spirit, and he is gone ; I tempted the devil, and he is come to me ; I have provoked God to an- ger, and he has left me ; I have so hardened my heart that I cannot repent. Then said Christian to the Interpreter, But is there no hope for such a man as this .' Ask him, said the Interpreter. Then said Christian, Is there no hope, but you must be kept in the iron cage of des- pair ? Man. No, not at all. Chr. Why ? the Son of the Blessed is vei-y pitiful. ^ Man. I have crucified him to myself afresh ; I have despised his person, I have despised his righteousness, I have counted his blood an unholy thing, I have done despite to the Spirit of grace (Luke xix. 14 ; Heb. vi. 4 —6 ; X. 28, 29) ; therefore 1 have shut my- self out of all the promises, and there now re- mains to me nothing but threatenings, dread- ful threatenings, fearful threatenings, of cer- tain judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour me as an adversary. Chr. For what did you bring yourself into this condition ? Vol. I. 8 86 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Man. For the lusts, pleasures, and profits of this world, in the enjoyment of which I did then promise myself much delight ; but now every one of those things also bite me and gnaw me like a burning worm. Chr. But canst thou not repent and turn ? Man. God hath denied me repentance'. His word gives me no encourage tnent to be- lieve ; yea, himself hath shut me up in this iron cage ; nor can all the men in the world let me out. O eternity ! eternity ! how shall 1 grapple with the misery that I must meet with in eternity ! Then said the Interpreter to Christian, Let this man's misery be remembered by thee, and be an everlasting caution to thee. Well, said Christian, this is fearful ! God help me to watch and be sober, and to pray that I may shun the cause of this man's mis- ery. Sir, is it not time for me to go on my way now ? Interp. Tarry till I shall shew thee one thing more, and then thou shalt go on thy way. So he took Christian by the hand again, and led him into a chamber where there was one rising out of bed ; and as he put on his raiment he shook and trembled. Then said Christian, Why doth this man thus tremble ? The Interpreter then bid him tell to Christian the reason of his so doing. So he began and said, This night as I was in my sleep I dreamed, and behold, the heavens grew ex- ceedinir black ; also it thundered and lighten- WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 87 ed in most fearful wise, that it put me into an agony : so I looked up in my dream, and saw the clouds rack at an unusual rate ; upon which I heard a great sound of a trumpet, and saw also a man sit upon a cloud, attended with the thousands of heaven : they were all in flaming fire, also the heavens were on a burning flame. I heard then a voice saying, * Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment ;' and with that the rocks rent, the graves opened, and the dead that were therein came forth (John V. 28, 29 ; 1 Cor. xv. 51—58 ; 2 Thess i. 7—10; Jude 14, 15; Rev. xx. 11—15) ; some of them were exceeding glad, and look- ed upwards ; and some sought to hide them- selves under the mountains (Ps. 1. 1 — 3. 22 ; Isa. xxvi. 20, 21 ; Mic. vii. 16, 17) : then I saw the man that sat upon the cloud open the book, and bid the world draw near. Yet there was, by reason of a fierce flame which issued out and came before him, a convenient distance betwixt him and them, as betwixt the judge and the prisoners at the bar (Dan. vii. 9, 10 ; Mai. iii. 2, 3). I heard it also pro- claimed to them that attended on the man that sat on the cloud, ' Gather together the tares, the chaff, and stubble, and cast them into the burning lake :' and with that the bot- tomless pit opened just whereabout I stood ; out of the mouth- of which there came, in an abundant manner, smoke, and coals of fire, with hideous noises. It was also said to the same persons, ' Gather my wheat into the garner' (Mai. iv. 1 ; Matt. iii. 2 ; xiii. 30 ; 69 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Luke iii. 17). And with that I saw many catched up and carried away into the clouds (1 Thess. iv. 13 — 18), but I was left behind. I also sought to hide myself, but I could not, for the man that sat upon the cloud still kept his eye upon me ; my sins also came in my mind, and my conscience did accuse me on every side (Rom. ii. 14, 15.) Upon this I awaked from my sleep. Chr. But what was it that made you so afraid of this sight .'' Man. Why I thought that the day of judg- ment was come, and that I was not ready for it : but this frighted me most, that the an- gels gathered up several aaid left me behind ; also the pit of hell opened her mouth just where I stood. My conscience too afflicted me ; and, as I thought, the Judge had always his eye upon me, shewing indignation in his countenance. Then said the Interpreter to Christian, Hast thou considered all these things ? Chr. Yes ; and they put me in hope* and fear. *' In hope' — Our safety consists in a due proportion of hope and fear : when devoid of hope, we resemble a ship without an anchor ; wlien unrestrained by fear, we are like the same vessel under full sail, without ballast (1 Pet. i. 13 — 17.) Indiscriminate censures of all fear as the result of unbelief, and unguarded commendations of strong confidence, without respect to the spirit and conduct of professors, not only leads to much self-deception, but also tends to make believers un- stable, unwatchful, and even uncomfortable ; for the humble often cannot attain to that confidence, that is represented al- most as essential to faith ; and true comfort is the eflfect of watchfulness, diligence, and circumspection. Upon the wholoi WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 89 Interp Well, keep all things so in thy mind, that they may be as a goad in thy sides, to prick thee forward in the way thou must go. — Then Christian began to gird up his loins, and to address himself to his journey. Then said the Interpreter, The Comforter be always with thee, good Christian, to guide thee in the way that leads to the city. So Christian went on his way, saying — Here I have seen tilings rare and profitable ; Things pleasant, dreadful, things to make me stable In what I have begun to take in hand : Then let me think on them, and understand Wherefore lliey shew'.-^ me Were ; and let me be Thankful, O good Interpreter, to thee. Now I saw* in my dream, that the highway, up which Christian was to go, was fenced on what lessons could possibly have been selected of greater im- portance, or more suited to establish the new convert, than these are, which our author has most ingeniously and agreea- bly inculcated, under the emblem of the Interpreter's curios- ities 1 They are indeed the principal subjects which faithful ministers enforce, publicly and in private, on all who begin to profess the Gospel ; and which every true disciple of Christ daily seeks to have more clearly discovered to his mind; and more deeply impressed upon his heart. * ' Now I saw' — Divine illumination in many respects tends to quicken the believer's hopes and fears, and to in- irease his earnestness and diligence ; l)ut nothing can finally reheve him from his burthen, except the clear discovery of the nature and glory of redemption. With more general views of the subject, and an implicit reliance on God's mercy tlirough Jesus Christ, the humbled sinner enters the way of life, which is walled by salvation : yet he is oppressed with an habitual sense of guilt, and often bowed down with fears, till ' tlie Comforter, who glorifies Christ, receives of his, and ehewB it to him' (John xvi. 14.) When in this divine light the soul contemplates the Redeemer's cross, and discerns Uiorc clearly his love to lost sinners in thus dying for them ; 90 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, either side with a wall, and that wall wag called Salvation (Isa. xxvi. 1). Up this way therefore did burthened Christian run, but not without great difficulty, because of the load on his back. He ran thus till he came at a place some- what ascending, and upon that place stood a cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulchre. So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the cross, his bur- then loosed from off his shoulders, and fell the motive aiid efficacy of his intense siiU'eiings ; the glory of the Divine jierfections hannoniousiy dis(iluyed in this sur- prising expedient for saving tlie lost ; the honour of tiie Di- vine law and government, an 1 the evil and desert of sin, most eneigetically proclaiined in tliis way of pardoning trans- gressors and reconciling enemies ; and the perfect freenesa and sufficiency of this salvation; then "his conscience is purged from dead works to serve the living God,' hy a sim- ple r»>llunce on the atoning blood of Emmanuel. This deliv- erance from the hurthen of guilt is in some respects final, as to the well-instructed and consistent believer ; his former sins are buried, no more to be his terror and distress. He will in- deed be deeply humbled under a sense of his guilt, and some- times he may c|uestion his acceptance ; but his distress, be- fore he understood the way of deliverance, was habitual, ex- cept in a few transient seasons of relief, and often oppressed liim when most diligent and vvalchful ; but now he is only burthened when he has been betrayed into sin, or when Rtriiggling with peculiar temptations; and he constantly finds relief by looking to the cross. Many indeed never attain to this habitual peace : this is the eflect of remaining ignorance, error, or negligence, which scriptural instactions are the proper means of obviating. But it was not probable that our author should, so to speak, draw the character of Siis hero from the lowest order of hopeful professors ; it may rather call for our admiration, that, in an allegory (which ia the peculiar effort of a vigorous imagination) he was pre- served, by uncommon strength of mind and depth of judgment, from stating Clu'istian's experience above the general attaiu- nients of consistent believers, under solid instructions. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 91 from off his back, and began to tumble, and go continued to do till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more. Then was Christian glad and lightsome, and said with a merry heart, ' He hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death.' Then he stood a while to look and wonder ; for it was very surprising to him, that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burthen. He looked,* therefore, and looked * ' He looked' — Christian's tears, amidst liis gladness, in- timate tliat deliverance from guilt, by faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, tends to increase humiliation, sorrow for sin, and abhorrence of it ; though it mingles even those af- fections with a sweet and solid pletisure. By the ' three f?liining ones,' the autlior might allude to the ministration of angels as conducive to the comfort of the heirs of salvation ; but he could not mean to ascribe Christian's confidence to any impressions, or suggestions of texts to him by a voice, or in a dream ; any more than he intended, by his views of tlie cross, to sanction the account that persons of heated im- agination have given, of their having seen one hang on a cross, covered with hiood, who told them their sins were pardoned ; while it has been evident, that they never under- stood tl»e spiritual glory, or the sanctifying tendency of the doctrine of a crucified Saviour. Such thmgs are the mere delusions of enthusiasm, from which our author was remark- ably free : but the nature of an allegojy led him to this meth- od of describing the happy change tliat takes place in the pilgrim's experience, when he obtains peace and joy in be- lieving. His uniform doctrine sufficiently shews that he con- sidered spiritual apprehensions of the nature of the atone- ment as the only source of genuine peace and comfort. And, as the ' mark in the forehead' plainly signifies the rencNval of the soul to holiness, so that the mind of Ciuist may ap- pear in the outward conduct, connected with an open pro- fession of faith, while the • roll with a seal upon it' denotea such an assurance of acceptance, as appears most clear and satisfactory, when the believer most attentively compares hii views experiences desires, and pur|K)ses, witli the Hoiv 3'- THE PILGRDPS PROGRESS, again, even till the springs that Avere in his head sent the water down his checks (Zech. xii. 10). Now, as he stood looking and weep- mg, beliold three shining ones came to him, and saluted him with ' Peace be to thee.' So the first said to him, ' Thy sins be forgiven thee' (Mark ii. 5) ; the second stripped him of his rai»;s, and clothed him with change of raiment ; the third also set a mark on his forehead, and gave him a roll with a seal upon it (Zech. iii. 4 ; Eph. i 13), which he bid him look on as he ran, and that he should give it in at the celestial gate ; so they went their way. Then Christian gave three leaps for joy, and went on singing — Scriptures ; so he could not possibly intend to ascribe such effects to any other agent than the Holy Spirit ; who by en- abling a man to exercise all filial affections towards God in an enlarged degree, as ' the Spirit of adoption bears witness' with his conscience, that God is reconciled to him, having pardoned all his sins ; that he is justified by fiith in the righteousness of Emmanuel ; and that he is a child of God, and an heir of heaven. These things are clear and intelligi- ble to those who have experienced this happy change ; and the abiding effects of their joy in the Lord, upon their dispo- sitions and conduct (like the impression of the seal after the wuK is cooled) distinguish it from the confidence and com- fort of hypocrites and enthusiasts. It must, however, con- tinue to be ' the secret of the Lord, with them that fear him,' ' hidden manna,' and ' a white stone, having in it a new name written, which no man knovveth saving he that receiv- fth it' (Psalm xv. 14; Rev. ii. 17.) Here again we meet with an engraving, and the following lines : — ' Who's tliis ■? The Pilgrim. How ! 'Tis very true .' Old things are past away ; all's become new. Strange ! he's another man, upon my word; They be fine feathers that make a fine bird WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 93 Thus fer did I come laden witli ray sin, Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in. Till I came hither ; what a place 1= this ! Must here be tiie beginning of my bliss 1 Must here the burthen fall from off my back 1 Must here the strings that bind it to me crack '{ Blest cross ! blest sepulchre ! blest rather be The man that there was put to shame for me : I saw* then in my dream that he went on thus even until he came at the bottom, where he saw, a little out of the way, three men fast asleep, with fetters upon their heels. The name of the one was Simple, another Sloth, and the third Presumption. Christian then seeing them lie in this case went to them, if peradventure he might awake * ' I saw' — AVe were before informed, that oilier ways * butted down upon' the strait way ; and the connexion of the allegory required the introduction of various characters, besides that of the true believer. Many may outwardly walk in the ways of religion, and seem to be pilgrims, who are destitute of those ' things which accompany salvation.' The three allegorical persons next introduced are nearly related ; they appear to be pilgrims, but are a little out of the way, asleep, and fettered. Many of this description are found, where the truth is preached, as well as elsewhere : they hear and learn to talk about the Gospel; have transient convic- tions, which are soon quieted ; cleave to the world, and rest more securely in the bondage of sin and Satan, by means of their profession of religion. They reject or pervert all in- struction, bate all trouble, yet are confident that every thing is and will be well with them, while teachers, after their own hearts, lull them with a syren's song, by confounding the form with the power of godliness; and if any one at- tempt, in the most affectionate manner to warn them of their danger, they answer (according to the tenor of the words here used,) « Mind your own business ; we see no danger ; you shall not disturb our composure, or induce us to make 60 much ado about religion : see to yourselves, and leave us to ourselves.' Thus they sleep on till death and judgmert awake them. '-94 THE PILGRLM'S PROGRESS, them ; and cried, You are like them V at sleep on the top of a mast (Prov. xxiii. 34), for the dead sea is under you, a gulph that hath no bottom : awake, therefore, and come away ; be willing also, and I will help you off witli your irons. He also told them, If he that goeth about like a roaring lion comes by, you will certainly become a prey to his teeth (1 Pet. V. 8), With that they looked upon him, and began to reply in this sort : Simple said, ' I see no danger ;' Sloth said, ' Yet a little more sleep ;' and Presumption said, ' Every vat must stand upon its own bottom.' And so they laid down to sleep again, and Christian went on his way. Yet* was he troubled to think, that men in that danger should so little esteem the kind- * ' Yet' — The true Christian will always be troubled when he thinks of tlie vain confidence of many professors : but he is more surprised by it at first than afterwards ; for he sets out with the idea, that all apparently religious people sincerely seek the salvation of God : but at length experience draws hia attention to those parts of Scriptures which mention tares among the wheat, and foolish virgins among the wise. For- malist and Hypocrisy soon come in this way ; these near re- lations represent such as by notions and external observances deceive themselves, and .those who more grossly attempt to impose ujjon others. Tliey are botli actuated by vain glory, and seek the applause of men in their religious profession and most zealous performances ; while the credit thus acquired subserves also (heir temporal interest : but repentance, con- version, and the life of faith, would not only cost them too mucii labour, but destroy the very principle by which they are actuated. By a much ' shorter cut,' they become a part of the visible chiu-ch, are satisfied with a form of godliness, and kept in countenance by great numbers among every des- cription of professing Christians, and the example of multi- tudes in every age. Their confidence, however, will not bear die light of Scripture ; they therefore shrink from iuves* WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 95 ness of him that so freely offered to help them, both by the awakening of them, counselling of them, and proffering to help them of^^vith their irons. And as he was troubled thereabout, he spied two men come tumbling over the wall on the left hand of the narrow way ; and they made up apace to him. The name of the one was Formalist, and the name of the other Hypocrisy. So, as I said, they drew up unto him, who thus entered with them into discourse. Chr. Gentlemen, whence come you, and whither go you ? • , , j i Foim. 8f Hyp. We were born in the land ol Vain-glory, and are going for praise to mount Zion. Chr. Why came you not in at the gate which standeth at the beginning of the way ? Know you not that it is written, that ' He that com- eth not in by the door, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber ?' (John.x. 1). They said, that to go to the gate of en- trance was by all their countrymen counted too far about ; and that therefore their usual way was to make a short cut of it, and to climb over the wall, as they had done. Chr. But will it not be counted a tres- pass against the Lord of the city whither we are bound, thus to violate his revealed will ? They told him, that, as for that, he needed li answer ; only they looked upon each other and laugh- ed Then I saw that they went on all, save that* Christian kept before, who had no more *'S;vvetliat' — Kveii such Clirisliaiis as ;ire most ussiiped cf Uieii" acceptance, ami coiiipeieut to perceive ilie awful J«h»> Vol. L 9 92 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, talk but with himself, and that sometimes sighingly and sometimes comfortably : also he would be often reading in the roll that one of the shining ones gave him, by which he was refreshed. I beheld then that they all went on till they came to the foot of the hill* Difficulty ; at the bottom of which was a spring. There were also in the same place two other ways, besides that which came straight from the gate ; one turned to the left hand and the other to the right, at the bottom of the hill ; but the narrow way lay right up the hill, and the name of the going up the side of the hill is called Difficulty. Christian went now to the spring, and drank thereof to refresh him- self (Isa. xlix. 10), and began to go upthe hill, saying — The hill, though high, I covet to ascend, The (iinicukv will not nie oflenil ; For I peirpive the way to life lies here : Come, pluck up, heart, let's neither faiiU nor fear- Heltci-, though difficult, the right way to go, 'I'luin wrong, though eaj;y, where the end is woe, eions of false professors, find cause for sigh? amidst then' coin forts, when employed in serious retired self-retlecliori. Nolhing can exclude the uneasiness which arises from in- dwelling siji, willi its unavoiilahle eflecis, and from ilie crimes and miseries tliev witness around them. *' Hill' — The hill Difficulty represents those circumstim CCS which require peculiar self-denial and exertion, thai com- monly (iiine the believer's sincerity, after he has llist olilained ' ;\ good iiope through grace.' — 'I'he opposition of the woild, tlie leniMiciation of temporal interests, or the painfid task of o\ercoming inveterate evil habits or constitutional ijropensi- ties (which during his first anxious earnestness seemed iier- haps to be destroyed, tlKiugh in fact they were only susoei'i!- WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 99 The other two also came on the foot of the hill \ but when they saw that the lull was steep and high, and that there were two oth- er ways to go ; and supposing also that these two ways might meet again with that up which Christian went, on the other side of the hill, therefore they were resolved to go into those ways. Now the name of one of those ways was Danger, and the name ofthe other Destruc- tion. So the one took the way which is called Danger, which did lead him into a great wood ; and the other took directly up the way to Destruction, which led him into a wide field, full of dark moimtains, where he stumbled and fell, and rose no more. ed) : lliese and such like trials prove a severe test ; but there is DO hope, except in pressing forward ; and the encourage- ments, received under tlie faithful ministry of the Gospel, prepare the soul for evei-y conflict and effort. There are, however, hye-w'aj's ; and the difiiculty may be avoided with- out a man's renoimcing his profession : he may, decline the self-denving duly, or rt would oe fata!, did not tiie Lord excite them to renewed earnestness by salutary wainings and alarms. Nor are believers at any time more exposed to this temptation, than when outward ease hath succeeded to great hardships, patiently and con scientiously endured ; for at such a crisis they are least rd, wc uitijA '/(!> forward, bv attending with increasing WITH SCOTT'S NOTE ^ 123 first, said they, let us go again into the ar- moury. So they did ; and when he came there they harnessed him from head to foot with what was of proof, lest perhaps he should m<;et with assaults in the way. He being therefore thus accoutred, walked out with his friends to the gate, and there asked tne porter, if he saw any pilgrims pass by ? Then the porter answered, Yes. Chr. Pray did you know him ? Port. I asked his name, and he told me it was Faithful. O, said Christian, 1 know him ; he is my townsman, my near neighbour, he comes from the place where I was born : how far do you think he may be before ? Port. He is got by this time below the hill. Well, said Christian, good porter, the Lord be with thee, and add to all thy blessings much increase, for the kindness thou hast shewed to me. Then he began to go forward : But Dis- cretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence, would accompany him down* to the foot of the hill. diligence to the duties of our several stations, and preparing to resist temptations, which often assault us after special sea- sons of divine consolation. Ministers, therefore, and expe- rienced believers should warn young converts to expect tri- als and conflicts, and recommend to them such companions as may be a comfort and help in their pilgrimage. * ' Down' — The humiliation requisite for receiving Cliri^^t. obtaining peace and making a good confession of the faith, is general and indistinct, compared with that which subse- quent trials and conflicts will produce; and the Lord cinr monly dispenses comfurt and humiliating experiences altci- nately, that the lieliever may neither he elated nor depre-.s- ed above measure (1 Cor. xii. 1 — 5) ; the valley of Hunrilii"- 124 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, So they went on together, reiterating their former discourses, till they came to go down the hill. Then said Christian, As it was dif- ficult coming up, so, so far as I can see, it is dangerous going down. Yes, said Prudence, so it is ; for it is a hard matter for a man to go down into the valley of Humiliation, as thou art now, and to catch no slip by the way ; therefore, said they, are we come out to accompany thee down the hill. So he began to go down, but very warily, yet he caught a slip or two. Then I saw in my dream, that these good companions, when Christian was gone down to the bottom of the hill, gave him a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, and a cluster of rais- ins ; and then he went on his way. But now, in this valley of Humiliation, poor Christian was hard put to it ; for he had gone but a little way before he spied * a foul tion therefore, is very judiciously placed beyond the house Beautiful. Some explain it to signify a Christian's outward circumstances, when reduced to poverty, or subjected to great temporal loss by professing the Gospel } and perhaps the author had this idea in his mind ; yet it could only be viewed as the means of producing inward humiliation. In going down into the valley, the believer will greatly need the assistance of discretion, piety, charity, and prudence, and the recollection of the instructions and counsels of such Christians as are eminent for these endowments : for hu- miliating dispensations and experiences exite the latent evils of the heart, and often cause men to speak and act unad- visedly ; so that, notwithstanding every precaution, the re- view will commonly discover many things, which demand the remorse and sorrow of deep repentance. * ' Spied' — Under discouraging circumstances thebeliever willoftenbe tempted to murmur, despond or seek relief from the world. Finding that his too sanguine expectations are WITH SCOI'T'S NOTES. 126 fiend coming over the field to meet hin» : his name is Apollyon. Then did Christian be- gin to be afraid, and to cast in his mind whe- ther to go back or stand his ground. But he considered again that he had no armour for not answered, that he grows worse rather than lietter in liis own opinion of himself, that his comforts are transitory, and that much reproach, contempt, and loss, are incurred by his profession of religion, discontent will often rise up in his heart, and weakness of faith will expose him to slvarp con- flicts.— Mr. Bunyan, having experienced, in an uncommon degree, the most dreadful temptations, was probably led by that circumstance to speak on this subject in language not very intelligible to tho*e who have been exemi)ted from such painful exercises of mind. The nature of bis work required, that they should be described under outward eniblems ; but the inward suggestions of evil spirits are especially intended. These seem to have peculiar access to the imagination, and are able to paint before that illusive faculty the most alluring or terrifying representations, as if they were realities. ApolN yon signifies the destroyer (Rev. ix. 11) ; and in carrying on the work of destruction, fallen angels endeavour by vari- ous devices to deter men from prayer, and to render them afraid of those things, without which the life of faith cannot be maintained ; in order that, after convictions, they may be led to give up religion, as the only method of recovering com- posure of mind. Many, 'having no root in themselves,' thus gradually fall away ; and others are greatly retarded : but the well instructed believer sees no sa^ty, except in fac- ing his enemy. If there appears to be daiiger, in persever- ing, ruin is inevitable if he desist (for Christian ' had no ar- mour for his back') ; even fear, therefore, will in that case induce a man to stand his ground, and the more resolutely he resists t-emptation, the sooner will he regain his tranquilli- ty : for when he suggestions of Satan ex'c-ite us to pray more fervently, and to be more diligent in every service, that ene- my will ' flee from us.' Perhaps some may remember a lime wneii they were so bsirassed as almost to despair of re- lief; who have since been so entirely delivered, that, were it not for the recollection of their own past experience, they would be ready to ascribe all such things to disease or en- thusiasm, notwithstanding all that the Scripture contains on the subject. 11* 126 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRKSJ, his back, and therefore thought that to turn the back to him might give him greater ad- vantage, with ease to pierce him with his darts ; therefore he resolved to venture, and stand his ground : for thought he, had I no more in mine eye than the saving of my life, it would be the best way to stand. So he* went on, and Apollyon met him. * ' So he' — The description of Apollyon implies, that the combat afterwanls recorded particularly represented the ter- rors by which evil spirits attempt to drive professors out of their path. Other temptations, though perhaps more dange- rous, are not so distressing : ' Satan can transform himself into an angel of light ;' and indeed he is a very Proteus, who can assume any form, as best suits his purpose. As all have been overcome by the temptations of tlie devil, and ' of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought into bondage ;' 80 by usurpation, he is become fche god and prince of this world, and we have all been his slaves. But believers, hav- ing been redeemed by the blood of Christ, ' are made free from sin and become the servants of God :' and the abiding conviction, that all the subjects of sin and Satan must perisli, concurs witii their experience of its hard bondage, in forti- fying them against every temptation to return to it. Sensi- ble of their obligations to God as their Creator and Govern- or, they have deeply repented of their past rebellions j and having obtained mercy, feel themselves bound by gratitude and ilje most solemn engagements to cleave to him and his service. Their difficulties and discouragements cannot in- duce tiiem to believe that they ' have changed for the worse ;' nor will they be influenced by the numbers who apostatize, from love to the world and dread of the cross ; for they are ' reeled and grounded in love,' and not merely moved by tears and hopes. They are sure that the Lord is able to de- liver tliem irora tlieir enemies ; and should tlie wicked be permitted to prosper in tlieir malicious devices, they know enough of his plaa, to rely on his wisdom, truth, and love ill the midst of sufferings. Thus they have answers ready for every suggestion ; even such answers as Christian had been furnished witii at the house of the Interpreter. If such temptations prove ineffectual, Satan will perhaps assault the belitiver, by represeDling to his mind, with every possible ag- WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 127 Now the monster was hideous to behold : he was clothed with scales like a fish (and they are his pride) ; he had wings like a dragoa, feet like a bear, and out of liis belly came fire and smoke, and his moiUh was as the mouth of a lion. When he was come up to Cinistian, he beheld him with a disdainful countenance, and thus began to question with him. .Apol. Wlkence came you ? and whither are you bound ? Chr. I am come from the city of Destruc- tion, which is the place of all evil, and am go- ing to the city of Zion. Jipol. By this I perceive thou art one of my subjects ; for all that country is mine, and I am the prince and god of it. How is it then thnt thou hast run away from thy king ? Were it not for that I hope thou mayest do me more service, I would strike thee now, at one blow, to the ground. Chr. I was born indeed in your dominions, but your service was hard, and your wages Buch as a man could not live on, ' for the wag- gravation, the several instances of his misconduct, since he professed the Gospel, in order to heighten his apprehensions of being found at last a hypocrite : when the soul is discour- aged and gloomy, he will be as assiduous in representing ev- ery false step to be a horrid crime inconsistent with a st;ile of grace, as he is at other times in persuading men, that the most flagrant violations of the Divine law are mere tritlea In repelling such suggestions, die well-instructed believer will neither deny tlie charge, nor extenuate his guilt ; but he will flee for refuge to the free-grace of the Gospel, and take com- fort from the consciousness that he now liates, and groans uuder the remains of those evils, which once he wholly lived in without remorse ; thence inferring, that ' his sins, thoiigb many, are forgiven.' ■ 8 THE PILGRIM'S PROCIIESS, es of sin is death' (Rom. vi. 23) ; therefore, when I was come to years, I did, as other con- is!derate persons do, look out if perhaps I might mend myself. Apol. There is no prince that will thus lightly lose his subjects, neither will I as yet lose thee ; but since thou complainest of thy service and wages, be content to go back : what our country will afford, I do here prom- ise to give thee. Chr. But I have let myself to another, even to the king of princes ; and how can I with fairness go back with thee ? Apol. Thou hast done in this according to the proverb, ' Changed a bad for a worse 5' but it is ordinary for those that have professed themselves his servants, after awhile to give him the slip, and return again to me. Do thou so too, and all shall be well. Chr. I have given him my faith, and sworn my allegiance to him : how then can I go back from this, and not be hanged as a traitor? Apol. Thou didst the same to me, and yet 1 am willing to pass by all, if now thou wilt yet turn again and go back. Chr. What I promised thee was in my non- age ; and besides, I count that the prince, under whose banner now I stand, is able to absolve me •, yea, and to pardon also what I did as to my compliance with thee : and, be- sides, O thou destroying Apollyon, to speak truth, I like his service, his wages, his ser- vants, his government, his company, and WITH SCOTT'S ^OTES. 12& country, better than thine •, and therefore, leave off to persuade me fartlier ; I am his servant, and I wi.'l follow him. Jlpol. Cons d^r again, when thou art in rool blood, what thou art like to meet with in tlie way that thou goest. Thou knowest timt, for the most part, his servants come to an ill end, because they are transgressors against me and my ways. How many of them have been put to shameful deaths ! And besides, thou countest his service better tliau mine, where- as he never came yet from the place where he is to deliver any that served him out of their hands ; but, as for me, how many times as all the world very well knows, have I de- livered, either by power or fraud, those that have faithfully served me, from him and his, though taken by them : and so I will deliver thee. Chr. His forbearing at present to delivej them is on purpose to try their love, whether they will cleave to him to the end ; and, as for the ill end thou sayest they come to, that is most glorious in their account : for, present deliverance, they do not much expect it ; for they stay for their glory, and then they shall have it, 'when their Prince comes in his and the glory of the angels. Jlpol. Thou hast already been unfaithful m thy service to him ; and how dost thou think to receive wages of him ? Chr. Wherein, O ApoUyon, have I been unfaithful to him ? ^j)ol. Tiiou didst faint at tirst setimg out, 130 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, when thou wast ?clmnst c'nked in the gulf of Despond ; thou didst attempt wrong ways to be rid of thy burthen, whereas thou shouldest have stayed till thy Prince had taken it off ; thou didst sinfully sleep, and lose thy choice things ; thou wast also almost persuaded to go back at the sight of the lions ; and when thou talkest of thy journey, and of what thou hast heard and seen, thou art inwardly desi- rous of vain glory in all that thou sayest or doest. Chr. All this is true, and much more which thou hast left out ; but the Prince, whom I serve and honour, is merciful and ready to forgive. But besides, these infirmities pos- sessed me in thy country ; for there I sucked them in, and I have groaned under them, been sorry for them, and have obtained pardon of my Prince. Then Apollyon broke out into a grievous rage,* saying, I am an enemy to this Prince ; * ' Rage' — Thus far Christian's contest with Apollyon is intelligil)le and instructive to every experienced believer: vhat Ibilows is more difficult. But if we duly reflect upon tlie Lord's permission to Satan, in respect of Job, with tho efforts and effects that followed ; and if we compare it with tlie tempter's desire of sifting Peter and the other apostles as wlieat — we shall not be greatly at a loss abo^it our author's meaning. This enemy is sometimes gratified with such an arrangement of outward disjiensations as most favours his assaults : so that the believer's path seems to be wholly ob- structed. The Lord himself appears to have forsaken hitn, or even to fight against him ; and his appointments are deem- ed contrary to his promises. Thrs gives Satan an oportuni- ty of suggesting hard tlioughts of God and his ways, doubts about the truth of the Scriptures, and desponding feara of a fatal event to a self-denying coiu-se of religion. Many such • fiery darts' may be repelled or quenched by the shield of WITH SCOTT'S NOTES 131 I hate his person, his laws, and people ; 1 am come out on purpose to withstand thee. faith ; Init there are seasons (as some of us well know) when they are poured in so incessantly, and receive such plausi- bility from facts, and when they so interrupt a man while praying, reading, or meditating, that he is ten\ptcd to inter- mit religious duties, to avoid their hoi rid concomitants. Tiw evils of the heart, which seemed before to be subdued, isr. it these times so excited by means of the imagination; Uat tiu'y apparently prevail more than ever, rendering every service an abomination, as well as a burthen ; so thai the harassed soul, alarmed, baftled, defded, self-detested, and thinking that God and his servants unite in abhorring him, is ready to give up all hope, to doubt all his former principles, to seek refuge ill some heretical or antinomian system, or to attempt the dissipation of his melancholy gloom, by joining again in t'.ie vanities of the world. Thus the enemy ' wounds him in hia understanding, faith, and conversation' (according to the au- thor's marginal interpretation of his meaning), yet he can- not find rehef in this manner ; but is inwardly constrained, with renewed efiorts, to return to the conflict. But when Buch temptations are long continued, resist\nee will gradual- ly become more feeble ; the distressed believer will be ready to give up every thing ; and when the enemy plies him close- ly with infidel suggestions, to which his circumstances give a specious occasion, he may be thrown down, an 1 ' his sword may fly out of his hand :' so that for a lime he may be una- ble to give any credit to the truth of the Scriptures, by which alone he was before enabled to repel the tempter. This is a dreadful case : and could true faith thus finally and entirely fail, even real Christians must perish. Satan hath succeed- ed against many professors, with half these advantages ; and he may be supposed at least, to boast that he is sure of such as are thus cast down. But the advocate above ' prays' for his disciples, ' that their faith should not fail' (Luke xxii. 31, 32). So that, though Peter fell widi Judas, he was not left to perish with him. The Christian, therefore, though ' al- most pressed to death,' and ready ' to despair of life, will, by the special grace of God, be helped ag;fin to seize hiu sword, and to use it with more tjtferl tlian ever. The Holy Spirit will bring to his mind, with the most convincing ener- gy, the evidences of thf^-»livine inspiration of the Scripture, and enable him to rely on the promises : and thus, at leni^th, the enemy will be put to flight, by testimonies of holy W 132 THE PILGHrM'S riiOGRESS, Chr. Apollyon, beware what you do, for 1 am in the king's higliway, the way of hoHiiess ; therefore take heed to yourself Then Apollyon straddled quite over the whole breadth of the way, and said, I am void of fear in this matter ; prepare thyself to die ; for I swear by rny infernal den, tha' pertinently adduced, and more clearly understood than be- fore. Experience will teach some readers to understand these things, and they will know how to compassionate and make allowances for the mistakes of the tempted : and oth- ers, who liave been graciously exempted from, perhaps, the deepest anguish known on earth (tliough conmionly not of long duration), should learn from the testimony of their breth- ren, to allow the reality of these distresses, and sympathize with the sufferers ; and not (like Job's friends) to join with Satan in aggravating their sorrows. We may allow, that constitution, partial disease, and errors in judgment, expose some men more than others to such assaults ; yet these are only occasions, and evil spirits are assuredly the agents in thus harassing serious persons. It is indeed of the greatest importance to be well established in the faith : they, who in ordinary cases are satisfied with general convictions and com- fortable feelings, without being able to give a reason for their hope, may be driven to the most tremendous extremities, should God permit them to be thus assaulted : for they have no fixed principles to which they may resort in such ac emergency ; and perhaps some degree of mistake always give? Satan his principal advantage on these occasions. Yet meg of the most sober minds and sound judgment, when in a bet- ter state of bodily health than usual, and i-n all other respects more rational, have experienced such distressing tempta- tions of this kind, as they could scarcely have believed on tha report of others ; and when delivereil, tliey cannot look back on the past without the greatest consternation. Be- sides the verses, by which Christian gave thanks to hia great deliverer, we meet in the old copies with these lines :-• A more unequal match can hardly be. Christian must fight an angel ; but you see, The valiant man by handling sword and shield. Doth make him, though a dragon, rjnit the field,' WITH SCOPT'S NOTES. 133 thou shalt go no forther : here will I spill thy soul. And with that he threw a flaming dart at his breast ; but Christian had a shield in his hand, with which he caught it, and so prevented the danger of that. Then did Christian draw, for he saw it wta time to bcster liiin ; and Apollyon as fast made at him, throwing darts as thick as hail •, by the which notwithstanding all that Christian could do to avoid it, Apollyon wounded him in his head, his hand, and foot. This made Chris- tian give a little back : Apollyon, therefore, fol- lowed his work amain, and Christian again took courage, and resisted as manfully as he could. This sore combat lasted for above half a day, even till Christian was almost quite spent ; for you must know, that Christian, by reason of his wounds, must needs grow weaker and weaker. Then Apollyon, spying his opportunity, be- gan to gather up close to Christian, and, wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall ; and with that Christian's sword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, I am sure of thee now ; and with that he had almost pressed him to death, so that Christian began to des- pair of life. But, as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, Christian nimbly stret^-hed out his hand far his sword. and caught it, saying, ' Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy ! when I fall, I shall arise' (Mic. vii. 8) ; and with that gave him a dead- VoL. I. 12 134 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, \y thrust, which made him give back, as one that ha(^ '"^eived his mortal wound. Chris- tian percemng that, made at him agahi, say- ing, ' Nay, in all these we are more than con- querors, through him that loved us' (^Rom. riii. 37 — 39 ; Jam. iv. 7) ; and with that Apollyon spread forth his dragon's wings and sped him away, that Christian saw him no more. In this combat no man can imagine, unlesa he had seen and heard, as I did, what yelling and hideous roaring Apollyon made all the time of the fight ; he spake like a dragon : and, on the other side, what sighs and groans burst from Christian's heart. I never saw him all the while give so much as one pleasant look, till he perceived he had wounded Apoll- yon with his two-edged sword ; then indeed he did smile and look upward ! But it was the dreadfullest fight that ever I saw. So when the battle was over, Christian said, I will here give thanks to him tliat hath delivered me out of the mouth of the lion, to him that did help me against Apollyon. And so he did, saying. Great Beelzebub, the captain of tliis fiend, Design'd my ruin ; therefore to this end He sent him liarness'd out ; and he with rage That helHsh was did fiercely me engage : But blessed Michael helped me, and I By dint of sword did quickly make him fly : Therefore to him let me give lasting praise And thanks, and bless his holy name always. Then there came to him a hand* with some * ' A hand' — When the lx>liever has obtained the victory orer temptation, the Lord will e'racionslv heal all the wounds WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 135 of the leaves of the tree of life, the which Christian took and applied to the wounds that he had received in the battle, and was healed immediately. He also sat down in that place to eat bread, and to drink of that bottle that was given him a little before : so being re- freshed, he addressed himself to his journey with his sword drawn in his hand ; for he said, I know not but some other enemy may be at hand. But he met with no other affront from Apollyon quite through the valley. Now at the end of this valley was another, called the valley* of the Shadow of Death, he received in the cnnflirt ; paidoning his sins, rectifying Ins mistiikes, and renewing his strength and comfort, through the mediation of Christ, artd hy the influences of the Holy Spir- it : so that the most distressing experiences are often suc- ceeded by the sweetest confidence and serenity of mind, and the greatest alacrity in the ways of God. ' The leaves of the tree of life' (Rev. xxii. 2), represent tiie present benefits of the redemption of Christ : ' the hand' may be the emblem of tliose whom die Lord employs, as instrutiieiits in restoring to his discouraged servants ' the joy <.f liis salvation.' The be- liever thus healed and refreshed, by meditation on the death of Christ, and other religious exercises, rests not in one vic- tory, but presses forward, |)reparc-:! fov now conflicts ; yet the enemy, once decidedly put to flight, seldom repeats the same assaults, at least for some time ; Ijecause he will generally find the victor upon his guard on Uvit side, though he may be ■urprised in some other way. * ' The valley' — The valley of the Shadow of Death seems intended to represent a variation of inward distress, conflict, and alarm, which arise from prevailing darkness and inseus.i- bility of minil, rendering a man reluctant to religious duties, and 'dull in the performance of them, which makes way for manifold apprehensions and temptations. The words, quoted from the prophet, describe the waste howling wilderness tiu-ough which Israel journeyed to Canaan ; which typified ihe believer's pilgrimage through this world to heaven. From ibis we ui.iy infer, that die aiul»a« meant in general, thatsnch 136 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, and Christian must needs go through it, be- cause the way to the Celestial City lay through dreary seasons may be expected, as very few believere whol- ly escape them : but we must not suppose, that he intended to convey an idea, that all experience these trials in the same order or degree as Christian did. While men rest in fnrms and notions, they generally expect notliing in religious ordi- nances but to finish a task, and to enjoy the satisfaction of having done their supposed duty; but the spiritual worship- per, at some times, finds his soul filled with clear light and holy affection ; ' it is good for him to draw nigh to God ;' and ' his soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, while he praises his God with joyful lips :' at other times, dulness and heaviness oppress him ; he feels little exercise of faith, hope, desire, reverence, love, or gratitude ; he seems to ad- dress an unknown or absent God, and rather to mock than to worship him ; divine things appear obscure and almost unreal ; and every returning season of devotion, or reiterated effort to lift up his heart to God, ends in disappointment ; so that religion becomes his burthen instead of his delight. Evils before unnoticed are now perceived to mingle with his services ; for his self-knowledge is advanced ; his remedy seems to increase his disease ; he suspects that all his former joy was a delusion, and is ready to conclude, that ' God had forgotten to be gracious, and haih shut up his loving-kindness in displeasure.' These experiences, sufficiently painful in themselves, are often rendered more distressing, by errone- ous expectations of uninterrupted comfort, or by reading books, or hearkening to instructions, which state things unv scripturally ; representing comfort as the evidence of accept- ance, assurance as the essence of faith, impressions or vi- sions as the witness of the Spirit ; or perfection as attaina- ble in this life, nay, actually attained by all the regenerate; as if this were the church triumphant, and not the church militant. The state of the body also, as disordered by ner- vous or hypochondriacal affections, gives energy to the dis- tressing inferences which men often draw from their dark frame of mind; and indeed indisposition may often operate as a direct cause of it ; though the influences of the Holy Spirit will overcome this, and all other impediments to com- fort, when ' he sheds abroad the love of God in the heart.* Evil spirits never fail, when permitted, to take advantage of a disordered state, wl>eiher of body or mind, to mislead, en- tangle, perjilex, or defile the soul. Persons of a melancholia WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 137 the midst of it Now this valley is a very solitary place. The prophet Jeremiah thus describes it : ' A wilderness, a land of deserts and of pits ; a land of drought, and of the shadoiv of death ; a land that no man,' but a Christian, ' passeth through, and where nc man dwelt' (Jer. ii. 6). Now here Christian was worse put to than in his fight with Apollyon ; as by the st quel you shall see. I saw then in my dr (>ani, th;u when Christ- ian was got on the borders of the Shadow of Death, there met him two men,* children of lemperatiire, when not aware of the particular cause5 unerioc their glnom originates, are apt to ascribe it wholly to deser- tion, which exceedingly enhances their distress ; and, as oiir autlior had been gieatly harassed in tliis way, he has given us a larger proportion of this shade than is generally met with l)y consistent believers, or than tile Scriptures give us reason to expect : and probably he meant to state the out- lines of his own experience in the pilgrimage of Christian. * ' Two men' — These men were spies, not pilgrims : they related what they had observed at a distance, but li.id nexer experienced. They represent those wlio have been ronvcr sant with godly people ; and ' bring an e\ il report on the good land,' to prejudice the minds of miinbeis against the rioht ways of the Lord. Such men pretend to have made trial of religion, and found it to be a comfortless and dreary pursuit ; they give a caricatured discriptinn of the sighs, groans, terrors, and distresses of pious persons, and of al! the dreadful things to be seen and heard among ilicm : they avail themselves of every unguarded or hyperbolical expres- sion, which escapes a tempted believer ; "of the enliiusiasiic representations which some people give of their cNprnence ; and even of the figurative language, whi( h is often en)ploved in speaking of inward conflicts under images taken from ex- ternal things. Thus they endeavour to excuse their own apostaoy, and to expose to contempt the cause which they have deserted. Nothing they can say, however, cuncernina ihe disorder or confiwirjn to which religion may sometimcfl ]2% r38 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, them that brought up an evil report of the good land (Numb, xiii.), making haste to go back ; to whom Christian spake as follows : — Whither are you going ? They said, Back ! back ! and we would have you to do so too, if either life or peace is prized by you. Why, what's the matter } said Christian. Matter ! said they, we were going that way as you are going, and went as far as we durst ; and indeed we were almost past coming back ; for had we gone a little farther we had ncrt been here to bring the news to thee. But what have you met with .'' said Chris- tian. Men. Why we were almost in the valley of the Shadow of Death (Ps. xUv. 19), but that by good hap we looked before us, and saw the danger before we came to it. But what have you seen ? said Christian. Men. Seen ! why the valley itself, which is as dark as pitch ; we also saw there the hob- goblins, statyrs, and dragons of the pit ; we heard also in that valley a continual howling and yelling, as of people under unutterable misery, who there sat bound in affliction and irons ; and over that valley hang the dis- couraging clouds of confusion : death also doth always spread his wings over it (Job iii. give occasion, can induce the believer to conclude that he has mistaken his way, or that it would be advisable for him to turn back, or deviate into any i)ye-palh : though tliey will excite Jiiin so vigilance and circumspection. As tiiose spies do so murli niisciiief by tlieir misrepresentations, we sliould be careful lu give them as little occasion as we possibly (tap WITH scorr's .\otes. 139 5 ; X. 22). In a word, it is every whit dread- ful, being utterly without order. Then said Christian, I perceive not yet, by vfhat you have said, but that this is my way to the desired haven. Men. Be it thy way ; we will not choose it for ours. So they parted ; and Christian went on his way, but still with his sword drawn in his hand, for fear lest he should be assaulted. I saw then in my dream, so far as this val- ley rea-ched there was on the right hand a very deep ditch ;* that ditch is it into which the blind * ' Deep ditch' — The fatal presumption, into which men are sootlied, through ignorance and various kinds of false doc- trine, so thai tliey conclude themselves safe witliout any war- rant from Scripture, is intended by the ' deep ditch,' into which ' the blind lead the blind and perish with tliem.' This is often done by men who reciprocally criminate and despise each other. ' The dangerous quag,' on tin; other side of the narrow way represents the opposite extreme — despair of God's mercy; and the mire of it agrees with that of the slough of Despond. In these opposite ways multitudes con- tinually perish ; some concluding fliat there is no fear, others that there is no hope. But the danger to which a real be- liever is exposed, of verging towards one of these extremes in times of inward darkness and disconsolation, is especially im- plied. They, who have had much opportunity of conversing with professors of the Gospel, have met with many persons who once were zealous and comfortable, but their religious afiections have declined; their duties are comparatively scan- tv, formal, and joyless; their walk unsteady, and their hearts dark, cold, and barren ; they call themselves backsliders and complain of desertion, yet they have no hearts to use proiwi means of revival but love to be soothed in their present condi- tion ; and (juiet themselves by presuming that they are true be- lievers, a«d abusing the doctrine of final perseverance. Manv of this cast are wholly deceived; others partially, and will be recovered by severe but salutary rebukes and chastenings. Even the cou>;isteiil we'l-iiistrucicd Christian, when greatly 140 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, hath led the blind in all ages, and hath both there miserably perished. Again, behold, on the left hand there was a very dangerous quag, into which if even a good man falls he finds no bottom for his foot to stand on : into this quag king David once did fall, and had, no discouraged, may be powerfully tempted to seek peace of mind, by arguing with himself on the safety of his state, or trying to be satisfied without his former spiritual affections and holy consolations : and Satan will find prompters to sug* gest to him, that this is the case of all experienced believers, and that fervency of love belongs only to young converts, who are strangers to their own hearts. This is the more plausi- ble, because the increase of sound judgment and abiding spir- itual affections abates that earnestness (often indiscreet and disproportioned), which sprang from mere selfish principles : and, when religious profession is cheap and common, many re- tain it, who have scarce any appearance of spirituality, and who infect others with their contagious converse and exam- ple. But while the conscientious believer, amidst his deep- est discouragements, dreads and shuns this presumption, he is liable to sink into despondency ; and may be led to condemn all his past experience as unreal ; to rank himself among stony-ground hearers ; to conclude that it is useless for him to pray or seek any more ; and to lie down in enfeebling de- jection. Again, perceiving this danger, he finds it very diffi- cult, in the present dark state of his soul, to avoid it, without seeming to abuse tlie free grace of the gospel. This experi- ence must create mucli distress, perplexity, and confusion ; and make way for many dark and terrifying temptations ; so that, though a man be not harassed with doubts about the truth of the Scriptures, he willW>eA<«Mc to make much use of them for his (iirertiiin and coinfurt ; and earnest, instant prayer must be his only resource. Cases sometimes occur, in which, through a concurrence of circumstances, this alarm- ing and perplexing experience continues and increases for some time : but the true Christian will be, as it were, con- strained to press forward, and by faith will at length put his enemies to fiight. Some have thought, that the general no- tions of apparitions may be alluded to, as giving the tempter an occasion of increasing the terror of such persons as are ia that respect credulous and timorous. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. HI doubt, therein been smothered, had not he that is able plucked him out (Ps. Ixix. 14). The pathway was here also exceeding nar row, and therefore good Christian was the more put to it ; for when he sought in the dark to shun the ditch on the one hand, he was ready to tip over into the mire on the other ; also when he sought to escape the mire, without great carefulness he would be ready to fall into the ditch. Thus he went on, and I heard him here sigh bitterly ; for besides the danger mentioned above, the pathway was here so dark, that oft-times when he lifted up his foot to go forward, he knew not where, nor upon what, he should set it next. About the midst of the valley, I perceived the mouth of hell to be, and it stood also hard by the way-side ; now, tliought Christian, what shall I do ? and ever and anon the flame and smoke would come out in such abundance, with sparks and hideous noises (things that cared not for Christian's sword, as did Apoll- yon before), that he was forced to put up his sword, and betake himself to another weapon, called all-prayer ; so he cried, in my hearing, ' O Lord, 1 beseech thee, deliver my soul (Ps. cxvi. 4. Ephes. vi. 18). Thus he went on a great while, yet still the flames would be reaching towards him ; also he heard doleful voices, and rushing to and fro, so that some- times he thought he should be torn in pieces, or trodden down like mire in the streets. This frightful sight was seen, and these dreadful noises were heard by him for several miles to- 142 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, gether ; and coming to a place where he thought he heard a company ot" fiends coming forward to meet him, he stopt, and began to muse what he had best to do : sometimes he had half a thought to go back ; then again ho thought he might be half way through the vaJ.- icy ; he remembered also how he had already vanquished many a danger ; and that the dan- ger of going back might be much more than for to go forward. So he resolved to go on ; yet the fiends seemed to come nearer and nearer: but when they were come even al- most at him, he cried out with a most vehe- ment voice, ' I will walk in the strength of tho Lord God ;' so they gave back and came nr> farther. One thing* I would not let slip : 1 took no- tice, that now poor Christian was so confound- * ' One thing' — The case here intended is not uncommon among conscientious persons under urgent temptations. Im- aginations are suddenly excited in their minds, with wliich dieir previous tliouglits had no connexion, even as if words were spoken to them : tliese often imply nard censures of G(xl, his service or decrees, whicli they al)lior as direct blaspnemy ; or harass them with other hatefid ideas : yet, instead of con- sidering, that such suggestions distress them, inexact jjropor- lion as they are opposite to the prevailing disposition of their hearts, and that their dread and hatred of thern are evidences of love to God, they consider them as unpardonahly criminal, i.iconsistcnt with a stale of grace, and a mark of final repro- bation. Whereas, had such things coincided with tiie stale of their minds, they would have been defiling hut not distrcfs- iag ; and instead of rejecting tnem al once with decided a)j- l\orrcnce, they would h.ave given them enlertaimnent, and ein- ployeil their minds about them, as much as ihey dared : ' li)r the carnal mind is enmity against God,' and can only be de- terred from blaspiiemy, on many occasions, by the dread of his ve*igearK;e. Our author liad been so much baffled by tWm ■tratagem of the tempter, that it would have been exiiaoi.ii.i- WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 143 ed that he did not know his own voice ; and thus I perceived it : just when he was coming over against the mouth of the burning pit, one of the wicked ones got behind him, and step- ped up softly to him, and whisperingly sug- gested many grievous blasphemies to him, which he verily thought had proceeded from his own mind. This put Christian more to it than any thing that he met with before, even to think that he should now blaspheme him that he loved so much before ; yet if he could have helped it he would not have done it : but he had not the discretion either to stop his ears, or to know from whence the blasphemies came. AVhen Christian had travelled in this dis- consolate condition some considerable time, he thought he heard the voice* of a man, as an' bad he omitted it : for tlie subseiiiient discovery he made oHiis mistake, and of tlie way of icsi.^liiig tlie devil in this case, qualified him to give suitable caiiticms to others. The intrusion of such thoughts should exrite us to greater <;ar- nestness in prayer, pious meditations, or adoring praises ; for this, above all other things, wil! in the event be found to close the mind most effectually ;»gainst them.— The following lin«i come in here, as before — ' Poor man ! where art thou now 1 thy day is night : Good man, Ije not cast down, tliou yet art right. The way to heav'n lies by the gates of hell : Cheer up, hold out, with thee it shall go well.' * ' The voicf ' — Nothing more eflTectually supports tho tempted than to learn, that others, whom they consider as believers, have been or are in similar circumstances : for the idea, that such a state of mind as they experience is inconsis- tent with true faith, gives the enemy his principal advaiitago against til. 'in. Indeed this often proves the means ot then deliverance ; for in due eeiison that light, affection, and 144 THE PILGRUrs PROGRESS, going before him, saying, ' though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no ill, for thou art with me' (Ps. xx'iii. 4). Then he was glad, and that for these rea- sons : First, Because he gathered from thence, that some who feared God were in this valley as well as himself : Secondly, For that he perceived God was with them, though in that dark and dismal state ; and why not, thought he, with me ? though by reason of the impediment that attends this place I can- not perceive it (Job ix. 11). Thirdly, For that he hoped (could he overtake them) to have company by and by. So he went on, and called to him that was before ; but he knew not what to answer, for that he also thought himself to be alone. And by-and- bye the day broke : then said Christian, he hath ' turned the shadow of death into the morning' (Amos v. 8). Now morning being come he looked back, not out of desire to return, but to see by the light of the day what hazards he had gone through in the dark : so he saw more perfect- ly the ditch that was on the one hand, and the quag that was on the other ; also how narrow (he way was which led betwixt them both • also now he saw the hobgoblins, and satyrs, consolation, far which tliey have long mourned, thirsted, prav ed, and waited, will be vouclisaled them ; and the review of that though the first part of the valley of the Shadow of Death was dangerous, yet this second part,* which he was yet to go, was, if por^rfible, far more dangerous : for, from the place whei'e he now stood even to the end of the valley, the way was all along set * ' Second pan' — Various interpretations are given of this secoiui part of tlie valley, which only shew, that the aullior's precise idea in it lies more remote frojii general apprehension than in otlK-r passages : for they all coincide with .some of tlie dilficuliies or dangers that are clearly descril)eJ under otlier emblems. 1 would not indeed be too confident, but, I apprehend, in general we are taught by it, thai believers are Dot most ill danger when under the deepest distress ; that the snares and devices of the enemy are so many and various, through the several stages of our pilgrimage, as tc baffle all description or enumeration ; and that all the emhieuis of the valley of humiliation, ;ind of" the shadcjw of death, could not fully represent the thousandth part of them. Were it not, therefore, that the Lord undertakes to guide his people, by the light of his word and Spirit, they never could poesioly 60- «.a.pe them all. Vol.. I 13 146 THE PILGRIM'S PROGKESH, full of snares, traps, gins, and nets, here, and so full ot pits, pitfalls, deep holes, and shelv- ings down, there, that had it been dark, as it was when he came the first part of the way, had he had a thousand souls they had in rea- son been cast away : but as I said, just now the sun was rising. Then said he, ' his can- dle shineth on my head, and by his light I go through darkness (Job xxix. 3). In this light therefore he came to the end of the valley. Now I saw in my dream, that at the end of this valley lay blood, bones, ashes, and mangled bodies of men, even of pilgrims that had gone this way formerly : and while I was musing what should be the reason, I spied a little before me a cave, where two giants, Pope* and Pagan, dwelt in old time ; by whose power and tyranny the men, whose bones, blood, ashes, &c., lay there, were cruelly put to death. But by this place Christian went without much dan- ger, whereat 1 somewhat wondered : but I have learnt since, that Pagan has been dead many a day ; and, as for the other, though he be yet alive, he is by reason of age, and * ' Pope' — The inhabitants of Britain are not thoiijrht to be in any immediate danger, either from Pope or Pae;an. Yet something very like tl»e philosophical part of paganism seems to be rising from the dead, while popery grows more infirm than ever : and as, even by the confession of the late king of Prussia, who was a steady friend to the philosophi- cal infidels, they * are by no means favourable to general tol- eration,' it is not improbable but pagan persecution may al- so indue time revive. Our author, howeier, has described no otlier persecution than what Protestants in his time canv ed on against one another with very great alacrity. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 147 also of the many shrewd brushes that he met with in his younger days, grown so crazy and stiff in his joints, that he now can do little more than sit in his cave's mouth, grinning at pilgrims as they go by, and biting his n'ails because he cannot come at them. So I saw that Christian went on his way ; yet, at the sight of the old man, that sat in the mouth of the cave, he could not tell what to think ; especially because he spake to him, though he could not go after him, say- ing, ' You will never mend till more of you be burned.' But he held his peace, and set a good face on it, and so went by and catch- ed no hurt. Then sang Christian, O world of wonders ! (I can say no less) That I should be preserv'd in that distress That I have met witli here ! O blessed be That hand that from it hath delivered me ! Dangers in darkness, devils, hell, and sin. Did compass me while I this vale was in ; Yea, snares, and pits, and traps, and nets did lie My path about, that worthless silly I Might have been catcU'd, entangled, and cast down : But since I live let Jesus wear the crown. Now as Christian went on his way he came to a little ascent,* which was up-cast on pur- pose that pilgrims might see before them. Up * ' Ascent'— -This may ret^rcsent diose moments of en- couragement, in which tempted lielievers rije sujJeriQi- tr> iheir diiricnlties j and are animated to desire the company of their brethren, whom dejection under humiliating experi- ences disposes them to shun. The conduct of Christian inti- mates, tliat believers are sometimes ready to hinder one an- other, by making their own attainments and progress a ■tandard for tlwir brethren ; but the lively exercise of faitjj 148 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, there, therefore, Christian went •, and U:)oking forward he saw Faithful hefore him upon his journey. Then said Christian aloud, ' Ho ho ! so ho ! stay, and T will be your com.pan- ion.' At that Faithful looked behind him, to whom Christian cried, ' Stay, stay, till I come to you ;' but Faithful answered, ' No, I ara upon my life, and the avenger of blood is be- hind me.' At this Christian was somewhat moved, and putting to all his strength he quickly got up with Faithful, aind did also overrun him ; so the last was first. Then did Christian vain- gloriously smile, because he had gotten the start of his brother : but not taking good heed to his feet he suddenly stumbled and fell, and could not rise again until Faithful came up to help him. Then I saw in my dream they went very lovingly on together, and had sweet discourse of all things that had happened to them in their pilgrimage i and thus Christian began :— My honoured and well-beloved brother Faithful,* I am glad that I have overtaken renders men intent on pressing forward, and more apt to fear the society of such as would influence thein to loiter» than to stop for tliem. This tends to excite an useful emula- tion ; but while it promotes diligence, it often gives occa- sion to those risings of vain glory and self-preference, which are the forerunners of some humiliating fall : thus believers often are left to feel their need of help from the very persons whom they have foolishly undervalued. Such experiences, however, give occasion to those mutual good offices, which unite them more closeiy in the nearest ties of tender afi'cction. * ' Faidiful' — This episode, so to speak, with others of the same kind, gives our author a happy advantage of vary- WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 149 you ; and that God has so tempered our spir- its that we can walk as companions in this so pleasant a path. Faith. I had thought, dear friend, to have had your company quite from our town, but you did get the start of me ; wherefore I was forced to come thus much of the way alone Chr. How long did you stay in the city of Destruction, before you set out after nre on your pilgrimage ? Faith. Till I could stay no longer ; for there was great talk presently after you were gone out, that our city would in a short time with fire from heaven be burned down to the ground. Chr. What ! did your neighbours talk so ? Faith. Yes, it was for a while in every body's mouth. Chr. What ! and did no more of them but you come out to escape the danger .'' Faith. Though there was, as I said, a great ing the characters and experiences of Christians, as found in real life ; and of thus avoiding the common fault of making one man a standard for others, in the circumstances of his re- ligious progress. It often happens, that they who have \>een acquainted before tlieir conversion, and hear little of each other for some time after, find at length that they were led to attend to religion about tlie same period, without iiaving opportunity or courage to confer togetiier about it. The de- cided separation of a sinner from his old companions, ar(d his avowed dread of the wrath to come, frequently excites alarms and serious tliouglits in the minds of otliers, which they are not able wholly to shake off. In many indeed tliis if a mere floating, transient notion, insuflicient to overcome the propensities of the carnal mind ; but when it arises from a real belief of God'n testimony, it will at lengtli uroduoe a happy change. 150 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, talk there-aboul, yet 1 do not think they did firmly believe it. For in the heat of the dig- course, I heard some of them deridingly speak of you and your desperate journey, for so they called this your pilgrimage. But I did believe, and do still, that the end of our city will be with fire and brimstone from above ; and therefore I have made my escape. Chr. Did you hear no talk of neighbour Pliable.* Faith. Yes, Christian, I heard that he fol- lowed you till he come at the slough of Des- pond ; where, as some said, he fell in ; but he would not be known to have so done ; but I am sure he was soundly bedaubed with that kind of dirt. Chr. And what said the neighbours to him ? Faith. He has since his going back been had greatly in derision, and that among all sorts of people ; some do mock and despiso him, and scarcely will any set him on work. He is now seven times worse than if he had never gone out of the city. Chr. But why should they be so against him, since they also despised the way that he forsook ? * ' Pliable' — ^Apostates are often ashamed to own they have had convictions: their careless companions as.sumea kind of superiority over them ; tliey do not think them hear- ty in tiie cause of ungodliness, and they despise their covr- ardice and versatility : on the other hand such persons feel diat they want an apology, and have recourse to contempti- ble lies and slanders, with abject servility ; while they shtia fehgious people, as afraid of their arguments, warnings, anti expostulations WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 151 Faith. O they say, ' Hang him ; he is a turncoat ! he was not true to his profession.' I think rjod has stirred up even his enemies to hiss at him, and make him a proverb, be- cause he hath forsaken the way (Jer. xxix. 18, IS). Chr. Had you no talk with him, before you came out r Faith. I met him once in the streets, but he leered away on the other side, as one ashamed of what he had done ; so I spake not to him. Chr. Well, at my first setting out I had hopes of that man ; but now I fear he will pciish in the overthrow of the city : for 'it hath happened to him according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his vomit again ; and the sow that was washed, to her wallow- ing in her mire' (2 Pet. ii. 22). Faith. They are my fears of him too : but who can hinder that which will be .'' Well, neighbour Faithful, said Christian, let us leave him, and talk of things that more immediately concern ourselves. Tell me now what you have met with in the way as you came ; for I know you have met with some things, or else it may be writ for a won- der. Faith. I escaped* the slough that 1 per- ceived you fell into, and got up to the gate without that danger • only I met with one, * ' Escapeil' — Some men aie piesorved from (Ic^^potuliiig fears, and the .siig;5f'.-ili()ns of worldly wisdom, by receiving nore distinct vitnvs of tiie general trutiis of die Goc>pel ; ana 16*2 THE Pn,GRlM'S PROGRESS. whose name was Wanton, that had like to have dune me a mischief. Chr. It was well you escaped hernet : Jo- seph was hard put to it by her, and he es- caped her as you did ; but it had like to have cost him his life (Gen. xxxix. 11 — 13.) But what did she do to you .'' Failh. You cannot think, but that you know something, what a flattering; tongue she had ; she lay at me hard to turn aside with her, promising me all manner of content. Chr. Nay, she did not promise you the content of a good conscience. Failli. You know that I mean all carnal and fleshly content. Chr. Thank God you have escaped her : ' the abhorred of the Lord shall fall into her ditch (Prov. .\xii. 14). Faith. Nay, I know not whether 1 did wholly escape her or no. Chr. Why, I trow you did not consent to her desires. Faith. No, not to defile myself, for I re- membered an old writing that I had seen, which thus they proceed with less hesin one view what Christians should expect, and may be ex- posed to, from the enmity of the world, very judiciously in- troduces that interesting scene by Evangelist's meeting them, with suitable cautions, exhortations, and encourai^ements. The minister, by whose faithful labours a man is first di- rected into the way of salvation, commonly retains great in- fluence, and is considered with special affection, even when various circumstances have placed him at a distance under Bome other pastor. The conversation, therefore, of such a bektvcd friend tends to recall to the minds of believers their former fears, trials, and deliveranceo, which animate them to encounter farther difficulties, and opens the way for sea- sonable counsels and admonitions. 184 PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, loo, said Faithful, for it was he that set me the way to the gate. Now as Evangehst came up unto them, he thus saluted them : Peace be with you, dearly beloved ; and peace be to your helpers. Chr. Welcoirte, welcome, my good Evan- gelist ; the sight of thy countenance brings to my remembrance thy ancient kindness and unwearied labours for my eternal good. And a thousand times welcome, said good Faithful, thy company, O sweet Evangelist, how desirable is it to us poor pilgrims ! Then said Evangelist, How hath it fared with you my friends, since the time of our last parting ? what have you met with, and how have you behaved yourselves ? Then Christian and Faithful told him of all things that had happened to them in the way ; and how, and with what ditficulty, they had arrived to that place. Right glad am I, said Evangelist, not that you have met with trials, but that you have been victors, and for that you have, notwith- standing many weaknesses, continued in the way to this very day. I say, right glad am I of this thing, and that for my own sake and yours. I have sowed and you have reaped ; and the day is coming when both he that sow- ed and they that reaped shall rejoice togeth- er ;' that is, if you hold out ; ' for in due time ye shall reap, if you faint not' (John iv. 36 ; Gal. vi. 9). The crown is before you, and it is an incorruptible one ; so run, that you may obtain it. Some there be that set WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 185 out for this crown, and after they have gone far for it another comes in and takes it from them ; ' hold fast therefore that you have, let no man take your crown' (1 Cor. ix. 24 — 27 ; Rev. iii 11): you are not yet out of the gunshot of the devil ; ' you have not resisted unto blood, striving against sin :' let the king- dom be always before you, and believe stead- fastly concerning things that are invisible ; let nothing that is on this side the other world get within you ; and, above all, look well to your own hearts and to the lusts thereof, for they are ' deceitful above all things, and des- perately wicked :' set your faces like a flint ; you have all power in heaven and earth on your side. Then Christian thanked him for his exhor- tation ; but told him withal, that they would have him speak farther to them for their help the rest of the way ; and the rather for that they well knew that he was a prophet,* and could tell them of things that might happen * ' Prophet' — The able and faithful minister can foretei many things, from his knowledge of the Scriptures, and en- larged experience and observation, of which his people are not aware. He knows beforehand, that ' through much tribulation they must enter into the kingdom of God ;' and the circumstances of the times aid him in discerning what trials and difficulties more especially await them. A retired life shelters a believer from the enmity of the world ; and timid men are often tempted on this account to abide in the wilderness, to choose obscurity and solitude, for the sake of quiet and safety, to the neglect of those active services for which they are quali6ed. But when Christians are called forth to a more public situation, they will need peculiar cau- tions and instructions : for inexperience renders men inat< toative to the words of Scripture ; and they often do not al 16* 186 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, unto them, and how they might resist and overcome them. To which request Faithful also consented. So Evangelist began as followeth : My sons, you have heard in the words of the truth of the Gospel, that ' you must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom of heaven :' and again, that ' in every city, bonds and afflictions abide on you ;' and therefore you cannot expect that you should go long on your pilgrimage without them, in some sort or other. You have found some- thing of the truth of these testimonies upon you already, and more will immediately follow : for now, as you see, you are almost out of this wilderness, and therefore you will soon come into a town that you will by-and-bye see be- fore you ; and in that town you will be hardly beset with enemies, who will strain hard but they will kill you ; and be you sure, that one or both ofyou must seal the testimony, which you hold, with blood : but ' be you faithful unto death, and the King will give you a crown of life.' He that shall die there, although his death will be unnatural, and his pains perhaps great, he will yet have the better of his fellow ; not only because he will be arrived at the Celestial City soonest, but because he will escape many / iseries that the other will meet with in the , est of his journey. But when you are come o the town, and shall find fulfilled what I have here related, then remember your friend, all expect, or prepare for, the trials which aie inseparable from those scenes, on which they are perhaps even impatient lo enter. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 187 and quit yourselves like men ; and ' commit the keeping of souls to your God in well-do- ing, as unto a faithful Creator.' Then I saw in my dream, that, when they were got out of the wilderness, they present- ly saw a town before them ; the name* of * ' The name' — Our author evidently designed to exhibit in his allegory the grand outlines of the difficuUies, tempta- tions, and sufferings, to which beUcvers are exposed in this evil world ; which, in n work of this nature, must be related as if they came upon them one after another in regular suc- cession ; though in actual experience several may meet to- gellier, many may molest the same person again and again, and some harass him in every stage of his journey. We should, therefore, singly consider the instruction conveyed by every allegorical incident, without measuring our experience, or calculating our progress, by comparing them with cir- cumstances, which might \ie reversed or altered with almost endless variety. In general, Vanity fair represents the wretch' ed sb»te of things, in those populous places especially, where true religion is neglected and persecuted ; and indeed of the whole world, ' as lying in wickedness,' and as distinguished from the church of redeemed sinners. This contiues the eame (in respect of the general principles, conduct, and pur- suits of mankind) through all ages and nations ; but Chris- tians are called to mix more with it at some times than at oth- ers ; and Satan.its god and prince, is permitted to excite fierce persecution in some places and on some occasions, while at other times he is restrained. Many, therefore, seem to spend all their days in the midst of Vanity fair, and of continual insults or injuries ; while others are only sometimes thus ex- posed, and pass most of their lives unmolested ; and a few are favoured with so obscure a situation, and such peaceable times, that they are very little acquainted with these trials. Mr. Bunyan, living in the country, had frequent opportunities of witnessing those fairs, which are held first in one town and then in another; and of observing the pernicious eflects of such a concourse of people drawn together by interest, or for the purposes of dissipation and debauchery, on the princi- ples, morals, health, and circumstances of young persons espe- cially He must also, doubtless, have found tliem to be a very dangerous snare to serious or hopeful persons : so that his delineation of this case, under allusions taken from such a 183 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, that town is Vanity ; and at that town there is a fair kept, called Vanity fair : it is kept all the scene, will be more interesting and affecting to those who have been spectators of these things, than to snch as have moved in higher circles, or dwelt chiefly in populous cities. Worldly men covet, pursue, grasp at, and contend for, the things of time and sense, with such eagerness and violence, that their conduct aptly resembles the bustle, selfishness, arti- fice, dissipation, riot, and tumult of a large crowded fair. The profits, pleasures, honours, possessions, and distinctions of the world, are as transient and frivolous as the events of the fair-day ; with which the children are delighted, but which every man of sense contemns. Solomon, after a com plete experiment, pronounced the whole to be' vanity of van- ities ;' the veriest vanity imaginable, a complex vanity, an accumulation of ciphers, a lottery consisting entirely of blanks ; every earthly object being unsuitable to the wants of the rational soul, unsubstantial, unstisfactory, irksome, disappointing, and perishing. Yet this traffic of vanities is kept up all the year ; because die carnal raind always hankers after one or other of these worldly trifles, and longs ' for change of follies, and relays of joy ;' while objects suited to its feverish thirst arc always at hand to allure it, deriving their efficacy from continually pressing, as it were, on the sen- ses. When our first parents were fatally prevailed on to join Satan's apostacy,^hey ' forsook the Fountain of living waters, to hew out for themselves broken cisterns ;' and the idolatry, of seeking happiness from the creature instead of the Creator, has been universal among all their posterity. Since the promise of a Saviour opened to fallen men a door of hope, the tempter has continually tried to allure them by outward objects, or induce them by the dread of pain and suffering, to ' neglect so great salvation.' Thus the prince of the devils sets up this fair ; and by teaching men to abuse the good creatures ol" God to vile purposes, or to expect fi-om them such satisfaction as they were never meant to afford, he hath used them as baits to the ambition, avarice, levity, and sensu- ality of the carnal mind. No crime has ever been commit- ted on earth, or conceived in the heart of man, which did not arise from this universal apostacv and idolatry; from the ex- cess, to which the insufficiency of the object to answer the proposed end gives rise ; and from tlie vile passions, which the jarring interest or inclinations of numberless competitors for honour, power, wealth, and pleasure, cannot fail to excite WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 189 year long : it beareth the name of Vanity fair, because the town where it is kept is ' hghter than vanity,' and also because all that is there sold, or that cometh thither, is vanity. As is the saying of the wise, ' All that cometh is vanity"' (Ecclcs. i. 2 — 14 ; ii. 11 — 17 ; xi. 8 ; Isa. xi. 17). This fair is no new-erected business, but a thing of ancient standing : I will shew you the original of it. Almost five thousand years agone there were pilgrims walking to the Celestial City, as those two honest persons are ; and Beelze- bub, Apollyon, and Legion, with their com- panions, perceiving, by the path that the pil- grims made, that their way to the city lay through this town of Vanity, they contrived here to set up a fair ; a fair, wherein should be sold all sorts of vanity ; and that it should last all the year long ; therefore at this fair are all such merchandize sold, as houses, lands, trades, places, honours, preferments, ti- As the streame of impiety and vice, which flow from this source, are varied, according to men's constitutions, educa- tions, habits, and situations ; so different worldly pursuits ;»redoininate in divers nations, or stages of civilization. Heuce the manifold variations in the human character, which equal the diversity of their complexions, shape, or capacities, though they be all of one nature. To this an allusion is made by ' the rows' in this fair. The merchandize of Rome, which suited a rude and ignorant age, has now given place to the more plausible wares of sceptical philosophers, which are more agreeable to the pride of learning and huraan reasoning. Even things lawful in themselves, when sought or possessed in a manner which is not consistent with ' seeking first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness,' become allorementa of Satan, to draw sinners into his fatal snare. 190 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, ties, countries, kingdoms, lusts, pleasures ; and delights of all sorts, as whores, bawds, wives, husbands, children, masters, servants, lives, blood, bodies, souls, silver, gold, pearls, pre- cious stones, and what not ? And moreover, at this fair there is at all times to be seen juggling, cheats, games, plays, fools, apes, knaves, and rogues, and that of every kind. Here are to be seen too, and that for noth- ing, thefts, murders, adulterers, false swear- ers, and that of a bloodred colour. And as in other fairs of less moment there are several rows and streets under their prop- er names, where such wares are vended, so here likewise you have the proper places, rows, streets (viz. countries and kingdoms), where the wares of this fair are soonest to be found. Here is the Britain row, the French row, the Italian row, the Spanish row, the German row, where several sorts of vanities are to be sold. But as in other fairs some one commodity is as the chief of all the fair, so the ware of Rome and her merchandize is greatly promoted in the fair ; only our English nation, with some others, have taken a dislike thereat. Now, as I said, the way* to the Celestial City lies just through the town where this lus- * ' The way' — Christianity does not allow men to ' bury their talent in the earth,' or to put ' their light under a bush- el :' they should not ' go out of the world,' or retire into clois ters and deserts, and, therefore, they must all go through this fair. Thus our Lord and Saviour endured all the tempta- tions and sufferings of this evil world ; without being at ail WITH SCOTT'S .\OTES. 191 ty fair is kept ; and he that will go to the city, and yet not go through this town,' must needs go out of the world.' The Prince of princes himself, when here, went through this town to his own country, and that upon a fair-day too : yea, and as I think, it was Beelzebub, the chief lord of this fair, that invited him to buy of his vanities; yea, would have made him lord of the fair, would he but have done him reverence as he went through the town ; yea, because he was such a person of honour, Beelzebub had him from street to street, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world in a little time, that he might, if possible, allure that Blessed One to cheapen and buy some of his vanities ; but he had no mind to the merchandize, and therefore left the town without laying out so much as one farthing upon these vanites (Matt. iv. 8, 9 ; Luke iv. 5 — 7.) This fair, therefore, is an an- cient thing, of long standing, and a very great fair. Now these pilgrims, as I said, must needs impeded or entangled by them, or stepping in the least aside to avoid them. The age in which he lived peculiarly abound- ed in all possible allurements ; and he was exposed to such enmity, contempt, and sufferings, as could never be exceed- ed or equalled. But ' he went about doing good ;' and hiii whole conduct, as well as his indignant repulse of the tempt- er's insolent offer, hath shewn emphatically his judgment of all earthly things, and exhibited to us ' an example, that we should follow his steps. ' Here are inserted the following lines — Behold Vanity Fair ! The pilgrims tliere Are chained, and stoned beside : Even so it was our Lord past here. And on mount Calvary ilicd. 192 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, go through this fair. Well, so they did ; but behold, even as they entered into the fair, all the*people in the fair were moved, and the * ' All the' — The presence of real Christians m those places, where a large concourse of worldly men is collected, must pro- duce a disturbance and effervescence. The smaller the num- ber is of those whose actions, words, or silence protest against (he prevalency of vice and irreligion, the fiercer the opposi- tion tijat will be excited. A pious clergyman, on board a vessel, where he was a single exception to the general ungod- liness that prevailed, once gave great offence by silently with- drawing, when oaths or unseemly discourse made his situation uneasy, and was called to account for so assuming a singularity ! Believers, appearing in character among worldly people, and not disguising their sentiments, will meet this opposition ; which more accommodating professors will escape. The be- liever's avowed dependance on the righteousness and atone- ment of Christ for acceptance, gives vast offence to those who rely on their own good works for justification : his conformi- ty to the example, and obedience to the comniunJments of the Redeemer, render him a precise, unfashionaljle, uncouth character, in the judgment of those, who ' walk according to the course of this world;' and they will deem liim insane or outlandish for his oddities and peculiarities His dis- course, seasoned with piety, humility, seriousness, sinceri- ty, meekness and spirituality, so differs from the ' filthy conversation of the wicked,' and the polite dissimulation of the courtly, that they can have no intercourse with him, or he with ihem ; and if he speaks of the love of Christ, and the satisfaction of communion with him while they ' blaspheme the worthy name by which he is called,' they must be as barbarians to each other. But above all, the believer's cot» tempt of worldly things, when they intei'fere with the will and glory of God, forms such a testimony against all the pursuits and conduct of carnal men, as must excite their greatest as- tonishment and indignation ; while he shuns with diead and abhorrence, as incompatible with salvation, those veiy things to which they wholly addict themselves without the least re- morse ! When the scoffs of those, who ' think it strange that they will not run with them to the same excess of riot,' ex- tort from them a more explicit declaration of their religious principles, it may be expected, that the reproaches and insults of their despisers will be increased ; and then all the mischief and confusion which f,)llow will be laid to their charge! wrni SCOTT'S notes. If)fj town itself, as it were, in a hubbub about them ; and that for several reasons : for, ' There were no ■such disputes jibout reliijion before they came' to ' turn the world upside down ;' ' they exceedingly trouble the city,' town, or village, by therr pious discourse and censorious example. Thus Satan lakes occasiim to ex- cite men to perfecute the church wiien he fears lest the ser- vants of God should successfully disseminate their principles : persecutiuf^ princes and magistrates, his ' most trusty friend,' are deputed by liim to molest and punish their peaceable sul>- jects, for coiisientiously refusing conformity to the world, or for dissenting from doctrines and modes of worsliip, vvliich they deem unscriptural. Thus tiie most valuable members of the conmmnity are banished, imprisoned, or murdered $ multitudes are tempted to hypocrisy ; encouragement is giv- en to time-servers to seek secular advantages by acting con- trary to their conscience; the principles ofsincerily and in- tegrity are generally weakened or destroyed by nudtiplied prevarications and false professions ; and numerous instru- ments of cruelty and oppression are involved in this compli- cation of atrocious crimes. Our author doubtless drew inany of his jiortraits in this historical picture from originals (hen suf- ficiently known ; and if any think that he has heightened his col- ourings, it may furnish them with a subject for gratitude, and a reason for content and peaceHl)le submission to our rulers. In Fox's Martyrs we meet with authenticated facts, that ful- ly equal this allegorical representation ; nay, ' The Acts of tl;e Apostles' give us the very same view of the subject. The contempt, injustice, and cruelty, with which persecutors treat the harmless disciples of Christ, makes way for the exhibi- tion of that amiable conduct and spirit which acc(jrd to the precepts of Scripliu"e, and tlie example of persecuted proph- ets and apostles ; this often produces the most happy effecta on those who are less prejudiced, which still more exasper- ates determined opposers ; but, however, fre((ueullv occasions a short respite for the persecuted, while worldly people (iu;u-- rel about tliem among themselves. And even if greater se- verity be at lengtli determined on, in order to deter others from joining them, perseverance in prudence, meekness, and patience, amidst all the rage of their enemies, will bear tes- timony for them in the consciences of numbers ; their reli gion will appear beautiful, in proportion as their perseculora expose their own odious deformity ; God will be with them lo comfort and deliver them ; be will be honoured by iheii Vol. I 17 194 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, First, The pilgrims were clothed with such kind of raiment as was diverse from the rai- ment of any that traded in that fair. The people, therefore, of the fair made a great gazing upon them : some said they were fools (1 Cor. iv. 9, 10) ; some, they were bedlams ; and some, they were outlandish men. Secondly, And as they wondered at their apparel, so they did likewise at their speech ; for few could understand what they said : they naturally spoke the language of Canaan ; but they that kept the fair were men of this world : so that from one end of the fair to the other they seemed barbarians each to the other. Thirdly, But that whicli did not a little amuse the merchandizers was, that these pil- grims set very light by all their wares • they cared not so much as to look upon them ; and if they called upon them to buy, they would put their lingers in their ears, and cry, ' Turn away mine eyes from beholding van- ity' (Ps. cxix. 37) ; and look upwards, sig- nifying that their trade and traffic was in heaven. profession and behaviour, and many will derive tlie most im- portant advantage liom their patient sulTerings, and clieerful fortitude in adhering to the truths of tlie Gospel. But when believers are put o!f iheir guard by ill usage ; when their zeal IS rash, fierce, contentious, boasting, or disproportionate; when they are provoked to render ' railing fur railing,' or to act contrary to the plain precepts of Scripture ; then they bring guilt on their consciences, stumble their bietlu'en, hard- en the hearts and open the mouths of opposers, dishonour GoJ and the Gospel, and gratify the great enemy of souls; wlw malignantly rejoices in their misconduct but is tortured wh«a ihey endure sulfcrings in a proper manner. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES 195 One chanced, mocking, beholding the car- riages of the men, to say unto men, ' What will ye buy ?' but they, looking gravely upon him, said, ' We buy the truth' (Prov. xxiii. 23). At that there was an occasion taken to despise the men the more ; some mocking, some taunting, some speaking reproachfully, and some calling upon others to smite them. At last things came to a hubbub and great stir in the fair, insomuch that all order was confounded. Now was word presently brought to the great one of the fair, who quickly came down, and deputed some of his most trusty friends to take those men into examination, about whom the fair was almost overturned. So the men were brought to examination : and they that sat upon them asked them whence they came, whither they went, and what they did there in such an unusual garb ? The men told them, that they were pil- grims and strangers in the world ; and that they were going to their own country, which was the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb. xi. 13 — 16) ; and that they had given no occasion to the men of the town, nor yet to the merchandi- zers, thus to abuse them, and to let them in their journey ; except it was for that, when one asked them what they would buy, they said they would buy the truth. But they that were appointed to examine them, did not be- lieve them to be any other than bedlams and mad, or else such as came to put all things into a confusion in the fair. Therefore they took them and beat them, and besmeared them 196 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, with dirt, and then put them into the cage, that they might be made a spectacle to all the men of the fair. Therefore they lay for some time, and were made the object of any man's sport, or malice, or revenge ; the great one of the fair laughing still at all that befel them. But the men being patient, and ' not rendering railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing,' and giving good words for bad and kindness for injuries done, some men in the fair, that were more observing and less prejudiced than the rest, began to check and blame the baser sort for their continual abuses done by them to the men ; they therefore in angry manner let fly at them again, counting them as bad as the men in the cage, and telling them, that they seemed confederates, and should be made partakers of their misfortune. The other replied, that, for aught they could see, the men were quiet and sober, and intended nobody any harm ; and that there were many that traded in their fair that were more worthy to be put into the cage, yea, and pillory too, than were the men that they had abused. Thus after divers words had passed on both sides (the men behaving themselves all the while very wisely and soberly before them), they fell to some blows among themselves, and did harm one to another. Then were these two poor men brought before their examiners again, and there charged as being guilty of the late hubbub that had been in the fair. So they beat them pitifully, and hanged irons upon them, and led thcni in chains up and WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 1 97 down the fair, for an e^xample and terror to others, lest any should speak in their behalf, or join themselves unto them. But C'hristian and Faithful behaved themselves yet more wisely, and received the ignominy and shame that was cast upon them with so much meekness and patience, that it won to their side (though but few in comparison of the rest) several of the men in the fair. This put the other par- ty yet into a greater rage, insomuch that they concluded the death of these two men. Wherefore they threatened, that the cage nor irons should serve their turn, but that they should die for the abuse they had done, and for deluding the men of the fair. Then were they remanded to the cage again, until farther order should be taken with them. So they put them in and made their feet fast in the stocks. Here, therefore, they called again to mind what they had heard from their faithful friend Evangelist, and were the more confirmed in their ways and sufferings by what he told them would happen to them. They also now com- forted each other, that whose lot it was to suffer, even he should have the best on it ; therefore each man secretly wished that he might have that preferment : but committing themselves to the all-wise dispose of Him that ruleth all things, with much content they abode in the condition in which they were, until they should be otherwise disposed of Then a convenient time being appointed, they brought tiiem forth to their trial, in or 17* 198 THE I'lLHRIM'S PROGRESS, der to their condemnation. When* the time was coine they were brought before their en- emies, and arrainged. The judge's name was Lord Hategood : their indictment was one and the same in substance, though some- what varying in form ; the contents where- of was this : That they were enemies to, and disturbers of, their trade ; that they had made commo- tions and divisions in the town, and had won a party to their own most dangerous opin- ions, in contempt of the law of their prince. Then Faithful began to answer that he had only set himself against that which had set it- self against him that is higher than the high- est. And, said he, as for disturbance, I make none, being myself a man of peace ; the par- * ' Wlien' — The description of the process, instituted against the pilgrims, is given in language taken from the legal forms used in our courts of justice, which in Mr. Bunyan'a days were shamefully perverted to subserve the most iniqui- tous oppressions. The allegorical narrative is framed in 6uch a manner, as emphatically exposes the secret reasons, which inHiiencc men thus to persecute their inoffensive neigh- bours ; and the very names employed declare the several corrupt principles of the heart, from whence this atrocious conduct results. Enmity against God, and his holy charac- ter, law, worship, truth and servants, is the priniupal source of persecution ; ihe judge in Faithful's trial. The interfer- ence of spiritual religion with men's covetous, ambitious, and sensual ()ursuiis ; and the interruption it gives to their false peace anti unanimity in ungodliness or hypocrisy, which it tends to expose auil undermine, forai the grounds of the in- dictment ; that is, wiien the persecuted can truly answer, that they ' only set themselves against that which sets itself against God ;' and when they do not sutfer ' as evil-doers, busy-bodies in other men's matters,' ambitious com|)etitorB for secular advantages, or contentious disputants abont pcw litical questions. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 190 ties that were won to us were won by behold- ing our truth and innocence ; and they are only turned t>om the worse to better. And as to the king you talk of, since he is Beel- zebub, the enemy of our Lord, I defy him and all his angels. Then proclamation was made, that they that had aught to say for their lord against the prisoner at the bar, should forthwith ap- pear and give in their evidence. So there came in three witnesses,* to wit, Envy, Su- * ' Witnesses' — These names of the witnesses declare tlie characters of the most active instriiinents of persecution. Even Pilate coulJ perceive, that the Jewish scribes and priests were actuated by envy, in delivering up Jesus to hiui. His instructions discredited theirs, ami diminished their rep- utation and influence; he was more followed ilian they; and in proportion as he was deemed a teacher sent from God, they were regarded as blind guides. Thus formal in- structors and learned men, who aie strangers to the power of godliness, have always affected to despise the piofessora and preachers of the Gospel as ignorant enthusiasts ; they envy the reputation acquired by them, and are ani^ry at the success of their doctrines. If they have not the authority t.- silence the minister, they will browbeat such of his hearers as are within the reach of their influence ; especiilly if rliev have aff'ronted them, by forsaking their ministering mstruc- tions. If they cannot prevail upoa ' the powers that Ix;' tc wterfere, they will employ reproaches, menaces, or even op pression, to obstruct the progress of evangelical minister; ; sliould any obsolete law remain unrepealed, of which tney can take advantage, they will be the first to enforce it ; and if the rulers engage in persecution, they will take the lead, as prosecutors and witnesses. Aa this was remarkably the case in our author's days, and as Jie history of the Old and New Testament, and every authentic record of jierst'cutions, five the same view of it, we cannot be greatly at a loss to now what was especially meant by this cuibleiii. In other respects there is seldom much in the circumstances of pious peFfSoii-s, to excite the envy of their ungodly neighbours ; aa thov despise their ."piritu il [irivileges and comforts. 200 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, perstition and Pickthank. They were then asked if they knew the prisoner at the bar ; and what they had to say for their lord the kino; acainst him ? Then stood forth Envy, and said to this ef- fect : ]My lord, I have known this man a long time, and will attest upon my oath before this honourable bench, that he is Judge. Hold, give him his oath. So they sware him. Then he said, My lord, this man, notwithstanding his plausible name, is one of the vilest men in our coun- try ; he neither regardeth prince nor people, law nor custom ; but doeth all that he can to possess all men with certain of his disloyal * * ' Disloyal' — It has always been the practice of envious accusers to represent those who refuse religions conformity as disloyaland disaffected to the civil government of their coun- try ; because they judge it right to obey God rather than man, how griev,)iis then is it, that any who profess the Gospel should give plausibility to such calMiiiuies ! how desirable for them, after the example, and in obedience to the precepts of Christ and his apostles,' by well-doing to put to silence the igno- rance of fjohsh men ;' ' to avoid all appearance of evil ;' ' to render to Ciesar the things that are Cx'sar's ; and to con- strain even enemies to bear testimony to their peaceable de- portment ! this would exhibit their patient suflerings for con- science-sake as amiable and respectable in the eyes of all not immediately engaged in persecution ; and would give a sanction to their most bold and decided testimony against every kind of vice, irreligion, and false religion. But when they revile the persons of rulers, or make religion the pre- text for intermeddling out of their place in political matters, and of attempt in'- to disturb the peace of the community, they exceedingly strengthen men's prejudices against the doctrines of the Gospel, and the whole body of those who profess them , and thus give occasion, and funiish an excuse, for that ver- persecution, of . .hicii they complain, in other respects, with Uie greatest jti^Jce. WIl'lI SCOTT'S NOTES. 201 notions, which !ie in the general caUs ' prin- ciples of thitli and holiness.' And, in partic- ular, I heard him once myself ad'irm, that Christianity and the customs of our town of Vanity were diametrically opposite, and could not be reconciled. By which saying, my lord, he doth at once not only condemn all our laudahle doings, but us in the doing of them. Then did the judge say unto iiim. Hast thou any more to say ? Emnj. My Lord, I could say much more, only I would not be tedious to the court. Yet if need be when the other gentlemen have given in their evidence, rather than any thing shall be wanting that will dispatch him, I will en- large mv testimony against him. So he was bid to stand by. Then they called * Superstition, and hid him look upon the prisoner ; they also ask- * ' They called' — Superstition represents another class oi' underling persecutors (for the principals are often masked in- fulel;!). Traditions, human inventions, forms, and externals, appear to tlieni decent, venerable, and sacred ; and are mis- taken, with pertinacious ignorance, for the stibstance of reli- gion. As mere circumstances of worship, some of these may very well answer the purpose ; provided they be not imposed, magnified above tlieir value, or substituted in the place of things e;5seutially good: others are bad in their ori- gin, use, tendency : yet the truths, ordmances, and Cduimand- nients of God are made void, that men may keep them. What is pompous or burthcnsome appears to such men mer- itorious ; and the excitement of mere natural passions (as at a tuagedy) is deemed a most needful help to true devotion. They are, therefore, eminently qualified to l>e witncssea against the faithful servants of' God ; for they ' think they are thus doing him service, while they are opposing a com- pany of profane despisers of their idolized forms ; a set of fanatics, heretics, and pestilent schismatics. The religious 202 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, cd him what he could say for their lord the kino- aoraiiist him ? Then they sware him j so ho began : I\Iy lord, I have no great acquaintance with this man nor do I desire to have far- ther knowledge of him ; however, this I know that he is a very pestilent fellov/, from some discourse that the other day I had with him in this town ; for then, talking with him, I heard him say, that our religion was nought, and such by which a man could by no means please God. Which saying of his, my lord, your lordship very well knows what necessa- rily thence will follow, to wit, that we still do worship in vain, are yet in our sins, and finally shall be damned : and this is that which I have to say. Then was * Pickthank sworn, and did say what he knew in the behal.f of their lord the king against the prisoner at the bar. zeal contracts and ha:>.lens their liearts, and the supposed goodness of the cause sanctifies their bitter rage, enmity, and cahunny. The manifest odiousness of these proceedings should excite all who love the truth to keep at the utmost distance from such obstinate confidence and violence ; to discountenance them to the utmost, in the zealots of their own party; and to leave the enemies of the Gospel, if possi- ble, to monopolize this disgrace. For, hitherto, almost ev- ery party has been betrayed into it, when advanced to pow- er, and given its opponents the most plausible arguments against it. * ' Then was' — Pickthank represents a set of tools that persecutors continually use : men of no religious principle, who assume the a|ip8arance of zeal for any party, as may best promote their interests ; who inwardly despise both the superstitious and the spiritual worshipper ; and see no- thing in the conduct or circumstances of tlie latter to excite their rage or envy. But if tlieir etperiors be disposed to WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 203 My lord, and you gentlemen all, this fel- low I have known a long time, and have heard him spcaii things that ought not to be spoke ; iur he hath railed on our noble prince Beelzebub, and hath spoken contemptu- ously of his honourable friends, whose names are the Lord Oldman, the Lord Carnalde- light,the Lord Luxurious, the Lord Desire-of- vain-glory, my old Lord Lechery, Sn- Having Greedy, with all the rest of our nobility ; and he hatii said moreover, t)iat, if all men were of his mind, if pnssil)lo, there is not one of these noblemen should have any longer a being in this town. Besides, he hath not been afraid to rail on you, my lord, who are now appointed to be his judge, calling you an ungodlv vil- lain, with many rther such-like "villi'lying terms, with which he hath bespattered most of the gentry of our town When this Pickthank had told his tale, the judge directed his speech to the prisoner at the bar, saying. Thou renegade, heretic, persecute, they will afford their assistance ; for preferment runs in this channel. So that they bear testimony against believers (rem avarice or ambition, and flatter the most ex- ecrable characters, m order to get forward in the world ; this being the grand object to which they readily sacrifice every thing else. The names of the persons, concerning wh.jin Faithful spoke, shews that his crime consisted in pro- testing, by word and deed, against vices which the great too often think themselves privileged to commit without censure, and not in reviling the persons or misrepiesenling the ac- tions of superiors. 'J'he former may with great prnpriet\ be done at all times ; and on some occasions tlve testimony against sin cann-t Ije too closely applied to the consciences of the guilty, without respect of persons; but tJie latter is always unjust and unscriptural. 204 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, and traitor, hast thou heard what these hon- est gentlemen have witnessed against thee ' Faith. May I speak a few words in my own defence ? Judg-e. Sirrah, sirrah, thou deservest to live no longer, but to be slain immediately upon the place ; yet, that all men may see our gen- tleness towards thee, let us hear what thou, vile renegade, hast to say. Faith. I say* then, in answer to what Mr. Envy hath spoken, I never said aught but this, that what rule, or laws, or custom, or *' I say'-— Faithful's defence is introduced by tliese lines, as in the foregoing instances — ' Now, Faithful, play the man, speak for thy God ; Fear not the wicked's malice, nor their rod : Speak boldly, man, the truth is on thy side ; Die for it, and to life in triumph ride.' Christians, in such circumstances, should be more concerned for the honour of God than for their own credit or safety : they should take occasion to bear a decided testimony to the truths, commandments, and institutions of Scripturej leaving it to their accusers, judges, or hearers, to determine what sentiments and practices are thus proved to be anti-christian, or what number of ' teachers in Israel' are exposed as blind guides. That faitli (by which alone we approach to God, and ac- ceptably worship him) has no other object than divine reve- latioo ; nothing done without the express warrant of Scrip- ture can be profitable to eternal life, whatever may be said for its expediency; but every thing foisted into religion con- trary to that sacred rule must be an abomination. Human faitli may please men ; but without a divine faith it is im- possible to please God, either in general or in any particular action. And as we seldom can speak against the vile lusts of men, witliout being juilged by implication to rail against such as are notoriously addicted to them, we cannot be the followers of him ' whom the world hated, l^ecause he testified of it that its works were evil,' unless we be willing to ri«k all consequences in copying his example. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 205 people, were flat against the word of God, are dianietrically opposite to Christionity. If 1 have said amiss in this, convince me of my error, and 1 am ready here before you to make my recantation. As to the second, to wit, Mr. Supcrstiuon, and his charge against me, I said only this, that in the worship of God there is required a divine faith ; but there can be no divine faith without a divine revelation of the will of God. Therefore, whatever is thrust into the worship of God that is not agreeable to di- vine revelation, cannot be done but by a hu- man faith, which faith will not be profitable to eternal life. As to what Mr. Pickthank hath said, I say (avoiding terms, as that I am said to rail, and the like), that the prince of this town, with all the rubblement, his attendants, by this gentleman named, are more fit for being in hell than in this town and country ; and so the Lord have mercy upon me. Then the judge* called to the jury (who all this while stood by to hear and observe), *' The judge' — A more just and keen satirical description of such legal iniquities can scarcely be imagined, than tliat contained in this p;issage. The statutes and precedents ad- duced (witii an humourous and well-imitated reference lo the style and manner in which charges are coninionly given to juries) shew what patterns persecuting legislators and ip;igis- trates choose to copy, and whose kingdom th(^y hihoiu- to up- bold. Xorcan any impartial man deny, that the iiifereinte !g iiiir uhich our author nieant the reader to deduce; namely, tluit nominal Protestants, enacting laws rwjuiring conformity lo iheir own creeds and forms, and inllicliiig pimishmenttj on •och as (Kjaceably dissent from tliem, are .ictually invohediw Vol. I. 18 206 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Gentlemen of the jury, you see this man, about whom so great an uproar hath been made in this town ; you have also heard what these worthy gentlemen have witnessed against him ; also you have heard his reply and confession ; it lieth now in your breasts to hang him, or save his life ; but yet I think meet to instruct you in our law. t!ie guilt of these heathen persecutors, and of their anti-chiis- tian successors ; even if their doctrine and worship be allow- ed to be scriptural and spiritual. Such methods only serve to promote hypocrisy, and to expose the conscientious to the malice, envy, or avarice of the unprincipled. The names of the jurymen, and tlieir general and particular verdicts, the cruel execution of Faithful, and the happy event of his suf- ferings, need no comment. It was not indeed the practice of the times, to which this representation belongs, to inflict death on those who were persecuted for conscience-sake ; yet very great rigours were used; the system then adopted, if carrieci to its consequences, must have ended in the extermin- ation of all nonconformists from the land; it was natural to expect still greater cruelty from persons, who were found ca- pable of the severities already experienced ; and without all doubt many actually lost their lives, in one way or other, by the persecutions to which they were exposed. All those who feel a disposition to employ the power of the magistrate against such as differ from them in religious matters, should attentively consider the contemptible and odious picture here delineated, with the most entire justice, of the whole race of persecutors, and of their characters, principles, motives, and conduct ; that they may learn to hate and dread such an an- ti-christian practice, anil shun the most remote approaches to it. On the other hand, they who are exposed to persecution, or in danger of it, siiould study the character and conduct of Faithful, tiiat tliey may learn to suffer in a Christian spirit, and to adorn the G(j.«pel in the fiery trial. The following lines are here introduced, as before — ' Brave Faithful ! bravely done in word and deed! Judge, witnesses, and jury have, instead Of overcoming ttiGe h'lt ='iew their rage ; When they are dead, ihou'it live from age to age.' WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 207 There was an act made in the days of Pha- raoh the Groat, servant to our prince, that, lest those of a contrary rehgion should multi- ply and grow too strong for him, their males ehould be thrown into the river (Exod. i). There was an act also made in the days of Nehuchadnezzar the Great, another of his servants, that whoever would not fall down and worship his golden image, should be thrown into the fiery furnace (Dan. iii.). There was also an act made in the days of Darius, that whoso for sometime called upon any god but him should be cast into the li- on's den (Dan. vi). Now the substance of these laws this rebel has broken, not only in thought (which is not to be borne) but also in word and deed ; which must therefore needs be intolerable. For that of Pharaoh — his law was made upon suspicion, to prevent mischief, no crime yet being apparent ; but here is a crime ap- parent. For the second and third — you see he disputeth against our religion ; and for the treason he hath confessed, he deserveth to die the death. Then went the jury out, whose names were Mr. Blindman, Mr. Nogood, Mr. Malice, Mr. Lovelust, Mr. Liveloose, Mr. Heady, Mr. Highmind, Mr. Enmity, Mr. Liar, Mr. Cruelty, Mr. Hatelight, and Mr. Implacable ; who every one gave in his private verdict against him among themselves, and after- wards unanimously concluded to bring him in guilty before the judge. And first among 208 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, themselves, Mr. Blindman, the foreman, said, ' I see clearly that this man is a heretic* Then said Mr. Nogood, ' Away with such a fellow from the earth.' ' Ay,' said Mr. Mal- ice, ' for I hate the very looks of him.' Then said Mr. Lovelust, ' I could never endure him.' • Nor I,' said Mr. Liveloose, ' for he would always be condemning my way.' ' Hang him, hang him,' said Mr. Heady. ' A sorry scrub,' said Mr. Highmind. ' My heart riseth against him,' said Mr. Enmity. ' He is a rogue,' said Mr. Liar. ' Hanging is too good for him/ said Mr. Cruelty. ' Let us dispatch him out of the way,' said Mr. Hatelight. Then said Mr. Implacable, ' Might I have all the world given me, I could not be reconciled to him : therefore let us forthwith bring him in guilty of death.' And so they did ; therefore he was presently con- demned to be had from the place where he was to the place from whence he came, and there to be put to the most cruel death that could be invented. They therefore brought him out to do with him according to their law ; and first they scourged him, then they buffeted him, then they lanced his flesh with knives ; after that they stoned him with stones, then pricked him with their swords ; and last of all they burned him to ashes at the stake. Thus came Faithful to his end. Now I saw that there stood behind the mul- titude a chariot and a couple of horses wait- ing for Faithful, who, so soon as his adversa WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 209 nes had dispatched him, was taken up into it, and straiglitway was carried up through the clouds, with sound of trumpet, the nearest way to the Celestial gate. But as for* Chris- tian, he had some respite, and was remanded back to prison ; so he there remained for a space : but he that overrules all things, hav- ing the power of their rage in his own hand, so wrought it about that Christian for that time escaped them, and went his way. And as he went he sang, saying, Well, Faithful, thou hast faithfully profest Unto thy Lord, of whom thou shall be blest. When faithless ones, with all their vain delight. Are crjing out under their hellish plight : Sing, Faithful, sing, and let thy name survive. For tliough they kill'd thee thou art yet alive. Now I saw in my dream that Christian went not forth alone ; for there wasj one * ' As for' — When the believer has done his work, the wrath of man may be permitted to expedite his removal to bis heavenly inherit.nnce, beyond which all the malice and power of earth and hell are utterly unavailing against him. Thus the apostles were preserved during Saul's persecution, and Peter was rescued from the hands of Herod. The Lord has various methods of protecting and liberating his servants; sometimes he intimidates their persecutors; the paroxysm of their fury abates ; or they are disheartened by ill success in their eflbrts to extirpate the hated sect ; the principals and instruments are left to quarrel among them- eelves ; the cruelties they exercise so disgust the people, that they dare not proceed ; political interests engage even un- godly princes to promote toleration, and chain up the de- mon persecution ; or the Lord raises up one of his owii servants to authority, that he may be a protector of h'l.'i chiin 'i, and disappoint the devices of his enemies. t ' There was' — ' The blood of the martyrs is tlie sc:! ul tlie church ;' for sulTerings properlv endured form tin 18* 2 1 0 THE PILG R131 S PROGRESS, whose name was Hopeful (being so made by the beholding of Christian and Faithful in their words and behaviour in their sufferings at the fair) who joined himself unto him ; and entering into a brotherly covenant, told him that he would be his companion. Thus one died to bear testimony to the truth, and another rises out of his ashes to be a companion with Christian in his pilgrimage. This Hopeful also told Christian, that there were many more of the men in the fair that would take their time and follow after. So I saw, that quickly after they were got out of the fair they overtook one that was go- ing before them, whose name* was By-ends ; convincing and useful kind of preaching. The name of Christian's new companion denotes the opinion, which ea- tablisiied believers foi'ni at first of such as begin to profess the Gos])el in an intelligent manner. The nature of an alle- gory rendered it impracticable to introduce the new convert, as beginning his pilgrimage from the same place, or going tlu'ougU the same scenes, as Christian had done; neither could Faithful, for the same reason, be represented as pass- ing the river afterwards mentioned. But the brotherly cove- nant, in vvhirli Hopeful joined himself with his companion, must be supposed to nnply the substance of all that had been spoken ot', as necessary to his final acceptance. * ' VVhiisc name' — The character of By-ends, and the group tluit attended him, forms a clear detection and merited condenunliuii of a large company of false professors, whica ie not at ail inferior in importance to the preceding severe satire on open persecutors. When ' rest is given to the church,' liypocrites often multiply more than real Christiana. The ua:nt; of this pretender to religion, and those of his town iind connexions, do not merely descril^e his origi- nal chiiraclcr loid situation (a? Christian was at first calleti (iiarcloss of llie city of Destruction), but they denote the nature of his religious profession. Belie\iers look back I n (lieir fonnei principles and behaviour with shame and ab- WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 21 1 80 they said to him, What countryman, Sir ? and how far go you this way ? He told thera horrence ; but hypocrites, when reproved for evident sina, excuse them, because Christ came to save the lost, and shews mercy to the chief of sinners. Christi;ui would readily have granted, tliat ' no good lived' at his native city ; he had therefore renounced it, with all his old connexions; but By- ends hoped better of Fair-speech, and gloried in his honoura- ble relations tiiere. Yet he was ashamed of his name : for men are unwilling to allow that they seek worldly advantages by their religion, and nothing^ more. The names, afterwards selected, are most emphatically descriptive of that whole epecies, who, with muitipiioil variations, suppose ' that gain is godliness ;' as will manifestly appear to any reader, who attentively considers them. The polite simulation and dis- simulation, which some most courtly writers have inculcated, as the summit of good breeding, tlic perfection of a finished education, and the grand reqiiisile fur obtainii>g worldly dis- tinctions, if introduced into religion, and adopted by profes- sors or preachers of the Gospel, in connexion with (ashiona- ble accomplishments and an agreeable address, constitute the most versatile, refined, and insinuating species of hypocrisy that can be imagined ; and a man of talents, of any occupa- tion or profession, may render it very subservient to his in- terest, by ensuring the patronage or custom of those to whom he attaches himself, without giving much umbrage to tJie world, which may despise such a character, but will not deem him wortliy of hatred. He may assume any of the names here prov ided for the purpose, as may best suit his line in life ; and may shape his course, in subserviency to his grand concern, with considerable latitude, provided he has prudence enough to keep clear of scandalous vices ; he will not be long in learning the beneficial art of using two tongues with one mouth, or of looking one way and rowing another ; and perhaps he may improve his fortune by an honourable alliance with some branch of the ancient family of the Feignings. The grand differeMie betwixt tliis whole tribe, and the body of true Ciiristians, consists merely in these two things — the latter seek salvation by their religion ; the former profess it, in order to obtain, in the most advantageous manner, friends, Catrons, customers, or applause : those follow tim Lord ha- itually, whatever tribulations arise because of the word; but these conceal or deny their profession, wl>en, instead of gaining by it, they are exposed to reproach or perseculion 212 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, that he came from the town of Fair-speech, and he was going to the Celestial City, but told them not his name. From Fair-speech ! said Christian : is there any good that lives there ? (Prov. xxvi. 25) Yes, said By-ends, 1 hope. Pray, Sir, what may I call you ? said Christian. By. I am a stranger to you and you to me ; if you be going this way, I shall be glad of your company ; if not, I must be content. This town of Fair-speech, said Christian, I have heard of, and, as I remember, they say it is a wealthy place. By. Yes, I will assure you that it is ; and I have very many rich kindred there. Chr. Pray who are your kindred there, if a man may be so bold ? By. Almost the whole town ; and, in par- ticular, my Lord Turn-about, my Lord Time- server, my Lord Fair-speech, from whose ancestors the town first took its name ; also Mr. Smooth-man, Mr. Facing-both-ways, Mr. Any-thing ; and the parson of our par- ish, Mr. Two-tongues, was my mother's own brother by father's side ; and, to tell you the truth, I am become a gentleman of good quality, yet my great grandfather was but a waterman, looking one way and rowing an- other, and I got most of my estate by the same occupation. Chr. Are you a married man ? By. Yes. and my wife is a very virtuous WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 21:3 woman, the daughter of a virtuous woman ; she was my lady Feigning's daughter, there- fore she came of a very honourable family, and IS arrived to such a pitch -of breeding, that she knows how to carry it to all, even to prince and peasant. It is true we somewhat differ in religion from those of the stricte sort, yet but in two small points : Fir.st, w» never strive against wind and tide ; Secondly, we are always most zealous when religion goes in his silver slippers ; we love much to walk with him in the street, if the sun shines, and the people applaud him. Then Christian stepped a little aside to his fellow Hopeful, saying. It runs in aij mind that this is one By-ends of Fair-speech ; and if it be he, we have as very a knave in our company as dvvelleth in all these parts. Then said Hopeful, Ask him ; methinks he should not be ashamed of his name. So Christian came up with him again, and said, Sir, you* talk as if you knew something more than all the world doth ; and, if I take not my mark amiss, I deem I have half a guess of you : is not your name Mr. By-ends, of Fair-speech ? *'Sir you' — Tlie downright people of the world Know how to serve Mammon by negleating and despising God and religion ; the disciples of Christ can serve God by renouncing the world and its friendship : but time-servei's talk as if they had found out the secret of uniting these two discordant inter ests, and thus of knowing something more than all the world This is the most prominent feature in this group of portraita which in other respects exhibits to the sjjectator varioiia dis- similarities, and contains the faces of persons belonging to every division of professed Christians in the worW, 214 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, By. This is not* my name, but indeed it is a nickname that is given me by some that cannot abide me, and I must be content to bear it as a reproach, as other good men have borne theirs before me. Chr. But did you never give occasion to men to call you by this name ? By. Never, never ! the worst that ever I did to give them an occasion to give me this name was, that I had always the luck to jump in my judgment with the present way of the times, whatever it was ; and my chance wag to get thereby. But if things are thus cast upon me, let me count them a blessing ; but let not the malicious load me therefore with reproach. Chr. I thought indeed that you were the man that I heard of ; and, to tell you what I think, I fear this name belongs to you more properly than you are willing we should think i doth. * ' This is not' — When hypocrites are charged with their louble-dealing and obvious crimes, they commonly set it down to the account of persecution, and class themselves (vith that blessed company, of whom ' all manner of evil is tpoken falsely, for the name of Christ ;' as if there were no difiference between suffering as a Christian, and being exposed as a scandal to the name of Christianity ! Thus they endeav- our to quiet their minds, and keep up their credit ; deeming themselves at the same time very prudent and fortunatre, in shifting about so as to avoid the cross, and seciu-e their tem- poral interests. The apostle says concerning these men, ' from such turn away ;' and the decided manner in which Christian warns By-ends, and renounces his company, thuugli perhaps too plain to be either approved or imitated in thig courtly, candid age, is certainly warranted and reouired bv the holy Scriptures. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 215 Bij Well, if you will thfts imagine, I can- not help it ; you will find me a fair company- keeper if you will still admit me your asso- ciate. Chr. If you wOl go with us you must go against wind and tide ; the which, I perceive is against your opinion ; you must also own religion in his rags as well as when in his sil- ver slippers, and stand by him too when bound in irons as well as when he walketh the streets with applause. By. You must not impose, nor lord it over my faith ; leave me to my liberty, and let me go with you. Chr. Not a step farther, unless you will do in what I propound as we. Then said By-ends, I shall never desert my old principles, since they are harmless and profitable. If I may not go with you I must do as I did before you overtook me, even go by myself, until some overtake me that will be glad of my company. Now I saw in my dream that Christian and Hopeful forsook him, and kept their distance before him , but one of them looking back saw three men following Mr. By-ends, and behold, as they came up with him, he made them a very low congee ; and they also gave him a compliment. The men's name were, Mr. Hold'the-world, Mr. Money-love, and Mr. Save-all ; men that Mr. By-ends had formerly been acquainted with ; for in their mmority they were school-fellows, and were taught by one Mr. Gripeman, a schoolmaster 216 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRKSS, m Love-gain, which is a market town in the county of Coveting, in the north. This schoolmaster taught them the art of getting, either by violence, cozenage, flattery, lying, or by putting on a guise of religion ; and these four gentlemen had attained much of the art of their master, so that they could each of them have kept such a school them- selves. Well, when they had, as I said, thus sa- luted each other, Mr. Money-love said to Mr. By-ends, Who are they upon the road before us ? for Christian and Hopeful were yet with- in their view. By. They are a couple of far countrymen, that after their mode are going on pilgrimage. Money. Alas ! why did they not stay, that we might have had their good company ? for they, and we,* and you, Sir, 1 hope, are all going on pilgrimage. * ' They and we' — It might have been supposed, that the persons here introduced were settled inhabitants of the town of Vanity, or the city of Destruction j but indeed they pro- fess themselves pilgrims, and are desirous, during the present sunshine, to associate with such ; provided they will allow theui, without censure, to hold the world, love money, and save all, whatever become of faith and holiness, or of hones- ty, piety, truth, and charity! Covetousness, whether it con- sists in rapaciously trying to get money (to hoard, or to lav- ish, to purchase consequence, power, or pleasure, or to sup- port magnificence and the pride of life) ; or parsimony in the ordinary proportion of expenditure ; or tenacity, when duty requires a man to part with it, is a vice not so easily defined as many others. At the same time it enables a man, in va- rious ways, to reward those who can be induced to connive at it, and to render it dangerous to oppose him ; so that it is not woiideriiil, that it generally finds more quarter, even among re- WITH SCOIT'S N'OTKS 217 Bij. We are so indeed ; hut the men before us are so riii;id, und love so much their own uotions, and do also so lightly esteem the opinions of others, that let a man he ever so godly, yet if he jumps not with them in all things they thrust him quite out of their v'.om- pany. Save. That's bad ; but we read of some that are righteous over much,* and such men's li;;ioii:i persons, ilian Dtlier vices, which are not marked with so black a brand in llie holy Scriptures. Tod inanv professors even ' bless the covetous, whom God abhorretli,' and speak to them as if they were doubtless true Christians ; because fvf their steadiness in the profession of a doctrinal system, and a mode of worship, attended by morality, where money is not concerned and scandal might i)e incuricd, and a narrow disproportionate contribution from their alinndance, to sup- port the interest of society or a party. Thus the ' vile per- son is called liberal, and the churl is said to Ije bountiful;' an I the idolatry of worshipping money has selle to defray. By this opening, Hold-the-world and Money-love frequently obtain admission among pilgrims, and Hcquire undue influence in their concerns. And when the eflfect of remaining selfishness in the hearts of true believers, insinuating itself under the specious plea of prudence and ne- cessity, and the ill consequences of unsound professors asso- ciating with them, are considered; with the censure that must fall upon a few obscure individuals who attempt to stem such a torrent; it will appear evilenl. that the riih, and the\' who are growing rich, have more necilof sell e.\auiination and jealousy over their own hearts than any oilier persons ; because they will tje less plainly warned and reproved, in public and private, than any of their inferiors. * ' Over much' — This expression of Solomon was proba- bly intended to cautiuii us against excessive zeal for some detiched parts of religion to the neglect of othei-s, or against Vol. I. 19 218 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, rigidness prevails with them to judge and con- demn all but themselves ; but I pray what and how many were the things wherein you differed ! By. Why they, after their headstrong man- ner, conclude, that it is their duty to rush on their journey all weathers ; and I am for waiting for wind and tide. They are for haz- arding all for God at a clap, and 1 am for tak- ing all advantages to secure my life and es- tate. They are for holding their notions, though all other men be 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 slip- pers, in the sunshine, and with applause. Hold. Ay, and hold you* there still, good Mr. By-ends ; for my part, I can count him but a fool, that having the liberty to keep Euperstitlous austerities and enthusiastical delusions, or any extrenieSj which always lead men off from vital godlineas ; but it is the constant plea of those, who neglect the most es- sential duties of their place and station, to avoid the cross, and preserve their worldly interests ; and thus ' tliey wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction.' * ' And hold you' — This dialogue is not all more absurd and selfish than the discourse of many who attend on the preaching of the Gospel, and expect to be thought believers. They connect ' the wisdom of the serpent' with his craft and mafice, not with the harmlessness of the dove ; if worldly lucre be the honey, they imitate the bee, and only attend to religion when they can gain by it : they cut and shape their creed and conduct to suit the times, and to please those among' whom they live; they determine to keep what thej have at any rate, and to get more, if it can be done without open scandal ; never seriously recollecting that they are mere stew- ards of providential advantngrs, o*" which a strict accoun' WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 219 what he lias shall be so unwise as to lose it. Let us be wise as serpents ; it is best to make hay wlicn the sun shines : you see how the bee licth still in winter, and bestirs her only when she can have prolit with pleasure. God sends sometimes rain and sometimes sun- shine ; 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 se- curity 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 bave us keep them for his sake .'' Abraham and Sol- omon 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. iSore. I think that we are all agreed in this matter, and therefore there needs no more words about it. Money. 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. Bij. My brethren, we are, you see, going all on pilgrimage, and for our better diver- fliiist at last l)e given ; and instead of willingly renouncing or expeniiinj them, for the Lord's sake, \\\v.n his provi- dence or connnandnient requires it, they determine to hoard them up for themselves and liimilics, or to spend them in worldly indulgences ; and then quote and pervert Scripture to varnish over this base idolatry. 220 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, eion from things that are bad, give me leave to propound unto you this question : Suppose a man, a minister, or a trades- man, sic, should have an advantage lie be- fore 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 extraordinary zealous in some points of religion that lie meddled not with before — may he not use tlie means to attain his end, and yet be a right honest man ? Money. I see tlie bottom of your question ; and, with these gentlemen's good leave I will endeavour to shtipe you an answer. And first, to speak to your question, as it concerns a minister himself. Suppose* a minister, a worthy man, possessed of but a very small benefice, and has in his eyes a greater, more fat and plump by far ; he has also now an opportunity of getting of it, yet so as by be- ing more studious, by preaching more fre- * ' Suppose' — There is a fund of satirical liumour in the supposed case here stated with sucii gravity ; and if the au- thor, in his accurate observations on mankind, selected his example from among the mercenaries that are the scandal of the established church, her most faithful friends will not greatly resent this conduct of a dissenter. The worthy cler- gyman seeks first (not ' the kingdom of God and his right- eousness,' or the glory of God in the salvation of souls, but) a rich benefice, to attain this primary object means must be used ; and hypocritical pretensions to diligence, zeal, piety, with some change of doctrine merely to please men, seem most likely to succeed : arul so this most base, prevaricat- ing, selfish and ungodly plan is adopted ! In how many thousands ot mstances has this been an awful reality ! How often has it been pleaded for, as prudent and laudable by men, not only pretending to common iionesty and PUtceritv* but calling themselves the disciples of Jesus Clffifit ' WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 221 qiKntly 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 ? 1. His desire of a greater benefice is law- ful ; this cannot be contradicted, since it is set before* him by providence ; so then he may get it if he can, making no questions for conscience-sake. 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. 3. Now, as for the complying with the * ' Set before' — God permits Satan to bait his hook with Bome worldly advantage, in order to induce men to renounce their profession, exp>ose their hypocrisy, or disgrace the Gos- pel ; and they, poor deluded mortals ! call it ' an opening of providence.' The Lord indeed puts the object in their ways, if Uiey will break his commandments in order to seize upon it : but he does it to prove them, and to shew whether they most love him or their worldly interests ; but the devil thus tempts them, that he may take them captive at his will.' The arguments here adduced, by an admirable imitation of the pleas used among unsound professors, are only valid on the supposition that religion is a mere external appear- ance, an(i has nothing to do witli the state of the heart and affections ; and in short, that hypocrisy and piety are worda precisely of tlie same meaning. Upon the whole, the answer of Christian, though somewhat rough, is so apposite and con- clusive, that it is sufficient to fortify every honest and atten- tive mind against all the arguments which the whole tribe of timeserving profi-ssors ever did or ever can adduce, in sup- port of their ingenious schemes and assiduous efforts to rec- oncile religion with covetousness and the love of the worU, or to render it subservient to their secular interests. ]9# 222 THE PILGRIM'S PROfiRE^^S, temper of his people, by deserting to serve them, some of" his prmciples, this argueth that he is of a self-denying temper, of a sweet and winning deportment ; and so more fit foi the ministerial functions. 4. I conclude, then, thai a minister that changes a small for a great should not^ for so doing, be judged as covetous ; but rather, since he is improved in his parts and industry thereby, be counted as one that pursues his call, and the opportunity put into his hand to do good. And now to the second part of the question, which concerns the tradesman you mentioned : suppose such an one to have but a poor em- ploy 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 this may be lawfully done For why ? 1. To become religious is a virtue, by what means soever a men becomes so, 2. Nor is it unlawful to get a rich wife, or more custom to my shop. 5. Besides, the man t'lat e Bcduced by the example and persuasions of hy{)ocriies ; ami to deviate from the direct path, in order to obtain worldly ad vantages, by means that many deem fair and honourable In this case the counsel and warnings of an experienced coiu Ddnior. are ol" the grealcsl moment. 20 230 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, deinned for thine own turning aside, by one of his majesty's judges ('iTim. iv. 10) ; and why seekest thou to bring us into the Hke con- demnation ? besides, if we at all turn aside our Lord the king will certainly hear there- of, and will there put us to shame, where we should 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. Then said Christian, What is thy name ? Is it not the same by which I have called thee ? Demas. Yea, 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 : it is but a devilish prank that thou usest : thy father was hanged for a traitor, and thou deservest no better re- ward (2 Kings V. 20 — 27 ; Matt. xxvi. 14, 15 ; xxvii. 3 5). Assure thyself, that when we come to the king we will do him word of this thy behaviour. Thus they went their way. By this time By-ends and his companions were come again within sight, and they, at the first beck, went ovei to Demas. Now, wheth- er 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 bot- tom by damps that commonly arise, of these things I am not certain ; but this I observed. WirH SCO'IT'S NOTES. 231 tliat they never were seen again in the way. Then sang Christian : — By-ends and silver Deinas did agree: One calls, the other runs, tli;it lie may be A siiarer in his lucre ; so these do Take up in this world, and no lartlier go. Now I saw, that, just on the other side of jhis plain, the pilgrims came to a place where stood an old monument hard l)y tiic highway side, and at the sight of which they were botli 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 spied written upon 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 lay- ing of the letters together, he found the same to be this, 'Remember Lot's wife.' So he read it to his fellow; after which they both con- cluded, thatthatwas the pillar of salt into which Lot's wife was turned, for looking back with a covetous heart when she was going from So- dom for safety (Gen. xix. 26) . Which sudden and amazing sight gave them occasion of this discourse. Chi'. Ah, my brother ! this is a seasonable sight: it came opportunely to us after the in vitation which Demas gave us to come over to view tlic iiill Lucre; and had we gone over, 2L1'2 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, as he desired us, and as thou wast, inchned to do, mv brother, we had, for aught I know, been made like this woman, a spectacle for those that sliall come atler to beliold. Hope. 1 am sorry that I was so foolish, and am made to wonder that 1 am not now as Lot's wife ; for wherein was the difference betwixt her sin and mine ? she only looked hack, 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. Chr. I^et us take notice of v/hat we see here for our help for time to come : this wo- man escaped one judgment, for she fell not by the destruction of Sodom ; yet she was des- troyed 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 slum her sin ; or a sign of what judgment will overtake such as shall not be prevented by such caution : so Corah, Dathan, and Abiram, with the two hundred and fifty men that per- ished in their sin, did also become a sign or example to beware (Numb. xxvi. 9, 10). But above* all, I muse at one thing, to wit, how * • But ubove' — It is indeed most wonderful, that men,, who profess to believe the Bible, can so confidently attempt to reconcile the love ol tiie world with the service of God; wiien the instructions, warnings, and examples in Scrip- ture, wliich shew the fatal consequences of such endeavours, are so ninneioiis, express, and affecting ! If Lol's wife, who niorcly hankered after the possessions she had left be- hmd in Sodom, and looked back with a design of returning, wa.s made a monument of the Lord's vengeance, and a warn- ing to all futuie ages, what will be the doom of those profcB- WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 233 Demas and his fellows can stand so confident- ly yonder to look for that treasure, which this woman, but for looking behind her after (for we read not that she stept one foot out of the wav), was turned into a pillar of salt ; es- pecially since the judgment which overtook her did make her an axample within sight of where they are ; for they cannot choose but see her, did they but lift up their eyes. Clir. It is a thing to be wondered at, and it argueth that their hearts are grown desper- ate in that case ; and I cannot tell whom 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 ' be- fore the Lord,' that is, in his eyesight, and notwithstanding the kindnesses that he had shewed them ; for the land of Sodom was now like the garden of Eden heretofore (Gen. xiii. 10 — 13). This therefore provok- ed 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 ration- ally to be concluded, that such, even such as these are, they that shall sin in the sight, yea, and that too in despite of such examples that are set continually before them to caution 8ors of ilie Go.spelwho habitually prefer worldly "ain,or the »'ain porap and indulgence that may be (Mirchascd willi it, to the honour of Christ, and obedience to his most reaeonable conamandmcnls 1 The true cauee of tliis infatuation is here naeigned. 20* 234 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, them to the contrary, must be partakers of the 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 exam- ple ! This ministereth occasion to us to thank God, to fear before him, and always to ' re- member Lot's wife.' 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. Ixv. 9 ; Ezek. xlvii ; Rev. xxii. 1). Now their way lay just upon the bank of the river : here therefore Christian and his companion walked with great delight ; they drank also the water of the river, which was pleasant,* and enlivening to their weary * ' Pleasant' — When Ahraliam had given place to his ne- phew Lot, and recedeii from liis interest for the credit of his religion, he was immediately favoured with a most encourag- ing vision (Gen. xiii). Thns the pilyrims, having been ena- bled to resist the temptation to tiiin aside for lucre, were in- dulged with more abundant spiritual consolations (Mark x. 23 — 30). Tlie Holy Spirit, the inexliaustible source of life, light, holiness, and joy, is reprcsfMitcd by ' the river of God, even that river of the water of life, dear as a crystal, proceed- ing out of the throne of God, and cif ilie Lamb' (Rev. xxii. 1). All Iwlievers partake of his sacred inlluences, which prepare the soul for heavenly felicity, and are earnests and !)iedge3 of it : but there are seasons when he communicates his loly comforts in larger measure ; when the Christian sees such glory in the salvation of Christ, so clearly ascertains his interest in it, and realizes his obligations and privileges with •nch lively exercises of adoring love, gratitude, and joy, that he is raised above his darkness and difficulties; enjoys sweet communion with God ; forgets, for the moment, the pain of former conflicts, and the prospect of hiture trials ; finds his ia bred corruptions reduced to a state of subjection, and hifl maladies healed by lively exercises of faith in the Son of God | Wl TH SCOTT'S NOTES- 235 Bpirits. Besides, on the banks of this river, on cither side, were green trees for all man- ner of fruit ; and the leaves they ate to pre- vent surfeits, and other diseases that are in- cident to those that heat their blood by trav- els. On either side of the river was also a meadow, curiously beautified with lilies ; and it was green all the year long. Tn this meadow they lay down and slept : for here they might lie down safely (Ps. xxiii ; Isa. xiv. 30). When they awoke they gathered again of the fruits of the trees, and drank again of the w-ater of the river, and then lay down again to sleep. Thus they did several days and nights. Then they sang : Behold ye how those crystal streams do glide To comtoit pilgrims by the highway side. The meadows green, besides tlie fragrant smell, Yield dainties for them : and he that can tell What pleasant fruit, yea leaves, these trees do yield. Will soon sell all tliat 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 p.te, and drank, and departed. and anticipates with unspeakable delight the glory that shall be revealed. Then communion witii hunihle believers (the lilies that adorn the banks of the river) is very pleasant ; and the soul's rest in God and his service is safe as well as hap- py; being widely different from every species of carnal security. Had this river meant the blessings of pardon, justification, and adoption, it would not have been thus occasionally intro- duced ; for these l)elong to believers at all times, without any interrui)tion or variation ; but the more abundant consolatioa? of the Spirit are not vouchsafed in the same manner, and on tliem the actiiar enjoyment of our privileges in a great mea«ia« depends. '236 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, 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 httle 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 * ' Now the way' — Believers, even wlien in llie path of du- ty, walking by faith, and supported by the sanctifying influ- ences of the Spirit, may be abridged of those holy consolations which they have experienced ; and if this trial be accompa- nied with temporaj losses, poverty, sickness, the unkindness of friends, or ill usage from the world, they may be greatly discouraged ; and Satan may have a special advantage in tempting them to discontent, distrust, envy, or coveting. Thus, being more disposed to ' wish for a better way,' than to pray earnestly for an increase of faith and patience, they will be tempted to look out for some method of declining the cross, or shifting the difficulty which wearies them : nor will it be long before some expedient for a temporary relief will be suggested. The path of duty being rough, a bye-path is discovered, which seems to lead the same way ; but, if they will thus turn aside (though they need not break through a hedge) they must go over a stile. The commandments of God mark out the path of holiness and safety ; but a devia- tion from the exact strictness of them may sometimes be plau- sibly made, and circumstances seem to invite to it. Men imagine some providential interposition, giving ease to the weary ; and they think that the precept uray be interpreted with some latitude ; that prudence should be exercised ; and that scrupulousness about little things is a mark of legality. 'J'hus, by leaning to their own understanding and trusting in their own hearts, instead of asking counsel of the Lord, they hearken to the temjjter. Nor is it uncommon for Christians of deeper experience, and more established reputation to mis- lead their juniors, by turning aside from the direct line of obedience. For the Lord leaves them to themselves to re- press their self-confidence, and keep them entirely dependent oi: him ; and thus teaches young converts to follow no man (:irlher than he follows Cluist. WITH SCOTP'S NOTES. 237 (Numo. xxi. 4). Wherefore still as they went on they wished for a better -vvay. 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-patii- meadow. Then said Christian to his fellow, If this meadow lieth along by our way-side 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 'Tis according to my wish, said Christian, here is the easiest going ; come, good Hopeful, and let us go over. Hope. But how if this path should lead us out of the way ? That's not like, said the other. Look,* doth it not go along by the way-side ? So Hopeful, being persuaded by his fellow, went * ' Look' — It would not be politic in Satan to temjU believ- ers at first to flagrairt crimes, at which their liearts would re- volt; but he draws them aside, under specious pretences, in- to such, plausible deviations as seem to be of no bad repute or material consec|uence : but every wrong step makes way for further temptations, and tends to render other sins appa- rently necessary ; and if it be a deliberate violation of the least jirecept in tlie smallest instance, from carnal motives, it involves such self-wilf, unlwlief, ingratitude, and worldly idol- atry, as will most certainly expose the believer to sharp re- b'lkes and painful corrections. The example also of prt>fcs- fors, of whom perhaps at the first interview too favourable an upinion has been liirmed, helps to bolster up the vain-confi- dence of him who has departed from the path of obedience: for these men express the strongest assurance, and venture to Tiolate the precepts of Christ, under pretence of honouring his fiec grace, and knowing their liberty and privilege ! Rut darkness nuist soon envelop those who follow such guides, and the most extreme distress and danger are directly in the way they take. 238 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, after him over the stile. AVhen they were gone over, and were got into the path, they f'ou'id it very easy for their feet ; and withal, they, looking before them, spied a man walk- ing as they did, and his name was vain-confi- dence : 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 tluit they that went be- hind lost the sight of him that went before. He therefore that went before (Vain-confi- dence by name), not seeing the way before him, fell* into a deep pit (Isa. ix. 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. 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 mis- trusting that he had led him out of the way ; and nowf it began to rain, and thunder, and * ' Fell' — This circumstance perhaps represents the salu- tary effects which are sometimes produced in the hearts of oliendinjj believers, by the awful death of some vain-glorious professor, to whom lliev have given too much attention. The Lord, however, will deliver his servants from the temporary prevalen(;e of vain-confidence, while presumptuous hypocrites perish in the pit (jfdarkness and despair. + ' And now' — Tlie holy law condemns every transgrea- gion : when the Christian, therefore, hath fallen into any wilful sin, he is often led to fear that his faith is dead, tiint WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 239 lighten, ill a most dreadful manner ; and the water rose amain. Then iTopcfui groaned in himself, saying, Oh ihat I had kept on my way ! Chr. >Vho could have thought that this path should have led us out of the way ? Hope. I was afraid on't cit the very first, and therefore gave you that gentle caution. I would have spoken i)Iaincr, but you are older than I. Chr. Good brother, be not offended ; I am sorry I have brought thee out of tiie way, and that 1 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 for- give thee ; and believe, too, tliat this shall be for 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 be- fore Chr. No, if you please, let me go first, he is still under tlio law, and that liis person is condemned by it as well as his conduct ; and thus he is hroiigiit back again, as it were, to the tempest, thunder, and lightning of mount Sinai. The following dialogue is very natural and instruciive, and exhibits that ?piiit of mutual K^mleniess, forbearance, and sympathy, which becomes Christians in such perplcxiu" circumstances. They who have misled others into sin. should not only ask forgiveness of Ciod, but of llicin also ; ^imI they wl;o have been drawn aside by the example ami 1>er8uasion of their brethren, should be careful not to up- )raid or discourage them, when thcv Ijccomc sensible of tlieir fault. 240 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, that if there be any danger I may be first therein ; because by my means we are both gone out of the way. No, said Hopeful, you shall not go first ; for your mind being troubled may lead you out of the way again. Then, for their en- couragement, they heard the voice of one saymg, < Let thine heart* be towards the highway ; even the way that thou wentest : * ' Lot iliine'— When such as liave turned aside are called iipnn in Scripture to return to God and his wavs, the exhor- tation iinphes a promise of acceptance to all wlio comply with It, and may he considered as immediately addressed to'everv one with whose character and situation it corresponds. It might be thought indeed, that an experienced believer, when convinced ol any sin, would find little difficultv in returning to his duty, an 1 recoverin^r his peace. But experience in"- cul<-ates a very diflerent instruction : a delibeiate tran-;a,-e«. sion, however trivial it might seem at the moment, appears upon the retrospect to be an act of most ungrateful and ag- gravated rebellion ; so that it brings such darkness upon the soul, and guilt on the conscience, as frequently causes a man to sus[)ect that his experiences have been a delusion. And, when he would attempt to set out anew, it occurs to him' that d all his past endeavours and expectations, for many years, have been frustrated, he can entertain little hope of lielter success hereafter; as he knows not how to use other means, or greater earnestness, than he hath already employ- ed to no purpose. Nor will Satan ever fail, in these circum- stances, to pour in such suggestions as may overwhelm the soul with an apprehension that the case is hopeless, and God inexorable. 'I'he believer will not, indeed, be prevailed upon by these discouragements wholly to neglect all attempts to recover his ground ; but he will often resemble a man who is groping in the dark and cannot find his way, or who is |)a.*.'iiig through a deep and rapid stream. a"nd struggling hard to keep his head above water. Thus the tlesire ofpre- sent relief from intolerable distress will occupy his thoughts, and expose him to the danger of quieting his conscience in an iiiiauthoi i/ed manner, by some erroneous opinion or con- clusion. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 241 turn iiside' (Jer. xxxi. 21). But by this time the waters were greatly risen, by reason of vhicli the wa.y of going l)ack was very dan- gerous. (Then I thought, that it is easier going out of the way when we were in, than going in when we are out). Yet tlicy ad- ventured to go back ; but it was so dark, and the flood was so high, that in their going back they had hke to have been drowned nine or ten times. Neither could they, with all the skill they hdd, get again to the stile that night. Where- fore at last, lighting under a little shelter,* * ' Slielter' — When David had fallen in the depths of sin Aivi (iit^lie.-'s, he cried most earnestly to the Lord (\'s. cxxx) ; ana Jonah did the same in the fish's belly. Extraordinary ca- ses require singular diligence ; even as greater exertion is nere.-sary to get out of a pit than to walk upon level ground. Wlien believers, therefore, have brought themselves^ bv trans- gression, into great terror and anguish of conscience, it is foolish to expect that God will ' restore to tlieni the joy of his salvation,' till iliey have made the most unreserved con- fession of their guilt, Iniinbly deprecated his deserved wrath in peise\ering prayer, and used peculiar diligence in every lliirg that arconipanies repentance and faith in Christ, and ends to greater watchfulness, circumspection, and self- denial. But they often seek relief in a more compendious way J and, as they do not wliolly omit their customary reli- gioits exercises, or vindicate and repeat their transgressions, they endeavour to quiet themselves by general notions of God's mercy through Jesus Christ, and the security of the new covenant ; and the storm in their consciences subsiding, they ' find a little shelter,' and ' wait for a more ctm^enient opportunity' of recovering their former life and vip-our in re. ligion. Inileed, the very circumstances which should excite us to pecuii.ir earnestness, tend, through the depravity of our nature, to blind and stiipify the heart : Peter and the other disciples ' .-lept for sorrow,' when they were more especially required ' In watch and pray, that they might not enter into temptation.' Sucli repeated sins and mistakes bring beliw* ^OL. 1 21 242 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, they sat down there till the daybreak ; but be- ing weary they fell asleep. Now tiiere was, ers into deep distress. Growing more and more licartless in religion, and insensibl'? in a most perilous situation, they are led lml)itu:illy to infer that they are hypocrites ; that the en- cour;igements of Scripture belong not to them ; that prayer it.self will be of no use to them; and, when tiiey are at length brniiylit ti) reflection, they are taken prisoners by Despair, and shut up in Doubting-castle. This case should be carefully distinguished from Christian's terrors in the city of Destruc- tion, which induced him to ' flee from the vvralh to come ;' from the slough of Despond, into which he fell when dili- gently seeking salvation ; from the burthen he carried to the cross ; from his conflict with ApoUyon, and his troubles in the valley of the Shadow of death ; and even from the tenors that seized him and Hopeful in By-path-meadow, which would have speedily terminated if they had not slept on forl)id captive by him in this world. They do not indeed fall and perish with Vain-confidence ; but for a season they find it impossible to rise superior to prevailing gloomy doubts bor- dering on despair, or to obtain the least comfortable hope of deliverance, or encouragement to use the proper means of seeking it. Whenever we deliberately quit the plain path of duty, to avoid hardship and self-denial, we tresjiass on giant Despair's ground ; and are never out of his reach till renewed exercises of deep repentance, and faith in Christ, producing unreserved obedience, especially in that instance Tvhere before we refused it, have set om feet in the highway we had firsaken. This we cannot attain to without the special grace of God, which he may not see good immediate- ly to communicate : in the mean tiaie every effort must be ^(■companied with discouragement and distress; but if we yield to another temptation, and, instead of persevering, amidst our anxious fears, to cry to him for help, and wait his time of shewing mercy, endeavour to bolster up some false cnn- iklencc, and take shelter in a refuge of lies, tile event will be euch as is here described. It will be in vain, after such perveraeness, to pretend that we have inadvertently ink WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 243 not far from the place where they lay, a cas- tle, called Doubting Castle, the owner where- of was giant Despair ; and it was in his grounds they were now sleeping. AVherefore he getting up in the morning early, and walk- ing up and down in his fields, caught Chris- tian 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 gi- ant. You have this night trespassed on me by trampling in, and lying on, my ground, 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 giant, therefore, drove them before him, and put them into his castle in a very dark dungeon, nasty, and stinking to the spirits of these two men. Here then* they lay, from taken our way ; ' our own hearts will condemn us ;' how tlien can ' we have confidence in God, who is greater than our hearts anA knoweth all things V The grim giant will prove too strong for us, and shut us up in his noisome dun- geon, and the recollection of our former hopes and comforts will only serve to aggravate our woe. These lines are here inserted — ' 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.' * ' Here then' — Perhaps this exact time was mentioned under the idea, that it was as long as life can generally be 2 41 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, 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 (Ps. Ixxxviii. 8). Now in this place Christian had double sorrow, because it was through his unadvised counsel that they were brought into this dis- tress. Now giant* Despair had a wife, and her name was Diffidence ; so when he was gone Bupported in the situation here described. The believer may be brought by wilful sin to such a condition, that, to his own appn-ehension, destruction is inevitable. If a man may sink 60 low as to have no liglit or comfort from God's word and Spirit, nothing to sustain his dying faith and hope, no help or pity from his brethren, but severe sensures or more pain- ful suspicions ; the horrors of an accusing conscience, the dread of God as an enemy, connected with sharp and multiplied corrections in his outward circumstances ; as the price of the ease or indulgence obtained by some wilful transgression ; who, that believeri it, will lake encouragement to sin from the doctrine of final perseverance 1 Would a man, for a tri- vial gain, leap down a precipice, even if hecould be sure that he should escape with his life 1 No, the dread of the anguish of broken bones, and of being made a cripple to the end of his days, would eft'ectually secure him from such a madness. * ' Now giant' — Despair seldom fully seizes any man in this world ; and the strongest hold it can get of a true believfer amounts only to a prevailing distrust of God's promises, with respect to his own case ; for this is accompanied with some Email degree of latent hope, discoverable in its effects, though imiTerceived amidst the distressing feelings of the heart. Perhaps this .was intended in the allegory by the circumstarice of Despair's doing nothing to the pilgrims save at the in- stance of his wife Dittidcnce. Despondinj; fears, when they 8o pre\ail as to keep men from prayer, make way for tempta- tions to suicide, as the only relief to their miseries; but when true faith is in the heait, however it may s-eem to be wholly cut of exercise, the tenifitation will bo evidently overcoinc» provided actual insnnity do not jnteivene ; and this is avepy WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 245 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 licr also what he had best do farther to them. So she asked 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 mercy. So when he arose, he gette-th a grievous crab-tree cudgel, and goes down into the dungeon to them, and there first falls to rating of them as if they ^vere dogs, although they gave him never a word of distaste ; then he falls upon them, and beat them fearfully, in such sort that they were not able to help themselves, or 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 their time in nothing but sighs and bitter lamentations. The next night she talk- ed with her husband about them farther, and understanding that 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, uncommon case among religiou.s people, vvliatever slanders tlieir enemies may circulate, in order to prejudice men's minds against the trnlli. Tlie giant's • fits in sunshiny weath- er,' seem to ilcriote tiiose transient glimpses of liope, which preserve behevers from such dire extremities in their most disc lira 'Cd .sfiasuns. 21* 246 THE pnxiunrs PRorxREss, 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 them- selves, either with knife, halter, or poison j for why, said he, should you choose life, see- ing it is attended with so much bitterness ? But thjey desired him to let them go ; 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 in- to 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 them- selves whether it was best to take his counsel or no ; and thus they l)egan to discourse : — Brother,* said Christian, what shall we do ? The life that we now live i*^ miserable : for *' Brother' — They, \\h-'. u.m'' I ;ig walked with stable peace in the w;iys of Gixl, ;ire often known to be more de- jected, when sin hath filled their consciences witli remorse, than yonnger professors are ; especially if they have caused others to offend, or brought any reproach on the Gospel. Their conduct, as inconsistent with their fornier character and profession, seems a decided proof of self-deception in times past; they deem it liopeless to begin all over again ; Sa- tan endeavours to the utmost t) dishearten new converts by their example ; and the Lord permits them to be overwhelmed for a time with discouragement, for a warning to others ; to vindicate the honour of his truth, which they have disgraced; to counterpoise such attainments or services, as might other- wise ' exalt ihem above measure ;' and to shew that none has any strength independent of him, and rhat he can make use of the feeble to ;issisl the strong, when he sees good. Hopeful's arguments ngainsl self-murder are (X)nclusiv6 : doubtless men in general ventme on that awful crime, either disbelie<'ing or forgetting the Sciipture doctrine of a futuiti WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 247 my part, I know not whether it is best to live thus, or die out of hand ; ' my soul choosetli strangUng rather than life' (Job vii. 15), and the grave is more easy for me than this dun- geon. Shall we be ruled by the giant ? Hope. Indeed our present condition is dreadful, and death would be far more wel- come 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 per- son ; 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, thoutalkest of ease in the grave, but hast thou forgotten the hell whither for certain the murderers go ? for, ' no murderer hath eternal life,' Stc. And let us consider again, that all the law is not in the hand of giant Despair : others, so far as I can under- stand, have been taken by him as well as we, and yet have escaped out of his hands. Who knows, but that God, that made the world, and eternal state of retribution ; and it were sincere ly to be wished, that ail serious persons would avoid speak- ing of such as have put an end to their existence ; which cer- tainly tends to mislead the mind of the tempted into very er- roneous apprehensions of this most important subject. The subsequent discourse aptly represents the fluctuation of men's niinds under great despondency ; their struggles against des- pair, with purposes at some future opportunity to seek deliv- erance ; their present irresolution ; and the way vn which feeble hopes, and strong fears of future wrath, Keep them lironi yielding to the suggestions of lite enemy. 248 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, 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 awhile ; the time may come that may give us a happy release ; but let us not be our own murderers. AVith these words Hopeful at present did moderate the mind of his brother ; so that they continued together, in the dark, that day, in their sad and doleful condition. 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 i-e- ceived when he beat them, they could do lit- tle but breathe. But, I say, he found thera alive ; at which he fell into a grievous rage, and told them, that, seeing they had disobey- ed his counsel, it should be worse with them than if they had never been born. 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 take it or no. Now WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 249 ChristiaQ again seemed to be for doing it, but Hopeful made his second reply as follow- eth : — My brother* said he, rememberest thou n )t how vaHanl thou hast been heretofore ." Anollyon could not crush thee, nor could all that thou didst liear or see, or feel, in the val- ley of the Shadow of Death ; what hardship, terror, and amazement, hast thou already gone through, and art thou now nothing but fears ? Thou seest that i am in the dungeon with thee, a far weaker man by nature than thou art ; also, the giant has wounded me as well as thee, and hath also cut off the bread and wri- ter from my mouth, and with that I mourn without the light. But let us exercise a little more patience ; remember how thou playedst the man at Vanity fair, and was neither afraid of the chain or 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. Now night being come again and the giant and his wife being in bed, she asked him con- cerning the prisoners, and if they had taken iiis counsel : to which he replied. They are sturdy rogues, they choose rather to bear all ■-' •■ My brother' — Serious recollection of past conflicts, duri- g.?.-s, and deliverances, is [peculiarly useful to encourage confi- dence in tlu power and mercy of God, rjnd patient waitin" lor him in me most diflScult and perilous situations; and con- fereiu;e with ojr hretiireu, even if they, too, are under sim-iar trials, is a very important means of resisting the devil, when he would ieriipt us to renounce our hope, and have recourse t& c'ey[)eiaic iuei.nir»'s. 250 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, hardship than to make away themselves. Then said she, Take them into the castle- yard to-morrow, and shew them* the bones and skulls of" those that thou hast already dis- patched, and make them believe, ere a week comes to an end tnou also will tear them in pieces, as thou hast done their fellows be- fore them. So when the morning was come, the giant goes to them again, and takes them into the castle-yard, and shews 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 with- in ten days I will do you : get you down in- to your den again : and with that he beat the«m all the way thither. They lay there- fore all day on Suturday in a lamentable case, as before. Now when night was come, and * ' Shew tliein' — The Scripture exhibits some examples of apostates who have died in despair (as king Saul and Ju- das Iscariot), and several intimations are given of those to whom nothing remains but a certain fearful looking for of judg- ment and fiery indignation. A few instances also have been noticed, in different ages, of notorious apostates, who have died in blasphemous rage and despair : these accord to the man in the iron cage at the house of the Interpreter, and are awfid warnings to all professors, ' while they think they stand, to take heed lest they fall.' But the hypocrite gene- rally overlooks the solemn caution ; and the humble Cliiis- tian, having a tender conscience and an acquaintance with the (ieceitfulness of his own heart, is very apt to consider his wilful transgression as the unpardonable sin, and to vergo towards despair, frou) nn apprehension that the doom of former apostates v/ill at length be his own. This seems in- tended by the giant shewing the pilgrims the bones of those he had slain, in order to induce them to self-niurdei . WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. when INIis. Diffidence and her husband the giant, were got to hed, tliey began to renew their discourse of their prisoners ; and with- al, the old giant wondered that he could nei- ther by his blosvs nor counsel bring them to an end. And with, that his wife replied, I feai said she, that they live in hopes that somy will come to relieve them, or that they have picklocks about them, by the means of which they hope to escape. And saycst tiiou so my dear ? said tiie giant ; I will therefore search ';hem in the morning. Well, on* Saturday about midnight they * 'Well, on' — Perhaps tiie author selected Saturday at midnight for the precise time wlien the prisoners began to pray, in order to intimate, that the return ol tiie LonPs day and that preparation which serious persons are reminded ♦.o make for it, as well as its sacred services, are often the hap- py means of recovering those that have fallen into sin and des- pondency. i\otliir)g will be efiectual for tlie recovering of such persons, till they ' begin to pray' with fervency, importunity, and perseverance. Ordinary diligence will here be unavail- ing : they have sought ease to the flesh, when diey ought lt» have ' watched unto prayer ; and they must now watch and pray when others sleep ; at least they must .struggle against their own reluctancy, and persist in repeated application to the mercy-seat, till they obtain a gracioi < .mswer. Butsucli iii our nature and situation, that in jiivportion as we have special nee 252 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, began to pray, and continued in prayer till almost break of day Now a little before it was day, good Chris- tian as one half amazed, brake out into this pas- sionate speech : What a fool, quoth he, am I, thus to lay in a stinking dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty ? I have a key* in my and tlve offender begins to cry fervently to God for mercy, witli ImmiliHting confessions, renewed application to the blood of Christ, and perseverance amidst delays and discour- j^ements, it will not be very long ere he obtain complete deliverance from the gloomy dungeon of despair. * ' A key' — The promise of eternal life to every one, without exception, who believeth in Christ, is here especially intended ; but without excluding any other of the exceed- ing great and precious promises of the G(jspel. The believer, wliea enabled to recollect such as peculiarly suit his case, and feeling that he cordially desires the promised blessings, and truly expects lliem by reliance on the testimony and faithfulness of God, in his appointed way, has the key in his bosom, ' which will open any lock in Doubting Castle ;' and while he pleads them by the prayer of faith, depending on the merits and atonement of Emmanuel, ' coming to God through him,' he gradually resumes his confidence, and be- gins to wonder at his past despondency. Yet some remains of unbelief, a recollection of his aggravated guilt, and a fear lest he should presume, will render it difficul'. for him whol- ly to dismiss his discouraging doubts. But let it especially be noted, that the faith, which delivered the pilgrims from giant Despair's castle, induced them to return into the high- way of obedience without delay, or making any more com- plaints of its roughness ; as also to walk in it with more circumspection than before ; and to devise every method of cautioning others against passing over the stile into By-path meadow. Whereas a dead faith and vain confidence will keep out all doubts and fears, even on forbidden ground, and under the walls of Despair's castle ; till at length the poor, neliided wretch will be unexpectedly and irrf^i'-tibly seized upon, and made his prey. And if Christians will follow Vain confidence, and endeavour to keep up their hopes when neglecting their known duty, let them remember, that (whatevei some men may pretend) they will surely be thus WITH SCOTJ-.S NOTES. 253 bosom, called Promise, that will I am persuad- ed, open any lock in Doubting Castle. Then said Hopeful, Tiiat's good news, good bro- ther, pluck it out ot'thy bosom and try. 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 this key opened that door al- so. Af»or he went to the iron gate, for that must be opened too, but that lock went very hard ; yet the key did open it. Then they thrust open the gate to make their escape with speed ; but the gate as it opened made such a cracking that it waked giant Despair, who hastily rising to pursue his prisoners felt his limbs to fail, for his (its 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 jurisdictions. Now, when they were gone over the stile, they began to contrive with themselves what tiiey should do at that stile, to prevent those that shall come after from falling into the hand of giant Despair. So they consented to erect there a pillar, and to engrave upon the side thereof this sentence, ' Over this broiiglil aciniaiiit<;(i witli Diffiilence, iiniiiured in Duubliiig Castie, :iu>l tcrrilily iiiiiitie'l aiiil tViglited l)y giant Despair; nor will tlluy \>e delivercj till lliey have It^aiiieJ, l)y painful experience, that the assurance oi' hope is inseparably cor!-» nected with the self-denying obedience of failh and love. Vol. I. 22 254 THE riLCRr.i's procuress, 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 the 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 tliai come after have a care, Lest they, for trespassing, his prisoners are Whose castle's Doubting, and whose name's Despair. They went then till they* came to the De- lectable Mountains, which mountains belong * ' Till they' — When offending believers are lirought to deep repentance, renewed exercises of lively faith, and wil- ling obedience in those self-denying duties which they had declined, the Lord ' restores to them the joy of iiis salvation,' and their former comforts become more abundant and per- manent. The Delectable Mountains seem intended to rep- resent those calm seasons of peace and comfort, vvhicii con- sistent Christians often experience in their old age. They have survived, in a considerable degree, the vehemence of their youthful passions, and have honourably performed their parts in the active scenes of life ; they are established, by long experience, in the simplicity of dependance and obedi- ence ; the Lord graciously exempts them from peculiar tri- als and temptations ; their acquaintance with the ministers and people of God is enlarged, and they possess the respect, confidence, and affection of many esteemed friends ; they have much leisure for communion with God, and the imme- diate exercises of religion ; and they often converse with their brethren on the loving kindness and truth of the Lord, till ' their hearts burn within them.' Thus ' leaning on their staffs,' depending on the promises and perfections of God in assured faith and hope, they anticipate their future hap- piness ' with joy unspeakable and full of glory.' These tlnngs are represented under a variety of external images, according to the nature of an allegory. The shepherds and their flocks denote the more extensive acquaintance of many aged Christians with the ministers and churches of CliriEt, WITH feJOTT'S NOTES. 255 to the lord of that hill of which we have spok- en before : so tliey went up to tho moun- tains, to behold the gardens and orchards, the vineyards and fountains of waters ; where also they drank and washed themselves, and did Ireely eat of the vineyards. Now there was on the tops of these mountains shepherds feeding their flocks, and they stood by the highway side. 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 ?' Shep. The mountains are Emmanuel's land and they are within sight of his city ; and the sheep also are his, and he laid down his life for them. Clir. Is this the way to the Celestial city .•* Shep. You are just in the way ^ Chr. How far is it thither ? Shep. Too far* for any but those that shall get thither indeed. the chief Slieplierd, ' who laid down his life for the sheep.' This is ' Einiiuinuers land ;' for, being detached from world- ly engagements and Connexions, they now spend tlieir time al- most wholly among the subjects of the Prince of Peace, and aa in his more especial presence. The following lines are added here, as before — ' Mountains delectable they now ascend, Where shepherds be, which to them do commend Alluring things, and things that cautions are ; Pilgrims are steady kept by faith and fear. • ' Too far' — The certainty of the final perseverance of true believers is continually exemplified in tlieir actual per- ^56 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. Chr. Is the way safe or dangerous ? Sliep. Safe for those for whom it is to be safe ; ' but transgressors shall fall therein' (Hos. xiv. 9). Chr. Is there in this place any relief for pilgrims that are weary and iiiiiit in the way ? Shep. The Lord of these mountains hath given us a charge ' not to be forgetful to en- tertain strangers' (Heb. xiii. 1,2); therefore the good of the place is before you. I also saw 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 faces on this moun- tain. But when the shepherds heard their answers, being pleased therewith, they look- ed very lovingly upon them, and said, Wel- come to the Delectable Mountains. The shepherds, I say, whose names* were Bevering, notwithstanding all imaginable inward and out- ward impediments. Many hold the doctrine who are not interested in the privilege, and wiiose conduct eventually proves, that they ' had no root in themselves' (1. John ii. 19) ; but the true believer acquires new strength by his very trials and mistakes, and possesses increasing evidence that the new covenant is made with him; for, ' having obtained help of God,' he still ' continues in Christ's word,' and « abides in him ; and while temptations, persecutions, her- esies, and afllirtions, which stumble transgressors and deteci hypocrites, tend to ijuicken, humble, sanctify, and establish him, he may assuredly conclude, that ' he shall be kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation.' * ' Names' — These names imply much useful instrjction. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 257 Know}edge, Experience, Watchful and Sin- cere, 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 you 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. Then I saw in my dream, that in the morn- ing the Shepherds called up Christian and Hopeful to walk with them upon the moun- tains : so they went forth with them, and walk- ed awhile, having a pleasant prospect on ev- ery side. Then said the shepherds one to an- other, shall we show these pilgrims some both to ministers and CliristiHns, by sliewing them wliat en- dowments are most essential to the pastoral office. The at- tention given to preachers should not Ije proportioned to the degiee of tiieir confidence, vehemence, accomplishments, graceful delivery, eloquence, -or [wliteness ; but to tliat of their knowledge of the Scriptures, and of every subject that relates to tlie glory of God and die salvation of souls ; their ex|>erienc^ of the power of divine truth in their own hearts, of the faithfulness of God to his promises, of the believer's conflicts, difficulties, and dangers, and of the manifold de- vices of Satan to mislead, deceive, pervert, defile, or har- ass the souls of men ; their watchfulness over the people, as their constant business and unremitted care, to caution them against every snare, and to recover them out of every error, in to which they may lje betrayed ; and their sincerity, as mani- fested by a disinterested unambitious, unassuming, patieat, and affectionate conduct ; by proving that they deem them- Belvas bound to practise their own instructions, and by auni- lorui attempt to convince the people, that they ' seek not theirs, but them.' 22=^ 258 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, wonders ? So, wlien they had concluded to do it, they had them first to the top of a ^ill,* ' A hill' — Human n;iture always verges to extremes. In former times tlie least deviation from an established system of doctrine was reprobated as damnable heresy ; and some persons, even at this day, tanitiy laying claim to infallibility, deem every variation from their standard an error, and ev- ery error inconsistent with true piety. But the absurdity and bad effects of this bigotry having been discovered aud ex- |)osed, it has become far more common to consider indiffer- ence about theological truth as essential to candour and liberality of sentiment ; and to villify, as narrow-minded bigots, all who ' contend earnestly for the faith once deliver- ed to the saints,' however averse they may be to persecu- tion, or disposed to benevolence towards such as differ from them. The great end fur which prophets and apostles were inspired, martyrs shed their blood, and the Son ol God himself came into the world and died on the cross, is pro- nounced a matter of no moment : revelation is virtually re- jected (for we may know, without the Bible, that men ought to be sober, honest, sincere, and benevolent) ; and those principles from which all genuine holiness must arise, are contemned as enthusiasm and toolishness ! Some errors may indeed consist with true faith, (for who will say that he is in nothing mistaken 1) yet no error is absolutely harmless; all must, in one way or other, originate from a wrong state of mind, or a faulty conduct, and proportionably counteract the design of revelation ; and some are absolutely inconsistent with repentance, humility, faith, hope, love, spiritual wor- ship, and holy obedience, and consequently incompatible with a state of acceptance and salvation. They are represented by ' the hill Error,' and a scriptural specimen is adduced. Professors fall into such delusions by indulging self-conceit, ▼ain-glory, and curiosity; by 'leaning to their own under- standings,' and intruding into the things they have not seen, vainly puffed up by their fleshly mind, and by speculating on subjects, which are too deep for them — for the fruit of ' tlie tree of knowledge,' in respect of religious opinions not ex- pressly revealed, is still forbidden ; and men vainly thinking it ' good for food, and a tree to be desired to make men wise,' and desiring ' to be as gods,' understanding and accounting for every thing, fall into destructive heresies, do immense mischief, and become awful examples for the warning of their contemporaries and successors. Wnil SCOTT'S NOTES. •called Error,, which was very stoc|) on tho Vailherest side, and bid tlioin look down totlic bottom. So Christian and Hopeful looked jown, and saw at the bottom several men dasii- t'd all to pieces by a fall that they had from the top. Then said Christian, AVhat ineanclh this ? The shepherds answered, Have you not heard of them that were made to err, by hearkening to Hymeneus and Philctus ('2 Tim. ii. 17, 18), as concerning tlu; laith of the resurrection of the body ? They answered, Yea-Then said the shepherds, those that you see He dashed in pieces at the bottom of this mountain are they ; and they have continu- ed to this day unburied, as you see, for ex- ample to others to take heed how they clam- ber too high, or how they come too near the brink of this mountain. Then I saw they had them to the top of an- other mountain, and the name of that is Cau- tion, and bid them look afar off: which v/hen 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 stum- bled sometimes upon the tombs, and because they could not get out from among them. Then said Christian, What means this .'' The shepherds then answered. Did you not see a little below these mountains a stile*" ♦ ' A y Satan 260 TllK PIl.GRIM'.S ITiOCii'vKSS, that leads into another place in a bottom, where was a door in the side of a hill, and they np(Mic(l the door and bid them look in. They looked in tlierefore, and saw that within it was very dark and smoky ; they also thought ihatlhcy heard there a rumbling noise, as ol" fire, and a cry of some tormented ; and that th'-y smelt the scent of brimstone. Then said Christian, What means this .'' The shep- herds told them. This is* a by-way to hell, a way that hy[)ocrites go in at ; namely, such as sell their birthright, with Esau ; such as sell their master, with Judas ; such as blas- pheme the Gospel, with Alexander ; and that lie and dissemble, with Ananias, and Sapphira his wife. Then said Hopeful to the shepherds, I per- ceive that these had on them, even every one, a shew of pilgrimage, as we have now, had they not .'' Skcp. Yea, and held it a long time too. ♦ ' This is' — \o m;m can see tiie heart of another, or cer- ijinly know iiiiii lo lie ;i inie believer : it is, therefore, prop- n 111 w.ini ihc iiio?! approved persons, ' while they thinit, ihey sl.Tiid, lo lailK>d (Acts xwii. 22 — 31); and it may appear very iii'-eii.iin In ihe persons concerned, especially if ihey yielc" lo lenii^sness (1 ['el. iv. 18) : so that prayer to the Almigh IN (iud (lit sircn'^th with continual watchfulness and alten tiMH I,, cvciv (i.trt of practical religion, is absolutely necea- »ir\ III • ihc full iusiirancc of hutie unio the end' (Heb. vi. 10-12 ) £62 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Hope. How far might they go on in pil- gviinage in tlioir days, siiu^e lliey nolwilh' standing were thus miserably cast away ? Shcj). SiiiiH' ihrtlier, and some not so far aa these monnt:iins. Then said tlic pilgrims one to another. Wc had need to cry to the strong for strength. Sliep. Ay, and you will have need to use it when you have it, too. By this time the pilgrims had a desire to go forwards, and the shepherds a desire they should ; so they walked together towards the ami of the mountains. Then said the shc|)- herds one to anotiier, I.,et us here shew the pilgrims the gates of the Celestial city, if th(!y have skill to look through our prospect ive glass. Tiie pilgrims then lovingly ac- cepted the motion : so they had them to the lop of a high hill, called Clear, and gave them the glass to look. Then they essayed to look, hut the remem- brance of that last" thing that the shepherds had shewed them made their hands shake ; by means of which impediment they could not look steadily through the glass, yet * ' Tlial last' — Such is the infirmity of our naiiiie, even wiien in a measure renovated, that it is almost impossible for us vigorously to exercise one holy affection, without fail- ing in some other. When we conlide in fioil with assured faiih and hope, we commonly arc defective in reverence, hu- mility, and caution : on llie other hand, a jealous of our- selves, and a salutary fear of coming short or drawing back generally weaken our confidence in |M3 that it will be well with him in tlie event, he may be so harassed by the recollection of the lost! lie has sustained, the effects of his misconduct on others, an 1 the obstructions he hath thrown in the way of his own Comfort anil usefulness, that liis future life may be rendered a coiit-taiil scene uf disquietude and painful reflections. 'I'Imw 23^ 270 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. Btill. But, as I was told, the good man waa much afflicted for his loss ; for the thieves got most of his spending money. That which they got not, as I said, were jewels ; also he had a little odd money left, but scarce enough to bring him to his journey's end (1 Pet. iv. 18) ; nay, if I was not misinform ed, he was forced to beg as he went, to keep himself alive (for his jewels he might not sell). But beg and do what he could, 'he went,' as we say, ' with many a hungry bel- ly,' the most part of the rest of the way. Hope. But is it not a wonder they got nol from him his certificate, by which he was to receive his admittance at the celestial gate ? Chr. It is a wonder : but they got not that ; though they missed it not through any good cunning of his ; for he being dismayed with their coming upon him, had neither pow- er nor skill to hide any thing ; so it was more by good providence than by his endeavour that they missed of that good thing (2 Tim i 14 ; 2 Pet. ii. 9). Hope. But it must needs be a comfort to him that they got not his jewels from him. Chr. It might have been great comfort to him, had he used it as he should ; but they that told me the story said, that he made but little use of it all the rest of the way ; and the doctrine of the l)eliever's final perseverance is both main- tuined and guarded from ahuse : and it is not owing to a man's own care, but to the l.ord's free mercy, iwwerAil in- terposition, aiui new-covenant engagements, that inil>eliet ami guilt
  • tubble ; he laugheth at the shak- ing of a spear' (Job xli. 26 — ^). What can a man do in this case ? It is true, if a man could at every turn have Job's horse, and had Bkill and courage to ride him, he might do nota- ble things, for his neck is clothed with thunder, he will not be afraid as a grasshopper ; the glory of his nostrils is terrible ; he paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength ; he goeth on to meet the armed men ; he mock- eth at fear, and is not affrighted, neither turn- eth he back from the sword : the quiver rat- tleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield ; he swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage, neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets Ha, ha ; and he smelleth the battle afar olF, the thunder of the captain and the shoutings, (Job xxxix. 19 — 2.5). But for such footmen as thee and I are, let us never desire to meet with an enemy, nor vaunt as if we could do better, when we hear of others that they have been foiled ; nor be tickled at the thought of our own manhood, for such coinmonlv come bv tin; worst whe i Vol. i. ' 24 278 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, tried. Peter of whom I made mention be- fore, he would swagger, ay, he would ; ho would, as his vain mind prompted him to say, do better, and stand more for his master than all men : but who so foiled and run down by those villains as he ? When, therefore, we hear that such rob- beries are done on the King's highway, two tilings become us to do : first, to go out har- nessed, and to be sure to take a shield with us ; for it was for want of that that he that laid so lustily at Leviathan could not make him yield ; for, indeed, if that be wanted he fears us not at all. Therefore he that had skill hath said, ' Above all, take the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked' ^Eph. vi. 16). It is good also that we desire of the King a convoy,* that he will go with us himself This made David rejoice when in the valley of the Shadow of Death ; and Moses was rather for dying where he stood than to go one step without his God (Exod. xxxiii. 15). O my brother, if he will but go along with us, what need we be afraid of ten thousand that shall set themselves against us ? but without him the proud helpers fall under the slain (Psal. iii. 5 — 8 ; xxvii. 1 — 3 ; Isa. x. 4), * ' Convoy' — Instead of saying, ' though all men deny ihee, yel. will not 1,' it '^elioves iis to use all means of grace iliiige^tlv, and to be instant in prayer, that the Lord liiinself in:\\ prolefi us by his power, and animate us by his presence ami then only shall we be enabled to overcome l-jth the fe*>* of man, and the temptations of the devil. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 279 I, for my part, have been in the fray before IK)W ; and though, through the goodness of him that is best, I am, as you see, aUve, yei I cannot boast of my manhood. Glad shall I be if I meet with no more such brunts ; though I fear we are not got beyond all dan- ger. However, since the lion and the bear have not as yet devoured me, I hope God will deliver us from the next uncircumcised Philistines. Then sung Christian — . Poor Little-faith ! has been among the thieves 1 Wc.rft roblj'il ! remember this, whoso behoves, And pot more faith, tiien shall you victors be Over ton thonsaml, elso scarce over three. So they went on, and Ignorance followed. They went then till they came at a place where they saw a way put itself* into their * ' Put itself — This way, whicli seemed as straight as the right way, and in entering on which there was no stile to be passed, must denote >:ome very plausible and gradual devia- tion from the simplicity of the Gospel, in doctrine or prac- tice. Peculiar circumstances may require the believer to de- termine how to act, when so much can be said in support of different measures, as to make him hesitate ; and if he mere- ly consider the subject in his own mind, or consult with his Iriends, w ithout carefully examinin;; the rule of Scripture, and praying for divine direction, he will very probably be seduce(? into the wrong path : and, if he listen to the Flatterer, he will certainly ho misled. It is, therefore, reciuisite to inquire wlial is meant by the Flatterer. It would be a manifest im- propriety to suppose these pilgrims hearkening to such as preach justification by the works of the law ; or llattor men's self-complacency bv harangues on the dignity of human na- ture, and the unbiassed freedom of the will ; the sufticiency of reason in matters of religion, or the goodness of the heart ; lor ex|)erienced (Jluislians cannot be thus iiiipiKJod on. Nor would gross antinomianism /engage the attention of those, «vho have been in Doubting Castle, for tm-ning aside into By- 280 IHE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, way, and seemed withal to lie as straight as the way which they should go ; and here they |)atli meadow. But the humnn mind is always accessible to flattery, in one form or other; and there have in every age heen teachers and professors, who have soothed men into a good opinion of their state on insufficient grounds ; or fed their spiritual pride by expressing too favourable thoughts of their attainments, which is often mistaken for a very loving spirit. This directly tends to unwatchfulness, and an unad- vised way of deciding in difficult cases; and thus men are imperceptibly induced to consult their own inclination, ease, or interest, instead of the will and glory of God. In tlie mean time, such flatterers commend their prudence, in allow- ing themselves a little rest ; persuade them that they ai-e en- titled to distinction, and exempted from general rules ; insin- uate that they are too well acquainted with Satan's devices to be deceived ; and in short seem to make their opinion the standard of right and wrong- Some excellent men, from a natural easiness of temper, united with spiritual love and genuine candour, thus undesignedly too much soothe their bretlu-en ; but the Flatterer is ' a black man in a white robe ;' a designing hypocrite, -who witli plausibility, fluency of speech, talents, eloquence, or polite accomplishments, and very evan- gelical views of religon, ' serves not our Lord Jesus Christ, but his own l>elly ; and by good words and fair speeches de- ceives the hearts of the simple.' Such a man will not shock serious minds by gross antinomianism ; but he will insist disproportionately and indi.=criminately on privileges, promis- es, and consolatory topics ; and thus put his auditors into good humour with themselves, and consequently with him, ini order to obtain advantages, not so easily acquired by other means. There are many otlier flatterers : but this descrip- tion, coming far more in the way of evangelical professors than any otlier, seems emphatically to be intended. Satan aims to lull men into a fatal security, wholly or in part; flat- terers of every kind are his pi-incipal agenis; and a smooth, undistinguishing Gospel, united to a want of p ain dealing in private, has immense influence in this respect. Too often, it is to be feared, the preacher uses flattery in the puljiit and the parlour, and is reciprocally flattered or rewarded : and wliat wonder is it, if ungodly men take up the business as a lucrative trade, and serve their own selfish purposes, by quieting uneasy consciences into a false peace, misleading mi- wary souls, entangling incautious believers in a net, and thus WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 281 knew not which of the two to take, for both seemed straight before them : therefore here they stood still to consider. And as they were thinking about the way, behold a man of black flesh, but covered with a very lioht robe, came to th- ry of God. So they turned away from iIh; man, and he, laughing at them, went hi.s way. I saw then in my dream, that they went till they came into a certain country, whose air naturally tended to make one drowsy, if he came a stranger unto it. And here Hopeful began to be very dull and heavy of sleep : wherefore he said unto Christian, I now be- gin to grow so drowsy that I can scarcely hold up mine eyes ; let us lie down here, and take one nap. By no means, said the other, lest sleeping we never awake more. Hope. Why, my brother ? sleep is sweet to the labouring man ; we may be refreshed if we take a nap. Chr. Do you not remember, that one (if the shepherds bid us beware of the Enchanletl" * ' Enchanted' — The Enchanteii Grounil may rcprpserii a state of exemption from pecuhar trials, ami of worMly pros- perity, especially when Christians are iinexpocicrllv advaiiced in their outward circumstances, or engaged in cxii-u>i\e flour- ishing busine.ss. A concurrence oi agreeaMe ilis|)eiisaiions B(jrnetinirs succeed to long continued diiTiculiics : llie lielici- er's |)eace i.> little interrupted, but he has not vorv high afu-c- tions or consolations; he meets with respect and aiicniiun from his friends and ac(|naiiilance, and is drawn on Iiy snccess in his .secular undertakings. This powtnliilly lends, ihrougli remaining depra\itv, to produce a lethargic and indokiil {rame of ujinil : the man attends on religious oidinances, anj the cons'int succession of diKies, more (\(Hn haliit and con- science. !lian from dcliglit in the servi<'e of (iod : and even they, w I)') iiav(; nccjuitled themselves in a varied course ol Uia'.b an', conflicts, often lose much of their vigour, activity. 288 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, ground ? He meant by that, tliat we should beware of sleeping ; ' wherefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober' (1 Thess. v. 6). Hope. I acknowledge myself in a fault ; and, had I been here alone, I had by sleep- ing run the danger of death. I see it is true that the wise man saith, ' Two are better than one' (Eccl. iv. 9). Hitherto hath thy company been my mercy ; and thou shalt ' have a good reward for thy labour.' Now then, said Christian, to prevent drow- siness in this place, let us fall into good dis- course. With all my heart, said the other. Chr. Where shall we begin 'i Hope. Where God began with us : but do you begin, if you please. Chr. I will sing you first this song — When saints do sleepy grow, let tliem come hither. And hear how these two pilgrims talk together : Yea, let them learn of them in any wise Thus to keep ope their drowsy slumh'ring eyes. Saints' fellowship, if it be raanag'd well. Keeps them awake, and that in spite of hell. Then Christian began, and said, I will ask and vigilance, in these fascinating circumstances. No situ- ation, in which a believer can be placed, requires so much watchfulness as this does : other experiences resemble storms, which keep a man awake almost agamst his will : this is a lYeacherou.s calm, which invites and lulls him to sleep. But pisus discourse, the jealous cautions of faithful friends, and recollections of the Lord's dealings with us in times past, are admirably suited to counteract this tendency. The subsequent iialoguc contains the author's own exposition of several par tKulais in the preceding allegory. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 289 you a question ; how came you to think at first of doing what you do now ? Hope. Do you mean, how came I at first to look after the good of my soul ? Chr. Yes, that is my meaning. Hope. 1 continued a great while in the de- light of those things which were seen and sold at our fair ; things which 1 believe now would have, had I continued in them still, drowned me in perdition and destruction. Chr. What tilings are they .'' Hope. All the treasures and riches of the world. Also I delighted much rioting, revel- ling, drinking, swearing, lying, uncleanness, sabbath-breaking, and what not, that tended to destroy the soul. But I found, at last, by hearing and considering of things that are divine, which indeed I heard of you, as also of the beloved Faithful, that was put to death for his faith and good living in Vanity- fair, that ' the end of these things is death ;' and that ' for these things' sake, the wrath of God Cometh upon the children of disobedience (Rom. vi. 21—23 ; Eph. v. 6.) Chr. And did you presently fall under the power of this conviction ? Hope. No, I was not willing presently to know the evil of sin, nor the damnation that follows upon the commission of it ; but endeav- oured, when my mind at first began to be shak- en with the word, to shut mine eyes againgt th£ light thereof. Vol I. 25 290 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Chr. But what was the cause of your carry- ing of i't thus to the first workings of God's blessed Spirit upon you ?' Hope. The causes were — 1, I was igno- rant that this was the work of God upon me. I never thought, that by awakenings for sin God at first begins the conversion of a sinner. 2. Sia was yet very sweet to my flesh, and I was h)th to leave it. 3. I could not tell how to part with my old companions, their presence and actions were so desirable unto me. 4. The hours in which convictions were upon me were such troublesome and such he art- affright- ing hours, that I could not hear, no not so much as the remembrance of them upon my heart. C/ir. Then, it seems, sometimes you got je- lief of your trouble ? Hope. Yes, verilv, but it would come into iny mind again, and then I would be as bad, nay worse than I was before. Chr. Why, what was it that brought your sins to mind again ? Hope. Many things ; as, if I did but meet a good man in the street ; or if I had heard any read in the Bible ; or if mine head did begin to ache ; or if I were told that some of my neighbours were sick ; or if I heard the bell toll for some that were dead ; or if I thought of dying myself; or if I heard that sudden death happened to others ; but especially when J thought of myself, that I must quickly come to judgment. Chr And could you at any time, with easo, WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 291 get ofT the guilt* of sin, when by any of these ways it came upon you ? ■ Hope. IVo, not I ; lor then they got faster hold of my conscience ; and then if I did hut think of going back to sin (though my mind was turned against it), it would be double tor- ment to me. Chr. And how did you do then ? Hope. 1 thought I must endeavour to mend my life ; for else, thought I, I am sure to be damned. Chr. And did you endeavour to amend ? Hope. Yes : and fled from, not only my sins, but sinful company too, and betook me to re- ligions duties, as praying, reading, weeping for sin, speaking truth to my neighbours, &c. These things did I with many other, too much here to relate. Chr. And did you think yourself well then ? Hope. Yes, for awhile ; but at tlie last my trouble came tumbling upon me again, and that over the neck of all my reformation. Chr. How came that about, since you were now reformed ? * ' Guilt' — Tliis word is used, here and in otiier pl;ire«, not tr> signify the evil of sin in the sight of God, and the trans- gres.-'ir's deserved liahleness to punishment ; i)nt the leinorse and fi':ir of wrath, with wliieh the convinced sinner is oppres- sed, and from which he often seeks relief hy means whicli ex- ceediii-^ly itu-rease his actual guilt. Nothing, except a free pardo:i, by failh in the atoning sacrifice of Christ, can take away j;:iilt ; hut the uneasiness of a man's conscience may be for a 'imo removed hy various expedients. The words guilt or gndty are often used ir. this latter sense hy modern divines, but >'. does not seem to be acripturally accurate, and may prixluce misapprehensions. 292 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Hope. There were several things brought it upon me ; especially such sayings as tiies« — 'All our righteousnesses are as hlthy rags ;' — ' By the works of the law no man shall be justified ;' When ye have done all these things, say, Wo are unprofitable' (Isa, Ixiv. S ; Luke xvii. 10 ; Gal. ii. 16) : with many Tiore such like. From whence I began to reason with myself thus : if all my righteous- nesses are filthy rags ; if by the deeds of the law no man can be justified ; and if, when we have done all, we are unprofitable — then it is but a folly to think of heaven by the law, I farther thought thus — if a man runs a hundred pounds into the shopkeeper's debt, and after that shall pay for all that he shall fetch — yet, if this old debt stands still in the book un- crossed for that the shopkeeper may sue him, and cast him into prison till he shall pay the debt. Chr. Well, and how did you apply this to yourself .'' Hope. Why, I thought with myself. I have by my sins run a great way into God's book, and that my now reforming will not pay off that score : therefore I should think still, un- der all my present amendments, But how shall I be freed from that damnation that I brought myself in danger of by my former trans- gressions .'' Chr. A very good application ; but pra)^ go on. Hope. Another thing that hath troubled me, ever since my late amendments, is, thai WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 293 if I look narrowly into the best of what I do now, I still see sin, new sin, mixing itself with the best of that I do ; so that now 1 am forced to conclude, that notwithstanding my former fond conceits of myself and duties, I have committed sin enough in one duty to send me to hell, though my former life had been faultless. Clir. And what did you do then ? Hope. Do ! I could not tell what to do, till I broke my mind to Faithful ; for he and I were well acquainted. And he told me, that unless I could obtain the r'ghtcousness of a man that never had sinned, neither my own, nor all the righteousness of the world, could save me. Clir. And did you think he spake true ? Hope. Had he told me so when I was pleas- ed and satisfied with my own amendment, I had called him fool for his pains ; but now, since I see mine own infirmity, and the sin which cleaves to my best pcrlormance, I have been forced to be of his opinion. Chr. But did you think, when at first he suggested it to you, that there was such a man to be found, of whom it might justly b"» said that he never committed sin ? Hope. I must confess the words at first sounded strangely, but, after a little more talk and company with him, I had full con- viction about it. Ckr. And did you ask him what man this was, a:id how vou must be justified J)y him (Rom. iv •, Col.'i ; Hcb. x ; ^i Pet. i) 25* 2M THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Hope. Yes, and he told me it was the Lord Jesus, that dwelleth on the right hand of the Most High : And thus said he, you must be justified by him — even by trusting to what he hath done by himself in the day of his flesh, and suffered when he did hang on the tree. I asked him farther, how that man's right- eousness could be of that efficacy to justify another before God ? And he told me he was the mighty God, and did what he did, and died the death also, not for himself, but for me, to whom his doing and the worthiness of them should be imputed, if I believed on him. Chr. And what did you do then ? Hope. I made my objections against my believing, for that I thought he was not wil- ling to save me. Chr. And what said Faithful to you then ? Hope. He bid me go to him and see. Then I said it was presumption. He said, No, for I was invited to come (Matt. xi. 28). Then he gave me a book, of Jesus's inditing, to encourage me more freely to come ; and he said, concerning that book, that every jot and tittle thereof stood ffrmer than heaven and earth (Matt, xxiv. 35). Then I asked him what I must do when I came ? And he told me I must entreat upon my knees (Ps. xxv. 6 ; Jer. xxix. 12, 13 ; Dan. vi. 10), with all my heart and soul, the Father to reveal him to me. Then I asked him farther, how I must make my supplication to him ? And he said, Go, and thou shalt find him upon a mer- cy-seat (Exod. xxv, 22 ; Lev. xvi. 2 ; Heb. iv. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 295 16) where he sits, all the year long, to give pardon and forgiveness to them that come. I told him that I knew not what to say when I came. And he bid me say to this effect — ' God be merciful to me a sinner,' and make me to know and believe in Jesus Christ, for I see, that if his righteousness had not been, or 1 have not faith in that righteousness, I am utterly cast away. Lord, I have heard that thou art a merciful God, and hast ordained that thy Son Jesus Christ should be the Sa- viour of the world ; and, moreover, that thou art willing to bestow him upon such a poor sinner as I am (and I am a sinner indeed) : Lord take therefore this opportunity, and mag- nify thy grace in the salvation of my soul, through thy son Jesus Christ. Amen. Chr. And did you do as you were bidden ? Hope. Yes, over, and over, and over. Chr. And did the Father reveal the Son to you ? Hope. Not at first, nor second, nor third, nor fourth, nor fifth, no, nor at the sixth timo neither. Chr. What did you do then .•' Hope. What ! why I could not tell what to do. Chr. Had you not thoughts of leaving oft* praying ? Hope. Yes, and a hundred times twice told. Chr. And what was the reason you did not? Hope. I believed that that was true whicli hath been told me, to wit, that without the righteousness of this Christ all the world could S96 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, not save me : and therefore, thought I with myseir, if I leave off, I die, and I can but die at the throne of grace. And withal this came into my mind, ' if it tarry, wait for it because it will surely come, and will not tar- ry') Hab. ii. 3). So I continued, until the Father shewed me his Son. Chr. And how v/as he revealed unto you ? Hope. I did not see him with my bodily eyes, but with the eyes of my understanding (Eph. i. 18, 19), and thus it was : one day I was very sad, I think sadder than at any one time of my life ; and this sadness was through a fresh sight of the greatness and vileness of my sins. And as I was then looking for no- thing but hell, and the everlasting damnation of my soul, suddenly, as I thought, I saw the Lord Jesus look down from heaven up- on me, and saying, ' Believe on the Lord Josus Christ, and thou shall be saved' fActs .wi. 30, 31). But I replied. Lord, I am a great, a very great sinner : and he answered, ' My grace is sufficient for thee.' Then I said, But Lord, what is believing } And then I saw from that saying, ' He that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that belie veth on me shall never thirst' (John vi, 35), that be- lieving and coming* was all one ; and that *' Coming' — Coining to Clirist is properly tlie eflect ot faith : yet tlie language here used is warranted by Scripture. The word reveal and the vision of Christ conversing with Hopeful, seem to sanction such things as have been greatly mistaken and abused, and have occasioned many scandals and olijectitins : yet it is evident that tlie author meant no- WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 297 he that came, that is, ran out in his heart and affection after salvation by Christ, he indeed believed in Christ. Then the water stood in mine eyes, and 1 asked farther, But, Lord, may such a great sinner as I am be indeed accepted of thee, and be saved by thee .? And I heard him say, ' And him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out (John vi. 37) Then I sand, But how, Lord, must I consider of thee in my coming to thee, that my faith may be placed aright upon thee ? Then ho said, ' Christ came into the world to save sinners ;' ' he is the end of the law for right- eousness to every one that believes ;' < he di- ed for our sins, and rose again for our justi- fication ;' 'he loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood j' ' he is Mediator thing contrary to the most sober statement of Bcriptural irutli. Girist did not appear to Hopeful's senses, but to his understanding : and the words spoken are no other than tpyits of Scripture taken in that genuine meaning ; not in- forming him, as by a new revelation, that his sins were pardoned, but encouraging him to apply for this mercy and all other blessings of salvation. So that, allowing for the nature of an aliegorj-, the whole account for substance »x. actly coincides with the experience of the most sober Chris- tians; who, having been deeply humbled, and ready to iink under discouragement, have had such views ofthe'love of Christ, of his glorious salvation, the freeness of the invi- tations, the largeness of the promises, and tlie nature of jus- tifying faith, as have 'filled them with peace and joy in be- lieving :' and these have been followed by those abiding ef- fects afterwards descril^ed, which completely disting'iiish them from all the false joys of hypocrites and entluisrasfs. Others indeed cannot relate so orderly an aecount of their convictions and comforts ; yet tliey are brought (tliough by varied methods) to tlie same reliance on Christ, and tlM siiuie devoted obedience. 298 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, betwixt God and us ;' 'he cvcrliveth to make intercession for us' (1 Tim. i. 15 ; Rom. x, 4 •, Heb. vii. 24, 25). From ail wliich I gfithered, that I must look for righteousness in his person, and for satisfaction for my sins by his blood ; that which he did in obedience to his Father's law, and in submitting to the penalty thereof, was not for himself, but for him tliat will accept it for his salvation, and be thankful. And now was my heart full of joy, mine eyes full of tears, and mine affec- tions running over with love to the name, people, and ways of Jesus Christ. Chr. This was a revelation of Christ to your soul indeed : but tell me particularly what effect this had upon your spirit. Hope. It made me see that all the world, notwithstanding all the righteousness there of, is in a state of condemnation : It made me see that God the Father, though he be just, can justly justify the coming sinner : it made me greatly ashamed of the vileness of my former life, and confounded me with the sense of mine own ignorance ; for there never came thought into my heart before now, that shewed so the beauty of Jesus Christ : it made me love a holy life, and long to do something for the honour and glory of the Lord Jesus ; yea, I thought, that had I now a thousand gallons of blood in my body, I could spill it all for the sake of the Lord Je- sus. I saw then in my dream, that Hopeful looked back and saw Ignorance, whom they WITH .SCOTT'S XO'l'ES. 299 iif.d leil behind, cominj^ after : Look, said he to Christian, liow lar yonder youngster loiter- eth behind. Chr. Ay, ay, I see liim : he caretli not for our company. Hope. J Jut I trow it would not have hurt him, had he kept pace with us hitherto. Chr. That is true ; but I'll warrant you he thinketh otherwise. Hope. That I think he doth : but however, let us tarry for him. So they did. Then Christian said to him. Come away, man, why do you stay so behind ? Ignor. I take* my pleasure in walking alone ; even more a great deal than in com- pany ; unless I like it better. Then said Christian to Hopeful (but softly), Did I not tell you he cared not for our com- pany ? But, however, said he, come up and let us talk away the time in this solitary place. Then, directing his speech to Ig- norance, he said, Come, how do you do } how stands it between God and your soul now } Ipior. I hope well, for I am always full of good motions, that come into my mind to com- fort me as I walk. Chr. What good motions ? pray tell us. I'^nor. Why, I think of God and heaven. Chr. So do tiic devils and damned souls. * ' I take' — In the following dialogue T;»norance speaks o)*> aclly in r.liara<'ti-r ; nn.l the aiiswei's of the pilgriius are con- cliisivc against siucli :.l)!^uril an.l uiLscriptiial grouiuls of onli- dfinre as are coiitinirilly inaintaineJ by many who woul.l l>a oi!£;lit jii'ins Cliri-sliaiLs. 300 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Jsnor But I think of them and desire* them. Chr. So do many that are never like to come there. ' The soul of the sluggard de- sires, and hath nothing' (Prov. xiii. 4), Jgnor. But I think of them, and leave all for them. Chr. That I doubt : for leaving of all is a hard matter ; yea, a harder matter than ma- ny are aware of But why, or by what, art thou persuaded that thou hast left all for God and heaven ? Ignor. My heart tells me so. Chr. The wise man says, * He that trusts his own heart is a fool' (Prov. xxviii. 26). Ignor. This is spoken of an evil heart, but mine is a good one. Chr. But how dost thou prove that ? Ignor. It conifortst me in hopes of heaven. * ' Desire' — The desire of heavenly felicity, when the real nature of it is not understood, the proper means of obtaining It are neglected, otiier objects are preferred to it, or sloth and procrastination intervene, is no proof that a man will be saved. In like manner this expression, ' the desire of grace is grace,' must be owned to be very fallacious and ambigu- ous. Men may be notionally convinced that without grace they must perish, and mere selfishness my excite some feeble desires after it ; though worldly affections predominate, and the real value of tiie spiritual good is not perceived. But to liiinger and thirst tor God and his righteousness, his favour, image, and service, as the supreme good, so that no other ob- ject cm satisfy the earnest desire of the heart, and every thing is renounced that interferes with the pursuit of it, is grace inieei, and shall be completed in glory. f ' Coiiifr)rts' — It is cxcpGilingly dangerous to make comfort a ground of confidence ; unless the nature, source, concomi- tants, and effect of that comfort be considered; for it may result entirely from ignorance and self-flattery, in a variety of ways. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 301 Chr. That may be through its deceitfulnesg, for a man's heart may minister comfort to liim, in the hopes of that thing for wliich he yet has no ground to hope. Jgnor. But my heart and life agree to- gether ; and therefoie my hope is well grounded. Chr. Who told thee that thy heart and life ftgree together ? Iffiwr. My heart tells me. Chr. ' Ask my fellow if I be a thief ?' Thy heart tells thee so ! except the word of God beareth witness in this matter, other testimony is no value. lienor. But is it not a good heart that has good thouglits ? and is not that a good life that is according to God's commandments ? Chr. Yes, that is a good heart that hath good thoughts, and that is a good life that is according to God's commandments ; but it is one thing indeed to have these, and anothei thing only to think so. Jgiwr. Pray what count you good thoughts, and a life according to God's command- ments .'' Chr. There are good thoughts of divers kinds ; some respecting ourselves, some — God, some — Christ, and some — other things Jgnor. What be good thoughts respecting ourselves ? Chr. Such as agree with the word of God Ignor. When do our thoughts of ourselves agree with the word of God ? Chr. When we pass the same judgment Vol. I. 26 302 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, upon ourselves which the word passes. To explain myself: the word of God saith of persons in a natural* condition. ' There is none righteous, thei-e is none that doeth good.' It saith also, that ' every imagination of the heart of man is only evil, and that continual- ly' (Gen vi. 5 ; Rom. iii.). And agam, ' The imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth.' Now then, when we think thus of ourselves, having sense thereof then are our thoughts good ones, because according to the word of God. Ignor. I will never believe ihat my heart is thus bad. Chr. Therefore thou never hadst one good thought concerning thyself in thy life. But let me go on. As the word passeth a judg- ment upon our heart, so it passeth a judgment upon our ways ; and when the thoughts of our hearts and ways agree with the judgment which the word giveth of both, then are both good, because agreeing thereto. Ignor. Make out your meaning. Chr. Why, the word of God saith that man's ways are crooked ways, not good, but per- verse : it saith they are naturally out of the good way ; that they have not known it (Ps. cxxv. 5 ; Prov. ii. 15). Now when a man * ' Natural ' — ' That which is born of the flesh is flesh ; ' ' the carnal mind is enmity against God ; is not subject to his law, neither indeed can be ; so then they that are in the flesh cannot please God ;' for ' they are by nature the chil- dren of wrath.' ' Ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit ; ' ' for that which is born of the Spirit is spirit} ' and to such persons the texts adduced do not apply. WITH SCOTT'S KOTES. 303 thug thinkeSi of his ways, I say when he doth sensibly, and with heart humiliation, tlius think, th-en hath he good thoughts of iiis own ways, because his thoughts now agree with the judgment of the word of God. lienor. What are good thoughts concerning God ? Chr. Even, as I have said concerning our- selves, when our thoughts of God do agree with what the word saith of him ; and that is when we speak of his being and attributes as the word hath taught ; of which I cannot now discourse at large. But to speak of him in reference to us ; then we have right thoughts of God when we think that he knows us bet- ter than we know ourselves, and can see sin in us when and where we can see none in ourselves : when we think he knows our in- most thoughts, and that our heart, with all its depths, is always open unto his eyes : also when we think that all our righteousness stinks* in his nostrils, and that therefore he ' Stinks' — Tlie external services performed by unregencr- ate persons from selfisli motives, beinj; scanty and partial, and made tlie ground of self-complacency, and the pride of 6elf-riglueoiis4icss, ' arc abomination in the sight ot God,' however ' highly esteemed among men :' fur men ' look at the outward appearance, but the Lord lookfth at the iu-ayt.' Even the obedience of a true believer, though it gprings (rom right principles, and has some spiritual excellency in it, is yet BO defective and defded by sin, that if it were not accepted as the fruit of the Spirit, through the mediation of Chiist, it would be condemned by the holy law, and rejected with ab- horrence by a God of infinite purity. Men may allow this in words, and yet not know what it is to come, as condenmed sinners, for a free justification and slvalii.i), by failli in Christ. Tlie way of being justified by faiiii, fur which 304 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, cannot nbide to see us stand before him in any confidence, even in all our best perform- ances. lp;nor. Do you think that I am such a fool as to think God can see no farther than I ? or that I would come to God in the best of my performances ? Clir. Why, how dost thou think in this mat- ter ? Ignor. Why, to be short, I think I must believe in Christ for justification. Chr. How ! think thou must believe in Christ, when thou seest not thy need of him ! Thou neither seest thy original nor actual in- firmities ; but hast such an opinion of thy- self, and of what thou doest, as plainly ren- ders thee to be one that did never see a ne- cessity of Christ's personal righteousness to justify thee before God. How then dost thou say, I believe in Christ ? Ignor. I believe well enough for all that. Chr. How dost thou beheve ? Ignor. I believe that Christ died for sin- ners ; and that I shall be justified before God from the curse, through his gracious acceptr ance of my obedience to his laws. Or thus, Christ makes my duties, that are rehgious, ac- ceptable to his Father by virtue of his merits, and so shall I be justified. Ignorance pleads, may well be called ' fantastical, as wall a« ' Mic ;' for it is nowhere laid down in Scripture : and it not only changes the way of acceptance, but it takes away tlie rule and standard of righteousness, and substitutes a vague notion, called sincerity, in its place, which never was, or call be, defined with precision. Wnil SCOTT'S NOTES. 305 Chr. I^et us give an answer to this confes- sion of thy faith. 1. Thou bclievcst with a fantastical faith ; for this faitli is no where described in the word. 'i. Thou belicvest with a fjilse faith ; because thou takcst justification from the personal righteousness of Christ, and appHest it to tliy own. 3. This faith maketh not Christ a justifier of thy person, but of thy actions ; and of thy person for thy actions' sake, which is false. 4. Therefore this faith is deceitful, even such as will leave thee under wrath in the day of God Almighty : for true justifying faith puts the soul, as sensible of its lost con- dition by the law, upon fleeing for refuge unto Christ's righteousness (which righteousness of his is not an act of grace by which he maketh, for justification, thy obedience ac- cepted of God, but his personal obedience to the law, in doing and suffering for us what that required at our hands) ; this righteous- ness, I say, true faith accepteth ; under the skirt of which the soul being shrouded, and by it presented as spotless before God, it is accepted, and acquits from condemnation. lonor. What, would you have us trust to what Christ in his own person hath done with- out us ? This conceit would loosen the reins of our lust, and tolerate us to live as we list : for what matter hn\v We live, if w-e may be justified by Christ^s personal righteousncaa for all, when we believe it ? 26* gOG THE PILGRIM'S PROGllESS, Clir. Ignorance is thy name, and as thy name is no art thou ; even this thy answer de- inonstratcth what I say. Ignorant thou art of what justifying righteousness is and as ig- norant how to secure thy soul, through the faith of it, from the heavy wrath of God. Yea, thou also art ignorant of the true efl'ect of saving i'aith in this righteousness of Christ, which is to bow and win over the heart to God in Christ, to love his name, his word, ways, and people, and not as thou ignorantly iniaginest. Hope. Ask him if ever he had Christ reveal- ed to him from heaven .'' Jpio)'. What ! you are a man for revela- tions ! I do believe that what both you and all the rest of you say about that matter is but the fruit of distracted brains. Hope. Why, man ! Christ is so hid* in God from the natural apprehensions of the flesh, that he cannot by any man be savingly known, unless God the Father reveals him to ihem. Jgnor. That is your faith, but not mine : yet mine, I doubt not, is as good as yours, though I have not in my head so many whimsies as you. Chr. Give me leave to put in a word : — you ought not to speak so slightly of this mat- * ' Hill' — Pride, unbelief, and cnrnal prejudices nr afTcctinns, so clofe the mind of a sinner ngninst llie spiritual glory of tlie person and redemption of Cliristjtliat nothing, but the illumina- tion of the Spirit removing this veil can enalile iiini to under- stand and receive the revehttion of the S9cit;d oracles on llie«e importanL subjects. WITH SCOTl'S NOTKS. 301 ter ; for this I boldly affirm (even as my good companion hath done), that no man can know Jesus Christ but by the revelation of the Fa- ther ; yea, and faith too, by which the soul layeth hold upon Christ (if it be right), must be wrought by the exceeding greatness of his mighty power (Matt. xi. 27 ; 1 Cor. xii. 3 ; Eph. i. 18, 19) ; the working of wiiich faith, 1 perceive, poor Ignorance, thou art ignorant of. Be awakened then, see thine own wrctcii- edness, and flee to the Lord Jesus ; and by his righteousness, which is the righteousness, of God (for himself is God), thou shalt be deliv. ered from condemnation. Ji^/w?'. You go so fast I cannot keep pace with you : do you go on before ; I must stay awhile behind. Then they said — Well, Ignorance, wilt thou yet foolish be To slight good counsel, ten times given thee 1 And if thou yet refuse it, thou shalt know, Ere long, the evil of thy doing so. Remember, man, time in ; stop, do not fear. Good counsel taken well saves ; therefore hear ; But if thou yet shall slight it, thou wilt be The loser, Ignorance, I'll warrant thee. Then Christian addressed himself thus to his fellow : Chr. Well, come, my good Hopeful, 1 per- ceive that thou and I must walk by ourselves again. So I saw in my dream, that they went on apace before, and Ignorance, he came hob- bling after. Then said Christian to his 308 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, companion, it pities me much for this poor man ; it will certainly go ill with him at last. Hope. Alas ! there are abundance in our town in this condition, whole iamilies, yea, whole streets, and that of" pilgrims* too ; and if there be so many in our parts, how many, think you, must there be in the place wh^ere he was born .'' Chs'. Indeed the word saith, ' He hath blinded their eyes, lest they should see,' &.c. J3i!t, now we are by ourselves, what do you think of such men ? have they at no time, think you, convictions of sin, and so consequently fear that their state is danger- ous ? Hope. Nay, do you answer that question yourself, for you are the elder man. Clir. Then 1 say, som.etimes (as 1 think) Ihey may ; but they,"!" being naturally igao- * ' Pilgrims' — If such minibers of ignorant persons may be fjiirvl among the apparently religions, what must be the case of those who are kit without instruction lO their native priae am! self-conceit ! t ' But they' — Fears of wrath are too generally ascribed to unbelief, and deemed prejudicial : but this arises from igno- rance and nu'stake ; for belief of God's testimony nuist excite fears in every heart, till it is clearly perceived how that wrath may be escaped ; and doubts mingled with hopes must arise from fiitli, till a man is conscious of having experienced l saving change These fears and doubts excite men to self- examination, watchfulness, and diligence, and thus tend to the believer's establishment, and ' the full assurance of hope nnto the end :' while the want of them often results from un- belief and stupidity of conscience, and terminates in carnal security and abuse of the Gospel. 'I'hey may indeed be ex- cessive and unreasonable, and the effect of unbelief: but it is bettor to maik the extreme, and caution men against it, than by declaiming indiscritniiiatelv against all doubts and fears. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 309 rant, understand not that such convictions tend to their good ; and therefore they do desper ately seek to stifle them, and presumtuously continue to flatter themselves in the way of their own hearts. Hope. I do l)eUeve, as you say, that fear tends much to men's good, and to make thcnc right at their beginning to go on pilgrimage. Chr. Without all doubt it doth, if it be right : for so says the word, * The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom' (Job xxviii. 28 ; Ps. Cxi. 10 ; Prov. i. 7 ; ix. 10). Hope. How will you describe right fear .'' Chr. True or right fear is discovered bv three things : 1. By its rise : it is caused by saving convictions for sin. 2, It driveth the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for salvation. 3. It begetteth and continueth in the soul a great reverence of God, his word, and ways, keeping it tender, and making it afraid to turn from them, to the right hand or to the left, to any thing that may dishonour God, break its peace, grieve the spirit, or cause the enemy to speak reproachfully. Hope. Well said ! I believe you have said the truth. Are we now almost got past the Enchanted ground ? Chr. Why ? art thou weary of this dis- course .'' Hope. No verily, but that I would know where we are. to help sinners to deceive themselves, and discournge wciik believers from earnestly using tiie scriptual means ofnaak- mg their cailing and election sure.' 310 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Chr. We have not now above two miles farther to go thereon. But let us return to our matter. Now the ignorant know not that such convictions, that tend to put them in fear, are for their good, and therefore they seek to stifle them. Hope. How do they seek to stifle them ? Chr, 1. They think that those fears are wrought by the devil (though indeed they are wrought by God) ; and, thinking so, they re- sist them, as things that directly tend to their overthrow. 2. They also think that these fears tend to the spoiling of their faith ; when alas for them, poor men that they are, they have none at all ! — and therefore they harden their hearts against them. 3. They presume they ought not to fear, and therefore in despite of them wax presumptuously confident. 4. They see that those fears tend to take away from them their pitiful* oldself-holiness, and therefore they resist them with all their might. Hope. I know something of this myself: before I knew myself it was so with me. Clir. Well, we will leave, at this time our neighbour Ignorance by himself, and fall up- on another profitable question. Hope. With all my heart : but you shall Btill begin. * ' Pilil'iil' — The expression, ' pitiful old self-hollness,' de- notes the opinion th;it ignorant persons entertain of their hearts as good and holy ; v/h\\o. the term ' self-righteousness' relates to tiieir supposed good lives : but nothing can be farther from our author's meaning, than to speak against • sanctification by the Spirit unto obedience,' as eviden- tial of our union with Clirist, and acceptance in his righteous- ness. WITH SCOTT'tf .NOTES 311 Chr. Well, then, did you* know about ten years ago, one Temporary in your parts, who was a forward man in religion then ? Hope. Know him ! yes, he dwelt in Grace- less, a town about two miles off of Honesty, and he dwelt next door to one Turnback. Chr. Right, he dwelt under the same roof with him. Well, that man was much awakened once ; I believe that then he had some sight of his sins, and of the wages that were due thereto. Hope. I am of your mind, for (my house not being above three miles from him) he would oft-times come to me, and that with many tears. Truly I pitied the man, and was not altogether without hope of him : but, one may see, it is not every one that cries Lord, Lord. Chr. He told me once that he was resolv- * ' Did you' — Temporary was dortrinallv arquainted with the Gosjiel, but a stranger to its sanctifying power. Sucli men have been forward in religion, but that is now past ; for tiiey were always graceless, and came short of honesty in their profession, if not in their moral conduct, and wen; ever ready to turn back into the world at a convenient sea- son. Tiipy h:ive indeed been alarmed : but terror without lunniliaiion will never subvert self-confidence : and of the numbers with whom some ministers conveise under trouble of conscience, and of whom they hope well, how many disap- point their ex|)ectatioi)s, and after a time plunge dee()er into gin than ever ! Such convictions resemble the blossoms of the fruit-tree, which precede the ripe fruit, but did not al- ways produce it ; so tliat we cannot say, ' the more blos- Boms there are, the greater abundance will theie be of fruit ;' tliough we may be assured that there can be no fruit if there be no blossoms. The reasons and the manner of such men's declensions and anostacv aie very justlv and emphatically stated ; though perhaps not with suihcient delicacy to suit the ti fefhea- WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 313 ?Blton»Uiei'i*»girrlt< nniiU'omtiaio'goney their de- sires for heaven and happiness die, and they return to their course again. Second, Another reason is, they have slav- ish fears that do over-master them : — I speak now of tlie fears that they have of men : * for the fear of men bringeth a snare' (Prov. xx. 25). So then, though they seem to be hot for iieaven so long as the flames of hell are about their ears, yet, when that ter- ror is a little over, they betake themselves to second thougiits namely, that it is gooe. While pio- fcssors should be exhorteil carefully to look to themselves, and to watch sigainst the first incursions of this spiiitual de- cl.ii.-ion, it sh. Tuld also be observed, that thf> lamented in- fir;iiities and duhiess of ihoso who persist in nsin-^ the iiie:i;vs ^r grace, and striving against sin : who dcciflcdiv prcU-r I'.io WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 315 priv;ite duties and closet-prayers, curbing their lusts, watching, sorrow for sin, &c : — then they shun the company of lively and warm Christians : — after that they grow cold to public duty ; as hearing, reading, godly conference, and the like : — then they begin to pick holes, as we say, in the coats of some of the godly, and that devilishly, that they may have a seeming colour to throw religion (for the sake of some infirmities they have spied in them) behind their backs : — then they begin to adhere to, and associate them- selves with, carnal, loose, and wanton men : — then they give way to carnal and wanton dis- courses in secret ; and glad are they if they can see such things in any that are counted honest, that they may the more boldly do it through their example. After this, they be- gin to play with little sins openly : — and then, being hardened, they shew themselves as they are. Thus being launched again into the gulf of misery, unless a miracle of grace prevent it, they everlastingly perish in their own deceivings. Now I saw in my dream that by this time the pilgrims were got over the Enchanted ground, and entering into the country* of company of believers, and ileem tliem the excellent of liie earth, and who are severe in judging themselves, but candid lo others ; aie of a contrary nature and tendency to the steps of Temporary's aposlacy. * ' Country' — 'i'lie word Beiilah signifies married ; and the prophet, in the passage whence it is quoted, predicted a verv liour islilng state of religion, wliicli is yet in futurity! Liui ilie auiiior uccoiiiodales it to the sweet peace and confi- 316 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, Beulah (Cant. ii. 10—12 ; Isa. Ixii. 4—12), whose air was very sweet and pleasant, the way lying directly through it, they solaced themselves there for a season. Yea, here tliey heard continually the singing of birds, and saw every day the flowers appear in the earth, and heard the voice of the turtle in the land. In this country the sun shineth night and day : wherefore this was beyond the val- ley of the Shadow of Death, and also out of the reach of giant Despair ; neither could they from this place so much as see Doubt- ing Castle. Here they were within sight o< denre which tried believers commonly experience tow:ird» tlie close of their lives. This general rule admits indeed of exceptions ; but the author having witnessed many of these encouraging scenes, was willing to animate himself and hia afflicted brethren with the hope of similar triumphant joys. The communion of saints in prayer, praises, and thanksgiv- ings, with liberty and ardour, and hearts united in cordial love; the beauties of holiness, and the consolations of the Holy Spirit ; the healing beams of the sun of righteousness, shining by the sweet light of divine truth upon the soul, exemption from darkening temptations and harassing doubts ; lively earnests and near prospects of heavenly felicity ; a cheering sense of union of spirit with the heavenly iiost, in their fervent adorations, and a realizing apprehension of tlieir ministering care over the heirs of salvation : a com- fortable renewal of the acceptances of Christ, sealed with the tokens, pledges, and assurances of his love ; gratitude, submission, confidence in God, hope, and the sweet exercise of tenderness, sympathy, meekness, and humility, but lit- tle interrupted by the working of the contrary evils ; these things seem to constitute the happy state here represented. It is remarkable, that the Psalms (which were intended, among other uses, to regulate the devotions and experience of believers) abound at first with confessions, complaints, fears, and earnest cries of distress ; but towards the close be- come more and more the languajje of confidence, giatitude and joy, and conclude with unniingled praises and tlianksgi"ings. ri'II SCOTT'S NOTES. 317 the city they were going to ; also iiere met them some of tlio inhabitants thereof; for in this land the shining ones commonly walked, because it was upon the borders of heaven. In this land also the contract between tho bride and the bridegroom was renewed ; yea, ilere, ' as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so did their God rejoice over tiicm.' Here they had no want of corn and wine ; for in this place they met abundance of what they had sought for in all their pilgrimage. Here they heard voices from out of the citv, loud voices, saying, ' Say ye to the daugliter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh ! JJe- hold, his reward is with him !' Here all the inhabitants of the country called thcin ' the holy people, the redeemed of the I>ord. sought out,' &c. jVow, as they walked in t-his land, they had more rejoicing than in parts more remote from tiie kingdom to which they were bound ; and drawing near to the city they had vet a more perfect view thereof. It was biiikled of pearls and precious stones, also the streets thereof were paved with gold ; so that, by reason of tiie natural glory of the citv, and the reflection of the sun-beams upon it, Christian with desire* fell sick ; Hopeful also * ' Dpsirt" — fn rhc. immediate] view of iieavonly felicitj', Paul ' desired (i> dcpinl lieiice and be willi Ciirisi, as I'.u Let- ter'tluiii liio ; ami David * I'.tiiiied lur (jod's salvali m.' In the livilv e\er! ise iiii.nl, and Wm lu\e per- fected, and secured from all inl''t inpiijn and alialeiiient. 07^ 318 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, had a fit or two of the same disease ; where- fore here they lay by it awhile crying out because of their pangs, ' If you see my be- loved, tell him that I am sick of love.' But, being a little strengthened, and better abb to bear their sickness, they walked on their way, and came nearer and nearer, where were orchards, vineyards, and gardens, and their gates opened into the highway. Now, as they came up to these places, behold the gar- dener stood in the way ; to whom the pil- grims said, Whose* goodly vineyards and gar- dens are these ? He answered. They are the King's, and are planted here for his own de- light, and also for the solace of pilgrims. So the gardener had them into the vineyards, and bid them refresh themselves with the dainties (Deut. xxiii. 24) ; he also shewed them there the King's walks and arbours, where he delighted to be ; and here they tar- ried and slept. Now I beheld in my dream, that they talk- ed more in their sleep at this time than ever they did in all their journey ; and, being in a Were tliis frame of mind habitual, it might unfit men for the common concerns of life, which appear very trifling to the soul when employed in delightful admiring contemplation of heav eoly glory. * ' Wliose' — Attendance on the public ordinances is always the believer's duty and privilege ; yet he cannot at all times delight in them : but when holy affections are in lively exer- cise, lie sweetly re.=ts in these earnests of heavenly joy ; and speaks freely and fervently of the love of Christ and the bless- ings of salvation, to the edification of those around him ; who often wonder at witnessing such a change, from reserve and diffidence to boldness and earnestness in urging odiers to mind the one thing needful. WITH SCOTI"? NOTES. 319 muse thereabout, the gardener said even to me, Wlierefore niirscst thou at the matter ? it is the nature of the fruit of the grapes of these vineyards ' to go down so sweetly as to cause the lips of them that are asleep to speak.' So I saw that when they awoke they ad dressed themselves to go up to the city. For as I said, the reflection of the sun upon the city (for the city was pure gold, Rev. xxi. 18 ; 2 Cor. iii. 18), was so extremely glorious, that they could not as yet with open face be- hold it, but through an instrument made for that purpose. So I saw, that as they went on there met them two men in raiment that shone like gold, also iheir faces shone as the light. These* men asked the pilgrims whence they came ? and they told them. They also asked them where they had lodged, what dif- ficulties and dangers, what comforts and pleasures, they had met with in the way ? and they told them. Then said the men that met them. You have but two diflicultics more to meet with, and then you are in the city. Christian then and his companion asked the men to go along with them ; so they told them they would. But, said they, you must obtain it by your own faith. So 1 saw in my dream * ' These' — Perhaps the author here alluded to those pre- intimations of death that some persons seem to receive; an J he appears to have referred them to tlie common opinion n; guardian angels watching over every individual believer. Death and admission into tlie city were ihe only difficultiea that awaited tlie pilgrims. 320 THE PILGRIM'S PROGKESS, that they went on together till they came in sight of fhe gate. Now'*' I farther saw, that betwixt them and the gate was a river ; but there was no bridge * ' Now' — Death is aptly represented by a deep river with- out a bridge, separating the believer from bis heavenly inher- itance; as the Jordan (lowed between Israel and the promised land. From this river nature shrinks back, even when faith, hope, and love are in lively exercise ; but when these decline, alarm and consternation may unite with reluctance. 'I'he dreaded pangs that precede the awful separation of those in- timate associates, the soul and body ; the painful parting with dear friends and every eai ihly object ; the gloomy ideas of the dark, cold, and noisome grave ; and the s(jlemn thought of launching into an unseen eternity, render Death the king of terrors. Faith in a crucified, liuiied, rii=en. and ascended Saviour ; experience of his faithfulness and love ia times past ; hope of an immediate entrance into his presence, where temptation, conflict, sin, and sutTering, will find no admis- sion ; and the desire of perfect knowledge, holiness, and feli- city, will reconcile the mind to the inevitable stroke, and Bometimes give a complete victory over every fear : vet if faith and hope be weakened, through the recollection of any peculiar misconduct, the withholding of divine light and con- solation, or some violent assault of the tempter, the believer will be peculiarly liable to alarm and distress. His reflecting mind, having long been accustomed to consider the subject in its important nature and consequences, has very different apprehensions of God, of eternity, of judgment, of sin, and of himself, than other men have. Sometimes experienced sainta are more desponding in these circumstances than their junior brethren ; constitution has considerable effect upon their mind ; and some men (like Christian) are, in every stage of their profess4on, more exposed to temf)tations of a discourag- ing nature, than to ambition, avarice, or fleshly lusts. It has belijre been suggested, that the author probably meant to describe the peculiarities of his own experience, in the char- acter of Christian ; and he n.ay perhaps here have intimated his apprehension lest he should not meet death with becom- ing fortitude. A conscientious life indeed is commonly fa- voured with a peaceful close, even when forebodings to the contrary have troubled men during their whole lives : this ia 60 far general, that they best provide for a comfortable death. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 321 to go over : the river was very deep. At the sight therefore of this river, the pilgrims were much stunned ; hut the men that went with them, said You must go through, or you can- not come at the gate. The pilgrims hegan to inquire if there was no other way to the gate ? to which they an- swered, Yes ; but there hath not any, save two, to wit, Enoch and Elijah, been permitted to tread that path since the foundation of the world, nor shall until the last trumpet shall sound. The pilgrims then (especially Christian) be- gan to despond in their minds, and looked this way and that, but no way could be found by them, by which they might escape the river. Then they asked the men if the wa- ters were all of a depth ? they said, no ; yet they could not help them in that case ; For, said they, you shall find it deeper or shal- lower, as you believe in the king of the place. They then addressed themselves to the wa- ter, and, entering. Christian began to sink, and crying out to his good friend Hopeful, he said, ' I sink in deep waters ; the billows who most diligently attend to the duties of tlieir station .nnd the improvement of their talents, from evangelical principles ; wherfas they who live negligently, and yield to temptation, make, as it were, an assignation with terror to meet them on tlxir death-bed, a season when comfort is more desira- ble ill. in at any other. The Lord, however, is no man's debtor ; none can claim consolation as their due ; and, thotigli a believer's experience and the testimony of his con Bcience may evidence the sincerity of his faith and love, yo.l he must disclaim to tlie last every other depcndance than the righteousness and blood of Christ, and the free mercy of God ID him. 322 THE PILGRI^rS PROGRESS, g'> over my head, all his waves go over me Selah.' Then said the other, he of good cheer, my brother ; 1 feel the bottom and it is good. Then said Christian, Ah ! my friend, the sor- row of death hath compassed me about, I shall not see the land that flows with milk and hon- ey. And with that a great darkness and hor- ror fell upon Christian, so that he could not see before him. Also he* in a great measure lost his senses, so that he could neither re- member nor orderly talk of any of those sweet refreshments, that he had met with in the way of his pilgrimage. But all the words he spake still tended to discover that he had horror of mind, and heart fears that he should die in that river, and never obtain entrance in at the gate. Here also, as they that stood by perceived, he was much in the troublesome thoughts of the sins that he had committed, both since and before he began to be a pil- grim. It was also observed, that he was troubled with apparitions of hobgoblins and evil spirits ; for ever and anon he would in- * - Also he' — The temporary distresses of dying behevers often arise from hodily disense, whicli interrupt the free exer- cise of their intellectual powers. Of this Satan will be sure to take advantage, as far as he is permitted; and will sug- gest gloomy imaginations, not only to distress them, but to dishearten others by their example. What may in this state be painted before the fancy we cannot tell ; but it is general- ly observed, that such painful conflicts terminate in renewed hope and comfort, frequently by means of the conversation and prayers of Christians and ministers; so that they, who for a time have been most distressed, have at length died moeS triumphantly. wrrii SCOTT'S notes. 323 timate so much by words. Hopeful therefore here had much ado to keep his brother's head above water ; yea, sometimes he would be quite gone down, and then, ere a while, would rise up again half dead. Hopeful did also endeavour to comfort him, saying, Brother, I see the gate, and men standing by to receive us ; but Ciinstia'i would answer. It is you, it is you they wait for ; you have been Hopeful ever since I knew you. And so have you, said he to Christian. Ah, brother, said he, surely if I was right, he would now rise to help me ; but for my sins he hath brought me into the snare, and hath left me. Then said Hopeful, ]\[y brother, you have quite forgot the text where it is said of the wicked, ' There are no bands in their death, but their strength is firm ; they are not troubled as other men, neither arc they plagued like other men.' Tiiese troubles and distresses that you go througli in these waters are no sign that God hath forsaken you ; but are sent to try you, whether you will call to mind that which heretofore you have received of his goodness, and live upon liim in your dis- tresses. Then I saw in my dream that Christian was in a muse awhile. To whom also Hope- ful added these words, ' Be of good cheer, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.' And with that Christian brake out with a loud voice, Oh, I see him again ! and he tells me, * Wi>en thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee : and through the rivers, 324 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, they shall not overflow thee' (Isa. xliii. 2). Then they botli took courage, and the enemy was after that as still as a stone, until they were gone over. Christian therefore pre- sently found ground to stand upon, and so it followed, that the rest of the river was b\it shallow •, but thus they got over. Now upon the bank of the river, on the other side, they saw the two* shining men again, who there wait- ed for them. Wherefore, being come out of the river, they saluted them, saying, ' We are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those that shall be heirs of salvation.' Thus they went along towards the gate. Now yon must note that the city stood upon a mighty hill ; but the pilgrims went up the hill with ease, because they had these two men to lead them up by the arms : also they had left their mortal garments behind them in the river ; for though they went in with them, they came out without them. They therefore went up here with much agility andspeed, though the foun- dation upon which the city was framed was higher than the clouds : they therefore went up through the region of the air, sweetly talking as they went, being comforted, be- • Thn two' — When ' Lazarus died, he was carried by an- gels into Abraham's bosom ;' and we have every reason tf» telieve, that the services of these friendly spirits to the souls of departed saints are immediate and sensible ; and that their joy is such as is here described. The beautiful description that follows admits of no elucidation ; some of the images in- deed are taken from modern customs ; but in all other respecta it is en-tirely scriptural, and very intelligible and animating to the Bpiritttal mind. wirn SCOTT'S notes. 325 cause they safely got over the river and had sucii glorious companions to attend them. The talk that they had with the shining ones was about the glory of the place ; who told them, that the beauty and glory of it was in- expressible. There, said they, is ' Mount Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, the innumera- ble company of angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect' (Ileb. xii. '22 — 24). You are going now, said they, to the Paradise of God, wherein you shall see the tree of life, and eat of the never-fading fruits thereof; and when you come there you shall have white robes given you, an i your walk and talk thall be every day with the King, even all the days of eternity (Rev. ii. 7 ; iii. 4 ; xxii. 5). There you shall not see again such things as you saw when you were in the low- er region upon the earth, to wit, sorrow, sick- ness, a'.Iliction, and death, ' for the former things are passed away' (Isa. Ixv. 16). You are going now to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, and to the prophets, men that God hath taken away from the evil to come, and that are now ' resting upon their beds, each one walking in his rigiiteousncss.' The men then asked. What must we do in the holy place ? To whom it was answered, You must there receive the comforts of all your toil, and have joy for all your sorrow ; you must reap what you have sown, even the fruit of all your prayers, and tears, and sufferings for the King by the way (Gal. vi. 7, 8). In that place you must wear crowns of gold, and en- VoL. I. 28 326 TflE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, joy the perpetual sight and vision of the Ho- ly One, for there you shall see hira as he is' (1 John HI. 2). There also you shall serve Inin continually with praise, with shoutin^r, and thanksgiving, whom you desired to serve in the world, though with much difficulty because of the infirmity of your flesh. There your eyes shall be delighted with seein^r and your ears with hearing the pleasant voice of the Mighty One. There you shall enjoy your friends again, that are gone thither be- fore you ; and there you shall with joy re- ceive even every one that follows into the ho- ly places after you. There also you shall be clothed with glory and majesty, and put into an equipage fit to ride out with the King of Glory. When he shall come with sound of trumpet m the clouds, as upon the win A LIFE OP THE AUTHOR, BT THS aSV. T. SCOTT, tATE CBAPLAIH TO THB LOCK HOSPITAI^ PART SECOIiD. BOSTON: PHILLIPS AND SAMPSON, 110 Washikgton Street. 1847. Tilt PILGROI'S PROGRESS. PART II. CounxEous* Companions, Some time since, to tell you a dream Hint 1 had of Christian, the pilgrim, and of hig dangerous journey towards tlie celestial coun- try, was pleasant to me and prolilable to you. I told you then also, what I saw concerning his wife and cliiidren, and how unwilling they * ' Courteous' — It lias l)nen l)cfore observed, tliat tlie ' llrst pnrt of ilie I'il^riiii's I'rofjress' is in all ie>;[)fils llie most Complete : yet lliere are many tilings in the second, well wur- lliy ol tlie pious reader's altenlioii ; nor ean tiicie lie any dotilit, but it was penned liy the same aiiihor. Ii is not hawcver, iitcessary that llie amiotator should l;e so <:i>pioiis Ujioii it as upon the more interesting instriictions of the pre- CfcoiXniT part. In some places, it is not easy to ilisco\er the precise meaning of the allegory ; in others, it does not set-in Eiinicienlly important to demand so large a iiieasnre of ailen- tion as would be reiiuired to the explanation olexerv uiuinta circiiiiistan<:e : and, in general, the leading incidcnis may Ije considz-ied as the author's own ex|)osition of his inear.i-ig in tlie former part, or as his delineation of some varieii.M, that cx:ciir ill events of a similar nature. In things of this kimi, brevity must here be observed : but some particulars will de- mand a ir jie copious elucidation 4 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, were to go with him on pilgrimage : insomuch that he was forced to go on his progress with out them, for he durst not run the danger of that destruction, which he feared would come by staying with them in the city of Destruc- tion ; wherefore, as I then shewed you, he left them and departed. IVow it hath so happened, through the mul- tiplicity of business, that I have been much hindered and kept back from my wonted trav- els into those parts where he went, and so could not, till now, obtain an opportunity to make farther inquiry after whom he left be- hind, that I might give you an account of them. But having had some concerns that way of late, 1 went down again thitherward. Now having taken up my lodging in a wood, about a mile off the place, as I slept I dream- ed again. And, as I was in my dream, behold, an aged gentleman came by where I lay ; and because he was to go some part of the way that 1 was travelling, methought I got up and went with him. So, as we walked, and as travellers usually do, I was as if we fell into a discourse, and our talk happened to be about Christian and his travels, for thus I be- gan with the old man : Sir, said I, what town is that there below, that lieth on the left-hand of our way ? Then said Mr. Sagacity (for that was his name), It is the city of Destruction, a popu- lous place, but possessed with a very ill-con- ditioned and idle sort of people. WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 6 I thought that was that city, quoth T ; I went once myself through that town ; and therefore I know that this report you give of it is true. I Sag. Too true ! I wish I could speak truth in speaking better of them that dwell therein. Well, Sir, quoth I, then I perceive you to be a well-meaning man, and so one that takes pleasure to hear and tell of that which is good : pray did you never hear what happen- ed to a man some time agT> in this town (whose name was Ciiristian), that went on a pilgrim- age up towards the higher regions ? Sag. Hear of him ! Ay, and I also heard of the molestations, troubles, wars, captivities, cries, groans, frights, and fears, that he met with, and had on his journey. Besides, I must tell you, all our country rings of him ; there are but few houses, that have heard of him and his doings, but have sought after and got the records of his piIgrim?o;e : yea, I think I may say, that this hazardous journey has got many well-wishers to his ways ; for though, when he was here, he was fool in ev- ery man's mouth, yet now he is gone he is highly oommended of all. For it is said he lives bravely where he is : yea, many of them that are resolved never to run his hazards, yet have their mouths water at his gains. Tiicy may, quoth I, well think, if they think any tlimg that is true, that he liv- eth well where he is ; for he now lives at and in the Fountain of Life, and has what he has without labour and sorrow, i'or there is no 1* 6 THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS, grief mixed therewith. But pray, what talk have the people about him ? Sag. Talk ! the people talk strangely about him : some say, that he now walks in white (Rev. iii. 4 ; vi. 11) ; and that he has a chain of gold about his neck ; that he has a crown of gold, beset with pearls, upon his head : others say, that the shining ones, that some- times shewed themselves to him in his jour- ney, are become his companions, and that he is as familiar with them in the place wliere be is, as here one neighbour is with another (Zech. iii. 7). Besides it is confidently af- firmed concerning him, that the King of the place where he is has bestowed upon him al- ready a very rich and pleasant dwelling at court, and that he every day eateth, and drinketh, and walketh, and talketh with him, and receiveth the smiles and favours of him that is judge of all there. Moreover,* it is expected of some, that his prince, the lord of * • Moreover' — Cliristians are the representatives on earth of the Saviour and Judge of tlie world; and the usage they meet with wiiether good or bad, commonly originates in men's love to him, or contemptuous enmity against him. The decisions of the great day therefore will be made with an es- pecial reference to this evidence of men's faith or unbelief; faith works by love of Christ, and of his people for his sake, which influences men to self-denying kindness towards the needy and distressed of the flock. Wlvere these fruits are to. tally wanting, it is evident there is no love of Christ, and con- secjuently no faith in him, or salvation by him. And as true believers are the excellent of the earth, no man can have any good reason for despising, hating, and injuring them ; bo that tins iiaage will be adduced as a proof of positive enmity to Christ, and expose tlie condemned sinner to more aggravated misery. Indeed, it often appears afttr tlie death of consis WITH SCOTT'S NOTES. 1 that country, will shortly come into these parts, and will know the reason, if tliey can give any, why his neighbours, set so little by him. and had him so much in derision, when they perceived that he would be a pilgrim (Jude 14, 15). For they say, that now he is so in the aflcc- tions of his pnnce, and that his sovereign ia so much concerned with the indignities tiiat were cast upon Christian when he became a pilgrim, that he will look upon all as if done to himself: and no marvel, for it was for tlie love that he had to his prince, that he ven- tured as he did (Luke x. 16). I dare say, quoth I ; I am glad of it ; I am glad for the poor man's sake, for that now he has rest from his labour (llev. xiv. 13), and for that he now reaps the benefits of his tears with joy (Ps. cxxvi. 5, G) ; and for that he has got beyond the gun-shot of his enemies, and is out of the reach of them that hate him. I also am glad, for that a ru- mour of these things is noised abroad in this country ; who can tell but that it may work some good effect on souje that are left be- hind ? But pray, Sir, while it is fresh in my mind, do you hear any thing of his wife and children ? Poor hearts, I wonder in my mind what they do. S^ig. Who ? Christiana and her sons ? tent Christians, that the consc'ences of their most scoinful opposers secretly favoured them: it must then suf'y be deernoJ the wisest con