Imustventure。Togobackisnothingbutdeath;togoforwardisfearofdeath,andlife—everlastingbeyondit。Iwillyetgoforward。SoMistrustandTimorousrandownthehill,andChristianwentonhisway。But,thinkingagainofwhathehadheardfromthemen,hefeltinhisbosomforhisroll,thathemightreadtherein,andbecomforted;buthefelt,andfounditnot。ThenwasChristianingreatdistress,andknewnotwhattodo;forhewantedthatwhichusedtorelievehim,andthatwhichshouldhavebeenhispassintotheCelestialCity。
  Here,therefore,hebeguntobemuchperplexed,andknewnotwhattodo。Atlasthebethoughthimselfthathehadsleptinthearbourthatisonthesideofthehill;
  and,fallingdownuponhisknees,heaskedGod’sforgivenessforthathisfoolishact,andthenwentbacktolookforhisroll。
  Butallthewayhewentback,whocansufficientlysetforththesorrowofChristian’sheart?Sometimeshesighed,sometimeshewept,andoftentimeshechidhimselfforbeingsofoolishtofallasleepinthatplace,whichwaserectedonlyforalittlerefreshmentforhisweariness。Thus,therefore,hewentback,carefullylookingonthissideandonthat,allthewayashewent,ifhappilyhemightfindhisroll,thathadbeenhiscomfortsomanytimesinhisjourney。
  Hewentthus,tillhecameagainwithinsightofthearbourwherehesatandslept;butthatsightrenewedhissorrowthemore,bybringingagain,evenafresh,hisevilofsleepingintohismind。
  [Rev。2:5;1Thes。5:7,8]
  Thus,therefore,henowwentonbewailinghissinfulsleep,saying,OwretchedmanthatIamthatIshouldsleepintheday—time!
  thatIshouldsleepinthemidstofdifficulty!thatIshouldsoindulgetheflesh,astousethatrestforeasetomyflesh,whichtheLordofthehillhatherectedonlyforthereliefofthespiritsofpilgrims!
  {108}
  HowmanystepshaveItookinvain!ThusithappenedtoIsrael,fortheirsin;theyweresentbackagainbythewayoftheRedSea;
  andIammadetotreadthosestepswithsorrow,whichImighthavetrodwithdelight,haditnotbeenforthissinfulsleep。HowfarmightI
  havebeenonmywaybythistime!Iammadetotreadthosestepsthriceover,whichIneedednottohavetrodbutonce;yea,nowalsoIamliketobebenighted,forthedayisalmostspent。
  O,thatIhadnotslept!
  {109}
  Now,bythistimehewascometothearbouragain,whereforawhilehesatdownandwept;butatlast,asChristianwouldhaveit,lookingsorrowfullydownunderthesettle,thereheespiedhisroll;
  thewhichhe,withtremblingandhaste,catchedup,andputitintohisbosom。Butwhocantellhowjoyfulthismanwaswhenhehadgottenhisrollagain!forthisrollwastheassuranceofhislifeandacceptanceatthedesiredhaven。Thereforehelaiditupinhisbosom,gavethankstoGodfordirectinghiseyetotheplacewhereitlay,andwithjoyandtearsbetookhimselfagaintohisjourney。Butoh,hownimblynowdidhegouptherestofthehill!Yet,beforehegotup,thesunwentdownuponChristian;
  andthismadehimagainrecallthevanityofhissleepingtohisremembrance;andthusheagainbegantocondolewithhimself:
  Othousinfulsleep;how,forthysake,amIliketobebenightedinmyjourney!Imustwalkwithoutthesun;darknessmustcoverthepathofmyfeet;andImusthearthenoiseofthedolefulcreatures,becauseofmysinfulsleep。[1Thes。5:6,7]NowalsoherememberedthestorythatMistrustandTimoroustoldhimof;howtheywerefrightedwiththesightofthelions。ThensaidChristiantohimselfagain,Thesebeastsrangeinthenightfortheirprey;andiftheyshouldmeetwithmeinthedark,howshouldIshiftthem?HowshouldIescapebeingbythemtorninpieces?Thushewentonhisway。
  Butwhilehewasthusbewailinghisunhappymiscarriage,heliftuphiseyes,andbeholdtherewasaverystatelypalacebeforehim,thenameofwhichwasBeautiful;anditstoodjustbythehighwayside。
  {110}
  SoIsawinmydreamthathemadehasteandwentforward,thatifpossiblehemightgetlodgingthere。Now,beforehehadgonefar,heenteredintoaverynarrowpassage,whichwasaboutafurlongofftheporter’slodge;andlookingverynarrowlybeforehimashewent,heespiedtwolionsintheway。Now,thoughthe,IseethedangersthatMistrustandTimorousweredrivenbackby。
  (Thelionswerechained,buthesawnotthechains。)
  Thenhewasafraid,andthoughtalsohimselftogobackafterthem,forhethoughtnothingbutdeathwasbeforehim。Buttheporteratthelodge,whosenameisWatchful,perceivingthatChristianmadeahaltasifhewouldgoback,crieduntohim,saying,Isthystrengthsosmall?[Mark8:34—37]Fearnotthelions,fortheyarechained,andareplacedtherefortrialoffaithwhereitis,andfordiscoveryofthosethathadnone。
  Keepinthemidstofthepath,nohurtshallcomeuntothee。
  "Difficultyisbehind,Fearisbefore,Thoughhe’sgotonthehill,thelionsroar;
  AChristianmanisneverlongatease,Whenonefright’sgone,anotherdothhimseize。"
  {111}
  ThenIsawthathewenton,tremblingforfearofthelions,buttakinggoodheedtothedirectionsoftheporter;
  heheardthemroar,buttheydidhimnoharm。Thenheclappedhishands,andwentontillhecameandstoodbeforethegatewheretheporterwas。ThensaidChristiantotheporter,Sir,whathouseisthis?AndmayIlodgehereto—night?
  Theporteranswered,ThishousewasbuiltbytheLordofthehill,andhebuiltitforthereliefandsecurityofpilgrims。
  Theporteralsoaskedwhencehewas,andwhitherhewasgoing。
  {112}
  CHR。IamcomefromtheCityofDestruction,andamgoingtoMountZion;butbecausethesunisnowset,Idesire,ifImay,tolodgehereto—night。
  POR。Whatisyourname?
  CHR。MynameisnowChristian,butmynameatthefirstwasGraceless;
  IcameoftheraceofJapheth,whomGodwillpersuadetodwellinthetentsofShem。[Gen。9:27]
  POR。Buthowdothithappenthatyoucomesolate?Thesunisset。
  {113}
  CHR。Ihadbeenheresooner,butthat,"wretchedmanthatIam!"
  Isleptinthearbourthatstandsonthehillside;nay,Ihad,notwithstandingthat,beenheremuchsooner,butthat,inmysleep。
  Ilostmyevidence,andcamewithoutittothebrowofthehillandthenfeelingforit,andfindingitnot,Iwasforcedwithsorrowofheart,togobacktotheplacewhereIsleptmysleep,whereIfoundit,andnowIamcome。
  POR。Well,Iwillcalloutoneofthevirginsofthisplace,whowill,ifshelikesyourtalk,bringyouintotherestofthefamily,accordingtotherulesofthehouse。SoWatchful,theporter,rangabell,atthesoundofwhichcameoutatthedoorofthehouse,agraveandbeautifuldamsel,namedDiscretion,andaskedwhyshewascalled。
  {114}
  Theporteranswered,ThismanisinajourneyfromtheCityofDestructiontoMountZion,butbeingwearyandbenighted,heaskedmeifhemightlodgehereto—night;soItoldhimIwouldcallforthee,who,afterdiscoursehadwithhim,mayestdoasseemeththeegood,evenaccordingtothelawofthehouse。
  {115}
  Thensheaskedhimwhencehewas,andwhitherhewasgoing,andhetoldher。Sheaskedhimalsohowhegotintotheway;
  andhetoldher。Thensheaskedhimwhathehadseenandmetwithintheway;andhetold,her。Andlastsheaskedhisname;sohesaid,ItisChristian,andIhavesomuchthemoreadesiretolodgehereto—night,because,bywhatIperceive,thisplacewasbuiltbytheLordofthehillforthereliefandsecurityofpilgrims。
  Soshesmiled,butthewaterstoodinhereyes;andafteralittlepause,shesaid,Iwillcallforthtwoorthreemoreofthefamily。Sosherantothedoor,andcalledoutPrudence,Piety,andCharity,who,afteralittlemorediscoursewithhim,hadhimintothefamily;andmanyofthem,meetinghimatthethresholdofthehouse,said,Comein,thoublessedoftheLord;
  thishousewasbuiltbytheLordofthehill,onpurposetoentertainsuchpilgrimsin。Thenhebowedhishead,andfollowedthemintothehouse。Sowhenhewascomeinandsatdown,theygavehimsomethingtodrink,andconsentedtogether,thatuntilsupperwasready,someofthemshouldhavesomeparticulardiscoursewithChristian,forthebestimprovementoftime;andtheyappointedPiety,andPrudence,andCharitytodiscoursewithhim;andthustheybegan:
  {116}
  PIETY。Come,goodChristian,sincewehavebeensolovingtoyou,toreceiveyouinourhousethisnight,letus,ifperhapswemaybetterourselvesthereby,talkwithyouofallthingsthathavehappenedtoyouinyourpilgrimage。
  CHR。Withaverygoodwill,andIamgladthatyouaresowelldisposed。
  {117}
  PIETY。Whatmovedyouatfirsttobetakeyourselftoapilgrim’slife?
  CHR。Iwasdrivenoutofmynativecountrybyadreadfulsoundthatwasinmineears:towit,thatunavoidabledestructiondidattendme,ifIabodeinthatplacewhereIwas。
  PIETY。Buthowdidithappenthatyoucameoutofyourcountrythisway?
  CHR。ItwasasGodwouldhaveit;forwhenIwasunderthefearsofdestruction,Ididnotknowwhithertogo;butbychancetherecameaman,eventome,asIwastremblingandweeping,whosenameisEvangelist,andhedirectedmetothewicket—gate,whichelseIshouldneverhavefound,andsosetmeintothewaythathathledmedirectlytothishouse。
  {118}
  PIETY。ButdidyounotcomebythehouseoftheInterpreter?
  CHR。Yes,anddidseesuchthingsthere,theremembranceofwhichwillstickbymeaslongasIlive;especiallythreethings:towit,howChrist,indespiteofSatan,maintainshisworkofgraceintheheart;howthemanhadsinnedhimselfquiteoutofhopesofGod’smercy;andalsothedreamofhimthatthoughtinhissleepthedayofjudgementwascome。
  PIETY。Why,didyouhearhimtellhisdream?
  CHR。Yes,andadreadfuloneitwas。Ithoughtitmademyheartacheashewastellingofit;butyetIamgladIheardit。
  {119}
  PIETY。WasthatallthatyousawatthehouseoftheInterpreter?
  CHR。No;hetookmeandhadmewhereheshewedmeastatelypalace,andhowthepeoplewerecladingoldthatwereinit;andhowtherecameaventurousmanandcuthiswaythroughthearmedmenthatstoodinthedoortokeephimout,andhowhewasbidtocomein,andwineternalglory。Methoughtthosethingsdidravishmyheart!
  Iwouldhavestayedatthatgoodman’shouseatwelvemonth,butthatIknewIhadfurthertogo。
  {120}
  PIETY。Andwhatsawyouelseintheway?
  CHR。Saw!why,Iwentbutalittlefurther,andIsawone,asIthoughtinmymind,hangbleedinguponthetree;
  andtheverysightofhimmademyburdenfalloffmyback,(forIgroanedunderaveryheavyburden,)butthenitfelldownfromoffme。Itwasastrangethingtome,forIneversawsuchathingbefore;yea,andwhileIstoodlookingup,forthenIcouldnotforbearlooking,threeShiningOnescametome。
  Oneofthemtestifiedthatmysinswereforgivenme;anotherstrippedmeofmyrags,andgavemethisbroideredcoatwhichyousee;
  andthethirdsetthemarkwhichyouseeinmyforehead,andgavemethissealedroll。(Andwiththathepluckeditoutofhisbosom。)
  {121}
  PIETY。Butyousawmorethanthis,didyounot?
  CHR。ThethingsthatIhavetoldyouwerethebest;
  yetsomeothermattersIsaw,as,namely——Isawthreemen,Simple,Sloth,andPresumption,lieasleepalittleoutoftheway,asIcame,withironsupontheirheels;butdoyouthinkIcouldawakethem?IalsosawFormalityandHypocrisycometumblingoverthewall,togo,astheypretended,toZion,buttheywerequicklylost,evenasImyselfdidtellthem;
  buttheywouldnotbelieve。Butaboveall,Ifoundithardworktogetupthishill,andashardtocomebythelions’mouths,andtrulyifithadnotbeenforthegoodman,theporterthatstandsatthegate,IdonotknowbutthatafterallImighthavegonebackagain;butnowIthankGodIamhere,andIthankyouforreceivingofme。
  {122}
  ThenPrudencethoughtgoodtoaskhimafewquestions,anddesiredhisanswertothem。
  PRUD。Doyounotthinksometimesofthecountryfromwhenceyoucame?
  CHR。Yes,butwithmuchshameanddetestation:"Truly,ifIhadbeenmindfulofthatcountryfromwhenceIcameout,Imighthavehadopportunitytohavereturned;butnowIdesireabettercountry,thatis,anheavenly。"[Heb。11:15,16]
  PRUD。Doyounotyetbearawaywithyousomeofthethingsthatthenyouwereconversantwithal?
  CHR。Yes,butgreatlyagainstmywill;especiallymyinwardandcarnalcogitations,withwhichallmycountrymen,aswellasmyself,weredelighted;butnowallthosethingsaremygrief;
  andmightIbutchoosemineownthings,
  Iwouldchoosenevertothinkofthosethingsmore;butwhenIwouldbedoingofthatwhichisbest,thatwhichisworstiswithme。
  [Rom7:16—19]
  {123}
  PRUD。Doyounotfindsometimes,asifthosethingswerevanquished,whichatothertimesareyourperplexity?
  CHR。Yes,butthatisseldom;buttheyaretomegoldenhoursinwhichsuchthingshappentome。
  PRUD。Canyourememberbywhatmeansyoufindyourannoyances,attimes,asiftheywerevanquished?
  CHR。Yes,whenIthinkwhatIsawatthecross,thatwilldoit;
  andwhenIlookuponmybroideredcoat,thatwilldoit;
  alsowhenIlookintotherollthatIcarryinmybosom,thatwilldoit;andwhenmythoughtswaxwarmaboutwhitherIamgoing,thatwilldoit。
  {124}
  PRUD。AndwhatisitthatmakesyousodesiroustogotoMountZion?
  CHR。Why,thereIhopetoseehimalivethatdidhangdeadonthecross;
  andthereIhopetoberidofallthosethingsthattothisdayareinmeanannoyancetome;there,theysay,thereisnodeath;andthereI
  shalldwellwithsuchcompanyasIlikebest。[Isa。25:8;Rev。21:4]
  For,totellyoutruth,Ilovehim,becauseIwasbyhimeasedofmyburden;andIamwearyofmyinwardsickness。IwouldfainbewhereIshalldienomore,andwiththecompanythatshallcontinuallycry,"Holy,Holy,Holy!"
  {125}
  ThensaidCharitytoChristian,Haveyouafamily?Areyouamarriedman?
  CHR。Ihaveawifeandfoursmallchildren。
  CHAR。Andwhydidyounotbringthemalongwithyou?
  CHR。ThenChristianwept,andsaid,Oh,howwillinglywouldIhavedoneit!buttheywereallofthemutterlyaversetomygoingonpilgrimage。
  CHAR。Butyoushouldhavetalkedtothem,andhaveendeavouredtohaveshownthemthedangerofbeingbehind。
  CHR。SoIdid;andtoldthemalsoofwhatGodhadshowntomeofthedestructionofourcity;"butIseemedtothemasonethatmocked",andtheybelievedmenot。[Gen。19:14]
  CHAR。AnddidyoupraytoGodthathewouldblessyourcounseltothem?
  CHR。Yes,andthatwithmuchaffection:foryoumustthinkthatmywifeandpoorchildrenwereverydearuntome。
  CHAR。Butdidyoutellthemofyourownsorrow,andfearofdestruction?forIsupposethatdestructionwasvisibleenoughtoyou。
  CHR。Yes,over,andover,andover。Theymightalsoseemyfearsinmycountenance,inmytears,andalsoinmytremblingundertheapprehensionofthejudgementthatdidhangoverourheads;
  butallwasnotsufficienttoprevailwiththemtocomewithme。
  CHAR。Butwhatcouldtheysayforthemselves,whytheycamenot?
  {126}
  CHR。Why,mywifewasafraidoflosingthisworld,andmychildrenweregiventothefoolishdelightsofyouth:sowhatbyonething,andwhatbyanother,theyleftmetowanderinthismanneralone。
  CHAR。Butdidyounot,withyourvainlife,dampallthatyoubywordsusedbywayofpersuasiontobringthemawaywithyou?
  {127}
  CHR。Indeed,Icannotcommendmylife;forIamconscioustomyselfofmanyfailingstherein;Iknowalsothatamanbyhisconversationmaysoonoverthrowwhatbyargumentorpersuasionhedothlabourtofastenuponothersfortheirgood。YetthisIcansay,Iwasverywaryofgivingthemoccasion,byanyunseemlyaction,tomakethemaversetogoingonpilgrimage。Yea,forthisverythingtheywouldtellmeIwastooprecise,andthatIdeniedmyselfofthings,fortheirsakes,inwhichtheysawnoevil。Nay,IthinkImaysay,thatifwhattheysawinmedidhinderthem,itwasmygreattendernessinsinningagainstGod,orofdoinganywrongtomyneighbour。
  CHAR。IndeedCainhatedhisbrother,"becausehisownworkswereevil,andhisbrother’srighteous"[1John3:12];andifthywifeandchildrenhavebeenoffendedwiththeeforthis,theytherebyshowthemselvestobeimplacabletogood,and"thouhastdeliveredthysoulfromtheirblood"。[Ezek。3:19]
  {128}
  NowIsawinmydream,thatthustheysattalkingtogetheruntilsupperwasready。Sowhentheyhadmadeready,theysatdowntomeat。Nowthetablewasfurnished"withfatthings,andwithwinethatwaswellrefined":
  andalltheirtalkatthetablewasabouttheLordofthehill;
  as,namely,aboutwhathehaddone,andwhereforehedidwhathedid,andwhyhehadbuildedthathouse。Andbywhattheysaid,Iperceivedthathehadbeenagreatwarrior,andhadfoughtwithandslain"himthathadthePowerofdeath",butnotwithoutgreatdangertohimself,whichmademelovehimthemore。
  [Heb。2:14,15]
  {129}
  For,astheysaid,andasIbelieve(saidChristian),hediditwiththelossofmuchblood;butthatwhichputgloryofgraceintoallhedid,was,thathediditoutofpurelovetohiscountry。
  Andbesides,thereweresomeofthemofthehouseholdthatsaidtheyhadbeenandspokewithhimsincehediddieonthecross;
  andtheyhaveattestedthattheyhaditfromhisownlips,thatheissuchaloverofpoorpilgrims,thatthelikeisnottobefoundfromtheeasttothewest。
  {130}
  They,moreover,gaveaninstanceofwhattheyaffirmed,andthatwas,hehadstrippedhimselfofhisglory,thathemightdothisforthepoor;andthattheyheardhimsayandaffirm,"thathewouldnotdwellinthemountainofZionalone。"
  Theysaid,moreover,thathehadmademanypilgrimsprinces,thoughbynaturetheywerebeggarsborn,andtheiroriginalhadbeenthedunghill。[1Sam2:8;Ps。113:7]
  {131}
  Thustheydiscoursedtogethertilllateatnight;andaftertheyhadcommittedthemselvestotheirLordforprotection,theybetookthemselvestorest:thePilgrimtheylaidinalargeupperchamber,whosewindowopenedtowardsthesun—rising:
  thenameofthechamberwasPeace;whereheslepttillbreakofday,andthenheawokeandsang——
  "WhereamInow?IsthistheloveandcareOfJesusforthementhatpilgrimsare?
  Thustoprovide!thatIshouldbeforgiven!
  Anddwellalreadythenextdoortoheaven!"
  {132}
  Sointhemorningtheyallgotup;and,aftersomemorediscourse,theytoldhimthatheshouldnotdeparttilltheyhadshownhimtheraritiesofthatplace。Andfirsttheyhadhimintothestudy,wheretheyshowedhimrecordsofthegreatestantiquity;inwhich,asIremembermydream,theyshowedhimfirstthepedigreeoftheLordofthehill,thathewasthesonoftheAncientofDays,andcamebythateternalgeneration。Herealsowasmorefullyrecordedtheactsthathehaddone,andthenamesofmanyhundredsthathehadtakenintohisservice;andhowhehadplacedtheminsuchhabitationsthatcouldneitherbylengthofdays,nordecaysofnature,bedissolved。
  {133}
  Thentheyreadtohimsomeoftheworthyactsthatsomeofhisservantshaddone:as,howtheyhad"subduedkingdoms,wroughtrighteousness,obtainedpromises,stoppedthemouthsoflions,quenchedtheviolenceoffire,escapedtheedgeofthesword,outofweaknessweremadestrong,waxedvaliantinfight,andturnedtoflightthearmiesofthealiens。"[Heb11:33,34]
  {134}
  Theythenreadagain,inanotherpartoftherecordsofthehouse,whereitwasshewedhowwillingtheirLordwastoreceiveintohisfavourany,evenany,thoughtheyintimepasthadofferedgreataffrontstohispersonandproceedings。Herealsowereseveralotherhistoriesofmanyotherfamousthings,ofallwhichChristianhadaview;asofthingsbothancientandmodern;
  togetherwithpropheciesandpredictionsofthingsthathavetheircertainaccomplishment,bothtothedreadandamazementofenemies,andthecomfortandsolaceofpilgrims。
  {135}
  Thenextdaytheytookhimandhadhimintothearmoury,wheretheyshowedhimallmanneroffurniture,whichtheirLordhadprovidedforpilgrims,assword,shield,helmet,breastplate,ALL—PRAYER,andshoesthatwouldnotwearout。AndtherewashereenoughofthistoharnessoutasmanymenfortheserviceoftheirLordastherebestarsintheheavenformultitude。
  {136}
  Theyalsoshowedhimsomeoftheengineswithwhichsomeofhisservantshaddonewonderfulthings。TheyshewedhimMoses’rod;
  thehammerandnailwithwhichJaelslewSisera;thepitchers,trumpets,andlampstoo,withwhichGideonputtoflightthearmiesofMidian。
  Thentheyshowedhimtheox’sgoadwherewithShamgarslewsixhundredmen。Theyshowedhimalsothejaw—bonewithwhichSamsondidsuchmightyfeats。Theyshowedhim,moreover,theslingandstonewithwhichDavidslewGoliathofGath;andthesword,also,withwhichtheirLordwillkilltheManofSin,inthedaythatheshallriseuptotheprey。Theyshowedhim,besides,manyexcellentthings,withwhichChristianwasmuchdelighted。
  Thisdone,theywenttotheirrestagain。
  {137}
  ThenIsawinmydream,thatonthemorrowhegotuptogoforward;
  buttheydesiredhimtostaytillthenextdayalso;
  andthen,saidthey,wewill,ifthedaybeclear,showyoutheDelectableMountains,which,theysaid,wouldyetfurtheraddtohiscomfort,becausetheywerenearerthedesiredhaventhantheplacewhereatpresenthewas;soheconsentedandstayed。
  Whenthemorningwasup,theyhadhimtothetopofthehouse,andbidhimlooksouth;sohedid:andbehold,atagreatdistance,hesawamostpleasantmountainouscountry,beautifiedwithwoods,vineyards,fruitsofallsorts,flowersalso,withspringsandfountains,verydelectabletobehold。[Isa。33:16,17]
  Thenheaskedthenameofthecountry。TheysaiditwasImmanuel’sLand;anditisascommon,saidthey,asthishillis,toandforallthepilgrims。Andwhenthoucomesttherefromthence,saidthey,thoumayestseetothegateoftheCelestialCity,astheshepherdsthatlivetherewillmakeappear。
  {138}
  Nowhebethoughthimselfofsettingforward,andtheywerewillingheshould。Butfirst,saidthey,letusgoagainintothearmoury。
  Sotheydid;andwhentheycamethere,theyharnessedhimfromheadtofootwithwhatwasofproof,lest,perhaps,heshouldmeetwithassaultsintheway。Hebeing,therefore,thusaccoutred,walkethoutwithhisfriendstothegate,andthereheaskedtheporterifhesawanypilgrimspassby。
  Thentheporteranswered,Yes。
  {139}
  CHR。Pray,didyouknowhim?saidhe。
  POR。Iaskedhimhisname,andhetoldmeitwasFaithful。
  CHR。Oh,saidChristian,Iknowhim;heismytownsman,mynearneighbour;hecomesfromtheplacewhereIwasborn。
  Howfardoyouthinkhemaybebefore?
  POR。Heisgotbythistimebelowthehill。
  CHR。Well,saidChristian,goodPorter,theLordbewiththee,andaddtoallthyblessingsmuchincrease,forthekindnessthatthouhastshowedtome。
  {140}
  Thenhebegantogoforward;butDiscretion,Piety,Charity,andPrudencewouldaccompanyhimdowntothefootofthehill。
  Sotheywentontogether,reiteratingtheirformerdiscourses,tilltheycametogodownthehill。ThensaidChristian,Asitwasdifficultcomingup,so,sofarasIcansee,itisdangerousgoingdown。Yes,saidPrudence,soitis,foritisahardmatterforamantogodownintotheValleyofHumiliation,asthouartnow,andtocatchnoslipbytheway;therefore,saidthey,arewecomeouttoaccompanytheedownthehill。Sohebegantogodown,butverywarily;yethecaughtasliportwo。
  {141}
  ThenIsawinmydreamthatthesegoodcompanions,whenChristianwasgonetothebottomofthehill,gavehimaloafofbread,abottleofwine,andaclusterofraisins;andthenhewentonhisway。
  Butnow,inthisValleyofHumiliation,poorChristianwashardputtoit;forhehadgonebutalittleway,beforeheespiedafoulfiendcomingoverthefieldtomeethim;hisnameisApollyon。
  ThendidChristianbegintobeafraid,andtocastinhismindwhethertogobackortostandhisground。Butheconsideredagainthathehadnoarmourforhisback;andthereforethoughtthattoturnthebacktohimmightgivehimthegreateradvantagewitheasetopiercehimwithhisdarts。Thereforeheresolvedtoventureandstandhisground;for,thoughthe,hadInomoreinmineeyethanthesavingofmylife,itwouldbethebestwaytostand。
  {142}
  Sohewenton,andApollyonmethim。Nowthemonsterwashideoustobehold;hewasclothedwithscales,likeafish,(andtheyarehispride,)hehadwingslikeadragon,feetlikeabear,andoutofhisbellycamefireandsmoke,andhismouthwasasthemouthofalion。WhenhewascomeuptoChristian,hebeheldhimwithadisdainfulcountenance,andthusbegantoquestionwithhim。
  {143}
  APOL。Whencecomeyou?andwhitherareyoubound?
  CHR。IamcomefromtheCityofDestruction,whichistheplaceofallevil,andamgoingtotheCityofZion。
  APOL。BythisIperceivethouartoneofmysubjects,forallthatcountryismine,andIamtheprinceandgodofit。
  Howisit,then,thatthouhastrunawayfromthyking?
  WereitnotthatIhopethoumayestdomemoreservice,Iwouldstriketheenow,atoneblow,totheground。
  {144}
  CHR。Iwasborn,indeed,inyourdominions,butyourservicewashard,andyourwagessuchasamancouldnotliveon,"forthewagesofsinisdeath"[Rom6:23];therefore,whenIwascometoyears,Idid,asotherconsideratepersonsdo,lookout,if,perhaps,Imightmendmyself。
  APOL。Thereisnoprincethatwillthuslightlylosehissubjects,neitherwillIasyetlosethee;butsincethoucomplainestofthyserviceandwages,becontenttogoback:whatourcountrywillafford,Idoherepromisetogivethee。
  CHR。ButIhaveletmyselftoanother,eventotheKingofprinces;
  andhowcanI,withfairness,gobackwiththee?
  {145}
  APOL。Thouhastdoneinthis,accordingtotheproverb,"Changedabadforaworse";butitisordinaryforthosethathaveprofessedthemselveshisservants,afterawhiletogivehimtheslip,andreturnagaintome。Dothousotoo,andallshallbewell。
  CHR。Ihavegivenhimmyfaith,andswornmyallegiancetohim;
  how,then,canIgobackfromthis,andnotbehangedasatraitor?
  APOL。Thoudidstthesametome,andyetIamwillingtopassbyall,ifnowthouwiltyetturnagainandgoback。
  {146}
  CHR。WhatIpromisedtheewasinmynonage;and,besides,IcountthePrinceunderwhosebannernowIstandisabletoabsolveme;
  yea,andtopardonalsowhatIdidastomycompliancewiththee;
  andbesides,OthoudestroyingApollyon!tospeaktruth,Ilikehisservice,hiswages,hisservants,hisgovernment,hiscompany,andcountry,betterthanthine;and,therefore,leaveofftopersuademefurther;Iamhisservant,andIwillfollowhim。
  {147}
  APOL。Consider,again,whenthouartincoolblood,whatthouartliketomeetwithinthewaythatthougoest。
  Thouknowestthat,forthemostpart,hisservantscometoanillend,becausetheyaretransgressorsagainstmeandmyways。
  Howmanyofthemhavebeenputtoshamefuldeaths!and,besides,thoucountesthisservicebetterthanmine,whereashenevercameyetfromtheplacewhereheistodeliveranythatservedhimoutoftheirhands;butasforme,howmanytimes,asalltheworldverywellknows,haveIdelivered,eitherbypower,orfraud,thosethathavefaithfullyservedme,fromhimandhis,thoughtakenbythem;andsoIwilldeliverthee。
  CHR。Hisforbearingatpresenttodeliverthemisonpurposetotrytheirlove,whethertheywillcleavetohimtotheend;
  andasfortheillendthousayesttheycometo,thatismostgloriousintheiraccount;for,forpresentdeliverance,theydonotmuchexpectit,fortheystayfortheirglory,andthentheyshallhaveitwhentheirPrincecomesinhisandthegloryoftheangels。
  APOL。Thouhastalreadybeenunfaithfulinthyservicetohim;
  andhowdostthouthinktoreceivewagesofhim?
  CHR。Wherein,OApollyon!haveIbeenunfaithfultohim?
  {148}
  APOL。Thoudidstfaintatfirstsettingout,whenthouwastalmostchokedintheGulfofDespond;thoudidstattemptwrongwaystoberidofthyburden,whereasthoushouldsthavestayedtillthyPrincehadtakenitoff;thoudidstsinfullysleepandlosethychoicething;thouwast,also,almostpersuadedtogobackatthesightofthelions;andwhenthoutalkestofthyjourney,andofwhatthouhastheardandseen,thouartinwardlydesirousofvain—gloryinallthatthousayestordoest。
  CHR。Allthisistrue,andmuchmorewhichthouhastleftout;
  butthePrincewhomIserveandhonourismerciful,andreadytoforgive;but,besides,theseinfirmitiespossessedmeinthycountry,forthereIsuckedthemin;andIhavegroanedunderthem,beensorryforthem,andhaveobtainedpardonofmyPrince。
  {149}
  APOL。ThenApollyonbrokeoutintoagrievousrage,saying,IamanenemytothisPrince;Ihatehisperson,hislaws,andpeople;
  Iamcomeoutonpurposetowithstandthee。
  CHR。Apollyon,bewarewhatyoudo;forIamintheKing’shighway,thewayofholiness;thereforetakeheedtoyourself。
  APOL。ThenApollyonstraddledquiteoverthewholebreadthoftheway,andsaid,Iamvoidoffearinthismatter:preparethyselftodie;
  forIswearbymyinfernalden,thatthoushaltgonofurther;
  herewillIspillthysoul。
  {150}
  Andwiththathethrewaflamingdartathisbreast;butChristianhadashieldinhishand,withwhichhecaughtit,andsopreventedthedangerofthat。
  ThendidChristiandraw,forhesawitwastimetobestirhim;
  andApollyonasfastmadeathim,throwingdartsasthickashail;
  bythewhich,notwithstandingallthatChristiancoulddotoavoidit,Apollyonwoundedhiminhishead,hishand,andfoot。
  ThismadeChristiangivealittleback;Apollyon,therefore,followedhisworkamain,andChristianagaintookcourage,andresistedasmanfullyashecould。Thissorecombatlastedforabovehalfaday,eventillChristianwasalmostquitespent;
  foryoumustknowthatChristian,byreasonofhiswounds,mustneedsgrowweakerandweaker。
  p151——p200
  Page151——Page200
  {151}
  ThenApollyon,espyinghisopportunity,begantogatherupclosetoChristian,andwrestlingwithhim,gavehimadreadfulfall;
  andwiththatChristian’sswordflewoutofhishand。
  ThensaidApollyon,Iamsureoftheenow。Andwiththathehadalmostpressedhimtodeath,sothatChristianbegantodespairoflife;butasGodwouldhaveit,whileApollyonwasfetchingofhislastblow,therebytomakeafullendofthisgoodman,Christiannimblystretchedouthishandforhissword,andcaughtit,saying,"Rejoicenotagainstme,Omineenemy;
  whenIfallIshallarise"[Micah7:8];andwiththatgavehimadeadlythrust,whichmadehimgiveback,asonethathadreceivedhismortalwound。
  Christianperceivingthat,madeathimagain,saying,"Nay,inallthesethingswearemorethanconquerorsthroughhimthatlovedus"。[Rom。8:37]AndwiththatApollyonspreadforthhisdragon’swings,andspedhimaway,thatChristianforaseasonsawhimnomore。[James4:7]
  {152}
  Inthiscombatnomancanimagine,unlesshehadseenandheardasIdid,whatyellingandhideousroaringApollyonmadeallthetimeofthefight——hespakelikeadragon;and,ontheotherside,whatsighsandgroansburstfromChristian’sheart。Ineversawhimallthewhilegivesomuchasonepleasantlook,tillheperceivedhehadwoundedApollyonwithhistwo—edgedsword;then,indeed,hedidsmile,andlookupward;butitwasthedreadfullestsightthateverIsaw。
  Amoreunequalmatchcanhardlybe,——
  CHRISTIANmustfightanAngel;butyousee,ThevaliantmanbyhandlingSwordandShield,Dothmakehim,tho’aDragon,quitthefield。
  {153}
  Sowhenthebattlewasover,Christiansaid,"Iwillheregivethankstohimthatdeliveredmeoutofthemouthofthelion,tohimthatdidhelpmeagainstApollyon。"Andsohedid,saying——
  GreatBeelzebub,thecaptainofthisfiend,Design’dmyruin;thereforetothisendHesenthimharness’dout:andhewithrageThathellishwas,didfiercelymeengage。
  ButblessedMichaelhelpedme,andI,Bydintofsword,didquicklymakehimfly。
  Thereforetohimletmegivelastingpraise,Andthankandblesshisholynamealways。
  {154}
  Thentherecametohimahand,withsomeoftheleavesofthetreeoflife,thewhichChristiantook,andappliedtothewoundsthathehadreceivedinthebattle,andwashealedimmediately。
  Healsosatdowninthatplacetoeatbread,andtodrinkofthebottlethatwasgivenhimalittlebefore;so,beingrefreshed,headdressedhimselftohisjourney,withhissworddrawninhishand;
  forhesaid,Iknownotbutsomeotherenemymaybeathand。ButhemetwithnootheraffrontfromApollyonquitethroughthisvalley。
  {155}
  Now,attheendofthisvalleywasanother,calledtheValleyoftheShadowofDeath,andChristianmustneedsgothroughit,becausethewaytotheCelestialCitylaythroughthemidstofit。
  Now,thisvalleyisaverysolitaryplace。TheprophetJeremiahthusdescribesit:"Awilderness,alandofdesertsandofpits,alandofdrought,andoftheshadowofdeath,alandthatnoman"
  (butaChristian)"passedthrough,andwherenomandwelt。"[Jer。
  2:6]
  NowhereChristianwasworseputtoitthaninhisfightwithApollyon,asbythesequelyoushallsee。
  {156}
  Isawtheninmydream,thatwhenChristianwasgottothebordersoftheShadowofDeath,theremethimtwomen,childrenofthemthatbroughtupanevilreportofthegoodland[Num。13],makinghastetogoback;towhomChristianspakeasfollows:——
  {157}
  CHR。Whitherareyougoing?
  MEN。Theysaid,Back!back!andwewouldhaveyoutodosotoo,ifeitherlifeorpeaceisprizedbyyou。
  CHR。Why,what’sthematter?saidChristian。
  MEN。Matter!saidthey;weweregoingthatwayasyouaregoing,andwentasfaraswedurst;andindeedwewerealmostpastcomingback;
  forhadwegonealittlefurther,wehadnotbeenheretobringthenewstothee。
  CHR。Butwhathaveyoumetwith?saidChristian。
  MEN。Why,wewerealmostintheValleyoftheShadowofDeath;
  butthat,bygoodhap,welookedbeforeus,andsawthedangerbeforewecametoit。[Ps。44:19;107:10]
  CHR。Butwhathaveyouseen?saidChristian。
  {158}
  MEN。Seen!Why,theValleyitself,whichisasdarkaspitch;
  wealsosawtherethehobgoblins,satyrs,anddragonsofthepit;
  weheardalsointhatValleyacontinualhowlingandyelling,asofapeopleunderunutterablemisery,whotheresatboundinafflictionandirons;andoverthatValleyhangsthediscouragingcloudsofconfusion。Deathalsodothalwaysspreadhiswingsoverit。Inaword,itiseverywhitdreadful,beingutterlywithoutorder。[Job3:5;10:22]
  CHR。Then,saidChristian,Iperceivenotyet,bywhatyouhavesaid,butthatthisismywaytothedesiredhaven。[Jer。2:6]
  MEN。Beitthyway;wewillnotchooseitforours。So,theyparted,andChristianwentonhisway,butstillwithhissworddrawninhishand,forfearlestheshouldbeassaulted。
  {159}
  Isawtheninmydream,sofarasthisvalleyreached,therewasontherighthandaverydeepditch;thatditchisitintowhichtheblindhaveledtheblindinallages,andhaveboththeremiserablyperished。[Ps。69:14,15]Again,behold,onthelefthand,therewasaverydangerousquag,intowhich,ifevenagoodmanfalls,hecanfindnobottomforhisfoottostandon。IntothatquagKingDavidoncedidfall,andhadnodoubtthereinbeensmothered,hadnotHEthatisablepluckedhimout。
  {160}
  Thepathwaywasherealsoexceedingnarrow,andthereforegoodChristianwasthemoreputtoit;forwhenhesought,inthedark,toshuntheditchontheonehand,hewasreadytotipoverintothemireontheother;alsowhenhesoughttoescapethemire,withoutgreatcarefulnesshewouldbereadytofallintotheditch。
  Thushewenton,andIheardhimheresighbitterly;for,besidesthedangersmentionedabove,thepathwaywasheresodark,andofttimes,whenheliftuphisfoottosetforward,heknewnotwhereoruponwhatheshouldsetitnext。
  Poorman!whereartthounow?thydayisnight。
  Goodman,benotcastdown,thouyetartright,ThywaytoheavenliesbythegatesofHell;
  Cheerup,holdout,withtheeitshallgowell。
  {161}
  Aboutthemidstofthisvalley,Iperceivedthemouthofhelltobe,anditstoodalsohardbythewayside。Now,thoughtChristian,whatshallIdo?Andeverandanontheflameandsmokewouldcomeoutinsuchabundance,withsparksandhideousnoises,(thingsthatcarednotforChristian’ssword,asdidApollyonbefore),thathewasforcedtoputuphissword,andbetakehimselftoanotherweaponcalledAll—prayer。[Eph。6:18]Sohecriedinmyhearing,"OLord,Ibeseechthee,delivermysoul!"[Ps。
  116:4]
  Thushewentonagreatwhile,yetstilltheflameswouldbereachingtowardshim。Alsohehearddolefulvoices,andrushingstoandfro,sothatsometimeshethoughtheshouldbetorninpieces,ortroddendownlikemireinthestreets。Thisfrightfulsightwasseen,andthesedreadfulnoiseswereheardbyhimforseveralmilestogether;
  and,comingtoaplacewherehethoughtheheardacompanyoffiendscomingforwardtomeethim,hestopped,andbegantomusewhathehadbesttodo。Sometimeshehadhalfathoughttogoback;
  thenagainhethoughthemightbehalfwaythroughthevalley;
  herememberedalsohowhehadalreadyvanquishedmanyadanger,andthatthedangerofgoingbackmightbemuchmorethanfortogoforward;soheresolvedtogoon。Yetthefiendsseemedtocomenearerandnearer;butwhentheywerecomeevenalmostathim,hecriedoutwithamostvehementvoice,"IwillwalkinthestrengthoftheLordGod!"sotheygaveback,andcamenofurther。
  {162}
  OnethingIwouldnotletslip。ItooknoticethatnowpoorChristianwassoconfounded,thathedidnotknowhisownvoice;
  andthusIperceivedit。Justwhenhewascomeoveragainstthemouthoftheburningpit,oneofthewickedonesgotbehindhim,andsteppedupsoftlytohim,andwhisperinglysuggestedmanygrievousblasphemiestohim,whichheverilythoughthadproceededfromhisownmind。ThisputChristianmoretoitthananythingthathemetwithbefore,eventothinkthatheshouldnowblasphemehimthathelovedsomuchbefore;yet,ifhecouldhavehelpedit,hewouldnothavedoneit;buthehadnotthediscretioneithertostophisears,ortoknowfromwhencetheseblasphemiescame。
  {163}
  WhenChristianhadtravelledinthisdisconsolateconditionsomeconsiderabletime,hethoughtheheardthevoiceofaman,asgoingbeforehim,saying,"ThoughIwalkthroughthevalleyoftheshadowofdeath,Iwillfearnoevil,forthouartwithme。"
  [Ps。23:4]
  {164}
  Thenhewasglad,andthatforthesereasons:
  First,Becausehegatheredfromthence,thatsomewhofearedGodwereinthisvalleyaswellashimself。
  Secondly,ForthatheperceivedGodwaswiththem,thoughinthatdarkanddismalstate;andwhynot,thoughthe,withme?though,byreasonoftheimpedimentthatattendsthisplace,Icannotperceiveit。[Job9:11]
  Thirdly,Forthathehoped,couldheovertakethem,tohavecompanybyandby。Sohewenton,andcalledtohimthatwasbefore;
  butheknewnotwhattoanswer;forthathealsothoughttobealone。
  Andbyandbythedaybroke;thensaidChristian,Hehathturned"theshadowofdeathintothemorning"。[Amos5:8]
  {165}
  Nowmorningbeingcome,helookedback,notoutofdesiretoreturn,buttosee,bythelightoftheday,whathazardshehadgonethroughinthedark。Sohesawmoreperfectlytheditchthatwasontheonehand,andthemirethatwasontheother;alsohownarrowthewaywaswhichledbetwixtthemboth;alsonowhesawthehobgoblins,andsatyrs,anddragonsofthepit,butallafaroff,(forafterbreakofday,theycamenotnigh;)yettheywerediscoveredtohim,accordingtothatwhichiswritten,"Hediscoverethdeepthingsoutofdarkness,andbringethouttolighttheshadowofdeath。"
  [Job12:22]
  {166}
  NowwasChristianmuchaffectedwithhisdeliverancefromallthedangersofhissolitaryway;whichdangers,thoughhefearedthemmorebefore,yethesawthemmoreclearlynow,becausethelightofthedaymadethemconspicuoustohim。
  Andaboutthistimethesunwasrising,andthiswasanothermercytoChristian;foryoumustnote,thatthoughthefirstpartoftheValleyoftheShadowofDeathwasdangerous,yetthissecondpartwhichhewasyettogo,was,ifpossible,farmoredangerous;forfromtheplacewherehenowstood,eventotheendofthevalley,thewaywasallalongsetsofullofsnares,traps,gins,andnetshere,andsofullofpits,pitfalls,deepholes,andshelvingsdownthere,that,haditnowbeendark,asitwaswhenhecamethefirstpartoftheway,hadhehadathousandsouls,theyhadinreasonbeencastaway;
  but,asIsaidjustnow,thesunwasrising。Thensaidhe,"Hiscandleshinethuponmyhead,andbyhislightIwalkthroughdarkness。"[Job29:3]
  {167}
  Inthislight,therefore,hecametotheendofthevalley。