The pilgrim's progress: for the young ...

Front matter

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V C o

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PART I. Introduction Page 7

The Beginning 13

The Gate.— The Interpreter 22

The Release.— The Hill Difficulty 27

The House Beautiful 34

Apollyon and the Valley of the Shadow 41

The Pilgrimage of Faithful 51

Doubting Castle 63

The Delectable Mountains 75

The Flatterer 81

The Passage through the Waters 86

VI CONTENTS.

Introduction to Second Part 93

The Setting forth of Christiana 95

The Pilgrims at the Gate 99

The Significant Rivers 102

Giant Grim and the Lions 109

The Sojourn at the Beautiful House 114

Christiana in the Valley of the Shadow • . 119

Old Honesty 124

The House of Gaius 128

Christiana at Vanity Fair 136

The Sacking of Doubting Castle 141

The Delectable Mountains 145

The Enchanted Ground 150

The Happy End 154

THE

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.

Introduction

Almost two hundred years ago, there lived in England a godly and pious man, whose name was John Bunyan. Now John was not always godly and pious, but he tells us himself, that when young, he was very wicked.

Our little readers will learn by and by, when they come to study history, how a great number of the English people rose, and overcame the rest, and condemned their king to death, and caused his head to be cut off by the executioner. The party that did this was called Republican. In our country we do not hold such ideas of republican conduct as this — but as we have said, these things happened a great many years ago. The General of the Republican army was named Oliver Cromwell. He was a very able soldier and statesman, and was made at last a king in every thing but the name, in place of the unfortunate King Charles I., who had been put to death. But when Oliver Cromwell died, his son Richard was not able to fill the place of his father, and the people rejected him, and called Charles II. the son of the king, to reign in his stead. All things were placed on the old footing, as they stood before King Charles I. was dethroned and beheaded.

Certainly much wrong and bloodshed was done by both parties ; for when war rages among brothers of one nation, it is a great deal more cruel than when two nations are engaged against each other. Both sides in this war were hard and tyrannical. And what made the matter worse, was that the name and cause of religion, were drawn into this quarrel. When the republicans were in power, their soldiers defaced and injured the churches of the established religion, as the Church of England is called ; and put the ministers of this church under unpleasant, and unjust restrictions. When the king was placed on his father's throne, the government considered all who were not worshippers in the established church, to be opposed to the reign of Charles II. ; and very severe laws were put in force against them. The fear was that they would overthrow the government again, or oppose it. And these things show us how much better it is, to let the worship of God be left to every man's conscience, and not to have any particular church defended by the government, or any particular form of Christian worship favoured by the laws.

John Bunyan was a soldier in Cromwell's army. When the kingdom was restored, he had become a preacher. Some of his enemies complained against him, and he was sent to jail. He thought it very hard that the laws which had been made to prevent people from doing evil, should press upon him who only sought to do good. And so did the magistrates think too ; but as he had broken the law, there was no help for it, unless he would agree to conduct his preaching in such a way, that the law could not take hold of him. This he might have done, but his views of duty would not permit him.

We may be heartily glad, that we live in a land where such things cannot be. And we may be glad for John Bunyan, too, that he had a very kind man for a jailer. The place where he was imprisoned, was Bedford, about fifty miles from London in England, and while he was a prisoner he once took a run to London, to see his friends. The jailer was very much blamed for this; and Bunyan was required to be kept closer. He had charge of a

Baptist church as pastor while he was in jail, and used much of the time regularly to attend the meetings. The jailer would sometimes go away, and leave John Bunyan to attend to the duties of the prison. His term of imprisonment lasted twelve years, and after he was released he lived sixteen. He died in 1688, aged 60, and was buried in London.

John Bunyan, though a very pious and good man, was not a learned one ; for he was by trade a tinker, and had no opportunity to learn much more than to read, in his youth, and when a boy he was wild and wicked. But he made very good use afterward of what he knew ; and very diligently studied his Bible and other good books. He was also what is called a genius, which means that he had great natural talent. He wrote many works, and one of his books, called the Pilgrim's Progress, has been read and admired by more people than any other book except the Bible. Learned and unlearned men have read it again and again, and it has been translated into all modern languages. It was written in Bedford jail ; and probably, if Bunyan had never been sent to that jail, he would not have written this book, and we might never have heard there was such a man. The book has done a great deal of good in the world, and will do much more. It is thus that Providence often turns to advantage what seems at first to be our worst misfortune. So much for John Bunyan ; and now we will try to give some idea of what is in the Pilgrim's Progress.

THE BEGINNING.

As I walked through the wilderness of the world, I came to a place where was a den, and laid me down in that place to sleep, and as I slept, I dreamed a dream.

I dreamed that I saw a man clothed in rags, with a burden on his back, and a book in his hand ; and as he read the book he cried, " What shall I do?" The burden on his back was made up of his sins, and the book was the Bible, which told him of his wickedness, and he cried out to know how he should get rid of his woful load. I saw in my dream that he went home and told his wife, that the city they lived in must be destroyed, and that he and she, and all their little ones too, would perish, unless they could find a way of escape.

And I understood that the city in the dream represents this world, and that the man's name was Christian.

But Christian's wife would not hearken, and his friends only laughed at him. And while he was in terror, a man named Evangelist came to him, and gave him a roll of parchment, on which was written, "Fly from the wrath to come ! " And Evangelist directed Christian to the straight gate, which opens into the narrow way which leadeth to eternal life. Christian made all haste to run for this gate. His wife and his neighbours strove to hinder him ; and two, named Obstinate and Pliable, would have brought him back by force. But Christian was resolute ; and Obstinate, out of all patience with him turned, back. Pliable undertook to accompany him, and they travelled together, talking of the heavenly country, until both, being heedless of their steps, fell into a bog, which is called the Slough of Despond. This Slough represents the danger of

HELP " TAKING CHRISTIAN OUT OF THE SLOUGH.

those who fall by pride or vain confidence, and are discouraged. Christian happily worked through, though sadly mired ; but Pliable easily turned, got out the wrong way, and ran back to the City of Destruction, where even his old friends in wickedness laughed at him for being so easily frightened.

While Christian was struggling to get out of the mire, there came to him a man named Help, who inquired into his difficulties, lifted him out, and gave him goodly counsel. So Christian was put in the way again, and might, had he been wise, have kept there. But being a young traveller, he was turned aside by one Worldly Wiseman, who promised him that he should be saved by his own righteousness, instead of by taking the road which Evangelist taught.

This Mr. Worldly Wiseman dwelt in the town of Carnal Policy — a place not far from that from which Christian had set out on his journey. He knew something of Christian too, for his setting forth from the City of Destruction was much talked about. So at once he offered Christian advice; and the first thing he told him was, that he must get rid of the burden on his back. This Christian told him was the very thing he was anxious to do. It was for that purpose he was travelling in the road where Wiseman met him. This new friend at once declared that Evangelist was not a good adviser, and that he had directed Christian into the very worst road he could follow. He told the poor pilgrim that if he went on in that path, he would meet wearisomeness, painfulness, hunger, perils, nakedness, swords, lions, dragons, and in a word, death. These terrible things very much alarmed Christian, but still he declared that if he were once rid of his burden, he would not care what he met in the way.

Then Worldly Wiseman began to tell Christian his way to get rid of the burden, proniising that, instead of the dangers he would meet in the strait and narrow way, he should find safety, friendship, and content. "Now," said Worldly Wiseman, "in yonder village, which is called Morality, there dwells a gentleman, whose name is Legality." This gentleman, he said, had very great skill in relieving people of such burdens as Christian carried. "His house," said Worldly Wiseman, "is not quite a mile from this place ; and if he should not be at home himself, a pretty young man his son, whose name is Civility, can relieve you of your burden as well as the old gentleman himself. And Worldly Wiseman promised Christian, that beside being relieved of his burden, he should find houses ready to rent, and provisions cheap and good in the village of Morality, and live there in good credit and fashion.

Now Christian hearing so many fair reasons for turning aside, was tempted to ask the way to Legality's house. And when Worldly Wise- 2 man had directed him, Christian turned out of his way, as we have said, to go to this village of Morality. But when he had reached the hill, it seemed so high, and that side of it which was next the road, did hang so much over, that Christian was afraid to venture further, lest the hill should fall on his head. He stood still, and knew not what he should do. And his burden was a great deal heavier than when he was walking along the strait path. And such flashes of fire came out of the hill, that Christian began to fear he should be burnt. And I understood in my dream that this hill was Mount Sinai, and that Worldly Wiseman had moved Christian by the pride of his heart to think that he could demand his relief, instead of accepting it as an act of pardoning mercy.

Christian was indeed in a woful case, and could only stand and quake for fear. He was heartily sorry that he had taken Worldly Wiseman's advice, and disregarded good and safe counsel. He saw Evangelist coming toward him again, and blushed for shame. Evangelist came to him with a severe and dreadful countenance, and asked him how he came there, so quickly turned out of the way. Christian related what had taken place between him and Worldly Wiseman. And when Evangelist had heard, he told Christian of his danger : That he was a man running into misery, because he had turned from the way of peace. And Christian cried out, "Wo is me, for I am undone ! " But Evangelist comforted him w r ith the hope of forgiveness, and went on to tell him the bad character of his adviser. " Mr. Worldly Wiseman," said Evangelist, a is an alien, and Mr. Legality is a cheat, and for his son Civility, notwithstanding his simpering looks, he is but a hypocrite, and cannot help thee." After this, Evangelist called aloud to the heavens for the truth of what he had said; and there came words and fire out of the mountain over Christian's head, which made the hair of his flesh stand up. The words were: "As many 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."

Now Christian was fearfully alarmed — and looked for nothing but death. He began to cry out, and lamentably bewail the day that he hearkened to Worldly Wiseman — but unwilling to give up all hope, again addressed himself to Evangelist : " Is there any hope ? May I now go back, and go up to the Wicket Gate ? Shall I not be abandoned for this, and sent back from thence ashamed ? I am sorry that I have hearkened to this man's counsel : But may my sin be forgiven?" Then Evangelist said, " Thy sin is very great, for by it thou hast committed two evils : Thou hast forsaken the way that is good, to tread in forbidden paths ; yet will the Man at the Gate receive thee, for he has good will for men ;

only take heed that thou turn not aside again, lest thou perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little." Then did Christian address himself to go back ; and Evangelist after he had kissed him, gave him one smile, and bade him God speed.

THE GATE. — THE INTERPRETER,

So Christian went on with all haste, neither spake he to any man on the way, nor would he answer those who spake, for fear of new mishaps ; for he felt that he was on forbidden ground, and he would, by no means, think himself safe, until he was back where Worldly Wiseman had met him. He reached, at length, the gate, and over it found written : " Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." He knocked therefore until, at length, there came a grave person, named Good Will, to the gate, and asked " Who was there ? and whence he came ? and what he would have?" And Christian answered : " Here is a poor burthened sinner ; I come from the City of Destruction, but am going to Mount Zion, that I may be delivered

WICKET GATE.

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."

The other gladly admitted him, and kindly questioned him of his past adventures, and rejoiced with him on his escapes. He pointed out the straight and narrow way, and told Christian he must go in it. It was built up by Patriarchs, Prophets, Christ and his Apostles. It has no turnings nor windings, though many false roads crooked and wide set off from it ; and against these Christian was warned. And I saw in my dream that Christian wished Good Will to release him of the burden that was still upon his back ; but Good Will bade him carry it until he should reach the place of deliverance, and there it would fall off of itself.

So Christian toiled on, and came presently to the house of The Interpreter — for there Good Will told him to apply. And when he was questioned here, as to who he was, he answered as before, and added that he was directed to call there and be shown excellent things. Accordingly Interpreter welcomed him in, and showed him many wonderful and instructive things and pictures. And I saw in my dream that Interpreter took Christian by the hand, and led him into a little room, where sat two children, each 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 next year, but he will have all now ; but Patience is willing to wait.

Then I saw in my dream that one came to Passion, and brought him a bag of treasure, and poured it out at his feet. Passion gathered it up, and rejoiced therein, and laughed Patience to scorn ; but awhile I beheld Passion had lavished his treasure all away, and had nothing left him but rags. And Interpreter explained to Christian that Passion stood for the man of this world, and Patience for the man of that which is to come. Passion will have all now, that is to say in this world. The glory of the next world will never wear out, while the treasures of this are suddenly gone : and Patience will have the glory of his wisdom, when Passion shall find his only rags. Many other wonderful sights did Interpreter show Christian, and among them a man in an iron cage. He was sad, and sighed as if he would break his heart. And this man, when Christian asked him why he was so mournful, said that he had done despite to the spirit of grace, he had professed and called himself a Christian, and yet left off to watch and be sober, and having sinned against light, was now given over to despair. Christian was warned by some things he saw in the house of the Interpreter ; and cheered by others, being put both in hope and fear. The Interpreter at length let him depart, with the prayer that the Comforter should always be with him, to guard him in the way.

THE RELEASE.— THE HILL DIFFICULTY.

Christian went on his way, pondering on what he had seen in the house of the Interpreter. And I saw in my dream that the highway in which he was to go, was fenced on each side ; and the name of the wall was Salvation. Still with his burthen did Christian toil on the way, till at length he came to a place somewhat ascending. Upon that place stood a cross, and a little below the cross a sepulchre. Just as Christian came up with the cross, the burthen which had weighed so heavy upon him fell from his shoulders, and began to tumble, and so continued 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 he stood still awhile to look and wonder ; for it was very surprising to him that the sight of the cross should thus relieve him of his burthen. He looked, therefore, and looked again, until for joy and thankfulness tears ran down his cheeks. Now as he stood looking and weeping, behold three shining ones came to him, and saluted him with " Peace be to thee." And the first said to him, " Thy sins be forgiven thee." The second stripped him of his rags, and clothed him with a change of raiment. The third set a mark on his forehead, and gave him a roll with a seal upon it, which he bid him look at as he ran, and that he should give it at the Celestial Gate. Then Christian leaped for joy, and went on his way singing.

I saw then in my dream, that Christian went on thus singing, though alone, for the joy in his heart. Presently he came to a low place, where lay three men, with fetters on their heels. The name of the one was simple,

EVANGELIST GIVING THE KOLL.

another Sloth, and the third was named Presumption. Christian, desirous of awaking these men out of their danger, went up to them and cried out " You are like men that sleep on the top of a mast ; for the Dead Sea is under you, a gulf which hath no bottom : awake therefore, and come away ; be willing also, and I will help you off with your irons." He also said to them, If he that goeth about as a roaring lion comes by, you will certainly be a prey to his teeth. But Simple said, "I see no danger," Sloth said "Yet a little more sleep ! " and Presumption repaid his kind interference by declaring, " Every tub must stand upon its own bottom." So they lay down to sleep again, and Christian went on his way, since he could not arouse them.

Presently as he walked, two men came tumbling over the walk on the left-hand side, and their names were Formalist and Hypocrisy. Christian asked them whence they came, and whither they would go ; and they said, " We

30 THE PILGIRM'S PROGRESS.

were born in the land of Vain Glory, and are going for praise to Mount Zion."

Christian had some talk with them, about the irregular and improper mode by which they entered the way, and reminded them that it is written, "He that cometh not in by the door, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." But they would not be convinced, and reviled him that the coat on his back was, as they said, given him by some of his neighbours, to hide his nakedness. Christian answered that the coat was indeed given him by the Lord of the place whither he went, and that it was kindly given indeed, as they said, to cover his nakedness. He said that by this coat, the Lord of the Celestial City would know him ; and he told them also of the Roll which had been given him, and of the mark on his forehead. "All these things," said Christian, "I doubt you want, and want them because you came not in at the Gate."

The strangers made Christian no answer, but looked on each other and laughed. So all three went on to the foot of the Hill Difficulty, Christian holding no more converse with them, but communing with himself. Now when they came to the foot of the Hill, there were found there two other ways, which turned to the right and to the left — but the narrow way led straight up the Hill. At the foot there was a spring, at which Christian refreshed himself, and began ascending. But Formality and Hypocrisy thinking the side paths easier, turned into those ways. The name of the one road was Danger, and the other Destruction : he who turned into the first was led into a dark wood, and he who wandered in the second, stumbled and fell to rise no more.

I saw in my dream that Christian, in going up the hill, was compelled to slacken his pace ; from running he walked, and from walking stooped to his hands and knees, because of the steepness of the place. About mid-way up

6Z THE PILGRIMS PROGRESS.

the hill there was a pleasant arbor, made by the Lord of the hill for the refreshment of weary travellers. There Christian stopped to read in his parchment Roll, and rest, and resting, fell asleep ; and in his sleep the Roll fell out of his hand. But as he slept there came one to him who said : " Go to the ant, thou sluggard ; consider her ways and be wise." Christian suddenly started up at the warning, and hastened on his journey, nor did he stop again until he had reached the top of the hill. When he had gained the top, there awaited him a new terror. Two men came running towards him ; the name of one of them being Timorous, the other Mistrust. Christian questioned them why they should be running the wrong way ; and they answered that they were on their journey to Mount Zion, but the farther they went, the more danger they met. They had just seen a couple of lions in the path, whether asleep or awake they could not tell, and, fearing to be torn in pieces, had turned their backs on the Celestial City.

Christian was afraid; but whither should he flee ? If he returned to his own countryhe was sure to perish — if he could reach the Celestial City, he could there dwell in safety. So he determined to push forwards, though Mistrust and Timorous had run down the hill. Their fright had somewhat discouraged him ; and he felt in his bosom for the Roll, which had hitherto comforted him in every strait. It was not there !

In great distress, and bewailing the carelessness which had brought him into such a difficulty, he turned back — not like Timorous and Mistrust, to run away from danger, but to find again the Roll which had been his comfort. He remembered the Israelites, who, for their sin, were sent back to wander in the desert, and thought his case was like theirs. But, to i his great joy, when he had come again to the place where he had lost his treasure, he discovered it, and caught it up, and placed it in his bosom. 3

THE HOUSE BEAUTIFUL.

Who can tell how happy this man was, when he had secured his Koll again — for this: Koll was the assurance of his life and acceptance at the Gate of the Celestial City. With many thanks to God for directing his steps to the place where it lay, he betook himself with diligence to his journey. But the sun set upon Christian before he reached the top of the hill, and he began to be fearful on account of the lions ; for, he said to himself, Those beasts range at night for their prey, and il they come upon me in the dark, how shall ] avoid them ? How shall I escape being torr in pieces ? While he thus bewailed his un ( happy miscarriage, he lifted up his eyes, anclj behold there was a very stately palace befor< j him, the name of which was called Beautiful, and it stood just by the highwaj^ side.

So I saw in my dream that he made haste, and entered a narrow passage, which was about a furlong off from the Porter's Lodge. Looking narrowly before him, he saw the two lions which had frightened Timorous and Mistrust. He was afraid, and was sore tempted to turn and run as they had done ; but the Porter, whose name was Watchful, called to him, and 1 bade him not fear, for the lions were chained, 1 and placed there only to try his faith. And 1 Watchful told him to keep in the midst of the J path and no harm should come to him. So he did, though with fear and trembling; he ; heard the lions roar, but they did him no harm, and he reached the gate in safety. The Porter told him, in answer to his question, that the house was built by the Lord of the Hill for the relief and security of Pilgrims. Then the Porter asked, Whence he was ? and Whither he was going ?

Christian answered, "I am come from the city of Destruction, and am going to Mount Zion ; but because the sun is now set, I desire if I may lodge here to-night. My name is now Christian, but my name at the first was Graceless. And he furthermore acknowledged to Watchful, the reason why he was belated ; that he had slept and dropped his Roll, and lost time in recovering it. Then Watchful, according to the custom of the place, rang a bell, and summoned a maiden named Discretion, and she, after hearing his tale, smiled upon him, while tears stood in her eyes. Then she called out three others of the family of the Beautiful House, whose names were Prudence, Piety, and Charity. And they and many more welcomed him in, and said, " Come in, thou blessed of the Lord ; this house was i built by the Lord of the Hill, on purpose to entertain such Pilgrims in." And while supper was made ready, they passed the time in discourse upon the dangers which Christian had passed, and the things which he had seen, and the reason why he desired to go to Mount Zion. Christian said, ""There I hope to see him alive that did hang dead on the Cross ; there I hope to be rid of all those things that to this day are in me, an annoyance to me ; there they say is no death, and there I shall dwell, with such company as I like best. For, to tell you truth, I love Him, because I was by Him eased of my burden. And I am weary of my inward sickness ; I would fain be where I shall die no more, and with the company that shall continually cry, Holy, Holy, Holy ! " Christian talked also weeping of his wife and children, who being afraid to lose this world, and given also to its foolish delights, suffered him to go on pilgrimage alone. At supper their talk was of the Lord of the Hill, and what He had done. And when they had thus conversed till late, they betook themselves to rest ; and the chamber in which Christian rested was called Peace.