The Pilgrim's Progress E-Book

Bunyan John

• Herausgeber: Crossway
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2009

Seitenzahl: 356

Beschreibung

Thirty all-new, full-page, color illustrations and edited text for ease of reading make this the edition of John Bunyan's classic allegorical tale to own and to give. For more than three centuries both Christians and non-Christians, young and old, have been fascinated by the characters and story of John Bunyan's The Pilgrim's Progress: From This World to That Which Is to Come-regarded as one of the most significant works of English literature. While keeping the dignity and beauty of Bunyan's language, editor C. J. Lovik has updated words and phrases for today's readers. This deluxe edition of Pilgrim's Progress, brought to life in forty all-new, full-page, color illustrations by award-winning illustrator Mike Wimmer, takes readers on a visually stunning journey with protagonist Christian as he seeks the Celestial City. Along the way, readers encounter Evangelist, Mr. Worldly Wisdom, the Interpreter, Hypocrisy, Watchful, Faithful, Talkative, Hopeful, Ignorance, and others. Through word and picture, readers will better understand the obstacles and encouragements they will face as they live out the Christian life this side of heaven.

Leseprobe

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

From This World to That Which Is to Come

JOHN BUNYAN

C. J. Lovik, editor

Illustrated by Mike Wimmer

The Pilgrim’s Progress

Updated text copyright © 2009 by C. J. Lovik

Illustrations copyright © 2009 by C. J. Lovik

Published by Crossway Books a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers 1300 Crescent Street Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law.

Cover design: Josh Dennis

Cover and interior illustrations: Mike Wimmer

First printing, 2009

Printed in the United States of America

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4335-0699-4

PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-0700-7

Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-0701-4

ePub ISBN: 978-1-4335-1880-5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Bunyan, John, 1628–1688.The pilgrim’s progress : from this world to that which is to come / John Bunyan ; updated by C.J. Lovik ; illustrated by Michael Wimmer. — (Updated version).p.  cm.Includes bibliographical references.ISBN-13: 978-1-4335-0699-4 (hc)1. Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages—Fiction. 2. Christian life—Fiction.I. Lovik, Craig John, 1946–      . II. Title.PR3330.A2L68     2009 823'.4—dc22                 2009004765

LB      19   18   17   16   15   14   13   12   11   10   09 15   14   13   12   11   10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1

CONTENTS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PUBLISHER’S FOREWORD

EDIT’S NTRODUCTION by C. J. Lovik

Chapter One

PILGRIM’S GREAT DISTRESS

Chapter Two

THE WAY OF THE WORLD OR THE NARROW WAY

Chapter Three

A BURDEN LIFTED AND A JOURNEY BEGUN

Chapter Four

A FIERCE BATTLE AND A DARK VALLEY

Chapter Five

A FAITHFUL FRIEND

Chapter Six

A FAITH BEYOND WORDS

Chapter Seven

ON TRIAL FOR THE GOSPEL

Chapter Eight

CONFRONTING WORLDLY ATTACHMENTS

Chapter Nine

REFRESHMENT AT GOD’S RIVER

Chapter Ten

PRISONERS OF DESPAIR

Chapter Eleven

SHEPHERDS’ WARNINGS, DANGERS AVOIDED

Chapter Twelve

FAITH UNDER ATTACK

Chapter Thirteen

FLATTERING ENEMIES AND RENEWED TRUST

Chapter Fourteen

STUBBORN IGNORANCE

Chapter Fifteen

HOME IN THE CELESTIAL CITY

THE CONCLUSION

EDITOR’S NOTES

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

1. Christian looks for a way of escape outside the City of Destruction.

2. Evangelist points Christian to the sheep gate.

3. Help rescues Christian from the Swamp of Despond.

4. Mr. Worldly-Wiseman directs Christian out of the way.

5. Christian is terrified under Mount Sinai.

6. Christian knocks on the sheep gate.

7. A brave pilgrim battles his way into the Celestial City.

8. Christian’s burden comes loose at the cross.

9. Formalist and Hypocrisy trespass over the Wall of Salvation.

10. Christian begins his journey up the Hill Difficulty.

11. Christian sleeps in the arbor on the Hill Difficulty.

12. Christian is terrified by the lions.

13. Christian is greeted outside the House Beautiful.

14. Christian is entertained at the House Beautiful.

15. Christian examines the records contained in the House Beautiful.

16. Christian views Immanuel’s Land from the House Beautiful.

17. Christian battles Apollyon.

18. Christian walks through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

19. Evangelist, Christian, and Faithful approach Vanity Fair.

20. Christian and Faithful enter Vanity Fair.

21. Faithful is on trial in Vanity Fair.

22. Faithful departs to the Celestial City.

23. Christian and Hopeful escape Vanity Fair.

24. Demas invites Christian and Hopeful into the silver mines.

25. Giant Despair captures Christian and Hopeful.

26. Giant Despair harasses Christian and Hopeful.

27. Shepherds comfort Christian and Hopeful.

28. Christian and Hopeful gaze at the Celestial City.

29. Christian and Hopeful cross over the River of Death.

30. Ignorance is deposited in Hell.

PUBLISHER’S FOREWORD

THE BUNYAN LEGACY

xcept for the Bible itself, The Pilgrim’s Progress is widely recognized as the most influential, beloved, and widely distributed book in the English language. First published in 1678, it became instantly popular throughout English culture, irrespective of education, economic status, or social class. It is widely regarded as a work of genius, though the author, John Bunyan (1628–1688), had only a limited, grade-school education and made his living at the tinker’s trade, going from house to house repairing pots and pans.

Bunyan’s achievement is all the more remarkable, given the fact that he was the object of extended religious persecution as a result of his call to preaching. From 1655 to 1660, Bunyan preached regularly at the local Bedford Baptist congregation and in the surrounding towns. But because he had not been licensed to preach by the established Church of England, he was imprisoned in the primitive conditions of the Bedford Jail beginning in early 1661, where he languished for the next twelve years. It is during this period, however, that Bunyan most likely wrote the original draft of The Pilgrim’s Progress, with a copy of the Bible providing his only reference material.

Written in the form of a highly imaginative allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress tells the unforgettable story of Christian and the extreme, soul-threatening dangers he encounters on his journey to the Celestial City. But it is also much more than an allegory; in a sense, it is both the personal story of Bunyan and the universal story of anyone who undertakes the same eternal pilgrimage. The result is a masterpiece of literature as well as spiritual truth—a book that at one time was loved and read in nearly every home in England and North America, a book that has endured as a classic for more than three centuries.

ABOUT THIS EDITION

The purpose in publishing this edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress is to carry forward this treasured legacy for a new generation. With this as the objective, the text of this edition has only been lightly edited. Thus the intention of both the editor and the publisher has only been to update highly archaic words and awkward sentence structure, while retaining the beauty and brilliance of the original story. Likewise, the intention of this edition has never been to simplify or to change Bunyan’s original story, but to let the story unfold with all the power, truth, and remarkable creativity of the original. It is our hope and prayer, then, that the following pages will fascinate and captivate the hearts and minds of this generation today, as was the case when The Pilgrim’s Progress was first published more than three centuries ago.

It should be noted further that this new edition has become a reality only through the vision of the editor, C. J. Lovik. As the publisher of this edition we are deeply grateful to Mr. Lovik—for his lifelong love, from the age of nine, for John Bunyan and The Pilgrim’s Progress; for his literary skill and great care in editing the text; and for his painstaking labor of love in doing the editorial work over more than a decade. It is indeed a privilege to be entrusted with the publication of The Pilgrim’s Progress, which we seek to carry out in a manner worthy of Bunyan’s legacy.

Lastly, it is important to note the new art that was created specifically for this edition—the thirty, full-color, original paintings by the highly acclaimed artist, Mike Wimmer, which appear throughout the following pages. There is a sense in which these new paintings also carry forward the Bunyan legacy, in that many of the earliest editions of The Pilgrim’s Progress also included original, engraved illustrations. As was the case more than three hundred years ago, these new illustrations—beautifully rendered in exquisite detail and faithfulness to the story—will delight a new generation of children and adults and will powerfully reinforce the timeless truths of Bunyan’s original story.

It is with much appreciation, then—first to Bunyan for his timeless allegory of eternal realities and then to all those who have had a part in carrying forward the extraordinary Bunyan legacy—that we, as the publisher, commend this new edition of The Pilgrim’s Progress, for the eternal benefit of all who read this work and for the glory of God alone.

Lane T. Dennis, Ph.D.President and Publisher, Crossway

EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION

by C. J. Lovik

he writings of John Bunyan have been an immeasurable gift to generations of English-speaking Christians. His most famous work, Pilgrim’s Progress, has provided rich nutrients to the soil out of which practical Christianity has flourished and borne much fruit. Bunyan was the supreme Bible teacher for “everyman.” To use an old illustration, it was Bunyan who placed the grain down on the barn floor where the little lambs could reach it, feast, and thrive.

There was nothing elitist or sophisticated about Bunyan, but there was something uniquely profound. Bunyan understood and expounded the timeless eternal truths of Holy Scripture—the miracle of redemptive grace and the battle every pilgrim must wage before he arrives at the Celestial City. And he did it in a way that even the simplest child could understand.

Since the age of nine years old, my appreciation and love for the works of Bunyan, especially Pilgrim’s Progress, has grown and deepened. There was a time when I rarely heard a sermon in which some incident from Pilgrim’s Progress was not used to illustrate a biblical truth. Many of those illustrations have guided me through my own pilgrimage. But, sadly, what was such a great benefit to me is enjoyed by only a relative few today.

In my late twenties I began teaching a class called “Pictures from Pilgrim’s Progress ,” a title borrowed from Charles Spurgeon. In those days, three or four decades ago, I did not need to ask for a show of hands from those who had read Pilgrim’s Progress, as all were familiar with the book. Even the unchurched were familiar with Pilgrim’s Progress, as it was on the required reading list for every public high school student. Today things are much different, and you would be hard-pressed to find one in twenty Christians who have read Pilgrim’s Progress. For those who are under thirty, the ratio would be even higher. And among those who were familiar with the book, it would typically not be the original text they had read but a children’s paraphrase.

Many skilled authors have attempted to bring Pilgrim’s Progress to modern English readers. I applaud their efforts and respect the desire to reclaim the lost readership this book once enjoyed. But it occurred to me, after reading many of these attempts, that something very important had been lost in the translation. In short, many of the truths that Bunyan so skillfully and artfully proposed had been dulled or skipped over in an attempt to keep the modern reader’s interest. In addition much of the antiquity of the work had been lost, and with it was lost the voice and tenor of Bunyan himself.

For anyone who wishes to “update” the original text of Pilgrim’s Progress , the challenge is indeed great. The English language has changed significantly in the last three hundred and fifty years. Scores of metaphors and sayings that were in common use and understood by all in the seventeenth century are now antiquated or obscure, creating a major obstacle for the modern reader. But in addition to this, the modern English reader often considers Bunyan’s literary form of allegory to be antiquated and inconsequential, thereby missing the vibrant truths that are so richly illustrated in Bunyan’s allegory.

The challenge of updating Bunyan’s classic—in a way that preserves the author’s voice and respects the antiquity of the work—was daunting and arduous. For nearly a year this was my constant focus—to prayerfully and carefully discern which stones on the path to leave untouched and which stones to adjust, however slight an adjustment may be necessary, to make the path passable once more (and glorious!) for the modern English reader. Likewise, my goal throughout has always been to respect the literary style of Bunyan and the truths he unfolded in his timeless narrative. The greatest compliment that I could receive after reading this updated edition of Pilgrim’s Progress is that the reader would be able to honestly say that he has really read and encountered Bunyan and his classic work.

It is my hope and prayer that Pilgrim’s Progress might once more be a blessing and inspiration to a new generation. Clearly Christians today are in great need of understanding, guidance, and encouragement. Thus it is my dream that in the pulpits of the English-speaking world Pilgrim’s Progress might once again come into prominence and popular understanding—and likewise in the hearts of individuals and the homes of families around the world. What a tremendous thing it would be if a whole generation were to rediscover the deep, eternal truths of Bunyan’s allegory—as an alternative and antidote to the lurid diet of Vanity Fair that is everywhere today in movies, videos, literature, and the Internet.

I have dedicated my efforts on this work to my gracious Lord and Savior, who is the author of all that is good and true. And having said this, I feel an obligation to add one more thing: As wonderful as Pilgrim’s Progress is, it is not the Bible, nor is it equal to the Bible in any way except as a brilliant commentary on the only Scriptures—the Old and New Testaments. Bunyan wanted his readers to understand that fact; and so, in his absence, I am compelled to pass this along to you—the Scriptures stand alone!

Finally, one cannot read much of Bunyan without coming into contact with his poems and rhymes. When Bunyan’s character Christian lost his burden at the foot of the cross, Bunyan exuberantly voiced the unimaginable joy of the event in a poem. This has inspired me to do the same. And so I offer my own poem to you, the reader, in hopes that it might be enjoyed by you and pleasing to my Lord.

The shadow of a wooden cross A rising Son displayed. In that place and on that day An ancient debt was paid.

Prophetic Word merged with flesh, With love bound to a tree. There justice met with mercy For all the world to see.

Divine the name of Him who hangs With emblem wounds of glory, Page of light that turned the night Into a different story.

Joy was mixed with agony That day upon the tree. Reflecting on the Book of Life My Savior thought of me.

Love deep and wide and full and free, Love priceless and apart, Love stained with crimson hues and tears Has entered human hearts.

Look up, dear soul, and fix blind eyes Upon the Savior’s tree And you will find as others have, He makes the sightless see.

An unexpected resting place Was found beneath that tree, Where all my burdens came undone And I found liberty.

Now, as you immerse yourself in the following pages, may Bunyan’s timeless story come alive for you in all its rich allegorical power and beauty.

Christian looks for a way of escape outside the City of Destruction.

Chapter One

PILGRIM’S GREAT DISTRESS

s I walked through the wilderness of this world, I came to a certain place where there was a cave;1 and I lay down in that place to sleep. As I slept, I dreamed a dream, and in this dream I saw a man clothed in rags,2 standing in a place with his face turned away from his own house. He had a book in his hand and a heavy burden upon his back.a

I looked and saw him open the book and begin to read; and as he read, he wept and trembled. Not being able to contain himself, he cried out in a loud voice, “What shall I do?”b3

In this condition he went home and tried to keep to himself for as long as he could, so that his wife and children would not see him in distress. But after a short time his anguish had increased so much that he could not remain silent. So he began to share with his wife and children what was on his troubled mind; and this is what he told them:

“Dear wife and children, I am greatly troubled by this burden that torments me and grows and weighs so heavily upon me. Moreover, I have received information that the city in which we live will be burned with fire from Heaven.4 When this happens, all of us will be destroyed, unless (by a way I do not as yet see) some way of escape can be found, so that we may be delivered.”

Hearing this, his family was greatly amazed, not because they believed what he said to them was true, but because they thought that he was losing his mind. So as the evening approached, hoping that sleep might settle his mind, they quickly put him to bed.

But the night was as troublesome to him as the day. Instead of sleeping, he spent the night in sighs and tears. So when morning came, his family came to find out how he was doing. “Worse and worse,” he told them. He started speaking to them again about his fears and concerns, but they became cold toward him. They tried to change his outlook by treating him rudely. Sometimes they would deride, sometimes they would chide, and other times they would just ignore him.5

So he began retiring to his private room to pray for them and to pity them, and also to try to find consolation for his own misery. He would often walk alone in the fields, sometimes reading and sometimes praying; and for a long time this is how he spent his days.6

Then one day I saw the man walking in the fields (which he often did), reading in his book, and greatly distressed in his mind. As he read, he burst out, as he had done before, crying, “What shall I do to be saved?”c7 I noticed that he looked this way and then that way, as if he would run; yet he stood still, because he could not decide which way to go. Just then I looked and saw someone named Evangelist coming toward him.8 Evangelist came up to the man and asked, “Why are you crying out?”

He answered, “Sir, I understand from reading the book in my hand that I am condemned to die and after that to come to judgment.d I am not willing to do the first,e nor able to do the second.”f

Evangelist points Christian to the sheep gate.

Then Evangelist asked, “Why are you not willing to die, since this life is attended with so many evils?”

The man answered, “Because I am afraid that this burden that is on my back will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall into Hell.g

“And, sir,” continued the man, “if I am not ready to die, then I am not prepared to go to judgment and from there to execution. Thinking about these things distresses me greatly.”

Then Evangelist said, “If this is your condition, why are you standing still?”

The man responded, “Because I do not know where to go.”

Then Evangelist gave him a parchment and unrolled it so that the man could read, “Flee from the wrath to come.”h9 When he had read it, the man looked at Evangelist very carefully and said, “Which way should I run?”10

Then Evangelist, pointing with his finger to a very wide field asked, “Do you see the distant narrow gate?”i11

“No,” the man replied.

Then Evangelist asked, “Do you see the distant shining light?”j

“I think I do,” the man answered.

Then Evangelist said, “Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly toward it, and soon you will see the narrow gate. And when you finally come to the gate, knock and you will be told what to do.”12

So I saw in my dream that the man began to run. He had not run very far from his home when his wife and children, realizing what was happening, cried after him to return.k But the man put his fingers in his ears and ran on crying, “Life! Life! Eternal life!” So without looking back, he fled toward the middle of the valley.

The neighbors also came out to see what was going on, and when they saw who it was that was running, some mocked him, others yelled out threats, and some cried after the man to return. Among those were two who decided to bring him back by force. The name of the one was Obstinate, and the name of the other was Pliable.13

Now by this time the man was a good distance away. But Obstinate and Pliable were determined to pursue him, which they did. Soon they caught up with him, and he asked them, “Why have you run after me?” The neighbors answered, “To persuade you to go back with us.”

“But that is not possible,” the man replied. “You live in the City of Destruction, the place where I was born; and I believe that if you stay in that city you will die sooner or later, and then you will sink lower than the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone. Please consider, good neighbors, coming along with me.”

“What!” said Obstinate. “And leave our friends and comforts behind us?”

“Yes,” said the fleeing man Christian (for that was his name), “because all that you leave behind is not worthy to be compared with even a little of what I am seeking to enjoy.l And if you will come along with me and not give up, we will both be blessed with treasure to spare, beyond anything we can imagine.m Come along with me and see if what I am telling you is not true.”

“What are you looking for?” Obstinate replied. “What is so valuable that you would turn your back on all the world to find it?”

“I am looking,” Christian explained, “for an ‘inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in Heaven.’n It is kept safe there to be given at the appointed time to those who diligently seek it.o You can read about it in my book.”

“Nonsense!” said Obstinate. “Away with your book. Will you come back with us or not?”

“No!” said Christian. “I have laid my hand to the plow and cannot look back. I have started this journey, and I must finish it.”p

“Come on, Pliable,” Obstinate urged his companion. “Let’s turn around and go home without him. There is a group of these mixed-up lunatics who get a crazy idea in their head and are wiser in their own eyes than seven men who can render a reason.”q

Then Pliable said, “Don’t be so harsh. If what the good Christian says is true, the things he is looking for are better than anything we have. I feel like I should go along with my neighbor.”

“What! More fools still?” Obstinate replied. “Do what I say, and go back. Who knows where this lunatic will lead you? Go back; go back and be wise.”

“Don’t listen to him,” Christian urged. “Come with me, Pliable. There are things to be gained such as I was telling you about, and many more glories besides. If you don’t believe me, read about it in this book; and as far as the trustworthiness of this book goes, it is all confirmed by the blood of Him who made it.”r “Well, neighbor Obstinate,” said Pliable, “I have come to a decision. I have decided to go along with Christian and to cast in my lot with him.” Pliable thought for a second and then turned to Christian and asked, “But do you know the way to the desired place?”

“I was given directions by a man whose name is Evangelist,” Christian said. “He told me to go as quickly as I could to the little gate that is just up ahead, and once there we will receive instructions about the way before us.”

“Come then, good neighbor,” Pliable replied. “Let’s be going.” Then they went on together.

“And I will go back to my home,” said Obstinate. “I will not be a companion of such misled fanatical fellows.”

Now I saw in my dream, after Obstinate returned to the City of Destruction, that Christian and Pliable began to talk as they walked together through the middle of the valley. Thus they began to converse.

“I am glad,” Christian said, “that you were persuaded to come along with me. I am surprised that Obstinate returned so quickly to the City of Destruction. I think if he had felt the power and terror of the unseen, as I have, he would have been persuaded to come along with us.”

“Come, neighbor Christian, since it is just the two of us, tell me more about the wonderful things that await us when we arrive at the place to which we are going.”

“I can better conceive of them with my mind,” Christian explained, “than talk about them. But since you are interested, I will read about them from my book.”

“And do you think that the words of your book are true?” Pliable asked.

“Yes, very sure, for the words were written by the One who cannot lie,” Christian replied.s

“Well said; please tell me about the things that await us.”14 “There is an endless Kingdom to be inhabited and everlasting life to be given to us so that we may live in that Kingdom forever,”Christian explained.t “Well said. What else?” Pliable asked.

“We will be given crowns of glory and clothing that will make us shine like the sun!”u

“This sounds very pleasant. What else?”

“There shall neither be crying nor sorrow, for He who is owner of the place will wipe all tears from our eyes.”v “And what company shall we have there?” Pliable asked.

“We will be with seraphim and cherubimw and creatures who will dazzle your eyes when you look at them. You will meet with thousands who have gone before us to that place. None of them are hurtful, but all of them are loving and holy, every one walking in the sight of God and standing in His presence with acceptance forever. In a word, there we will see the elders with their golden crowns.x There we will see the holy virgins with their golden harps. There we will see men who were cut in pieces by the world, burnt in flames, eaten by beasts, drowned in the seas, suffering all this and more for the love they have for the Lord of the place.y Everyone in that place is clothed with immortality, as with a robe.”

“Hearing about this is enough to excite my heart,” Pliable replied. “But are these things to be enjoyed by anyone? What do we have to do to share in all these things?”

“The Lord,” Christian replied, “the governor of the country, has recorded in this book that if we are truly willing to have it, He will give it to us freely.”z

“Well, my good companion, I am glad to hear about these things. Come, let’s hasten our pace,” Pliable replied.

“I cannot go as fast as I would like because of this burden that is on my back.”

Now I saw in my dream, just as they had finished talking, that they came near to a very miry swamp that was in the middle of the valley. Then suddenly both Christian and Pliable, who were not paying attention to where they were walking, fell into the swamp. The name of the swamp was Despond. They wallowed there until they were both completely covered with mud. Christian, weighed down by the burden on his back, began to sink.

Then Pliable said, “Ah, neighbor Christian, where are you now?”

“Honestly,” said Christian, “I don’t know.”

Christian’s answer offended Pliable, who angrily said to Christian, “Is this the happiness you have been telling me about all the time we have been together? If we have this much difficulty at the beginning of our journey, what may we expect between now and the end of our journey? If I get out of this swamp alive, you can have the brave country that you’re so fond of talking about without me.” And with that he gave a desperate struggle or two and got out of the mire on the side of the swamp that was nearest to the City of Destruction. So away he went, and Christian never saw him again.15

Help rescues Christian from the Swamp of Despond.

Christian was left to struggle in the Swamp of Despond alone. In spite of the difficulty, Christian still tried to get to the side of the swamp that was the furthest from the City of Destruction and nearest the narrow gate. He finally reached the edge of the swamp, but he could not, no matter how hard he tried, lift himself out of the swamp because of the heavy burden that was on his back.16 Just then I saw in my dream that a man whose name was Help came to him and asked, “What are you doing here?”

“Sir,” said Christian, “I was told to go this way by a man called Evangelist, who directed me also to the narrow gate so that I would escape the wrath to come. And as I was going there, I fell in here.”

“But why didn’t you look for the steps?” Help asked.17

“I was so frightened that I stepped the wrong way and fell into the swamp.”

Then Help said, “Give me your hand.” So Christian gave him his hand, and he pulled him out,aa set him on solid ground, and told him to go on his way.

Going over to the man who had pulled him out of the swamp, Christian asked, “Sir, since this swamp is right between the City of Destruction and the narrow gate, why hasn’t someone filled this swamp so that travelers could walk over it safely?”

“This miry swamp,” Help replied, “cannot be filled or repaired. It is the low spot where collects all the scum and filth that goes along with conviction for sin, and that is why it is called the Swamp of Despond. When a sinner is awakened to his lost condition, then doubts, fears, and discouraging apprehensions swell up in his soul, along with other miseries, which all get together and settle in this swamp. And that is why the ground is so bad in this place.

“It is not the pleasure of the King that this place should remain so bad.ab His laborers, at the direction of his Majesty’s surveyors, have been trying to repair it for sixteen hundred years. To the best of my knowledge, this place has swallowed up twenty thousand wheelbarrows of wholesome instruction brought from all corners of the King’s dominion. But even after all the best material for mending this swamp has been applied, it still remains the Swamp of Despond. There are, by the direction of the Lawgiver, good solid steps placed through the middle of the swamp, but the poor weather and filth that spews from the swamp make them hard to see. Even when the weather is good and the steps plainly seen, some men are so confused and mixed-up that they miss the steps and end up in the swamp. One thing you can be sure of, though—once you go through the narrow gate, the ground is good.”ac

a Isaiah 64:6; Luke 14:33; Psalm 38; Habakkuk 2:2.

b Acts 2:36–37.

c Acts 16:31–32.

d Hebrews 9:27.

e Job 16:21–22.

f Ezekiel 22:14.

g Isaiah 30:33.

h Matthew 3:7.

i Matthew 7:13–14.

j Psalm 119:105; 2 Peter 1:19.

k Luke 14:26.

l 2 Corinthians 4:18.

m Luke 15:17.

n 1 Peter 1:4.

o Hebrews 11:16.

p Luke 9:62.

q Proverbs 26:16.

r Hebrews 13:20–21; also Hebrews 9:17–21.

s Titus 1:2.

t Isaiah 65:17.

u John 10:27–29; 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 3:4; Matthew 13:43.

v Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17; 21:4.

w Isaiah 6:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17; Revelation 5:11.

x Revelation 4:4; 14:1–5.

y John 12:25; 2 Corinthians 5:2–4.

z Isaiah 55:1–2, 12; John 6:37; Revelation 21:6; 22:17.

ab Isaiah 35:3–4.

ac 2 Samuel 7:23.

Chapter Two

THE WAY OF THE WORLD OR THE NARROW WAY

ow I saw in my dream that by this time Pliable had returned to his home. Upon his arrival his neighbors came to visit him. Some of his neighbors called him a wise man for coming back. Some called him a fool for starting such a hazardous journey with Christian in the first place. Others mocked Pliable for his cowardliness, saying, “If we had begun such a journey, we would not have abandoned it because of a few difficulties.” Embarrassed and pouting, Pliable hid himself for a time. But at last he got a little of his confidence back and joined in with the others in deriding poor Christian behind his back.

Now as Christian was walking by himself, he spied someone faroff, crossing over the field to meet him. When their paths crossed, the gentleman who met up with Christian introduced himself as Mr. Worldly-Wiseman. He lived in the town of Carnal Policy, a very great town that was near the place from which Christian had come.1

Mr. Worldly-Wiseman immediately suspected that Christian was the person who had set out from the City of Destruction, since news of his departure had spread as far as the cities and towns surrounding Christian’s former home. As Mr. Worldly-Wiseman viewed Christian’s disheveled appearance and heard his sighs and groans, he was convinced that this was the rumored man and began to talk to him.2

“Where are you going?” Mr. Worldly-Wiseman asked. “How did you get yourself into such bad shape, and what are you doing with this great burden on your back?”

“Indeed,” Christian replied, “a burden heavy as any creature ever had! And since you ask me, ‘Where are you going?’ I will tell you, sir. I am going to the small sheep gate that lies ahead, for I am informed that there will I enter into a way where I will soon get rid of my heavy burden.”

“Do you have a wife and children?” Worldly-Wiseman asked.

“Yes, but I am so oppressed by this burden that I cannot take pleasure in my family as I used to. I now feel as if I am a man who has no family.”a

“Will you listen to me if I give you counsel?”

“If it is good I will, for I stand in need of good counsel,” Christian replied.

“I advise you to quickly get rid of your burden,” WorldlyWiseman explained, “for you will never be settled in your mind until then, nor will you enjoy the benefits of the blessings that God has given you.”3

“That is what I am seeking,” said Christian. “I want nothing more than to be rid of this heavy burden. But I cannot free myself from it, nor is there any man in our country who can take it off my shoulders. That is why I am going toward the small gate ahead, as I told you, so that I may be rid of my burden.”

“Who told you to go this way to be rid of your burden?”

Christian answered, “He was a man who appeared to be very honorable and great. His name, as I recall, was Evangelist.”

“Shame on him for such counsel!” Worldly-Wiseman protested. “There is not a more dangerous and troublesome way in the world than the way he has directed you. Look at the difficulty you have experienced already. I can see that you are already covered in dirt from the Swamp of Despond. Listen to me: that swamp is only the beginning of the sorrows and troubles you will find if you follow that way. Hear what I have to say since I am older than you: if you continue on the way that Evangelist has directed, your journey will be attended by weariness, pain, hunger, perils, nakedness, sword, lions, dragons, darkness, and, in a word, death! The truth of what I am telling you has been confirmed by many testimonies. Why should a man so carelessly cast himself into such peril by giving heed to a stranger?”

“Why, sir,” Christian said, “this burden upon my back is more terrible to me than all the things that you have mentioned. I do not care what I meet with on the way, as long as I can also meet with deliverance from my burden.”

“How did you come to bear this burden in the first place?”

Worldly-Wiseman asked.

“By reading this book in my hand.”

“I thought so,” Worldly-Wiseman stated softly. “What has happened to you has also happened to other weak men who meddle with things too high for them. You see,” said the old gentleman, “you have suddenly been distracted from the important things that matter most to men. You have lost your proper focus on life, and the distractions that now command your attention will cause you to do desperate things in order to obtain something you do not even understand.”4

“I know that I wish to obtain ease from my heavy burden.”

Worldly-Wiseman went on, “But why do you seek ease from your burden in a way that is surrounded by so many dangers? If you only had the patience to hear me, I could direct you to a place where you could obtain your desire without the dangers you are now headed for. Listen to me, and I will show you a safe remedy. Furthermore, be assured that instead of those dangers, you will meet with much safety, friendship, and contentment.”5

Mr. Worldly-Wiseman directs Christian out of the way.

“Sir, I beg you, share this secret with me,” Christian implored.

Worldly-Wiseman told him, “You will find the relief you seek in a nearby village called Morality. In that village resides a gentleman whose name is Legality, a judicious man of very good reputation. He has the skill to help rid men of burdens like the one you have on your shoulders. To my knowledge, he has done a great deal of good in this way. He also has the skill to cure those who have become mentally unbalanced because of their burdens.6

“My advice is to go to him immediately so that you can be helped. His house is not quite a mile from here, and if he is not at home, then you will be helped by his son, whose name is Civility.

“Follow my instructions, and you will be eased of your burden. Rest assured that if you decide not to go back to the City of Destruction, you can send for your wife and children so that they may live with you in the village of Morality. There are many empty houses in the village, and I am sure you can live in one of them for a reasonable rate. Daily necessities are also cheap and good there, as are all the things you need to live a happier life, including honest neighbors, good credit, and fashionable surroundings. All these good things are waiting for you there.”

Now Christian was rather taken aback by everything that Mr. Worldly-Wiseman told him. But he presently concluded that if what the old gentleman said was true, then his wisest course was to take his advice. After reflecting on the matter for a moment, Christian spoke up.

“Sir, which way do I go to this honest Mr. Legality’s house?” Christian inquired.

“Do you see the hill in the distance?”

Christian answered, “Yes, very well.”

“Go around that hill, and the first house you come to is his.”

So Christian left his path to go to Mr. Legality’s house for help. As Christian neared the hill, he was struck by how high and foreboding the hill appeared. One side of the hill hung precariously over the path that wound its way around it, and Christian feared that the overhanging hill would fall on him.

Filled with fear, Christian stopped his journey and stood still, wondering what he should do. His burden also now seemed heavier to him than it was just moments before he had taken this detour off the path that Evangelist had instructed him to follow.

Flashes of fire came out of the hill, and Christian was afraid that he would be burned.b Christian began to sweat and quake with fear.c7 He was sorry that he had taken Mr. Worldly-Wiseman’s counsel. It was when he was thus filled with regret that he saw Evangelist coming to meet him. At the sight of him, Christian began to blush in shame.

Evangelist drew nearer and nearer to Christian, and looking at him with a severe and dreadful countenance, he began reasoning with Christian.

“What are you doing here, Christian?” he asked.

Hearing these words, Christian did not know how to answer and stood speechless before him.

Then Evangelist inquired further, “Aren’t you the man whom I found crying outside the walls of the City of Destruction?”

“Yes, sir, I am the man,” Christian answered.

Evangelist asked, “Didn’t I direct you to the way that leads to the small sheep gate?”

“Yes, sir,” said Christian.

“How is it, then, that you have so quickly turned aside? For you are no longer following the way I showed you.”

Christian explained, “After I had gone over the Swamp of Despond, I met a gentleman who persuaded me that I might find relief from my burden from a certain man in the village that lies ahead.”

“Who was he?”8

Christian went on, “He looked like a gentleman and talked much to me and got me at last to yield. So I came here, but when I saw this hill and how it hangs over the path, I suddenly stopped my journey, fearing this mountain would fall on my head.”

Christian is terrified under Mount Sinai.

“What did this gentleman say to you?” Evangelist asked.

“Why, he asked me where I was going, so I told him.”

“And what did he say then?” Evangelist inquired further.