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PART I.
THE TENTH STAGE.-- continued.
Talk of Christian and Hopeful - Temporary - the backslider - the land
of Beulah - Christian and Hopeful pass the River - welcome to the Celestial city
- and Conclusion of Part First
Right Fear
o I saw in my dream that they
went on apace before, and IGNORANCE he came hobbling after. Then said CHRISTIAN to
his companion, "It pities me much for this poor man; it will certainly go ill
with him at last."
Hope. Alas, there
are abundance in our town in his condition: whole families, yea, whole streets (and
that of pilgrims too); and if there be so many in our parts, how many, think you,
must there be in the place where he was born?
Chr. Indeed the
Word saith, "He hath blinded their eyes, lest they should see," etc. But
now we are by ourselves, what do you think of such men? Have they at no time, think
you, convictions of sin; and so, consequently, fears that their state is dangerous?
Hope. Nay, do
you answer that question yourself; for you are the elder man.
Chr. Then I say
sometimes (as I think) they may; but they, being naturally ignorant, understand not
that such convictions tend to their good; and therefore they do desperately seek
to stifle them, and presumptuously continue to flatter themselves in the way of their
own hearts.
Hope. I do believe
as you say, that fear tends much to men's good, and to make them right, at their
beginning, to go on pilgrimage.
Chr. Without all
doubt it doth, if it be right; for so says the Word, "The fear of the Lord is
the beginning of wisdom.''
Hope. How will
you describe right fear?
Chr. True, or
right fear, is discovered by three things:
Hope. Well said;
I believe you have said the truth. Are we now almost got past the Enchanted Ground?
Chr. Why, are
you weary of this discourse?
Hope. No, verily;
but that I would know where we are.
Chr. We have not
now above two miles farther to go thereon. But let us return to our matter. Now the
ignorant know not that such convictions that tend to put them in fear are for their
good; and therefore they seek to stifle them.
Hope. How do they
seek to stifle them?
Hope. I know something
of this myself; for before I knew myself, it was so with me.
Backsliding
Chr. 
ell, we will leave
at this time our neighbour IGNORANCE by himself, and fall upon another profitable
question.
Hope. With all
my heart; but you shall still begin.
Chr. Well then,
did you not know, about ten years ago, one TEMPORARY in your parts, who was a forward
man in religion then?
Hope. Know him?
Yes; he dwelt in Graceless, a town about two miles off to Honesty, and he dwelt next
door to one TURNBACK
Chr. Right; he
dwelt under the same roof with him. Well, that man was much awakened once. I believe
that then he had some sight of his sins, and of the wages that was due thereto.
Hope. I am of
your mind; for (my house not being above three miles from him) he would oft times
come to me, and that with many tears. Truly, I pitied the man, and was not altogether
without hope of him; but one may see it is not everyone that cries, "Lord, Lord
!"
Chr. He told me
once, that he was resolved to go on pilgrimage, as we do now; but all of a sudden
he grew acquainted with one SAVE-SELF, and then he became a stranger to me.
Hope. Now, since
we are talking about him, let us a little inquire into the reason of the sudden backsliding
of him and such others.
Chr. I may be
very profitable; but do you begin.
Hope. Well, then,
there are in my judgment four reasons for it.
1. Though the consciences of such men are awakened, yet their minds are not changed; therefore, when the power of guilt wears away, that which provoked them to be religious ceaseth. Wherefore, they naturally turn to their own course again; even as we see the dog that is sick of what he hath eaten, so long as his sickness prevails, he vomits and casts up all; not that he doth this of a free mind (if we may say a dog has a mind), but because it troubles his stomach.; but now, when his sickness is over, and so his stomach eased, his desires being not at all alienate from his vomit, he turns him about and licks up all. And so it is true which is written, "The dog is turned to his own vomit again".
This, I say, being hot for heaven, by virtue only of the sense and fear of the torments of hell, as their sense of hell and the fear of damnation chills and cools,--so their desires for heaven and salvation cool also. So then it comes to pass, that when their guilt and fear are gone, their desires for heaven and happiness die and they return to their course again.
2. Another reason is, they have slavish fears that do overmaster them. I speak now of the fears that they have of men: "For the fear of man brings a snare".
So then, though they seem to be hot for heaven so long as the flames of hell are about their ears, yet when that terror is a little over, they betake themselves to second thoughts; namely, that 'tis good to be wise, and not to run (for they know not what) the hazard of losing all, or at least of bringing themselves into unavoidable and unnecessary troubles: and so they fall in with the world again.
3. The shame that attends religion lies also as a block in their way. They are proud and haughty, and religion in their eye is low and contemptible; therefore, when they have lost their sense of hell and wrath to come, they return again to their former course.
4. Guilt and to meditate terror are grievous to them; they like not to see their misery before they come into it. Though perhaps the sight of it first, if they loved that sight, might make them fly whither the righteous fly and are safe: but because they do, as I hinted before, even shun the thoughts of guilt and terror; therefore, when once they are rid of their awakenings about the terrors and wrath of God, they harden their hearts gladly, and choose such ways as will harden them more and more.
Chr. You are pretty
near the business; for the bottom of all is, for want of a change in their mind and
will. And therefore they are but like the felon that stands before the judge: he
quakes and trembles, and seems to repent most heartily. But the bottom of all is,
the fear of the halter, not of any detestation of the offence; as is evident, because,
let but this man have his liberty, and he will be a thief, and so a rogue still;
whereas if his mind was changed he would be otherwise.
Hope. Now I have
showed you the reasons of their going back, do you show me the manner thereof.
Chr. So I will
willingly:
The Country of Beulah
ow I saw in my dream, that,
by this time, the pilgrims were got over the Enchanted Ground, and entering in the
country of Beulah,
whose air was very sweet and pleasant; the way lying directly through it, they solaced
themselves there for a season. Yea, here they heard continually the singing of birds
and saw every day the flowers appear in the earth, and heard the voice of the turtle
in the land.
In this country the sun shines night and day: wherefore this was beyond the Valley
of the Shadow of Death; and also out of the reach of Giant Despair; neither could
they from this place so much as see Doubting Castle. Here they were within sight
of the City they were going to, also here met them some of the inhabitants thereof;
for in this land the Shining Ones commonly walked, because it was upon the borders
of heaven. In this land also the contract between the Bride and the Bridegroom was
renewed; yea, here, "as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so did their
God rejoice over them." Here they had no want of corn and wine; for in this
place they met with abundance of what they had sought for in all the pilgrimage.
Here they heard voices from out of the City, loud voices, saying, "Say ye to
the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him."
Here all the inhabitants of the country called them "The holy people; the redeemed
of the Lord;" "Sought out," etc.
Now, as they walked in this land, they had more rejoicing than in parts more remote
from the Kingdom to which they were bound; and drawing near to the City, they had
yet a more perfect view thereof. It was builded of pearls and precious stones, also
the street thereof was paved with gold; so that, by reason of the natural glory of
the City, and the reflection of the sunbeams upon it, CHRISTIAN, with desire, fell
sick; HOPEFUL also had a fit or two of the same disease; wherefore, here they lay
by it awhile, crying out, because of their pangs, "If you see my Beloved, tell
him that I am sick of love."
But being a little strengthened, and better able to bear their sickness, they walked
on their way, and came yet nearer and nearer; where were orchards, vineyards, and
gardens, and their gates opened into the highway. Now, as they came up to these places,
behold the gardener stood in the way, to whom the pilgrims said, "Whose goodly
vineyards and gardens are these?" He answered, "They are the King's; and
are planted here for his own delights, and also for the solace of pilgrims."
So the gardener had them into the vineyards, and bid them refresh themselves with
dainties.
He also showed them there the King's walks, and the arbours where he delighted to
be: and here they tarried and slept.
Now I beheld in my dream that they talked more in their sleep at this time than ever
they did in all their journey; and being in a muse thereabout, the gardener said
even to me, "Wherefore musest thou at the matter? It is the nature of the fruit
of the grapes of these vineyards to go down so sweetly as to cause the lips of them
that are asleep to speak."
So I saw that when they awoke they addressed themselves to go up to the City; but,
as I said, the reflection of the sun upon the City (for the City was pure gold) was
so extremely glorious, that they could not, as yet, with open face behold it, but
through an instrument made for that purpose.
So I saw that, as they went on, there met them two men in raiment that shone like
gold, also their faces shone as the light.
The Last Difficulties
hese men asked the pilgrims
whence they came, and they told them; they also asked them where they had lodged,
what difficulties and dangers, what comforts and pleasures they had met in the way;
and they told them. Then said the men that met them, "You have but two difficulties
more to meet with, and then you are in the City."
CHRISTIAN then, and his companion, asked the men to go along with them; so they told
them they would. "But," said they, "you must obtain it by your own
faith." So I saw in my dream that they went on together till they came in sight
of the gate.
Now I further saw that betwixt them and the gate was a river; but there was no bridge
to go over: the river was very deep. At the sight, therefore, of this river, the
pilgrims were much astounded; but the men that went with them said, "You must
go through, or you cannot come at the gate."
The pilgrims then began to inquire if there was no other way to the gate; to which
they answered, "Yes, but there hath not any, save two, to wit, Enoch and Elijah,
been permitted to tread that path since the foundation of the world, nor shall until
the last trumpet shall sound".
The pilgrims then--especially CHRISTIAN--began to despond in their minds; and looked
this way and that, but no way could be found by them by which they might escape the
river. Then they asked the men if the waters were all of a depth? They said, "No";
yet they could not help them in that case, for said they, "you shall find it
deeper or shallower as you believe in the King of the place."
They then addressed themselves to the water; and entering, CHRISTIAN
began to sink. And crying out to his good friend, HOPEFUL, he said, "I sink
in deep waters, the billows go over my head; all his waves go over me."
Then said the other, "Be of good cheer, my brother; I feel the bottom, and it
is good." Then said CHRISTIAN, "Ah! my friend, the sorrows of death have
compassed me about; I shall not see the land that flows with milk and honey. And
with that a great darkness and horror fell upon CHRISTIAN, so that he could not see
before him; also here he, in great measure, lost his senses, so that he could neither
remember nor orderly talk of any of those sweet refreshments that he had met with
in the way of his pilgrimage. But all the words that he spake still tended to discover
that he had horror of mind, and hearty fears that he should die in that river, and
never obtain entrance in at the gate; here also, as they that stood by perceived,
he was much in the troublesome thoughts of the sins that he had committed, both since
and before he began to be a pilgrim. 'Twas also observed that he was troubled with
apparitions of hobgoblins and evil spirits; for ever and anon he would intimate so
much by words. HOPEFUL, therefore, here had much ado to keep his brother's head above
water; yea, sometimes he would be quite gone down, and then ere awhile he would rise
up again half dead. HOPEFUL also would endeavour to comfort him, saying, "Brother,
I see the gate, and men standing by it to receive us." But CHRISTIAN would answer,
"'Tis you, 'tis you they wait for; you have been hopeful ever since I knew you."
"And so have you," said he to CHRISTIAN. "Ah, brother," said
he, "surely, if I was right, he would now arise to help me; but, for my sins,
he hath brought me into the snare, and hath left me." Then said HOPEFUL, "My
brother, you have quite forgot the text where it is said of the wicked, 'There are
no bands in their death, but their strength is firm; they are not in trouble as other
men, neither are they plagued like other men'.
These troubles and distresses that you go through in these waters are no sign that
God hath forsaken you; but are sent to try you, whether you will call to mind that
which heretofore you have received of his goodness, and live upon him in your distresses."
Then I saw in my dream that CHRISTIAN was as in a muse awhile, to whom also HOPEFUL
added this word, "Be of good cheer, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole "; and
with that CHRISTIAN brake out with a loud voice, "Oh, I see him again! and he
tells me, 'When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through
the rivers, they shall not overflow thee'".
Then they both took courage, and the enemy was after that as still as a stone, until
they were gone over. CHRISTIAN therefore presently found ground to stand upon; and
so it followed that the rest of the river was but shallow. Thus they got over.
Now upon the bank of the river, on the other side, they saw the
two shining men again who there waited for them; wherefore, being come up out of
the river, they saluted them, saying, "We are ministering spirits, sent forth
to minister for those that shall be heirs of salvation." Thus they went along
towards the gate. Now you must note that the City stood upon a mighty hill; but the
pilgrims went up that hill with ease, because they had these two men to lead them
up by the arms; also they had left their mortal garments behind them in the river;
for though they went in with them, they came out without them. They therefore went
up here with much agility and speed; though the foundation upon which the City was
framed was higher than the clouds. They therefore went up through the regions of
the air, sweetly talking as they went; being comforted, because they safely got over
the river, and had such glorious companions to attend them.
Welcome
he talk they had with the Shining
Ones was about the glory of the place; who told them that the beauty and glory
of it was inexpressible. "There," said they, "is the Mount Zion, the
heavenly Jerusalem; the innumerable company of angels; and the spirits of just men
made perfect.
You are going now," said they, "to the Paradise of God; wherein you shall
see the tree of life, and eat of the never fading fruits thereof. And when you come
there, you shall have white robes given you; and your walk and talk shall be every
day with the King, even all the days of eternity.
There you shall not see again such things as you saw when you were in the lower region
upon the earth: to wit, sorrow, sickness, affliction, and death; for the former things
are passed away.
"That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes." Isaiah 65:16
You are going now to Abraham, to Isaac, and Jacob, and to the prophets; men that
God hath taken away from the evil to come, and that are now resting upon their beds,
each one walking in his righteousness".
The men then asked, "What must we do in the holy place?" To whom it was
answered: "You must there receive the comfort of all your toil, and have joy
for all your sorrow; you must reap what you have sown, even the fruit of all your
prayers, and tears, and sufferings for the King by the way.
In that place you must wear crowns of gold, and enjoy the perpetual sight and visions
of the Holy One; for there you shall see him as he is.
There, also, you shall serve him continually with praise, with shouting, and thanksgiving;
whom you desired to serve in the world, though with much difficulty, because of the
infirmity of your flesh. There your eyes shall be delighted with seeing, and your
ears with hearing the pleasant voice of, the mighty One. There you shall enjoy your
friends again, that are got thither before you; and there you shall with joy receive
even every one that follows into the holy place after you. There, also, you shall
be clothed with glory and majesty, and put into an equipage fit to ride out with
the King of Glory. When he shall come with sound of trumpet in the clouds, as upon
the wings of the wind, you shall come with him; and when he shall sit upon the Throne
of Judgment, you shall sit by him; yea, and when he shall pass sentence upon all
the workers of iniquity, let them be angels or men, you also shall have a voice in
that Judgment, because they were his and your enemies. Also, when he shall again
return to the City, you shall go too, with sound of trumpet, and be ever with him."
Now, while they were thus drawing towards the gate, behold a company of the heavenly
host came out to meet them; to whom it was said, by the other two Shining Ones, "These
are the men that have loved our Lord when they were in the world, and that have left
all for his holy Name; and he hath sent us to fetch them, and we have brought them
thus far on their desired journey, that they may go in and look their Redeemer in
the face with joy." Then the heavenly host gave a great shout, saying, "Blessed
are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb".
There came out also at this time, to meet them, several of the King's trumpeters,
clothed in white and shining raiment; who, with melodious noises, and loud, made
even the heavens to echo with their sound. These trumpeters saluted CHRISTIAN and
his fellow with ten thousand welcomes, from the world: and this they did with shouting
and sound of trumpet.
This done, they compassed them round on every side: some went before, some behind,
and some on the right hand, some on the left (as 'twere to guide them through the
upper regions); continually sounding as they went, with melodious noise, in notes
on high; so that the very sight was, to them that could behold it, as if heaven itself
was come down to meet them. Thus, therefore, they walked on together; and as they
walked, ever and anon these trumpeters, even, with joyful sound, would, by mixing
their music with looks and gestures, still signify to CHRISTIAN and his brother how
welcome they were into their company, and with what gladness they came to meet them.
And now were these two men, as 't were, in heaven, before they came at it; being
swallowed up with the sight of angels, and with hearing of their melodious notes.
Here also they had the City itself in view; and they thought they heard all the bells
therein to ring, to welcome them thereto; but, above all, the warm and joyful thoughts
that they had about their own dwelling there, with such company, and that for ever
and ever. Oh, by what tongue or pen can their glorious joy be expressed! And thus
they came up to the gate.
Now when they were come up to the gate, there was written over it, in letters of
gold, "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to
the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the City".
Then I saw in my dream, that the shining men bid them call at the gate, the which
when they did, some from above looked over the gate: to wit, Enoch, Moses, and Elijah;
to whom it was said, "These pilgrims are come from the city of Destruction,
for the love that they bear to the King of this place." And then the pilgrims
gave in unto them each man his certificate, which they had received in the beginning;
those, therefore were carried in to the King, who, when he had read them, said "Where
are the men?" To whom it was answered, "They are standing without the gate."
The King then commanded to open the gate, "That the righteous nation,"
said he, "that keeps truth, may enter in".
Now I saw in my dream, that these two men went in at the gate; and lo, as they entered, they were transfigured; and they had raiment put on that shone like gold. There were also those that met them with harps and crowns, and gave them to them; the harps to praise withal, and the crowns in token of honour. Then I heard in my dream, that all the bells in the City rang again for joy; and that it was said unto them, "Enter ye into the joy of your Lord." I also heard the men themselves, that they sang with a loud voice, saying, "Blessing, honour, glory, and power, be to him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever".
Now, just as the gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them: and
behold, the City shone like the sun: the streets also were paved with gold; and in
them walked many men, with crowns on their heads, palms in their hands, and golden
harps to sing praises withal.
There were also of them that had wings; and they answered one another
without intermission, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord!" And after
that they shut up the gates, which when I had seen, I wished myself among them.
Ignorance Comes to His End
ow, while I was gazing upon
all these things, I turned my head to look back, and saw IGNORANCE come up to the
river side; but he soon got over, and that without half the difficulty which the
other two men met with. For it happened that there was then in that place one VAIN-HOPE,
a ferryman, that with his boat helped him over: so he, as the other I saw, did ascend
the hill to come up to the gate; only he came alone, neither did any man meet him
with the least encouragement. When he was come up to the gate, he looked upon the
writing that was above, and then began to knock, supposing that entrance should have
been quickly administered to him; but he was asked by the men that looked over the
top of the gate, "Whence came you? and what would you have?" He answered,
"I have ate and drank in the presence of the King, and he has taught in our
streets." Then they asked him for his certificate, that they might go in and
show it to the King. So he fumbled in his bosom for one, and found none. Then said
they, "Have you none?" But the man answered never a word. So they told
the King; but he would not come down to see him, but commanded the two Shining Ones
that conducted CHRISTIAN and HOPEFUL to the City, to go out, and take IGNORANCE,
and bind him hand and foot, and have him away. Then they took him up, and carried
him through the air to the door that I saw in the side of the hill, and put him in
there. Then I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of heaven, as
well as from the city of Destruction. So I awoke, and behold it was a dream!
THE CONCLUSION
ow,
reader, I have told my dream to thee;
See if thou canst interpret it to me,
Or to thyself, or neighbour: but take heed
Of misinterpreting; for that, instead
Of doing good, will but thyself abuse:
By misinterpreting evil ensues.
Take heed also that thou be not extreme
In playing with the outside of my dream;
Nor let my figure, or similitude,
Put thee into a laughter or a feud.
Leave this for boys and fools; but as for thee,
Do thou the substance of my matter see.
Put by the curtains, look within my veil
Turn up my metaphors, and do not fail
There, if thou seekest them, such things to find
As will be helpful to an honest mind.
What of my dross thou findest there, be bold
To throw away; but yet preserve the gold.
What if my gold be wrapped up in ore?
None throws away the apple for the core.
But if thou shalt cast all away as vain
I know not but 'twill make me dream again.
End of Part One
STAGE
9. or PART 2.
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