CH13 - 15 (Eng)

 

13 CHRISTIAN IS APPROACHED BY TIMOROUS AND MISTRUST

NOW when Christian arrived at the top of the Hill, two men came running toward him in full flight from the opposite direction. The name of one was Timorous, and the name of the other Mistrust. To these Christian enquired, “Sirs, what is the matter since you are both running the wrong way?” Hence Timorous replied “We were making our pilgrimage toward the City of Zion and had reached beyond this Hill Difficulty; but then the further we went the more danger we encountered. As a result we decided to turn about and return home; so we are now fast on our way.”

Then Mistrust added, “Yes, this is true, for just ahead of you lying directly in the way is a couple of lions. We were not sure if they were awake or asleep; nevertheless the prospect of our being torn in pieces seemed too real.”

CHRISTIAN: You make me afraid, on the other hand where else shall I run to for safety? If I return to my home in the City of Destruction, which region is destined for the judgment of fire and brimstone, then I will certainly perish. However, if I can eventually reach the Celestial City, then my safety is assured there. Therefore I must press forward, in spite of risks and perils. To go back is to certainly suffer death; but to go forward, though fear of death will threaten along the way, is yet to have the prospect of everlasting life beyond. So I will definitely go forward.

So Mistrust and Timorous ran down the Hill, while Christian went on ahead. Even so, in remembering what he had just heard from these men, he felt for his scroll in his chest pocket so that he might read it and be comforted. But to his great surprise, the scroll was not to be found. As a result Christian became very distressed, and did not know what to do; this token was his means of gaining relief from his fears, as well as being his pass for entering into the Celestial City. Therefore at this point the pilgrim was perplexed in not knowing what he should do.

Then he recalled his sleeping at the Arbor [Shady Resting-place] halfway up the Hill Difficulty and suspected what had happened. So falling down on his knees, he asked God for forgiveness due to his foolish neglect, and commenced to return down the Hill looking for his scroll. But oh, who could imagine just how sorrowful of heart he was every step of the way? Sometimes he sighed, and sometimes he wept, and often he rebuked himself for his being so foolish as to sleep at length at that place which had only been erected for the purpose of modest refreshment from weariness.

Therefore he went back, further and further, carefully looking on this side and on that, ever so eager to find that scroll which had so often given him comfort on his journey. Thus Christian continued downhill until the Shady Resting-place, where he had earlier sat and slept, came into view. At this sight his sorrow increased with the more vivid remembrance of his wicked indulgence.

So he continued on bemoaning his sinful sleep and lamenting, “Oh wretched man that I am, that I should sleep in the daytime! that I should sleep in the midst of difficulty! that I should so indulge the flesh as to allow rest, which the Lord of the Hill has provided only for the relief of pilgrim spirits, and thus give place to carnal ease. Now I have needlessly taken these recent steps, even as Israel in the same manner was required to wander and return again by way of the Red Sea, on account of their sin. So I am made to tread this way again with sorrow, which ought to have been trodden only with delight, had it not been for this sinful sleep. How far ahead on my way might I have been by this time! Instead, I must tread these steps three times instead of once. Further, now the night is about to overtake me since the day is almost spent. Oh that I had not slept!”

Now by this time he had come to the Shady Resting-place once again, where he sat down for a time and wept. But at last, as Christian would have it, while remaining downcast and looking under the seat, there he caught sight of his scroll. Now trembling with excitement, he immediately seized it and thrust it into his chest pocket.

And who can possibly tell just how joyful this man was when he had recovered his scroll? For this scroll was the assurance of his life, and the token of his acceptance at the desired haven. Therefore Christian, having returned his scroll to his chest pocket, offered fervent thanks to God for His directing of his eyes to the place where it had fallen. So with joy and tears he now focused upon moving ahead in his journey.

But oh how nimbly did he now go up the rest of the Hill! Yet before he reached the top, the sun began to set upon Christian; so again he was made to painfully recall the foolishness of his delaying sleep, for he ought to have been much farther ahead by now. For this reason he continued to condole [grieve] with himself: “Ah, how sinful you are, oh sleep! On account of you my journey in the light has been overcome by the night! Now I must walk without the sun while darkness covers my path; now I must hear the voice of doleful creatures because of my negligent sleep!”

Now he also remembered the account of Timorous and Mistrust, how they had told him of their fear at the sight of the lions. Then Christian mused with himself, “These beasts prowl in the night seeking their prey, so if they should meet with me in the dark, how can I possibly avoid being torn in pieces?” Hence he nervously went on his way; but while he was mourning over this fearful turn of events, on lifting up his eyes he noticed a very regal palace directly ahead of him. Now the name of it was the Palace Beautiful, and it stood just to one side of the highway.

14 CHRISTIAN MEETS LION-SIZED OPPOSITION

SO I saw in my dream that Christian hurried along toward the Palace since he hoped to obtain lodging there. Now before he had gone very far, he entered into an extremely narrow passage which was only a furlong away from the porter’s lodge. And carefully proceeding along this restricted part of the highway, he perceived, not far ahead, two lions that seemed to stand in his way. Then Christian realized, “Now I see the danger that caused Mistrust and Timorous to turn back and flee,” (though he did not detect the chains that restricted these ferocious beasts). As a result he was filled with fear and contemplated going back with them, for at that moment he thought that nothing but death was ahead of him.

But the porter named Watchful at the Palace lodge, in noticing that Christian hesitated, as if contemplating a retreat on account of the prospect of death ahead of him, called out to him saying, “Are your strength and courage so small? Don’t be so afraid of the lions since they are in fact chained; their being there is for the purpose of testing your faith at this point in your journey, as well as for the discovery of those who are faithless. So keep in the middle of the path and you will not be harmed.”

Then I saw that Christian went forward on his way, though trembling because of his fear of the lions; yet he was careful to follow the directions of the porter. Yes, the lions roared and snarled, but they were unable to harm him. As a result, he joyously clapped his hands and went on till he stood before the Palace gate where the porter awaited him.

 

15 CHRISTIAN RESIDES AT THE PALACE BEAUTIFUL

THEN Christian spoke to the porter, “Sir, what is the purpose of this house? And may I reside here for the night?” The porter answered, “This house was built by the Lord of the Hill, and he built it for the relief and security of pilgrims.” The porter also asked from where he had come and where he was going.

CHRISTIAN: I have come from the City of Destruction and am going to Mount Zion; but because the sun has now set, I would like to stay here for the night, if you are willing.

PORTER: What is your name?

CHRISTIAN: My name is now Christian, though it was Graceless to begin with. I was born of the race of Japheth who God will persuade to dwell in the tents of Shem.

PORTER: But how has it happened that you have arrived so late since the sun has already set?

CHRISTIAN: I ought to have been here sooner, but oh wretched man that I am! I overslept at the Shady Resting-place that is located on the side of the Hill Difficulty. Yet in spite of that I would have been here much sooner, except that as I slept I lost my scroll of certification and reached the top of the Hill without it. Then searching for it, I was dismayed to find it had gone; so I was forced, with heaviness of heart, to return to the place where I overslept; then on recovering it, I pressed forward once again and thus have come this far.

PORTER: Well, I will call out for one of the virgins who live here; if your conversation is to her liking, she will invite you to join the rest of the family, that is in accordance with the rules of the house.

So the porter Watchful rang a bell, at the sound of which a dignified and beautiful lady named Discretion came to the door of the house and asked why she had been called. The porter answered, “This man is on a journey from the City of Destruction to Mount Zion; but being weary and seeing the sun has now set, he asked me if he might stay the night here. So I told him I would call you, and that after some discussion with him, you would decide what seemed best according to the rules of the house.”

Then she asked him from where he had come and where he was going; so he told her. She also asked him how he had entered into the way, and he told her. Then she asked him what he had seen and encountered along the way, and he told her. Finally, she asked his name, and to this he replied, “It is Christian, and I now have an even greater desire to reside here tonight because, according to what I now understand, this place was built by the Lord of the Hill for the relief of pilgrims.” So she smiled, though tears welled up in her eyes.

Then after a little hesitation she said, “I will call here two or three more of the family.” So she ran to an inner door and called out to Prudence [wisdom], Piety [spiritual devotion], and Charity [love] who, after a little more conversation with him, invited Christian inside to meet the rest of the family. As a result, many of the residents met him in the lobby and warmly beckoned, “Come in, you who are blessed of the Lord; this house was built by the Lord of the Hill for the express purpose of entertaining pilgrims such as yourself.” Then Christian bowed his head in acknowledgment and followed them into the main part of the house.

So when he had come inside and sat down, they gave him something to drink; then they all agreed that until supper was ready, it would be a profitable use of their time if one or two of them should have conversation with Christian about some specific matters. So Piety, Prudence, and Charity were appointed to have discussion with him; and so they began.

PIETY: Come now good Christian, since we have been so loving toward you by receiving you into our house tonight, let us profitably spend time amongst ourselves by talking with you about all the things that have happened to you on your pilgrimage.

CHRISTIAN: Why I would be more than willing to speak this way; how glad I am that you prefer this type of conversation.

PIETY: What moved you at first to take upon yourself the life of a pilgrim?

CHRISTIAN: I was driven out of my native country by a dreadful sound that was in my ears, that is the persistent conviction that unavoidable destruction would consume me, that is if I continued to live in the City of Destruction.

PIETY: But how did it happen that you came out of your country in this direction?

CHRISTIAN: It was as God would have it, for when I was fearful of destruction hovering over me, I did not know which way to go; but through providence there came a man, even to me as I was trembling and weeping, whose name was Evangelist. And he directed me toward the Wicket-gate otherwise I would not have found it. And so at the same time he pointed out the way that has led me directly to this Palace.

PIETY: But did you not come by way of the house of the Interpreter?

CHRISTIAN: Yes, and the things that I saw there were truly memorable; they will stay with me as long as I live, and especially three scenes. They were, how Christ, in opposition to Satan, maintains his work of grace in the heart; how the man in the iron cage had sinned himself quite out of the hope of God’s mercy; and also the dream of the man who thought in his sleep that the day of judgment had come.

PIETY: Why, did you hear this man tell about his dream?

CHRISTIAN: Yes, and I thought it was such a dreadful revelation. It made my heart ache as he was telling about it. Nevertheless, I am glad that I heard it.

PIETY: Was that all that you saw at the house of the Interpreter?

CHRISTIAN: No, for he took me to where I saw a stately Palace, and how people dressed in gold were in it; and how a courageous man strode forth and cut his way through the armed men that stood in the doorway to keep him out; and how he was commanded to come inside and win eternal glory. My mind and heart were totally ravished [enthralled] at the sight of these things. I could have stayed at that good man’s house for a year, except that I knew that I still had a distance to go.

PIETY: And what else did you see along the way?

CHRISTIAN: See! Why I had only gone a short distance ahead when I saw, as it were in my mind, a man hang bleeding on a tree; and the very sight of him made my burden fall from off my back, which load had caused me to groan so much; yes, it did actually drop from off my back! It was so astonishing for me because I had never seen such a thing before. Yes, and while I was looking up at that tree, for I could not stop looking, three Shining Ones came to me: one of them declared that my sins had been forgiven: another stripped me of my rags and gave me this embroidered coat, as you can see; and the third set a visible mark upon my forehead, and gave me this sealed scroll which I keep in my chest pocket.

PIETY: But you saw even more than this, did you not?

CHRISTIAN: The things that I have told you about were the best: yet I saw some other interesting matters, namely three men lying asleep beside the way with shackles upon their heels; their names were Simple, Sloth, and Presumption, and it was near impossible to awaken them. I also met with Formalist and Hypocrisy who came tumbling over the wall to go, as they pretended, to Mount Zion. But they were soon lost, even as I warned them that they would be; they simply would not believe. However, it was most difficult of all getting up this Hill, and equally as distressing in passing by the mouths of those lions. Truly, if it had not been for that good man, your porter Watchful who stands at the gate, it is probable that I would have eventually turned around and fled down the Hill. But now I do thank God that I am here, and I thank you for welcoming me.

Then Prudence thought of asking Christian a few questions; so she asked him to answer.

PRUDENCE: Do you sometimes think of the country from which you originally came?

CHRISTIAN: Yes, but with much shame and loathing. Truly, if I had a deep yearning for that country, then I might well have taken the opportunity to return. But now my heart desires a better country, that is a heavenly realm. Therefore I prefer to press on.

PRUDENCE: Do you not still carry with you in your mind some recollection of the things that you were formerly involved with?

CHRISTIAN: Yes, but greatly against my will, and especially those inward and carnal reasonings which all of my countrymen, as well as myself, were delighted to revel in. But now all those things only grieve me; and should I be able to choose only what I think, I would choose never to think of those carnal things anymore. But when I would be doing that which is best, still that which is worse remains with me.

PRUDENCE: Do you not sometimes find that personal carnality is vanquished when at other times it was of great trouble to you?

CHRISTIAN: Yes, but those times of conquest over carnality are infrequent, though when they do occur such hours are truly golden.

PRUDENCE: When you experience these precious times in which carnal annoyances are vanquished, can you remember by what means these triumphs were obtained?

CHRISTIAN: Yes, when I meditate upon what I saw at the Cross, that will do it; and when I look at my embroidered coat, that will do it; also when I look inside the scroll that I carry in my chest pocket, that will do it; and when my thoughts are warmly stimulated about where I am going, that will do it.

PRUDENCE: And what is it that makes you so desirous of going to Mount Zion?

CHRISTIAN: Why there I hope to see living he who hung dead on the Cross; and there I hope to be rid of all those things within me that remain a constant annoyance. At the Celestial City they say there is no death, and there I shall dwell with the type of companions that I like best. For to tell you the truth, I love my Lord because he released me of my burden, and I am weary of my inward sickness. In view of these circumstances, I would much prefer to be where I shall die no more and my companions shall continually cry, "Holy, Holy, Holy."

Then said CHARITY to Christian, "Do you have a family? Are you a married man?"

CHRISTIAN: I have a wife and four small children.

CHARITY: And why did you not bring them along with you?

CHRISTIAN: (Then weeping) Oh how willingly I would have done so, but all of them were utterly opposed to my going on pilgrimage.

CHARITY: But you should have talked to them, and attempted to show them the danger of remaining behind.

CHRISTIAN: And this I did, and explained what God had revealed to me concerning the destruction of our City. But I seemed to them as one that told a joke, and as a consequence they did not believe.

CHARITY: And did you pray to God that he would give them understanding of your warning?

CHRISTIAN: Yes, and that with considerable warmth of affection, for you must understand that my wife and poor children were very precious to me.

CHARITY: But did you tell them of your own sorrow and fear of destruction? For I expect that the prospect of destruction was very evident to you.

CHRISTIAN: Yes, over and over and over again. Most likely they could recognize the fear portrayed in my face, and particularly in my tears and trembling, on account of my alarm at the reality of impending judgment. Yet all of this was not sufficient to persuade them to come with me.

CHARITY: But what reasons did they offer? Why would they not come with you?

CHRISTIAN: For one thing, my wife was afraid of losing this world; furthermore my children were absorbed with the foolish delights of youth. So because of these and many other distractions, they left me to wander alone in this distressed frame of mind.

CHARITY: But for all of your talk and persuasive efforts to have your loved ones depart with you, did your empty manner of life nevertheless dissuade them from acting upon your advice?

CHRISTIAN: To be sure, I cannot commend my life, for I am only too well aware of my countless failings: in this regard I also know that a man, by means of his manner of life, may soon negate whatever arguments or good reasons he may strenuously present to others for their good. Even so, I can honestly confess how very careful I was to avoid giving them any reason, that is with regard to disgraceful behavior on my part, for not going on pilgrimage. In fact, for this cautious attitude they would criticize me and tell me I was too precise [puritanical] in denying myself things, for their sakes, in which they saw no wrong. And I think I can rightly say that if there was anything that really did hinder them, it was my own great tenderness in being careful not to sin against God, or do any wrong to my neighbor.

CHARITY: Even as you say, Cain hated his brother because his own works were evil and those of his brother were righteous. And if your wife and children were offended at you for this reason, then they show themselves to be unyielding toward that which is good; and so you have delivered your soul from accountability for their blood.

Then I [Bunyan] saw in my dream that they all sat talking together until supper was ready. So when the meal was prepared, they sat down to eat. Now the table was set with fat [good, substantial] things, and with wine that was well refined; and all of their conversation at the table was about the Lord of the Hill. For instance, they talked about what he had done and the purpose of it, and why he had built that House: and from what they said I understood that he had been a great warrior, and that he had fought with and slain he who had the power of death, though not without great danger to himself. And for this reason I was led to love him only all the more.

For as they said, and as I believe (said Christian), he did it with the loss of much blood. But that which put the glory of grace into all which he did was the fact that he did it out of pure love for his country. And besides this, there were some of the household that said they had seen and spoken with him following his death on the Cross; and they further testified, having received it from his own lips, that he was such a lover of pilgrims that his likeness was not to be found from the east to the west.

Moreover, they gave an instance of what they had just declared, and it was that he had stripped himself of his glory so that he might do this for the poor; and that they had heard him affirm that he would not dwell in Mount Zion alone. Furthermore, they said that he had made many pilgrims into princes, even though they were born beggars and their nature originated from the dunghill.

So they discoursed together until late at night; and after they had committed themselves in prayer to their Lord for protection, they each went to bed. For the pilgrim they provided a large upstairs chamber [bedroom] with windows that opened toward the rising of the sun. The name of the room was Peace, and there he slept until the next day dawned. Then on arising that morning, he joyfully sang,

Where am I now? Is this the love and care
Of Jesus, for the men that pilgrims are?
Thus to provide! That I should be forgiven!
And dwell already the next door to Heaven.

Now in the morning they all got up, and after some further discourse, they told Christian that he should not depart until they had showed him the rarities [distinctive features] of that place. And first they took him into the study where they pointed out records of the greatest antiquity; in these, as I recall in my dream, they first explained the pedigree of the Lord of the Hill, that he was the son of the Ancient of Days and came [was begotten] by an eternal generation. Also, here was more fully recorded the acts [deeds] that he had accomplished, and the names of many hundreds that he had recruited into his service; and how he had placed them in habitations [mansions, residences] that would never pass away, whether by means of earthly decay or the passing of time.

Then they read to him some of the notable deeds that many of his servants had done, such as how they had subdued kingdoms, accomplished righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, and escaped the edge of the sword. Yet in weakness they were made strong; thus they became more valiant in fight and turned to flight the armies of foreign enemies.

Furthermore they read in another part of the House Records where it was revealed how willing their Lord was to receive into his favor any person of whatever kind, though they had previously offered deep insult to his holy character and great accomplishments. Here also were to be found a variety of historic documents concerning other famous events; and these Christian viewed as well. There were also things ancient and modern to be seen, along with prophecies and predictions concerning matters that are certain to be fulfilled, both to the dread and amazement of enemies as well as the comfort and relief of pilgrims.

The next day they led him into the Armory where they showed him a great variety of military weapons which their Lord had specially provided for pilgrims. There was the Sword, Shield, Helmet, Breastplate, All-Prayer, and Shoes that would never wear out. Moreover, there was enough of this equipment in store to outfit as many men for the service of their Lord as there are multitudes of stars in the heavens.

They also showed him some of the military equipment with which many of his servants had done wonderful things. Here was Moses' rod, the hammer and nail with which Jael slew Sisera, the pitchers, trumpets, and lamps as well, with which Gideon put to flight the armies of Midian. Then they showed him the oxgoad used by Shamgar to slay six hundred men. They also showed him the jawbone with which Samson did such mighty feats; moreover they showed him the sling and stone with which David slew Goliath of Gath. There was also on display the sword with which their Lord would eventually use to kill the Man of Sin, on that day of final victory over this predator. Besides these they showed Christian many excellent things that so delighted him. So this day being concluded, they all went to bed once again.

Then I saw in my dream that on the next day the pilgrim arose expecting to press forward on his journey. But the Palace company invited him to stay with them yet one more day. They added, "We will, if the day is clear, show you the Delectable Mountains. These will further add to your comfort because they are much nearer to the Celestial City than your present location." So Christian agreed to stay.

When the next morning had come, they took Christian to the top of the Palace and directed him to look south; in doing this he beheld, a great distance away, a very pleasant section of mountainous country. There he saw beautiful woods, vineyards, fruit trees of all sorts; there were also flowers, as well as springs and fountains; in all it was very appealing to look upon. So he asked the name of this country and they said it was Immanuel's Land; they further explained that for true pilgrims, it was of the same character as the Hill on which their Palace was located. Then they announced, "When you arrive at that place, there resident shepherds will direct your eyes toward the near sight of the very gate of the Celestial City."

Now he decided to prepare himself for moving ahead once again. "But first," said his companions, "let us return to the Armory." So they did this, and when Christian entered the room, he was equipped from head to foot with fully tested weapons lest he should encounter assaults along the way. Thus having been well accoutered [outfitted], he was escorted by his friends to the Palace gate where he asked the porter if he had seen any other pilgrims pass by. To this the porter answered, "Yes."

CHRISTIAN: Do tell me if you know him by name?

PORTER: I did ask his name and he told me it was Faithful.

CHRISTIAN: Oh, I know him; he was a fellow-countryman and a near neighbor. He comes from the City of Destruction where I was born. How far ahead do you think he may have gone?

PORTER: By this time he has probably passed beyond the bottom of the Hill.

CHRISTIAN: Well, my good porter, may the Lord be with you and increase his blessings on you because of the kindness you have shown to me.

Then the pilgrim began to move forward. But Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence all agreed that they would accompany him down to the bottom of the Hill. So they went on together while reviewing their former discussions, that is until they came to the foot of the Hill. Then said Christian on his way down, "I can now appreciate that while it was difficult coming up this Hill, so far as I can see it is even more dangerous going down." To this Prudence responded, "Yes, you are right; for it is a hard matter for a man to go down into the Valley of Humiliation as you are now doing, and not slip in any way. Hence it is for this reason that we decided to escort you this far." So they continued to go down, though very warily; yet in spite of this Christian did slip once or twice.

Then I saw in my dream that when the pilgrim had reached the bottom of the Hill, his good companions gave him a loaf of bread, a bottle of wine, and a cluster of raisins; then they bid him farewell. So he went on his way.