CH22-24 (Eng)

 

22 CHRISTIAN AND HOPEFUL CONVERSE WITH BY-ENDS

NOW I saw in my dream that Christian did not press on alone, for another pilgrim named Hopeful joined with him and, by means of a brotherly covenant, agreed to be his companion. He was persuaded to take this course because of the witness of Christian and Faithful, and especially their suffering at Vanity Fair. Thus one died to make a testimony to the truth, and another arose from his ashes to become a companion for Christian. This Hopeful also told Christian that there were many more men at the Fair who would, after a while, follow him.

So I noticed that soon after they had departed from the Fair, they overtook another pilgrim ahead of them whose name was By-ends. So they said to him, “Sir, what country are you from? And how far are you going in this direction?” He told them that he came from the Town of Fair-speech, and that he was going to the Celestial City, though he did not mention his name.

CHRISTIAN: You say you come from Fair-speech? Do any good and commendable people live there?

BY-ENDS: Yes, I hope so.

CHRISTIAN: Then sir, do tell me by what name I may call you.

BY-ENDS: I am a stranger to you even as you are to me; if you are going my way, then I shall be glad to have your company; but if not, I will have to be content.

CHRISTIAN: I have heard of this Town of Fair-speech, and from what I can remember, it is said to be a wealthy place.

BY-ENDS: Yes, I can assure you that it is, and I have many rich friends there.

CHRISTIAN: Then if I may be so bold, do tell me who some of these friends are.

BY-ENDS: To be honest, almost the whole Town, and in particular, my Lord Turn-about, my Lord Time-server, my Lord Fair-speech (from whose ancestors the Town first took its name). Also there is Mr. Smooth-man, Mr. Facing-both-ways, Mr. Anything, and the parson of our parish, Mr. Two-tongues, who was my mother’s own brother on my father’s side. And to tell you the truth, I have become a gentleman of high quality; though my great-grandfather was merely an oarsman for hire who would look one way and row another; I obtained most of my possessions by means of the same occupation.

CHRISTIAN: Are you a married man?

BY-ENDS: Yes, and my wife is a very virtuous woman. She was my Lady Feigning’s [Pretender’s] daughter, and therefore she came from a very honorable family; as a result she has reached a high level of breeding; her deportment is always impeccable before either princes or peasants. It is true that our religion differs to some degree when compared with that more strict variety, but only in two small points. First, we never strive against the wind and the tide. Second, we are always very zealous in following religion that parades in silver slippers; we love to walk with such sumptuous company, that is when the sun shines and people applaud.

Then Christian stepped a little to one side to his companion Hopeful and commented, “It comes to my mind that this fellow is in fact By-ends of Fair-speech, and if this is true, we have quite a scoundrel here, the like of which is often found in these parts.” So Hopeful suggested, “Then you should ask him to be sure; I would think that he ought not to be ashamed of his name.”

Hence Christian approached him to make this enquiry.

CHRISTIAN: Sir, you talk as if you knew more than the whole world, and if I am not mistaken, with only half a guess you are easily identified. Is not your name Mr. By-ends of Fair-speech?

BY-ENDS: That is not my name, though it is a nickname that has been attributed to me by those who cannot suffer me; but I must be content to endure this reproach, just as other good men have done when similarly maligned.

CHRISTIAN: But were you ever responsible for a situation where men could have rightly called you by this name?

BY-ENDS: Never, never! The worst circumstance that might have caused some to call me by this name was when I always had the luck in my judgment to jump in a profitable direction, in harmony with the present movement of the times. But if I am criticized for these events, then let me regard them as a blessing rather than bear a load of hatred against my critics.

CHRISTIAN: But I was so sure that you were this man that I had heard about, and to be honest, I fear that his name is more appropriate for you than you might want us to believe.

BY-ENDS: Well, you can imagine what you like; I cannot help that. Though you will find me a reasonably minded companion, that is if you allow me to travel with you.

CHRISTIAN: If you would walk with us, then you must go against wind and tide, which, as I understand it, is contrary to your convictions. You must also welcome religion in its rags as well as when it wears silver slippers, and accompany pilgrims bound in shackles as well as when they walk the streets and are applauded.

BY-ENDS: But you ought not to impose this upon me, nor coerce my faith; rather, respect my liberty and allow me to travel with you.

CHRISTIAN: No, not a step further will you go with us unless you agree with our standards of fellowship.

BY-ENDS: I shall never desert my long-standing principles since they are harmless and profitable. If you will not let me walk with you, I must continue as I did before we met and travel alone, that is until someone else overtakes me and appreciates my company.

Now I saw in my dream that Christian and Hopeful moved ahead of By-ends so as to be separate from him; but one of them looked back and noticed three men following after Mr. By-ends. So they caught up with him, and he, having made a very low Conje [bow of address] toward them, received a friendly welcome in return. The names of these men were Mr. Hold-the-world, Mr. Money-love, and Mr. Save-all, men that Mr. By-ends had formerly been acquainted with; for in their youth they were all school chums and had been taught by their schoolmaster Mr. Gripe-man, in Love-gain, a market town in Coveting County in the north. This schoolmaster taught them the art of acquisition, either by means of violence, cozenage [cheating], flattery, lying, or using the guise [masquerade] of religion; and all four of these gentlemen attained such a great degree of the skill of their master that any of them could themselves have maintained a similar school.

Well, as I said, when they had finished greeting one another, Mr. Money-love said to Mr. By-ends, “Who are they who are walking on the road ahead of us?” For Christian and Hopeful were still within view.

BY-ENDS: They are a couple of distant countrymen who, according to their own perspective, are going on pilgrimage.

MONEY-LOVE: How unfortunate; why did they not wait so that we might join their good company, for sir, I hope that they and we and you are all going on pilgrimage.

BY-ENDS: Indeed we are, but the men ahead of us are so rigid and so in love with their ideas, and they so lightly value the opinions of others that, be there a man ever so godly, yet if he does not jump with them in all things, they immediately thrust him away from their company.

SAVE-ALL: That is bad. But we read of some that are excessively righteous, and this rigidity of such men constrains them to judge and condemn everyone except themselves. But do tell me, what were these things in which you differed? And how many of them were there?

BY-ENDS: Why, according to their headstrong manner, they believe it to be their duty to rush ahead on their journey in all types of weather, while I am for waiting for the right wind and tide. They are for risking all for God, and in an instant I would grasp advantages that secure my life and property. They are for holding on to their beliefs even though all other men oppose them; but I am for religion that is tolerant of the times and not a threat to my safety. They are for religion when it dresses in rags and is regarded as contemptible, but I am for religious company that walks in golden slippers in the sunshine while observers applaud.

HOLD-THE-WORLD: Yes, and hold it there, my good Mr. By-ends. For my part, I can only count him a fool who, having the liberty to keep what he has, shall be so unwise as to lose it. Rather let us be wise as serpents; it is best to make hay while the sun shines; you notice how the bee rests all winter long and stirs herself only when it is profitable and pleasurable to do so. Sometimes God sends rain and sometimes sunshine; if they be so foolish as to go through the first, still let us be content to take the fair weather as our portion. For my part, the religion I like best is that which enjoys the security of God’s good blessings poured out on us. For the thoughtful person it stands to reason that if God has given us the good things of this life, then he would have us continue to enjoy them in this life for his sake. Abraham and Solomon grew rich through religion. And Job declares that a good man shall store up gold as dust. This being so, he could not be like the men ahead of us as you have described them.

SAVE-ALL: I think that we are all agreed about this matter, and therefore no more needs to be said about it.

MONEY-LOVE: As you say, nothing more needs to be said at this point; for he who believes neither Scripture nor reason, and you see that we have both of these witnesses in our support, does not appreciate his own liberty or care for his own safety.

BY-ENDS: My brothers, as you can see, we are all going on pilgrimage, so to divert our attention from things that are bad, do allow me to propose to you this question. Suppose a man, who is a minister of religion or a tradesman or someone else, should have a possible promotion come to his attention by means of which he could obtain the good blessings of this life; yet he can only gain this advantage through appearing very zealous in certain points of religion that he had previously neglected; should he not use this religious means so as to attain his end, while remaining a perfectly honest man?

MONEY-LOVE: I understand the substance of your question, and with the ready permission of these gentlemen, I will attempt to provide an answer. First let us focus on the instance of the minister of religion. Suppose a pastor, a reputable man, in charge of a parish that provides a very small benefice [meager financial support], yet has his eye set on a more prestigious and materially prosperous pastoral opportunity; and suppose his prospects of gaining this advancement are improved if he becomes more studious, if he preaches more frequently and earnestly, and if he adjusts some of his principles to suit the temper of this larger congregation, then for my part I see no reason why a man ought not to pursue this course, provided he receives a call. Yes, and there are other reasons besides these why he should seek this advance in his career, provided he is an honest man. Here are some of them.

1. His desire for a more prosperous parish is lawful, and this beyond contradiction, because it is providence that has set this opportunity before him; so let him pursue it with all of his might without questioning his conscience.
2. Besides, his desire for that parish causes him to be more studious, a more earnest preacher, and so forth, with the result that he becomes a better man. Yes, he is able to improve his person and gifts, and this is certainly according to the mind of God.
3. Now as for his complying with the mood of his people, at the expense of his own principles, so as to serve them, this indicates:
   a. He has a self-denying temperament.
   b. He has a sweet and winning deportment.
   c. He is well qualified for the pastoral office.
4. I conclude then that a pastor who exchanges a small for a larger parish should not be judged as covetous in so doing, but rather, on account of his determination to improve himself, should be esteemed as one who pursues his call, and especially the opportunity at hand, to do good.

And now to the second instance in your question concerning the tradesman you mentioned. Suppose such a person in his business has low profitability, but by becoming religious he may upgrade his opportunities for increased revenue, such as by marrying a rich wife, or something similar, and as a result far more customers come to his shop; for my part I see no reason why this course may not be pursued. And why is this so?

1. It is virtuous to become religious, by whatever means a man may use.
2. It is not unlawful to marry a rich wife, and by this means increase trade profitability.
3. Besides, the man who gets these advantages by becoming religious, obtains that which is good through a good means so that he himself becomes good; as a result a good wife is obtained, and good customers, and good profit, and all of these through becoming religious, which in itself is good. Therefore to become religious to get all of these is a good and profitable pursuit.

This answer offered by Mr. Money-love in response to Mr. By-ends’ question was loudly applauded by them all. Therefore they concluded that the whole answer was most wholesome and worthwhile. And because they were convinced that no one could possibly contradict this argumentation, and because Christian and Hopeful were still within calling distance, they gladly agreed to challenge them with the question as soon as they were able to overtake them, and especially because of the opposition that Mr. By-ends had earlier faced.

So they called ahead to them, and Christian and Hopeful stopped and waited until the party of four had caught up. But the challengers concluded that rather than Mr. By-ends, it would be preferable for old Mr. Hold-the-world to propose the question to the two pilgrims; the reason for this was that any reply to him would be without any remaining heated feelings that had been kindled between Mr. By-ends and them at their earlier encounter. So they approached each other and after a short greeting, Mr. Hold-the-world proposed the question to Christian and his companion. Then he requested that they answer it, that is if they could possibly do so.

CHRISTIAN: Even a babe in religion could answer ten thousand questions of this type. For according to John 6:26-27, it is certainly unlawful to follow Christ for bread. Then how much more abominable it is to turn he and religion into a stalking horse [a fake cover and decoy] for the purpose of obtaining and enjoying the world. The only ones who are of this opinion are the heathen, hypocrites, devils, and witches.

1. The heathen, for when Hamor and Shechem had a desire for the daughter and cattle of Jacob, and they realized that there was no way for these to be obtained except by becoming circumcised, then they addressed their companions: “If every male among us agrees to be circumcised even as they are also circumcised, shall not their cattle and possessions and every beast of theirs become ours?” The daughters and cattle of Jacob were that which they plotted to obtain, so that their religious profession became the charade they used to obtain what they coveted. Read the whole story in Genesis 34:20-23.
2. The hypocritical Pharisees were also of this religion; their long prayers were but a pretense used to convey a pious intent, while in reality they were defrauding widows of their houses. For this reason their judgment from God will be greater damnation. Read about it in Luke 20:46-47.
3. Judas the devil was also of this religion since he worshiped the disciples’ money chest and coveted its contents; but he was lost, cast away, and the very son of perdition.
4. Simon the witch [sorcerer] was of this religion as well, for he coveted the Holy Spirit so that by this means he might obtain money; and his sentence from Peter’s mouth was according to Acts 8:19-22.
5. Neither does it escape my mind that a man who will take up religion to profit from the world, will also throw away that same religion to suit the world; in the same way Judas became religious because of his worldly designs; then he was willing to sell his religion and his Master for the same reason. Therefore to answer the question positively as I perceive that you have done is heathenish, hypocritical, and devilish, and your reward will be according to your works.

Then they stood staring at one another without knowing what to say in reply to Christian. Hopeful fully approved of the soundness of Christian’s answer, so that there was a great silence amongst them. Mr. By-ends and his companions staggered in the face of such a response, and purposely lagged behind so that Christian and Hopeful might easily get ahead of them. Then Christian commented to his fellow pilgrim, “If these men cannot stand before the sentence of mere men, what will they do when confronted with the sentence of God? And if they are speechless when dealt with by vessels of clay, what will they do when they are rebuked by the flames of devouring fire?”

 

23 THE SILVER MINE AT THE HILL LUCRE

THEN Christian and Hopeful moved ahead of By-ends and his friends once again. So they traveled until they came to a delicate [subtle] plain called Ease, across which they journeyed with much satisfaction; though this plain was also narrow so that they quickly passed through it.

Now at the other side of this plain was a small hill called Lucre [Greedy Profit], and within it a silver mine; and because of the rarity of this place, some pilgrims having gone this way had turned aside to investigate it. However, drawing too near to the edge of the shaft, and because of the treacherous nature of the ground which broke under their feet, they were destroyed. Other pilgrims were known to have been maimed there, and for the rest of their lives were never free from the mine’s wounding influence.

Then I saw in my dream that a little off the side of the road, and right next to the silver mine, stood Demas. Standing like a gentleman, he would invite passing pilgrims to step aside and investigate the sight; so he hailed Christian and his companion. “Hello there, friends; come over here and I will show you something quite remarkable.”

CHRISTIAN: What could be so deserving of our attention as to draw us out of the way?

DEMAS: Here is a silver mine, and right now some are digging in it for treasure. If you also would come here, with only a little effort you will be able to richly enhance yourselves.

HOPEFUL: If this be true, then let us go and investigate.

CHRISTIAN: Not I! I have previously heard of the reputation of this place and how many have been destroyed here; and besides this, the treasure being promoted is in fact a snare for those who seek it because it hinders them in their pilgrimage. Then Christian called to Demas asking, “Is this not a dangerous place? And has it not hindered many others in their pilgrimage?”

DEMAS: It is not very dangerous, except to those who are careless: (Nevertheless he blushed as he spoke this way.)

CHRISTIAN: (Addressing Hopeful) Let us not wander aside even one step, but instead keep on our way.

HOPEFUL: I give you my word as certain, that when By-ends arrives at this place and receives the same invitation as we have, he will definitely turn aside to explore the site.

CHRISTIAN: Undoubtedly he will, for his principles lead in that direction; and I wager a hundred to one that he will perish there.

DEMAS: (Persistently) But will you not come over and look?

CHRISTIAN: (Speaking bluntly) Demas, you are an enemy of those who pursue the right paths of the Lord of this way. I know that you yourself have been rebuked because of your own turning aside here, and that by one of His Majesty’s judges; so why do you seek to bring us into the same condemnation? Besides, if we were to turn aside here, our Lord the King would certainly hear about this and reveal our shame, whereas our desire is to stand before him with boldness.

In reply, Demas only pleaded further; he professed to be one of their kinsmen, and proposed that if they would only wait a short while, he would then join them on pilgrimage.

CHRISTIAN: What is your name? Is it not the same as I have already called you?

DEMAS: Yes, my name is Demas; I am the son of Abraham.

CHRISTIAN: I know you; Gehazi was your great-grandfather, and Judas was your father, and you have continued to walk in their ways. What you are now suggesting is simply one of your commonly used devilish tricks. Your father was hanged as a traitor, and you also deserve no better reward. Do be assured that when we have audience with the King, we will tell him of your treacherous behavior.

So Christian and Hopeful continued on their way, though they remained in sight of By-ends and his friends; and it was noticed when the trailing party arrived at the silver mine, they immediately left the way in response to the invitation of Demas. Now whether they fell down the mine shaft by looking over the edge, or whether they went down to dig, or whether they were smothered at the bottom by the damps [poisonous fumes of discouragement] that often arise in those depths, I am not certain. But this I did observe that they were never seen again in the way.

Then Christian sang:

By-ends, and Silver-Demas, both agree;
One calls, the other runs, that he may be
A sharer in his lucre; so these two
Take up in this world, and no further go.

24 THE MONUMENT TO LOT’S WIFE

NOW I saw that just on the other side of this plain, the pilgrims came to a place where an old monument stood, right next to the highway. At the sight of this, they were both concerned because of the strangeness of its shape, for it seemed to them as if it had been a woman who was transformed into a pillar. Therefore they stood intently looking at it, but for a time, they did not know what to conclude.

Eventually, Hopeful noticed an inscription on the head, though in an unusual style of writing; so, being no scholar, he called upon Christian, on account of his learning, to see if he could interpret the meaning. So after some study of the letters, he found the meaning to be this: "Remember Lot’s wife." Then he read it to his companion, and after this, they both concluded that it was the pillar of salt into which Lot’s wife had been turned; this happened when, fleeing from Sodom for safety, she looked back with a covetous heart. As a result of this amazing sight, both travelers were stimulated to enter into the following discourse.

CHRISTIAN: Ah, my brother, this is a timely sight, for it has come just at the right time after the invitation which Demas gave us to step aside from the way and view the Hill Lucre. And had we gone over as he desired, and as you were inclined to do, my brother, I suppose it is quite likely that we ourselves would have become a similar spectacle for those who will follow after us.

HOPEFUL: I am sorry that I was so foolish, and the thought of this makes me wonder why I am not now as petrified as Lot’s wife. For in what way was there a difference between her sin and mine? She only looked back, whereas I had a desire to investigate the mine. Let grace be adored here, and let me be ashamed that such a thought should ever enter my heart.

CHRISTIAN: Let us take notice here of what can be profitably learned to help us in the future. This woman escaped one judgment, for she did not suffer the judgment of Sodom; however, she was destroyed by another, which, as we see, was her being turned into a pillar of salt.

HOPEFUL: True, and we should allow her to be both a warning and an example. As a warning, we should shun her sin, since her judgment indicates what will befall us if this wayside monument does not restrain us. So Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, with the two hundred and fifty men that perished in their sin, also become a sign or example for others to beware of the judgment of God.

But above all, I ponder one particular thing, and that is how Demas and his friends can so confidently stand over there looking for treasure, while this woman merely looked behind her; for we do not read that she stepped so much as one step out of the way, nevertheless she was turned into a pillar of salt. And the judgment which overtook her remains an example, and within sight of those rummaging in the mine. For if they were to simply lift up their eyes, they could not miss seeing her.

CHRISTIAN: Yes, it is an astonishing thing to contemplate, and it indicates that their heart has grown quite desperate in this case. For I cannot think of what is more fitting for them to be compared with than he who picks pockets in the presence of a judge, or the thief who cuts purses under the shadow of the gallows.

It is said of the men of Sodom that “they were exceedingly great sinners” because “they were sinners before the Lord,” that is, within His eyesight, and that notwithstanding the kindnesses that He had showed them, for the land of Sodom then was like the Garden of Eden. Therefore this provoked Him all the more to jealousy, and made their plague as hot as the Lord out of Heaven could make it. And it is to be reasonably concluded that those, such as we have been talking about, who sin in God’s sight, yes, and in spite of many warnings being continually set before them in calling for repentance, must be judged with the greatest severity.

HOPEFUL: Without doubt, you have spoken the truth. But what a mercy it is that neither you, and especially I, are ourselves not made to be examples as was this woman.

Therefore this occasion gives us the opportunity to thank God, to fear Him, and always to remember Lot’s wife.