The Pilgrims Progess | Page 5

wise man, and a man of some rank, who has skill to help
men off with such loads as yours from their backs; I know he has done

a great deal for good in that way; aye, and he has the skill to cure those
who, from the loads they bear, are not quite sound in their wits. To him
as I said, you may go and get help. His house in but a mile from this
place, and should he not be at home, he has a son whose name is
Civility, who can do it just as well as his sire. There, I say, you may go
to get rid of your load. I would not have you go back to your old home,
but you can send for your wife and babes, and you will find that food
there is cheap and good.
Now was Christian brought to a stand; but by and by he said, Sir, which
is my way to this good man's house?
Worldly Wiseman.--Do you see that hill?
Christian.--Yes, I do.
Worldly Wiseman.--By that hill you must go, and the first house you
come to is his.
So Christian went out of his way to find Mr. Legality's house to seek
for help.
But, lo, when he had got close up to the hill, it was so steep and high
that he had fear lest it should fall on his head; so he stood still, for he
knew not what to do. His load, too, was of more weight to him than
when he was on the right road. Then came flames of fire out of the hill,
that made him quake for fear lest he should be burnt. And now it was a
great grief to him that he had lent his ear to Worldly Wiseman; and it
was well that he just then saw Evangelist come to meet him; though at
the sight of him he felt a deep blush on his face for shame. So
Evangelist drew near, and when he came up to him, he said, with a sad
look; What dost thou here, Christian?
To these words Christian knew not what to say, so he stood quite mute.
Then Evangelist went on thus: Art not thou the man that I heard cry in
The City of Destruction?
Christian.--Yes, dear Sir, I am the man.
Evangelist.--Did not I point out to thee the way to the Wicket Gate?
Christian.--Yes, you did, Sir.
Evangelist.--How is it, then, that thou hast so soon gone out of the
way?
Christian.--When I had got out of the Slough of Despond I met a man
who told me that in a town near, I might find one who could take off
my load.

Evangelist.--What was he?
Christian.--He had fair looks, and said much to me, and got me at last
to yield; so I came here. But when I saw this hill, and how steep it was,
I made a stand, lest it should fall on my head.
Evangelist.--What said the man to thee?
When Evangelist had heard from Christian all that took place, he said:
Stand still a while, that I may show thee the words of God.
So Evangelist went on to read, 'Now the just shall live by faith, but if a
man draw back, my soul shall have no joy in him.' Is not this the case
with thee? said he: Hast not thou drawn back thy feet from the way of
peace, to thine own cost; and dost thou not spurn the most high God?
Then Christian fell down at his feet as dead, and said: Woe is me! Woe
is me!
At the sight of which, Evangelist caught him by the right hand, and said:
Faith hopes all things.
Then did Christian find some peace, and stood up.
Evangelist.--I pray thee give more heed to the things that I shall tell
thee of. The Lord says, 'Strive to go in at the strait gate, the gate to
which I send thee, for strait is the gate that leads to life, and few there
be that find it.' Why didst thou set at nought the words of God, for the
sake of Mr. Worldly Wiseman? That is, in truth, the right name for
such as he. The Lord hath told thee that he who will save his life shall
lose it.' He to whom thou wast sent for ease, Legality by name, could
not set thee free; no man yet has got rid of his load through him; he
could but show thee the way to woe, for by the deeds of the law no man
can be rid of his load. So that Mr. Worldly Wiseman and his friend Mr.
Legality are false guides; and as for his son Civility,