The Pilgrims Progess | Page 9

that hill, that those who came

by might rest there. So here Christian sat down, and took out the scroll
and read it, till at last he fell off in a deep sleep which kept him there
till it was dusk; and while he slept his scroll fell from his hand. At
length a man came up to him and woke him, and said: Go to the ant,
thou man of sloth, and learn of her to be wise.
At this Christian gave a start, and sped on his way, and went at a quick
pace.
When he had got near to the top of the hill, two men ran up to meet him,
whose names were Timorous and Mistrust, to whom Christian said,
Sirs, what ails you? You run the wrong way.
Timorous said that Zion was the hill they meant to climb, but that when
they had got half way they found that they met with more and more risk,
so that great fear came on them, and all they could do was to turn back.
Yes, said Mistrust, for just in front of us there lay two beasts of prey in
our path; we knew not if they slept or not, but we thought that they
would fall on us and tear our limbs.
Christian.--You rouse my fears. Where must I fly to be safe? If I go
back to my on town (Destruction) I am sure to lose my life, but if I can
get to The Celestial City, there shall I be safe. To turn back is death; to
go on is fear of death, but when I come there, a life of bliss that knows
no end. I will go on yet.
So Mistrust and Timorous ran down the hill and Christian went on his
way. Yet he thought once more of what he had heard from the men, and
then he felt in his cloak for his scroll, that he might read it and find
some peace. He felt for it but found it not. Then was Christian in great
grief, and knew not what to do for the want of that which was to be his
pass to The Celestial City. At last, thought he: I slept in the cave by the
side of the hill. So he fell down on his knees to pray that God would
give him grace for this act; and then went back to look for his scroll.
But as he went, what tongue can tell the grief of Christian's heart? Oh,
fool that I am! said he, to sleep in the day time; so to give way to the
flesh as to use for ease that rest which the Lord of the hill had made but
for the help of the soul!
Thus, then, with tears and sighs, he went back, and with much care did
he look on this side and on that for his scroll. At length he came near to
the cave where he had sat and slept. How far, thought Christian, have I
gone in vain! Such was the lot of the Jews for their sin; they were sent

back by the way of the Red Sea; and I am made to tread those steps
with grief which I might have trod with joy, had it not been for this
sleep. How far might I have been on my way by this time! I am made
to tread those steps thrice which I need not to have trod but once; yea,
now too I am like to be lost in the night, for the day is well nigh spent.
O that I had not slept!
Now by this time he had come to the vale once more, where for a spell
he sat down and wept; but at last, as he cast a sad glance at the foot of
the bench, he saw his scroll, which he caught up with haste, and put in
his cloak. Words are too weak to tell the joy of Christian when he had
got back his scroll. He laid it up in the breast of his coat and gave
thanks to God. With what a light step did he now climb the hill! But,
ere he got to the top, the sun went down on Christian, and he soon saw
that two wild beast stood in his way. Ah, thought he, these beasts range
in the night for their prey; and if they should meet with me in the dark,
how should I fly from them? I see now the cause of all those fears that
drove Mistrust and Timorous back.
Still Christian went on, and while he thought thus on this sad lot he cast
up his eyes and saw a great house in front of him,