The Pilgrims Progress | Page 5

after him to return; but the man put his
fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying, Life! life! eternal life! [Luke
14:26] So he looked not behind him, but fled towards the middle of the
plain. [Gen. 19:17]
{19} The neighbours also came out to see him run [Jer. 20:10]; and, as
he ran, some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to
return; and, among those that did so, there were two that resolved to
fetch him back by force. The name of the one was Obstinate and the
name of the other Pliable. Now, by this time, the man was got a good

distance from them; but, however, they were resolved to pursue him,
which they did, and in a little time they overtook him. Then said the
man, Neighbours, wherefore are ye come? They said, To persuade you
to go back with us. But he said, That can by no means be; you dwell,
said he, in the City of Destruction, the place also where I was born: I
see it to be so; and, dying there, sooner or later, you will sink lower
than the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone: be
content, good neighbours, and go along with me.
{20} OBST. What! said Obstinate, and leave our friends and our
comforts behind us?
CHR. Yes, said Christian, for that was his name, because that ALL
which you shall forsake is not worthy to be compared with a little of
that which I am seeking to enjoy [2 Cor. 4:18]; and, if you will go
along with me, and hold it, you shall fare as I myself; for there, where I
go, is enough and to spare. [Luke 15:17] Come away, and prove my
words.
{21} OBST. What are the things you seek, since you leave all the
world to find them?
CHR. I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not
away [1 Pet. 1:4], and it is laid up in heaven, and safe there [Heb.
11:16], to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on them that diligently
seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my book.
OBST. Tush! said Obstinate, away with your book; will you go back
with us or no?
CHR. No, not I, said the other, because I have laid my hand to the
plough. [Luke 9:62]
{22} OBST. Come, then, neighbour Pliable, let us turn again, and go
home without him; there is a company of these crazy-headed coxcombs,
that, when they take a fancy by the end, are wiser in their own eyes
than seven men that can render a reason. [Prov. 26:16]

PLI. Then said Pliable, Don't revile; if what the good Christian says is
true, the things he looks after are better than ours: my heart inclines to
go with my neighbour.
OBST. What! more fools still! Be ruled by me, and go back; who
knows whither such a brain-sick fellow will lead you? Go back, go
back, and be wise.
{23} CHR. Nay, but do thou come with thy neighbour, Pliable; there
are such things to be had which I spoke of, and many more glorious
besides. If you believe not me, read here in this book; and for the truth
of what is expressed therein, behold, all is confirmed by the blood of
Him that made it. [Heb. 9:17-22; 13:20]
PLI. Well, neighbour Obstinate, said Pliable, I begin to come to a point;
I intend to go along with this good man, and to cast in my lot with him:
but, my good companion, do you know the way to this desired place?
{24} CHR. I am directed by a man, whose name is Evangelist, to speed
me to a little gate that is before us, where we shall receive instructions
about the way.
PLI. Come, then, good neighbour, let us be going. Then they went both
together.
OBST. And I will go back to my place, said Obstinate; I will be no
companion of such misled, fantastical fellows.
{25} Now, I saw in my dream, that when Obstinate was gone back,
Christian and Pliable went talking over the plain; and thus they began
their discourse.
{26} CHR. Come, neighbour Pliable, how do you do? I am glad you
are persuaded to go along with me. Had even Obstinate himself but felt
what I have felt of the powers and terrors of what is yet unseen, he
would not thus lightly have given us the back.
PLI. Come, neighbour Christian, since there are none but us two here,

tell me now further what the things are, and how to be enjoyed, whither
we are going.
{27} CHR. I can better conceive of them with my mind, than speak of
them with my tongue. God's things unspeakable: but yet, since