The Pilgrims Progress | Page 6

you are
desirous to know, I will read of them in my book.
PLI. And do you think that the words of your book are certainly true?
CHR. Yes, verily; for it was made by Him that cannot lie. [Titus 1:2]
PLI. Well said; what things are they?
CHR. There is an endless kingdom to be inhabited, and everlasting life
to be given us, that we may inhabit that kingdom for ever. [Isa. 45:17;
John 10:28,29]
PLI. Well said; and what else?
CHR. There are crowns and glory to be given us, and garments that
will make us shine like the sun in the firmament of heaven. [2 Tim. 4:8;
Rev. 3:4; Matt. 13:43]
PLI. This is very pleasant; and what else?
CHR. There shall be no more crying, nor Sorrow: for He that is owner
of the place will wipe all tears from our eyes. [Isa. 25.6-8; Rev. 7:17,
21:4]
{28} PLI. And what company shall we have there?
CHR. There we shall be with seraphims and cherubims, creatures that
will dazzle your eyes to look on them. [Isa. 6:2] There also you shall
meet with thousands and ten thousands that have gone before us to that
place; none of them are hurtful, but loving and holy; every one walking
in the sight of God, and standing in his presence with acceptance for
ever. [1 Thess. 4:16,17; Rev. 5:11] In a word, there we shall see the
elders with their golden crowns [Rev. 4:4], there we shall see the holy
virgins with their golden harps [Rev. 14:1-5], there we shall see men

that by the world were cut in pieces, burnt in flames, eaten of beasts,
drowned in the seas, for the love that they bare to the Lord of the place,
all well, and clothed with immortality as with a garment. [John 12:25; 2
Cor. 5:4]
PLI. The hearing of this is enough to ravish one's heart. But are these
things to be enjoyed? How shall we get to be sharers thereof?
CHR. The Lord, the Governor of the country, hath recorded that in this
book; the substance of which is, If we be truly willing to have it, he
will bestow it upon us freely.
PLI. Well, my good companion, glad am I to hear of these things: come
on, let us mend our pace.
CHR. I cannot go so fast as I would, by reason of this burden that is on
my back.
{29} Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk they
drew near to a very miry slough, that was in the midst of the plain; and
they, being heedless, did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of
the slough was Despond. Here, therefore, they wallowed for a time,
being grievously bedaubed with the dirt; and Christian, because of the
burden that was on his back, began to sink in the mire.
{30} PLI. Then said Pliable; Ah! neighbour Christian, where are you
now?
CHR. Truly, said Christian, I do not know.
PLI. At this Pliable began to be offended, and angrily said to his fellow,
Is this the happiness you have told me all this while of? If we have such
ill speed at our first setting out, what may we expect betwixt this and
our journey's end? May I get out again with my life, you shall possess
the brave country alone for me. And, with that, he gave a desperate
struggle or two, and got out of the mire on that side of the slough which
was next to his own house: so away he went, and Christian saw him no
more.

{31} Wherefore Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond
alone: but still he endeavoured to struggle to that side of the slough that
was still further from his own house, and next to the wicket-gate; the
which he did, but could not get out, because of the burden that was
upon his back: but I beheld in my dream, that a man came to him,
whose name was Help, and asked him, What he did there?
CHR. Sir, said Christian, I was bid go this way by a man called
Evangelist, who directed me also to yonder gate, that I might escape the
wrath to come; and as I was going thither I fell in here.
{32} HELP. But why did not you look for the steps?
CHR. Fear followed me so hard, that I fled the next way, and fell in.
HELP. Then said he, Give me thy hand: so he gave him his hand, and
he drew him out, and set him upon sound ground, and bid him go on
his way. [Ps. 40:2]
{33} Then I stepped to him that plucked him out, and said, Sir,
wherefore,