since over this place is the way from the City of Destruction
to yonder gate, is it that this plat is not mended, that poor travellers
might go thither with more security? And he said unto me, This miry
slough is such a place as cannot be mended; it is the descent whither
the scum and filth that attends conviction for sin doth continually run,
and therefore it is called the Slough of Despond; for still, as the sinner
is awakened about his lost condition, there ariseth in his soul many
fears, and doubts, and discouraging apprehensions, which all of them
get together, and settle in this place. And this is the reason of the
badness of this ground.
{34} It is not the pleasure of the King that this place should remain so
bad. [Isa. 35:3,4] His labourers also have, by the direction of His
Majesty's surveyors, been for above these sixteen hundred years
employed about this patch of ground, if perhaps it might have been
mended: yea, and to my knowledge, said he, here have been swallowed
up at least twenty thousand cart-loads, yea, millions of wholesome
instructions, that have at all seasons been brought from all places of the
King's dominions, and they that can tell, say they are the best materials
to make good ground of the place; if so be, it might have been mended,
but it is the Slough of Despond still, and so will be when they have
done what they can.
{35} True, there are, by the direction of the Law-giver, certain good
and substantial steps, placed even through the very midst of this slough;
but at such time as this place doth much spew out its filth, as it doth
against change of weather, these steps are hardly seen; or, if they be,
men, through the dizziness of their heads, step beside, and then they are
bemired to purpose, notwithstanding the steps be there; but the ground
is good when they are once got in at the gate. [1 Sam. 12:23]
{36} Now, I saw in my dream, that by this time Pliable was got home
to his house again, so that his neighbours came to visit him; and some
of them called him wise man for coming back, and some called him
fool for hazarding himself with Christian: others again did mock at his
cowardliness; saying, Surely, since you began to venture, I would not
have been so base to have given out for a few difficulties. So Pliable sat
sneaking among them. But at last he got more confidence, and then
they all turned their tales, and began to deride poor Christian behind his
back. And thus much concerning Pliable.
{37} Now, as Christian was walking solitarily by himself, he espied
one afar off, come crossing over the field to meet him; and their hap
was to meet just as they were crossing the way of each other. The
gentleman's name that met him was Mr. Worldly Wiseman, he dwelt in
the town of Carnal Policy, a very great town, and also hard by from
whence Christian came. This man, then, meeting with Christian, and
having some inkling of him, -- for Christian's setting forth from the
City of Destruction was much noised abroad, not only in the town
where he dwelt, but also it began to be the town talk in some other
places, -- Mr. Worldly Wiseman, therefore, having some guess of him,
by beholding his laborious going, by observing his sighs and groans,
and the like, began thus to enter into some talk with Christian.
{38} WORLD. How now, good fellow, whither away after this
burdened manner?
CHR. A burdened manner, indeed, as ever, I think, poor creature had!
And whereas you ask me, Whither away? I tell you, Sir, I am going to
yonder wicket-gate before me; for there, as I am informed, I shall be
put into a way to be rid of my heavy burden.
WORLD. Hast thou a wife and children?
CHR. Yes; but I am so laden with this burden that I cannot take that
pleasure in them as formerly; methinks I am as if I had none. [1 Cor
7:29]
WORLD. Wilt thou hearken unto me if I give thee counsel?
CHR. If it be good, I will; for I stand in need of good counsel.
{39} WORLD. I would advise thee, then, that thou with all speed get
thyself rid of thy burden; for thou wilt never be settled in thy mind till
then; nor canst thou enjoy the benefits of the blessing which God hath
bestowed upon thee till then.
CHR. That is that which I seek for, even to be rid of this heavy burden;
but get it off myself, I cannot; nor is there any man in our
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