Pilgrim's Progress, The The. John Bunyan

to be saved?”

I saw also that he looked this way and that way, as if he would run; yet he stood still, because, as I perceived, he could not tell which way to go. I looked then, and saw a man named Evangelist coming to him and asked, Wherefore dost thou cry?³

He answered, Sir, I perceive by the book in my hand, that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment⁴; and I find that I am not willing to do the first⁵, nor able to do the second.⁶

       CHRISTIAN no sooner leaves the World but meets EVANGELIST, who lovingly him greets With tidings of another: and doth show Him how to mount to that from this below.

Then said Evangelist, Why not willing to die, since this life is attended with so many evils? The man answered, Because I fear that this burden is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall into Tophet.⁷ And, Sir, if I be not fit to go to prison, I am not fit, I am sure, to go to judgment, and from thence to execution; and the thoughts of these things make me cry.

Then said Evangelist, If this be thy condition, why standest thou still? He answered, Because I know not whither to go. Then he gave him a parchment roll, and there was written within, Flee from the wrath to come.⁸

The man therefore read it, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said, Whither must I fly? Then said Evangelist, pointing with his finger over a very wide field, Do you see yonder wicket-gate?⁹ The man said, No. Then said the other, Do you see yonder shining light?¹⁰ He said, I think I do. Then said Evangelist, Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly thereto: so shalt thou see the gate; at which, when thou knowest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt do.

So I saw in my dream that the man began to run. Now, he had not run far from his own door, but his wife and children, perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying, Life! life! Eternal life!¹¹ So he looked not behind him, but fled towards the middle of the plain.¹²

      References

¹ Isa. 64:6; Luke 14:33; Ps. 38:4; Hab. 2:2; Acts 16:30,31

² Acts 2:37

³ Job 33:23

⁴ Heb. 9:27

⁵ Job 16:21

⁶ Ezek. 22:14

⁷ Isa. 30:33

⁸ Matt. 3.7

⁹ Matt. 7:13,14

¹⁰ Ps. 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:19

¹¹ Luke 14:26

¹² Gen. 19:17

2 CHRISTIAN IS PURSUED BY OBSTINATE AND PLIABLE

THE neighbours also came out to see him run¹³; 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.

      OBSTINATE: What! said Obstinate, and leave our friends and our comforts behind us?

CHRISTIAN: 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 enjoy¹⁴; 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.¹⁵ Come away, and prove my words.

      OBSTINATE: What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them?

CHRISTIAN: I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away¹⁶, and it is laid up in heaven, and safe there¹⁷, to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on them that diligently seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my book.

      OBSTINATE: Tush! said Obstinate, away with your book; will you go back with us or no?

CHRISTIAN: No, not I, said the other, because I have laid my hand to the plough.¹⁸

OBSTINATE: 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.¹⁹

      PLIABLE: 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.

      OBSTINATE: 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.

CHRISTIAN: 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.²⁰

      PLIABLE: Well, neighbour Obstinate, said Pliable, I begin to come to a point; I intend to go along with this good