Christian's conversation with Worldly Wiseman.

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.

Now as Christian was walking solitarily by himself, he espied one afar off crossing over the field to meet him, and their hap was to meet just as they were crossing the way to each other. This gentleman's name 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 having some knowledge 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 beholding his sighs and groans, and the like, began thus to enter into some talk with Christian.

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 in 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. *

World. Wilt thou hearken to me, if I give thee good counsel?

Chr. If it be good, I will; for I stand in need of good counsel.

World. I would advise thee, then, that thou with all speed get rid of thy burden; for thou wilt never

* 1 Cor. vii. 29,

Follows the advice of Worldly Wiseman.

be settled in thy mind till then; nor canst thou enjoy the benefits of the blessings which God has 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 a man in our country, that can take it off my shoulders; therfore I am going this way, as I told you, that I may be rid of my burden. (x) World. Who bid thee go this way to be rid of thy burden!

Chr. A man that appeared to me to be a very great and honorable person; his name, as I remember, is Evangelist.

World. Beshrew him for his counsel; there is not a more dangerous nor troublesome way in the world than is that unto which he hath directed thee; and that thou shalt find, if thou will be ruled by this counsel. Thou hast met with something (as I perceive already); I see the dirt of the Slough of Despond is upon thee; but that Slough is the beginning of the sorrow that do attend those that go on in that way; hear me, I am older than thou: thou art like to meet with, on the way which thou goest, wearisomeness painfulness, hunger, perils, nakedness, sword, lions, dragons, darkness, and, in a word, death, and what not! These things are certainly true, having been confirmed by many testimonies. And why should a man so carelessly cast away himself, by giving heed to a stranger?

Chr. Why, Sir, this burden upon my back is more terrible to me, than are all those things which you have mentioned; nay, methinks I care not what I meet with in my way, if so be I can also meet with deliverance from my burden. (y)

(x) A glimpse of the Wicket gate, or of deliverance from the guilt of sin by Christ, will make the sinner reject all other ways, and press on towards Christ ONLY.

(y). Such is the frame of the heart of a young Christian.

Christian is ensnared.

World. How camest thou by the burden at first? Chr. By reading this book in my hand.

World. I thought so; (z) and it has happened unto thee as to other weak men, who, meddling with things too high for them, do suddenly fall in thy distractions; which distractions do not only unman men (as thine, I perceive, have done thee,) but they run them upon desperate ventures, to obtain they know not what.

Chr. I know what I would obtain; it is ease from my heavy burden.

World. But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers attend it? especially since (hadst thou but patience to hear me) I could direct thee to the obtaining what thou desirest, without the dangers that thou, in this way, wilt run thyself into. Yea, and the remedy is at hand. Besides, I will add that instead of these dangers, thou shalt meet with much safety, friendship, and content.

Chr. Pray, Sir, open this secret to me.

World. Why, in yonder village, (the village is named Morality) there dwells a gentleman whose name is Legality, a very judicious man, and a man of very good name, that as skill to help men off with such burdens as thine from their shoulders; yea, to my knowledge, he hath done a great deal of good this way; and, besides, he hath skill to cure those that are somewhat crazed in their wits with their burden. To him, as I said, thou mayest go and be helped presently. (a) His house is not quite a mile from this

(z) Mr. Worldly Wiseman does not like that men should be serious in reading the Bible.

(a) Mr. Worldly Wiseman prefers Morality to Christ the Straight Gate. This is the exact reasoning of the flesh. Carnal reason ever opposes spiritual truth. The notion of justification by our own obedience to God's law, ever works in us, contrary to the law of justification by the obedience of Christ. Self-righteousness is as contrary to the faith of Christ, as indulging the lusts of the Aesh. The former is the white devil of pride, the latter the black

Christian is again met by Evangelist.

place; and if he should not be at home himself, he hath a pretty young man to his son, whose name is Civility, that can do it (to speak on) as well as the old gentleman himself: there I say, thou mayest be eased of thy burden; and if thou art not minded. to go back to thy former habitation, as indeed I would not wish thee, thou mayest send for thy wife and children to thee to this village, where there are houses now standing empty, one of which thou mayest have at a reasonable rate; provision is there also cheap and good; and that which will make thy life more happy is, to be sure there thou shalt live by honest neighbours, in credit and good fashion.

Now was Christian somewhat at a stand; but presently he concluded.-If this be true, what this gentleman hath said, my wisest course is to take. his advice; and with that, he thus farther spake.

Chr. Sir, which is my way to this honest man's house?

World. Do you see yonder high hill ?*

Chr. Yes, very well,

World. By that hill you must go, and the first house you come at is his.

So Christian turned out of his way to go to Mr. Legality's house for help (b): but behold when he was got now hard by the hill, it seemed so high, and also that side of it that was next the way side did hang so much over, that Christian was afraid to

* Mount Sinai.

devil of rebellion and disobedience. See the awful consequences of listening to the reasonings of the flesh.

(b) And a sad turn it proved to him; for he turned from the work of Christ, for his salvation, to his own works and obedience; so did the Galations of old. Mark the consequence: Christian is afraid that Mount Sinai, all the dreadful curses of the law, would fall on his head.

D

Evangelist questions Christian.

venture farther, lest the hill should fall on his head, wherefore, there he stood still, and knew not what to do. Also, his burden seemed heavier to him than while he was in his way.* There came also flashes of fire out of the hill, that made † Christian afraid that he should be burned; here, therefore, he sweat and did quake for fear. And now he began to be sorry that he had taken Mr. Worldly Wise man's counsels. And he saw Evangelist (c) com ing to meet him; at the sight also of whom he began to blush for shame. So Evangelist drew nearer and nearer; and coming up to him, he looked upon him with a severe and dreadful countenance, and thus began to reason with Christian.

Evan. What dost thou here, Christian? said he; at which words, Christian knew not what to answer; wherefore at present he stood speechless before him. Then said Evangelist farther. Art thou not the man that I found crying without the walls of the City of Destruction?

Chr. Yes, dear Sir, I am the man:

Evan. Did I not direct thee the way to the wicket-gate?

Chr. Yes, dear Sir, said Christian.

Evan. How is it then, thou art so quickly turned aside? For thou art now out of the way.

Chr. I met with a gentleman so soon as 1 had got over the Slough of Despond, who persuaded me that I might, in the village before me, find a man that could take off my burden.

Evan What was he?

Chr. He looked like a gentleman, (d) and talked

(c) Evangelist findeth Christian under Mount Sinai, and looketh severely upon him. See the effect of disobeying the gospel. (d) Beware of taking men by their looks. They may look as gentle as lambs, while the poison of asps is under their tongues;