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.
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.
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.
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 country that can
take it off my shoulders; therefore am I going this way, as I told you, that I
may be rid of my burden.
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 honourable person;
his name, as I remember, is Evangelist.
World. I beshrew him for his counsel! there is not a more dangerous and
troublesome way in the world than is that unto which he hath directed thee;
and that thou shalt find, if thou wilt be ruled by his counsel. Thou hast met
with something, as I perceive, already; for I see the dirt of the Slough of
Despond is upon thee; but that slough is the beginning of the sorrows that do
attend those that go on in that way. Hear me, I am older than thou; thou art
like to meet with, in 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 all
these things which you have mentioned; nay, methinks I care not what I meet
with in the way, if so be I can also meet with deliverance from my burden.
World. How camest thou by the burden at first?
Chr. By reading this book in my hand.
World. I thought so; and it is happened unto thee as to other weak men,
who, meddling with things too high for them, do suddenly fall into 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 for 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 of 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 those 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 has skill to help men off with such burdens as thine are
from their shoulders: yea, to my knowledge, he hath done a great deal of good
this way; ay, and besides, he hath skill to cure those that are somewhat
crazed in their wits with their burdens. To him, as I said, thou mayest go,
and be helped presently. His house is not quite a mile from this 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 stand empty, one of which thou mayest have at reasonable
rates; provision is there also cheap and good; and that which will make thy
life the 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, which this gentleman hath said, my wisest course is to take his advice;
and with that he thus further spoke.
So Christian turned out of his way to go to Mr. Legality's house for help;
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 wayside did hang so much over, that Christian
was afraid to venture further, lest the hill should fall on his head; wherefore
there he stood still and wotted not what to do. Also his burden now 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.
will save)
would
affirm today; it's the same truth He
attested to as he walked this earth
some 2000 years ago - an exclusive way to the Father
(John 14:6) and that man,
as a sinful creature, is in need of a
Saviour.(John
3:16-21).
