Dangers of the Enchanted Ground. Hobgoblin nor foul fiend He'll not fear what men say, 343 By this time, they were got to the Enchanted Ground, where the air naturally tended to make one drowsy :* and that place was all grown over with briers and thorns, excepting here and there, where was an Enchanted Arbour, upon which if a man sits, or in which if a man sleeps, 'tis a question, say some, whether ever he shall rise or wake gain in this world. Over this forest therefore they went, both one and another; and Mr. Great-heart went before, for that he was the guide, and Mr. Valiant-for-truth came behind, being rear-guard; for fear lest peradventure some fiend, or dragon, or giant, or thief, should fall upon their rear, and so do mischief They went on here, each man with his sword drawn in his hand, for they knew it was a dangerous place. Also they cheered up one another, as well as they could; Feeble-mind, Mr. Great-heart commanded, should come up after him, and Mr. Despondency was under the eye of Mr. Valiant-for-truth. Now they had not gone far, but a great mist and darkness fell upon them all; so that they could scarce, for a great while, one see the other: wherefore they were forced, for some time, to feel for one another by words, for they walked not by sight. But any one must think, that here was but sorry going for the best of them all; but how much the worse was it for the women and children, who both of feet and heart also were but tender! Yet nevertheless so it was, that through the encouraging words of him that led in the front, and of him that brought them up behind, they made a pretty good shift to wag along. The way was also here very wearisome, through dirt and flabbiness. Nor was there, on all this ground, so much as one inn or victualling-house, wherein to refresh the feebler sort. Here therefore was grunting, and puffing, and sighing; while one tumbled over a bush, another sticks fast in the dirt; and the children, some of them lost their shoes in the mire; while one cries out, I am down ;' and another, Ho, where are you?' *Part i. p. 184—192. . 344 They come to an Arbour. And a third, The bushes have got such fast hold on me, I think I cannot get away from them.' Then they came to an arbour, warm, and promising much refreshing to the Pilgrims: for it was finely wrought abovehead, beautified with greens, furnished with benches and settles. It had in it a soft couch, where the weary might lean. This, you must think, all things considered, was tempting; for the Pilgrims already began to be foiled with the badness of the way; but there was not one of them that made so much as a motion to stop there. Yea, for aught I could perceive, they continually gave so good heed to the advice of their guide; and he did so faithfully tell them of dangers, and of the nature of dangers, when they were at them, that usually, when they were nearest to them, they did most pluck up their spirits, and hearten one another to deny the flesh.-The arbour was called the Slothful's Friend, on purpose to allure, if it might be, some of the Pilgrims there to take up their rest when weary. (z) I saw then in my dream, that they went on in this their soli (*) This view of the Enchanted Ground seems to vary from that which has been considered in the First Part. The circumstances of believers who are deeply engaged in business, and constrained to spend much time among worldly people, may here be particularly intended. This may sometimes be unavoidable; but it is enchanted ground: many professors, fascinated by the advantages and connexions thus presented to them, fall asleep, and wake no more: and others are entangled by those thorns and briars, which choke the word, and render it unfruitful." The more soothing the scene the greater the danger, and the more urgent need is there for watchfulness and circumspection: the more vigilant believers are, the greater uneasiness will such scenes occasion them; as they will be so long out of their proper element: and the weaker and more unestablished men are, the more apt will they be, in such circumstances, to yield to discouragement. The society and counsel of faithful ministers and Christian friends may help them to get on: but they will often feel that their path is miry and slippery, entangling and perplexing, dark and wearisome to their souls. Yet if this be the case, their sighs, complaints, and prayers, are hopeful symptoms: but when worldly employments and connexions, which perhaps at first were in a sense unavoidable, induce prosperity; and men seek comfort from this prosperity, instead of considering it as a snare or burden, or improving it as a talent; then the professor falls asleep in the enchanted arbour. It behooves, however, all who love their souls, to shun that hurry of business, and multiplicity of affairs and projects, into which many are betrayed by degrees, in order to supply increasing expenses, that might be avoided by strict frugality and more moderate desires for these things lade the soul with thick clay; are a heavy weight to the most upright; render a man's way doubtful and joyless; and "drown many in destruction and perdition." Great-heart consults his Map. 245 tary ground, till they came to a place at which a man is apt to lose his way. Now, though, when it was light, their guide could well enough tell how to miss those ways that led wrong, yet in the dark he was put to a stand: but he had in his pocket a map of all ways leading to or from the Celestial City; wherefore he struck a light (for he never goes also without his tinder-box,) and takes a view of his book or map, which bids him be careful in that place to turn to the right-hand. And had he not here been careful to look in his map, they had in all probability been smothered in the mud; for just a little before them, and that at the end of the cleanest way too, was a pit, none knows how deep, full of nothing but mud, there made on purpose to destroy the Pilgrims in. Then thought I with myself, who, that goeth on pilgrimage, but would have one of these maps about him, that he may look when he is at a stand, which is the way he must take. (a) They went on, then, in this Enchanted Ground, till they came to where there was another arbour, and it was built by the highway-side. And in that arbour there lay two men, whose names were Heedless and Too-bold. These two went thus far on pilgrimage; but here, being wearied with their journey, sat down to rest themselves, and so fell fast asleep. When the Pilgrims saw them, they stood still, and shook their heads; for they knew that the sleepers were in a pitiful case. Then they consulted what to do, whether to go on, and leave them in their sleep, or step to them and try to awake them. So they concluded to go to them and awake them; that is, if they could; but with this caution, namely, to take heed that themselves did not sit down, nor embrace the offered benefit of that arbour. So they went in, and spake to the men, and called each by his name, (for the guide, it seems, did know them,) but there was no voice, nor answer. Then the guide did shake them, and do what he could to disturb them. Then said one of them, I will pay you when I take my money.' At which the guide shook his head. I will fight so long as I can hold my sword in (a) This emblem inculcates the duty of constant attention to the pre cepts and counsels of Scripture, as well as reliance on its promises; and of an habitual application to the Lord by prayer, to teach us the true meaning of his word, that we may learn the way of peace and safety, in the most difficult and doubtful cases; and the advantage of consulting such ministers, as are most experienced in the ways of God, and most conversant with his sacred oracles. 346 The Pilgrim's press forward. my hand,' said the other. At that one of the children laughed, Then said Christiana, What is the meaning of this?' Then the guide said, They talk in their sleep; if you do strike them, or beat them, or whatever else you do unto them, they will answer you after this fashion; or, as one of them said in old time, when the waves of the sea did beat upon him, and he slept as one upon the mast of a ship, "When I do awake, I will seek it yet again." You know, when men talk in their sleep, they say any thing, but their words are not governed either by faith or reason. There is an incoherency in their words now; even as there was before, betwixt their going on pilgrimage and their sitting down here. This then is the mischief on't, when heediess ones go on pilgrimage; twenty to one but they are served thus. For this Enchanted Ground is one of the last refuges that the enemy to Pilgrims has; wherefore it is, as you see, placed almost at the end of the way, and so it standeth against us with the more advantage. For when,' thinks the enemy, will these fools be so desirous to sit down, as when they are we ry? And at what time so likely to be weary, as when they are almost at their journey's end?' Therefore it is, I say, that the Enchanted Ground is placed so nigh to the Land of Beulah, and so near the end of their race. Wherefore let Pilgrims look to themselves, lest it happen to them as it has done to these, that as you see, are fallen asleep, and none can awake them.' (b) Then the Pilgrims desired, with trembling, to go forward ; only they prayed their guide to strike a light, that they might go the rest of the way by the help of the light of a lantern. So *Prov. xxii. 34, 35. (b) Such men as take up a profession of the gospel, in a heedless manner, and proceed with an overbearing confidence, the result of pride and ignorance, may long maintain a form of godliness, though it be a weariness to them but after a time they will gradually be drawn back into the world, retaining nothing of their religion, except certain distorted doctrinal notions. They find excuses for their conduct from false maxims, and bad examples; they fall asleep in the arms of worldly prosperity; nothing can awaken them to fear, or self-suspicion; but they will, as it were, talk in their sleep about religion, in so incoherent a manner, as to excite the laughter of children; while they who understand the case will bewail their deplorable delusion. Such awful examples should excite us to redoubled diligence, in searching the Scriptures, and in prayer; lest we too should be overcome with a destructive sleep, and perish in this fascinating way. For scenes of worldly prosperity have detected the hypocrisy of many, who have long persevered in an unsuspected profession, amidst difficulties and trials. They find Standfast on his knees. 347 he struck a light, and they went by the help of that through the rest of this way, though the darkness was very great.* But the children began to be sorely weary; and they cried out unto him that loveth Pilgrims, to make their way more comfortable. So by that they had gone a little further, a wind arose, that drove away the fog; so the air became more clear. Yet they were not off, by much, of the Enchanted Ground, but only now they could see one another better, and also the way wherein they should walk. Now when they were almost at the end of this Ground, they perceived, that a little before them was a solemn noise of one that was much concerned. So they went on, and looked before them and behold they saw, as they thought, a man upon his knees, with hands and eyes lifted up, and speaking, as they thought, earnestly to one that was above. They drew nigh, but could not tell what he said; so they went softly till he had done. When he had done, he got up, and began to run towards the Celestial City. Then Mr. Great-heart called after him, saying, 'Soho, friend, let us have your company, if you go, as I suppose you do, to the Celestial City.' So the man stopped, and they came up to him: but so soon as Mr. Honest saw him, he said, 'I know this man.' Then said Mr. Valiant-for-truth, 'Tis one,' said he, that comes from whereabouts I dwelt: his name is Standfast; he is certainly a right good Pilgrim.' . 'Pr'ythee, who is it?' 6 So they came up to one another: and presently Standfast said to old Honest, Ho! father Honest, are you there?' 'Ay,' said he, that I am, as sure as you are there.' Right glad am I,' said Mr. Standfast, that I have found you on this road.' And as glad am I,' said the other, 'that I espied you on your knees.' Then Mr. Standfast blushed, and said, ' But why, did you see me?' 'Yes, that I did,' quoth the other, and with my heart was glad at the sight.' Why, what did you think?' said Standfast. Think!' said old Honest, what should I think! I thought we had an honest man upon the road, therefore should have his company by and by.' If you thought not amiss, how happy am I; but, if I be not as I should, 'tis I alone must bear it.' That is true,' said the other; but your fear doth further confirm me, that things are right betwixt the Prince of Pilgrims and your soul: for he saith, "Blessed is the man that feareth always.' 6 6 Val. Well, but brother, I pray thee tell us, what was it that 2 Pet. i. 19. |