Those Riddles that lie couch't within thy breast, Is the Hearty Prayer of the Author JOHN BUNYAN. THE Pilgrims Progress In the Similitude of a DREAM. The Second Part. Ourteous Companions, sometime since, to tell you my Dream that I had of Christian the Pilgrim, and of his dangerous Journey toward the Celestial Countrey was pleasant to me, and profitable to you. I told you then also what I saw concerning his Wife and Children, and how unwilling they were to go with him on Pilgrimage: Insomuch that he was forced to go on his Progress without them, for he durst not run the danger of that destruction which he feared would come by staying with them in the City of Destruction: Wherefore, as I then shewed you, he left them and departed. Now it hath so happened, thorough the Multiplicity of Business, that I have been much hindred, and kept back from my wonted Travels into those Parts whence he went, and so could not till now obtain an opportunity to make farther enquiry after whom he left behind, that I might give you an account of them. But having had some concerns that way of late, I went down again thitherward. Now, having taken up my Lodgings in a Wood about a mile off the Place, as I slept, I dreamed again. And as I was in my Dream, behold, an aged Gentleman came by where I lay; and because he was to go some part of the way that I was travelling, me thought I got up and went with him. So as we walked, and as Travellers usually do, I was as if we fell into discourse, and our talk happened to be about Christian and his Travels: For thus I began with the Old-man. Sir, said I, what Town is that there below, that lieth on the left hand of our way ? Then said Mr. Sagasity, for that was his name, it is the City of Destruction, a populous place, but possessed with a very ill conditioned, and idle sort of People. I thought that was that City, quoth I, I went once my self through that Town, and therefore know that this report you give of it is true. Sag. Too true, I wish I could speak truth in speaking better of them that dwell therein. Well, Sir, quoth I, Then I perceive you to be a well meaning man: and so one that takes pleasure to hear and tell of that which is good; pray did you never hear what happened to a man sometime ago in this Town (whose name was Christian) that went on Pilgrimage up toward the higher Regions? Sag. Hear of him! Aye, and I also heard of the Molestations, Troubles, Wars, Captivities, Cries, Groans, Frights and Fears that he met with, and had in his Journey, besides, I must tell you, all our Countrey rings of him, there are but few Houses that have heard of him and his doings, but have sought after and got the Records of his Pilgrimage; yea, I think I may say, that that his hazzardous Journey has got a many well-wishers to his wayes: For though when he was here, he was Fool in every mans mouth, yet now he is gone, he is highly commended of all. For 'tis said he lives bravely where he is: Yea, many of them that are resolved never to run his hazzards, yet have their mouths water at his gains. Christians spoken of tho' called. they are here. They may, quoth I, well think, if they think any thing that is true, that he liveth well where he is, for he now lives at, and in the Fountain of Life, and has what he has without Labour and Sorrow, for there is no grief mixed therewith. Revel. 3. 4. II. Zech. 3. 7. Luke 14. 15. Jude 14, 15. Sag. Talk! The People talk strangely about him: Some say that he now walks in White, that he has a Chain of Gold about his Neck, that he has a Crown of Gold, beset with Pearls upon his Head: Others say, that the shining ones that sometimes shewed themselves to him in his Journey, are become his Companions, and that he is as familiar with them in the place where he is, as here one Neighbour is with another. Besides, 'tis confidently affirmed concerning him, that the King of the place where he is, has bestowed upon him already, a very rich and pleasant Dwelling at Court, and that he every day eateth and drinketh, and walketh, and talketh with him, and receiveth of the smiles and favours of him that is Judge of all there. Moreover, it is expected of some that his Prince, the Lord of that Country, will shortly come into these parts, and will know the reason, if they can give any, why his Neighbours set so little by him, and had him derision when they perceived that he would be a Pilgrim. *For they say, that now he is so in the Affections of his Prince, and that his Sovereign is so much concerned with the Indignities that were cast upon Christian when he became a Pilgrim, that he will look upon all as if done unto himself; and no marvel, for 'twas for the love that he had to his Prince, that he ventured as he did. I dare say, quoth I, I am glad on't, I am glad for the poor mans sake, for that now he has rest from his Labour, Revel. 14. 13. and for that he now reapeth the benefit of his Tears Psal. 126. with Joy; and for that he is got beyond the Gun-shot 5, 6. of his Enemies, and is out of the reach of them that hate him. I also am glad for that a Rumour of these things is noised abroad in this Country; Who can tell but that it may work some good effect on some that are left behind? But, pray Sir, while it is fresh in my mind, do you hear any thing of his Wife and Children? Poor hearts, I wonder in my mind what they do. * Christians King will take Christians part. Luke 10. 16. * Good Sag. Who! Christiana, and her Sons! *They are like to do as well as did Christian himself, for though they all plaid the Fool at the first, and would by no means be perswaded by either the Tears or Intreaties of Christian, yet second thoughts have wrought wonderfully with them, so they have packt up and are also gone after him. Better, and better, quoth I, But What! Wife and Children and all? Sag. 'Tis true, I can give you an account of the matter, for I was upon the spot at the instant, and was throughly acquainted with the whole affair. Then, said I, a man it seems may report it for a truth? Sag. You need not fear to affirm it, I mean that they are all gon on Pilgrimage, both the good Woman and her four Boys. And being we are, as I perceive, going some considerable way together, I will give you an account of the whole of the matter. This Christiana (for that was her name from the day that she with her Children betook themselves to a Pilgrims Life,) after her Husband was gone over the River, and 275. Mark this, you that are Churles to your godly Relations. she could hear of him no more, her thoughts 1 part pag. began to work in her mind; First, for that she had lost her Husband, and for that the loving bond of that Relation was utterly broken betwixt them. For you know, said he to me, nature can do no less but entertain the living with many a heavy Cogitation in the remembrance of the loss of loving Relations. This therefore of her Husband did cost her many a Tear. But this was not all, for Christiana did also begin to consider with her self, whether her unbecoming behaviour towards her Husband was not one cause that she saw him no more, and that in such sort he was taken away from her. And upon this, came into her mind by swarms, all her unkind, unnatural, and ungodly Carriages to her dear Friend: Which also clogged her Čonscience, and did load her with guilt. She was moreover much broken with recalling to remembrance the restless Groans, brinish Tears and selfbemoanings of her Husband, and how she did harden her heart against all his entreaties, and loving perswasions (of her and her Sons) to go with him, yea, there was not any thing that Christian either said to her, or did before her, all the while that his burden did hang on his back, but it returned upon her like |