The Pilgrim's Progress - Part Two
The Author's Way of Sending Forth His Second Part
of the Pilgrim | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
| 9 | 10 | 11 |
12 | 13 | 14 |
15 | 16 | 17 |
18 | 19 | 20 |
21 | 22 | 23 |
24 | 25 | 26
Back to Pilgrim's Homepage
Christiana and Her Children
To My Courteous Companions
SOME time since, to tell you my dream that I had of CHRISTIAN the pilgrim, and of
his dangerous journey towards the Celestial Country, 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 showed you, he left them and departed.
Now it hath so happened, through the multiplicity of business, that I have been much
hindered and kept back from my wonted travels into those parts whence he went, and
so could not till now obtain an opportunity to make further inquiry 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.
The News of Christian, Christiana and Their Children
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, methought I got up and went
with him. So as we walked, and as travellers usually do, 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 lies on the left
hand of our way?"
Sagacity. Then said Mr. SAGACITY--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 myself 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 some time ago in this town (whose name was CHRISTIAN),
that went on pilgrimage up towards 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 country rings of him; there are but few houses
that have heard of him and his doings, that have sought after and got the records
of his pilgrimage. Yea, I think I may say, that his hazardous journey has got a many
well-wishers to his ways; for though when he was here he was fool in every man's
mouth, yet now he is gone he is highly commended of all: for 't is said he lives
bravely where he is; yea, many of them that are resolved never to run his hazards,
yet have their mouths water at his gains.
"They may," quoth I, "well think, if they think anything that is true,
that he lives 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."
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; and that he has a crown of
gold beset with pearls upon his head:
"Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which
have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are
worthy."
~ Revelation 3:4 ~
"And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them,
that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and
their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled."
~ Revelation 6:11 ~
others say that the Shining Ones that sometimes showed 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.
"Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt
walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house,
and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that
stand by."
~ Zechariah 3:7 ~
Besides, 't is 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 eats and drinks, and walks and talk with him, and receives of the
smiles and favours of him that is Judge of all there.
"And when one of them that sat at meat with
him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread
in the kingdom of God."
~ Luke 14:15 ~
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 so much in derision, when they perceived
that he would be a pilgrim.
"And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam,
prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of
all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard
speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him."
~ Jude 1:14, 15 ~
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
't was for the love that he had to his Prince that he ventured as he did.
"He that heareth you heareth me; and he
that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent
me."
~ Luke 10:16 ~
"I dare say," quoth I. "I am glad of it; I am glad for the poor man's
sake. For that now he has rest from his labour;
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying
unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:
Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do
follow them."
~ Revelation 14:13 ~
and for that he now reaps the benefit of his tears with joy;
"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again
with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."
~ Psalms 126:5, 6 ~
and for that he has got beyond the gunshot 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 anything
of his wife and children? Poor hearts! I wonder in my mind what they do."
Sag. Who? CHRISTIANA and her sons! They are like to do as well as did CHRISTIAN
himself; for though they all played the fool at the first, and would by no means
be persuaded by either the tears or entreaties of CHRISTIAN, yet second thoughts
have wrought wonderfully with them; so they have packed 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 thoroughly 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 gone 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.
The Pilgrim's Progress - Part Two
The Author's Way of Sending Forth His Second Part
of the Pilgrim | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
| 9 | 10 | 11 |
12 | 13 | 14 |
15 | 16 | 17 |
18 | 19 | 20 |
21 | 22 | 23 |
24 | 25 | 26
Back to Pilgrim's Homepage