Chapter 2

I saw moreover in my Dream, that the _Interpreter_ took him by the hand, and had him into a little room, where sat two little Children, each one in his chair. The name of the eldest was _Passion_, and the name of the other _Patience_. _Passion_ seemed to be much discontent; but _Patience_ was very quiet. Then _Christian_ asked, What is the reason of the discontent of _Passion_? The _Interpreter_ answered, The Governour of them would have him stay for his best things till the beginning of the next year; but he will have all now; but _Patience_ is willing to wait.

Then I saw that one came to _Passion_, and brought him a bag of Treasure, and poured it down at his feet, the which he took up and rejoyced therein; and withall, laughed _Patience_ to scorn. But I beheld but a while, and he had lavished all away, and had nothing left him but Rags.

_Chr._ Then said _Christian_ to the _Interpreter_, Expound this matter more fully to me.

_Inter._ So he said, These two Lads are Figures: _Passion_, of the Men of this World; and _Patience_ of the Men of that which is to come; for as here thou seest, _Passion_ will have all now this year, that is to say, in this world; so are the men of this world: they must have all their good things now, they cannot stay till next year, that is, until the next world, for their portion of good. That proverb, _A Bird in the Hand is worth two in the Bush_, is of more authority with them then are all the Divine testimonies of the good of the World to come. But as thou sawest that he had quickly lavished all away, and had presently left him nothing but Raggs; so will it be with all such Men at the end of this World.

_Chr._ Then said _Christian_, Now I see that _Patience_ has the best wisdom, and that upon many accounts. 1. Because he stays for the best things. 2. And also because he will have the Glory of his, when the other has nothing but Raggs.

_Inter._ Nay, you may add another, to wit, the glory of the _next_ world will never wear out; but _these_ are suddenly gone. Therefore _Passion_ had not so much reason to laugh at _Patience_, because he had his good things first, as _Patience_ will have to laugh at _Passion_, because he had his best things last; for _first_ must give place to _last_, because _last_ must have his time to come: but _last_ gives place to nothing; for there is not another to succeed. He therefore that hath his portion _first_, must needs have a time to spend it; but he that hath his portion _last_, must have it lastingly; therefore it is said of _Dives, In thy Lifetime thou hadest or receivedst thy good things, and likewise_ Lazarus _evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented_.

_Chr._ Then I perceive 'tis not best to covet things that are now, but to wait for things to come.

_Inter._ You say the Truth: _For the things which are seen are_ Temporal; _but the things that are not seen are_ Eternal. But though this be so, yet since things present and our fleshly appetite are such near neighbours one to another; and, again, because things to come and carnal sense are such strangers one to another; therefore it is that the first of these so suddenly fall into _amity_, and that _distance_ is so continued between the second.

Then I saw in my Dream that the _Interpreter_ took _Christian_ by the hand, and led him into a place where was a Fire burning against a Wall, and one standing by it, always casting Water upon it, to quench it; yet did the Fire burn higher and hotter.

Then said _Christian_, What means this?

The _Interpreter_ answered, This Fire is the work of Grace that is wrought in the heart; he that casts Water upon it, to extinguish and put it out, is the _Devil_; but in that thou seest the Fire notwithstanding burn higher and hotter, thou shalt also see the reason of that. So he had him about to the backside of the wall, where he saw a man with a Vessel of Oyl in his hand, of the which he did also continually cast (but secretly) into the Fire.

Then said _Christian_, What means this?

The _Interpreter_ answered, This is _Christ_, who continually, with the Oyl of his Grace, maintains the work already begun in the heart: by the means of which, notwithstanding what the Devil can do, the souls of his people prove gracious still. And in that thou sawest that the man stood behind the Wall to maintain the Fire, this is to teach thee that it is hard for the tempted to see how this word of Grace is maintained in the soul.

I saw also that the _Interpreter_ took him again by the hand, and led him into a pleasant place, where was builded a stately Palace, beautiful to behold; at the sight of which _Christian_ was greatly delighted: he saw also upon the top thereof, certain Persons walking, who were cloathed all in gold.

Then said _Christian_ May we go in thither?

Then the _Interpreter_ took him, and led him up toward the door of the Palace; and behold, at the door stood a great company of men, as desirous to go in, but durst not. There also sat a Man at a little distance from the door, at a table-side, with a Book and his Inkhorn before him, to take the name of him that should enter therein. He saw also, that in the door-way stood many men in armour to keep it, being resolved to do the men that would enter what hurt and mischief they could. Now was _Christian_ somewhat in a muse. At last, when every man started back for fear of the armed men, _Christian_ saw a man of a very stout countenance come up to the man that sat there to write, saying, _Set down my name, Sir_: the which when he had done, he saw the man draw his Sword, and put an Helmet upon his head, and rush toward the door upon the armed men, who laid upon him with deadly force; but the man, not at all discouraged, fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. So after he had received and given many wounds to those that attempted to keep him out, he cut his way through them all, and pressed forward into the Palace, at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that were within, even of the Three that walked upon the top of the Palace, saying,--

Come in, Come in; Eternal Glory thou shall win.

So he went in, and was cloathed with such Garments as they. Then _Christian_ smiled, and said, I think verily I know the meaning of this.

Now, said _Christian_, let me go hence. Nay stay, said the _Interpreter_, till I have shewed thee a little more, and after that thou shalt go on thy way. So he took him by the hand again, and led him into a very dark room, where there sat a Man in an Iron Cage.

Now the Man, to look on, seemed very sad; he sat with his eyes looking down to the ground, his hands folded together; and he sighed as if he would break his heart. Then said _Christian_, What means this? At which the _Interpreter_ bid him talk with the Man.

Then said _Christian_ to the Man, What art thou? The man answered, I am what I was not once.

_Chr._ What wast thou once?

_Man._ The Man said, I was once a fair and flourishing Professor, both in mine own eyes, and also in the eyes of others; I once was, as I thought, fair for the Coelestial City, and had then even joy at the thoughts that I should get thither.

_Chr._ Well, but what art thou now?

_Man._ I am now a man of _Despair_, and am shut up in it, as in this Iron Cage. I cannot get out; O _now_ I cannot.

_Chr._ But how comest thou in this condition?

_Man._ I left off to watch and be sober; I laid the reins upon the neck of my lusts; I sinned against the light of the Word and the goodness of God; I have grieved the Spirit, and he is gone; I tempted the Devil, and he is come to me; I have provoked God to anger, and he has left me; I have so hardened my heart, that I _cannot_ repent.

Then said _Christian_ to the _Interpreter_, But are there no hopes for such a man as this? Ask him, said the _Interpreter_. Nay, said Christian, pray Sir, do you.

_Inter._ Then said the _Interpreter_, Is there no hope, but you must be kept in this Iron Cage of Despair?

_Man._ No, none at all.

_Inter._ Why? the Son of the Blessed is very pitiful.

_Man._ I have crucified him to myself afresh, I have despised his Person, I have despised his Righteousness, I have counted his Blood an unholy thing; I have done despite to the Spirit of Grace. Therefore I have shut myself out of all the Promises, and there now remains to me nothing but threatnings, dreadful threatnings, _fearful_ threatnings of certain Judgement which shall devour me as an Adversary.

_Chr._ For what did you bring yourself into this condition?

_Man._ For the Lusts, Pleasures, and Profits of this World; in the injoyment of which I did then promise myself much delight; but now even every one of those things also bite me, and gnaw me like a burning worm.

_Chr._ But canst thou not now repent and turn?

_Man._ God hath denied me repentance: his Word gives me no encouragement to believe; yea, himself hath shut me up in this Iron Cage; nor can all the men in the world let me out. O Eternity! Eternity! how shall I grapple with the misery that I must meet with in Eternity!

_Inter._ Then said the _Interpreter_ to _Christian_, Let this man's misery be remembred by thee, and be an everlasting caution to thee.

_Chr._ Well, said _Christian_, this is fearful; God help me to watch and be sober, and to pray that I may shun the cause of this man's misery. Sir, is it not time for me to go on my way now?

_Inter._ Tarry till I shall shew thee one thing more, and then thou shalt go on thy way.

So he took _Christian_ by the hand again, and led him into a Chamber, where there was one rising out of bed; and as he put on his Rayment, he shook and trembled. Then said _Christian_, Why doth this man thus tremble? The _Interpreter_ then bid him tell to _Christian_ the reason of his so doing. So he began and said, This night, as I was in my sleep, I dreamed, and behold the Heavens grew exceeding black; also it thundered and lightned in most fearful wise, that it put me into an Agony; so I looked up in my Dream, and saw the Clouds rack at an unusual rate, upon which I heard a great sound of a Trumpet, and saw also a Man sit upon a Cloud, attended with the thousands of Heaven; they were all in flaming fire, also the Heavens was on a burning flame. I heard then a voice saying, _Arise ye Dead, and come to Judgement_; and with that the Rocks rent, the Graves opened, and the Dead that were therein came forth. Some of them were exceeding glad, and looked upward; and some sought to hide themselves under the Mountains. Then I saw the Man that sat upon the Cloud open the Book, and bid the World draw near. Yet there was, by reason of a fierce Flame which issued out and came from before him, a convenient distance betwixt him and them, as betwixt the Judge and the Prisoners at the bar. I heard it also proclaimed to them that attended on the Man that sat on the Cloud, _Gather together the Tares, the Chaff, and Stubble, and cast them into the burning Lake._ And with that, the bottomless pit opened, just whereabout I stood; out of the mouth of which there came in an abundant manner, Smoak and Coals of fire, with hideous noises. It was also said to the same persons, _Gather my Wheat into my Garner_. And with that I saw many catch't up and carried away into the Clouds, but I was left behind. I also sought to hide myself, but I could not, for the Man that sat upon the Cloud still kept his eye upon me: my sins also came into my mind; and my Conscience did accuse me on every side. Upon this I awaked from my sleep.

_Chr._ But what was it that made you so afraid of this sight?

_Man._ Why, I thought that the day of Judgement was come, and that I was not ready for it: but this frighted me most, that the Angels gathered up several, and left me behind; also the pit of Hell opened her mouth just where I stood: my Conscience too within afflicted me; and as I thought, the Judge had always his eye upon me, shewing indignation in his countenance.

Then said the _Interpreter_ to _Christian_, Hast thou considered all these things?

_Chr._ Yes, and they put me in hope and fear.

_Inter._ Well, keep all things so in thy mind that they may be as a Goad in thy sides, to prick thee forward in the way thou must go. Then Christian began to gird up his loins, and to address himself to his Journey. Then said the _Interpreter_, The Comforter be always with thee, good _Christian_, to guide thee in the way that leads to the City. So _Christian_ went on his way, saying--

Here I have seen things rare and profitable; Things pleasant, dreadful, things to make me stable In what I have began to take in hand; Then let me think on them, and understand Wherefore they shew'd me was, and let me be Thankful, O good Interpreter, to thee.

AT THE HOUSE BEAUTIFUL

_By John Bunyan_

Behold there was a very stately Palace before him, the name of which was _Beautiful_; and it stood just by the High-way side.

So I saw in my Dream that he made haste and went forward, that if possible he might get Lodging there. Now before he had gone far, he entered into a very narrow passage, which was about a furlong off of the Porter's lodge; and looking very narrowly before him as he went, he espied two Lions in the way. Now, thought he, I see the dangers that _Mistrust_ and _Timorus_ were driven back by. (The Lions were chained, but he saw not the chains.) Then he was afraid, and thought also himself to go back after them, for he thought nothing but death was before him: But the Porter at the lodge, whose name is _Watchful_, perceiving that _Christian_ made a halt as if he would go back, cried unto him, saying, Is thy strength so small? Fear not the Lions, for they are chained, and are placed there for trial of faith where it is, and for discovery of those that have none. Keep in the midst of the Path, and no hurt shall come unto thee.

Then I saw that he went on, trembling for fear of the Lions, but taking good heed to the directions of the Porter; he heard them roar, but they did him no harm. Then he clapt his hands, and went on till he came and stood before the Gate where the Porter was. Then said _Christian_ to the Porter, Sir, what House is this? and may I lodge here to-night? The Porter answered, This House was built by the Lord of the Hill, and he built it for the relief and security of Pilgrims. The Porter also asked whence he was, and whither he was going?

_Chr._ I am come from the City of _Destruction_, and am going to Mount _Zion_; but because the Sun is now set, I desire, if I may, to lodge here to-night.

_Por._ What is your name?

_Chr._ My name is now _Christian_, but my name at the first was _Graceless;_ I came of the race of _Japhet_, whom God will perswade to dwell in the Tents of _Shem_.

_Por._ But how doth it happen that you come so late? The Sun is set.

_Chr._ I had been here sooner, but that, wretched man that I am! I slept in the _Arbour_ that stands on the Hillside; nay, I had notwithstanding that been here much sooner, but that in my sleep I lost my Evidence, and came without it to the brow of the Hill; and then feeling for it, and finding it not, I was forced with sorrow of heart to go back to the place where I slept my sleep, where I found it, and now I am come.

_Por._ Well, I will call out one of the Virgins of this place, who will, if she likes your talk, bring you in to the rest of the Family, according to the rules of the house. So _Watchful_ the Porter rang a bell, at the sound of which came out at the door of the house, a grave and beautiful Damsel named _Discretion_, and asked why she was called.

The Porter answered, This man is in a Journey from the City of _Destruction_ to Mount _Zion_, but being weary and benighted, he asked me if he might lodge here to-night; so I told him I would call for thee, who, after discourse had with him, mayest do as seemeth thee good, even according to the Law of the House.

Then she asked him whence he was, and whither he was going; and he told her. She asked him also, how he got into the way; and he told her. Then she asked him what he had seen and met with in the way; and he told her. And last she asked his name; so he said, It is _Christian_; and I have so much the more a desire to lodge here to-night, because, by what I perceive, this place was built by the Lord of the Hill, for the relief and security of Pilgrims. So she smiled, but the water stood in her eyes; and after a little pause, she said, I will call forth two or three more of the Family. So she ran to the door, and called out _Prudence_, _Piety_, and _Charity_, who after a little more discourse with him, had him in to the Family; and many of them, meeting him at the threshold of the house, said, Come in, thou blessed of the Lord; this house was built by the Lord of the Hill, on purpose to entertain such Pilgrims in. Then he bowed his head, and followed them into the house. So when he was come in and set down, they gave him something to drink, and consented together, that until supper was ready, some of them should have some particular discourse with _Christian_, for the best improvement of time; and they appointed _Piety_, and _Prudence_, and _Charity_ to discourse with him; and thus they began:--

_Piety._ Come, good _Christian_, since we have been so loving to you, to receive you into our house this night, let us, if perhaps we may better ourselves thereby, talk with you of all things that have happened to you in your Pilgrimage.

_Chr._ With a very good will, and I am glad that you are so well disposed.

_Piety._ What moved you at first to betake yourself to a Pilgrim's life?

_Chr._ I was driven out of my Native Country, by a dreadful sound that was in mine ears, to wit, That unavoidable destruction did attend me, if I abode in that place where I was.

_Piety._ But how did it happen that you came out of your Country this way?

_Chr._ It was as God would have it; for when I was under the fears of destruction, I did not know whither to go; but by chance there came a man, even to me, as I was trembling and weeping, whose name is _Evangelist_, and he directed me to the Wicket-gate, which else I should never have found, and so set me into the way that hath led me directly to this house.

_Piety._ But did you not come by the House of the _Interpreter_?

_Chr._ Yes, and did see such things there, the remembrance of which will stick by me as long as I live; specially three things: to wit, How Christ, in despite of Satan, maintains his work of Grace in the heart; how the Man had sinned himself quite out of hopes of God's mercy; and also the Dream of him that thought in his sleep the day of Judgement was come.

_Piety._ Why, did you hear him tell his Dream?

_Chr._ Yes, and a dreadful one it was. I thought it made my heart ake as he was telling of it; but yet I am glad I heard it.

_Piety._ Was that all that you saw at the House of the _Interpreter_?

_Chr._ No, he took me and had me where he shewed me a stately Palace, and how the people were clad in Gold that were in it; and how there came a venturous man and cut his way through the armed men that stood in the door to keep him out, and how he was bid to come in, and win eternal Glory. Methought those things did ravish my heart; I could have stayed at that good man's house a twelve-month, but that I knew I had further to go.

_Piety._ And what saw you else in the way?

_Chr._ Saw! Why, I went but a little further, and I saw one, as I thought in my mind, hang bleeding upon the Tree; and the very sight of him made my Burden fall off my back (for I groaned under a weary Burden), but then it fell down from off me. 'Twas a strange thing to me, for I never saw such a thing before; yea, and while I stood looking up (for then I could not forbear looking) three Shining Ones came to me. One of them testified that my sins were forgiven me; another stript me of my Rags, and gave me this broidred Coat which you see; and the third set the Mark which you see, in my forehead, and gave me this sealed Roll (and with that he plucked it out of his bosom).

_Piety._ But you saw more then this, did you not?

_Chr._ The things that I have told you were the best; yet some other matters I saw, as namely I saw three men, _Simple_, _Sloth_, and _Presumption_, lye asleep a little out of the way as I came, with Irons upon their heels; but do you think I could awake them? I also saw _Formalist_ and _Hypocrisie_ come tumbling over the wall, to go, as they pretended, to _Sion_; but they were quickly lost; even as I myself did tell them, but they would not believe. But, above all I found it hard work to get up this Hill, and as hard to come by the Lion's mouths; and truly if it had not been for the good man, the Porter that stands at the Gate, I do not know but that after all I might have gone back again; but now I thank God I am here, and I thank you for receiving of me.

Then _Prudence_ thought good to ask him a few questions, and desired his answer to them.

_Prud._ Do you not think sometimes of the Country from whence you came?

_Chr._ Yes, but with much shame and detestation: Truly, if I had been mindful of that Country from whence I came out, I might have had opportunity to have returned; but now I desire a better Country, that is, an Heavenly.

_Prud._ Do you not yet bear away with you some of the things that then you were conversant withal?

_Chr._ Yes, but greatly against my will; especially my inward and carnal cogitations, with which all my countrymen, as well as myself, were delighted; but now all those things are my grief; and might I but chuse mine own things, I would chuse never to think of those things more; but when I would be doing of that which is best, that which is worst is with me.

_Prud._ Do you not find sometimes, as if those things were vanquished, which at other times are your perplexity?

_Chr._ Yes, but that is seldom; but they are to me golden hours in which such things happen to me.

_Prud._ Can you remember by what means you find your annoyances at times, as if they were vanquished?

_Chr._ Yes, when I think what I saw at the Cross, that will do it; and when I look upon my broidered Coat, that will do it; also when I look into the Roll that I carry in my bosom, that will do it; and when my thoughts wax warm about whither I am going, that will do it.

_Prud._ And what is it that makes you so desirous to go to Mount _Zion_?

_Chr._ Why, there I hope to see him alive that did hang dead on the Cross; and there I hope to be rid of all those things that to this day are in me an annoyance to me; there, they say, there is no death; and there I shall dwell with such Company as I like best. For to tell you truth, I love him, because I was by him eased of my Burden, and I am weary of my inward sickness; I would fain be where I shall die no more, and with the Company that shall continually cry, _Holy, Holy, Holy_.

Then said _Charity_ to _Christian_, Have you a family? Are you a married man?

_Chr._ I have a Wife and four small Children.

_Char._ And why did you not bring them along with you?

_Chr._ Then _Christian_ wept, and said, Oh, how willingly would I have done it, but they were all of them utterly averse to my going on Pilgrimage.

_Char._ But you should have talked to them, and have endeavoured to have shewen them the danger of being behind.

_Chr._ So I did, and told them also what God had shewed to me of the destruction of our City; but I seemed to them as one that mocked, and they believed me not.

_Char._ And did you pray to God that he would bless your counsel to them?

_Chr._ Yes, and that with much affection; for you must think that my Wife and poor Children were very dear unto me.

_Char._ But did you tell them of your own sorrow, and fear of destruction? For I suppose that destruction was visible enough to you.