THE
PILGRIM'S PROGRESS
Part
II
Section
8
Valiant-for-Truth's-Victory
- his talk with Great- Heart - the
Enchanted Ground - Heedless and Too-bold - Mr. Stand-fast - Madam Bubble's
temptations - the land of Beulah
- Christiana summoned - her parting addresses - she passes the River - she
is followed by Ready-to-halt, Feeble-mind, Despondency and his daughter,
Honest, Valiant, Steadfast - Author's Farewell
VALIANT FOR
TRUTH'S VICTORY
When they were gone
from the shepherds, they quickly came to the place where CHRISTIAN met with
one TURN-AWAY, that dwelt in the town of
Apostasy
.
Wherefore of him Mr. GREAT-HEART their guide did now put them in mind;
saying, "This is the place where CHRISTIAN met with one TURN-AWAY, who
carried with him the character of his rebellion at his back. And this I have
to say concerning this man: He would hearken to no counsel; but once
a-falling, persuasion could not stop him.
"For
if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking
for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who
hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the
covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done
despite unto the Spirit of grace?" Hebrews 10:26-29
When he came to the place where the cross
and the sepulchre was, he did meet with one that bade him look there; but he
gnashed with his teeth, and stamped, and said he was resolved to go back to
his own town. Before he came to the gate, he met with EVANGELIST, who
offered to lay hands on him, to turn him into the way again. But this
TURN-AWAY resisted him; and having done much despite unto him, he got away
over the wall, and so escaped his hand."
Then they went on; and just at the place
where LITTLE-FAITH formerly was robbed, there stood a man with his sword
drawn, and his face all bloody. Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "What art
thou?" The man made answer, saying, "I am one whose name is
VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH. I am a pilgrim, and am going to the Celestial City. Now
as I was in my way, there three men did beset me, and propounded unto me
these three things:
1.
Whether I would become one of them?
2. Or go back from whence I came?
3. Or die upon the place? To the first I answered, I had been a true man a
long season; and therefore it could not be expected that I now should cast
in my lot with thieves.
"My
son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us,
let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without
cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that
go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill
our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one
purse:" Proverbs 1:10-14
Then they demanded what I would say to the
second. So I told them that the place from whence I came, had I not found
incommodity there, I had not forsaken it at all; but finding it altogether
unsuitable to me, and very unprofitable for me, I forsook it for this way.
Then they asked me what I said to the third; and I told them my life cost
more dear far, than that I should lightly give it away. Besides, you have
nothing to do thus to put things to my choice; wherefore at your peril be it
if you meddle. Then these three, to wit, WILD-HEAD, INCONSIDERATE, and
PRAGMATIC, drew upon me; and I also drew upon them.
"So we fell to it, one against three, for the space of above three
hours. They have left upon me, as you see, some of the marks of their
valour; and have also carried away with them some of mine. They are but just
now gone. I suppose they might, as the saying is, hear your horse dash; and
so they betook them to flight."
Great-heart.
But here were great odds, three against one!
Valiant.
"'Tis true; but little and more are nothing to him that has the truth
on his side. 'Though a host should encamp against me,' said one, 'my heart
shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, in this will I be
confident,' etc.
"Though
an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should
rise against me, in this will I be confident." Psalms
27:3
Besides," said he, "I have read
in some records, that one man has fought an army; and how many did Samson
slay with the jawbone of an ass?"
Great-heart.
Then said the guide, "Why did you not cry out, that some might have
come in for your succour."
Valiant.
So I did, to my King,--who I knew could hear, and afford invisible help; and
that was sufficient for me.
Great-heart.
Then said GREAT-HEART to Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, "Thou hast worthily
behaved thyself: let me see thy sword." So he showed it him.
When he had taken it in his hand, and
looked thereon awhile, he said, "Ah, it is a right Jerusalem
blade!"
Valiant.
It is so, Let a man have one of these blades, with a hand to wield it, and
skill to use it, and he may venture upon an angel with it. He need not fear
its holding, if he can but tell how to lay on. Its edges will never blunt.
It will cut flesh, and bones, and soul, and spirit, and all.
"For
we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour
of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done
all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and
having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith,
wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And
take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word
of God:" Ephesians 6:12-17
"For
the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the
joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of
the heart." Hebrews 4:12
Great-heart.
But you fought a great while, I wonder you were not weary.
Valiant.
I fought till my sword did cleave to my hand;
"He
arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand
clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the
people returned after him only to spoil." 2 Samuel 23:10
and when they were joined together, as if a
sword grew out of my arm, and when the blood ran through my fingers, then I
fought with most courage.
Great-heart.
Thou hast done well; thou hast resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Thou shall abide by us: come in, and go out with us; for we are thy
companions.
Then they took him and washed his wounds,
and gave him of what they had to refresh him; and so they went on together.
Now as they went on, because Mr. GREAT-HEART was delighted in him (for he
loved one greatly that he found to be a man of his hands), and because there
were with his company them that were feeble and weak, therefore he
questioned him about many things; as first, "What countryman he
was?"
Valiant.
I am of Darkland for there I was born; and there my father and mother are
still.
Great-heart. "Darkland," said the guide; "doth not
that lie upon the same coast with the city of Destruction?"
Valiant.
Yes, it doth. Now that which caused me to come on pilgrimage was this: We
had one Mr. TELL-TRUE come into our parts, and he told it about what
CHRISTIAN had done, that went from the city of Destruction; namely, how he
had forsaken his wife and children, and had betaken himself to a pilgrim's
life. It was also confidently reported how he had killed a serpent that did
come out to resist him in his journey; and how he got through to whither he
intended. It was also told what welcome he had at all his Lord's lodgings;
especially when he came to the gates of the Celestial City. "For
there," said the man, "he was received with sound of trumpet by a
company of shining ones." He told it also how all the bells in the City
did ring for joy at his reception; and what golden garments he was clothed
with; with many other things that now I shall forbear to relate. In a word,
that man so told the story of CHRISTIAN and his travels, that my heart fell
into a burning haste to be gone after him; nor could father or mother stay
me: so I got from them, and am come thus far on my way.
Great-heart.
You came in at the gate, did you not?
Valiant.
Yes, yes; for the same man also told us that all would be nothing, if we did
not begin to enter this way at the gate.
Great-heart.
"Look you," said the guide to CHRISTIANA, "the pilgrimage of
your husband, and what he has gotten thereby, is spread abroad far and
near."
Valiant.
Why, is this CHRISTIAN'S wife?
Great-heart.
Yes, that it is; and these are also her four sons.
Valiant.
What! and going on pilgrimage too?
Great-heart.
Yes, verily; they are following after.
Valiant.
It gladdens me at heart! Good man! How joyful will he be when he shall see
them that would not go with him, yet to enter in after him at the gates into
the City.
Great-heart.
Without doubt it will be a comfort to him; for next to the joy of seeing
himself there, it will be a joy to meet there his wife and his children.
Valiant.
But now you are upon that, pray let me hear your opinion about it. Some make
a question whether we shall know one another when we are there.
Great-heart.
Do they think they shall know themselves, then? or that they shall rejoice
to see themselves in that bliss? And if they think they shall know and do
these, why not know others, and rejoice in their welfare also? Again, since
relations are our second self, though that state will be dissolved there,
yet why may it not be rationally concluded, that we shall be more glad to
see them there, than to see they are wanting?
Valiant.
Well, I perceive whereabouts you are as to this. Have you any more things to
ask me about my beginning to come on pilgrimage?
Great-heart.
Yes; were your father and mother willing that you should become a pilgrim?
Valiant.
Oh no; they used all means imaginable to persuade me to stay at home.
Great-heart.
Why, what could they say against it?
Valiant.
They said it was an idle life; and if I myself were not inclined to sloth
and laziness, I would never countenance a pilgrim's condition.
Great-heart.
And what did they say else?
Valiant.
Why, they told me that it was a dangerous way; "yea, the most dangerous
way in the world," said they, "is that which the pilgrims
go."
Great-heart.
Did they show wherein this way is so dangerous?
Valiant.
Yes; and that in many particulars.
Great-heart.
Name some of them.
Valiant.
They told me of the Slough of Despond, where CHRISTIAN was well nigh
smothered. They told me that there were archers standing ready in Beelzebub
Castle to shoot them that should knock at the wicket gate for entrance. They
told me also of the wood and dark mountains; of the hill Difficulty; of the
lions; and also of the three giants, BLOODY-MAN, MAUL, and SLAY-GOOD. They
said, moreover, that there was a foul fiend haunted the Valley of
Humiliation, and that CHRISTIAN was by him almost bereft of life.
"Besides," said they, "you must go over the Valley of the
Shadow of Death, where the hobgoblins are; where the light is darkness;
where the way is full of snares, pits, traps, and gins." They told me
also of Giant DESPAIR; of Doubting Castle; and of the ruins that the
pilgrims met with there. Further, they said, I must go over the Enchanted
Ground, which was dangerous. And that, after all this, I should find a
river, over which I should find no bridge; and that that river did lie
betwixt. me and the Celestial Country.
Great-heart.
And was this all?
Valiant.
No: they also told me that this way was full of deceivers; and of persons
that laid await there to turn good men out of the path.
Great-heart.
But how did they make that out?
Valiant.
They told me that Mr. WORLDLY-WISEMAN did there lie in wait to deceive. They
also said that there was FORMALITY and HYPOCRISY continually on the road.
They said also that BY-ENDS, TALKATIVE, or DEMAS, would go near to gather me
up; that FLATTERER would catch me in his net; or that, with green-headed
IGNORANCE, I would presume to go on to the gate, from whence he always was
sent back to the hole that was in the side of the hill, and made to go the
by-way to hell.
Great-heart.
I promise you this was enough to discourage. But did they make an end here?
Valiant. No; stay. They told me also of many that had tried that way
of old; and that had gone a great way therein, to see if they could find
something of the glory there that so many had so much talked of from time to
time; and how they came back again, and befooled themselves for setting a
foot out of doors in that path, to the satisfaction of all the country. And
they named several that did so; as OBSTINATE and PLIABLE; MISTRUST and
TIMOROUS;--TURN-AWAY, and old ATHEIST; with several more, who, they said,
had, some of them, gone far to see if they could find, but not one of them
found so much advantage by going as amounted to the weight of a feather.
Great-heart.
Said they anything more to discourage you?
Valiant.
Yes; they told me of one Mr. FEARING, who was a pilgrim, and how he found
this way so solitary, that he never had a comfortable hour therein; also
that Mr. DESPONDENCY had like to have been starved therein; yea, and
also--which I had almost forgot--that CHRISTIAN himself, about whom there
has been such a noise, after all his ventures for a celestial crown, was
certainly drowned in the Black River, and never went a foot farther;
however, it was smothered up.
Great-heart.
And did none of these things discourage you?
Valiant.
No; they seemed but as so many nothings to me.
Great-heart.
How came that about?
Valiant.
Why, I still believed what Mr. TELL-TRUE had said; and that carried me
beyond them all.
Great-heart.
Then this was your victory, even your faith.
Valiant.
It was so: I believed, and therefore came out, got into the way, fought all
that set themselves against me; and, by believing, am come to this place.
"Who would true valour see,
Let him come hither:
One here will constant be,
Come wind, come weather.
There's no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.
Who so beset him round
With dismal stories,
Do but themselves confound--
His strength the more is.
No lion can him fright:
He'll with a giant fight;
But he will have a right
To be a pilgrim.
Hobgoblin nor foul fiend
Can daunt his spirit:
He knows he at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then, fancies, fly away!
He'll fear not what men say;
He'll labour night and day
To be a pilgrim."
The
Pilgrim's Progress - the Enchanted Ground
The
Pilgrim's Progress - Contents
