THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME
CHAPTER 3
WEEK 1 – THURSDAY
Read and pray: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
Christian leaves the right path misled
by Worldly-Wiseman; but Evangelist meets
him again and shows him once more the way to go.
CHRISTIAN, though he found himself alone, resumed his march resolutely, and saw a man coming toward him across the plain, whom he met shortly afterward at the point where several directions crossed.
This new interlocutor was called Worldly-Wiseman, and he lived in a town known as Carnal-Policy, located not far from the City of Destruction. He had heard about Christian, for his departure from his native land had caused a great stir, and now, seeing him walking so tired due to the burden he bore and hearing his groans and sighs, he spoke to him in the following terms:
Wiseman — Welcome, friend. Where are you going with such a heavy burden?
Christian — You speak rightly. It is so heavy that no person has ever carried a burden like this. I am going to the Wicket-gate, which you see far away, for I have been told that there I will be shown how to be freed from this burden.
Wiseman — Do you have a wife and children?
Christian — I do; but this burden worries and distresses me so much that I no longer take the pleasure in them that I once did, and I barely remember they are mine. (1 Corinthians 7:29)
Wiseman — Well then, listen to me, for I can give you very good advice.
Christian — I will receive it gladly, for I am in great need of good counsel.
Wiseman — First of all, I think you should get rid of that burden as soon as possible. Until you do, your soul will not have peace, nor will you be able to enjoy, as you should, the blessings the Lord has given you.
Christian — That is exactly what I am seeking, for I cannot do it by myself, and there is no one in this land who is able to help me. It is for this very reason that I undertook this journey.
Wiseman — Who advised you to take it?
Christian — A gentleman who seemed to me to be very respectable and honorable. I remember his name was Evangelist.
Wiseman — Cursed be he who gives such advice! This path is exactly the most difficult and dangerous in the world. Haven’t you already begun to experience that? I see you covered in the mire of the Slough of Despond. And know that this is only the first link in the chain of evils that await you on this road. I am older than you, and I have heard many people testify from experience that on this path there is only toil, sorrow, hunger, danger, nakedness, lions, dragons, darkness — in short, death in all its horror. Tell me honestly, why should a man be ruined by listening to strangers?
Christian — I would most willingly suffer all the evils you have just listed, in exchange for being freed from this burden, which is more grievous and dreadful to me than all of them.
Wiseman — And how did this burden come upon you?
Christian — By reading this book I have in my hand.
Wiseman — I thought as much. You are one of those fools who get involved in things too lofty for them, and who, in the end, meet so many difficulties, lose their senses, and are driven into desperate adventures to obtain something they don’t even know what it is.
Christian — As for me, I know very well what I want: to be free of this heavy burden.
Wiseman — I understand that. But why must you go down such a dangerous road, when I can point out another way where you will not face any of those difficulties? Be patient and listen to me: my remedy is at hand, and instead of dangers, you will find safety, friends, and satisfaction.
Christian — Then speak, I beg you earnestly; reveal this secret to me.
Wiseman — Look: in that nearby village, called Morality, lives a very wise and highly regarded man, whose name is Legality. He is very skilled in helping people like you — as proven by many examples — and he also knows how to treat those with mental distress.
His house is at most a quarter of a mile from here, and if he is not home, his son Civility¹, a talented young man, can serve you just as well as his father. Don’t fail to go there. And if you are not willing, as surely you should not be, to return to your city, send for your wife and children, for in the village I mentioned there are many vacant² houses, and you can get one for a very low price. There is also another benefit: respectable neighbors, polite and well-mannered. Life there is very cheap and comfortable.
Upon hearing these words, Christian was uncertain for a few moments, but then this thought came to him: If what he says is true, prudence tells me I should follow his advice.
Christian — Which way leads to the house of this honorable man?
Wiseman — After you pass that high mountain, the first house you come to is his.
Christian immediately changed his resolution and turned toward the house of Mr. Legality, seeking the promised cure. But when he reached the base of the mountain, it appeared so high, and so steep in the place where he had to pass, that he was afraid to go on, fearing it would fall on his head. He stopped, not knowing what to do.
Then he felt the weight of his burden more than ever, as he saw lightning and fire coming out of the mountain, threatening to consume him. (Exodus 19:16–18). Great fear came upon him, and he trembled with terror (Hebrews 12:21). “Woe is me!” he cried. “Why did I pay attention to the advice of Worldly-Wiseman?” And as he was gripped with these fears and remorse, he saw Evangelist approaching. What shame! What trembling I felt when I met Evangelist’s stern gaze!
Evangelist — What are you doing here?
Christian found no words to answer. Shame had tied his tongue.
Evangelist — Was it not you whom I found weeping outside the walls of the City of Destruction?
Christian — Yes, sir, it was I.
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¹ Civility: noun meaning courteous, polite, and respectful behavior in dealing with others; good manners, politeness, and social propriety, especially in public or formal contexts.
² Vacant: unoccupied, abandoned, or not in use.
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