THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME
CHAPTER 11
WEEK 3 – SATURDAY
Read and pray: “I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” (Job 31:1)
Christian finds in Faithful an excellent companion (2)
Faithful – Indeed, I don’t know if I fully escaped her.
Christian – But surely, you didn’t accede [consent] to her desires?
Faithful – No, I didn’t want to defile myself, for I kept in mind the old saying: “Her feet go down to death” (Prov. 5:5). So I shut my eyes not to be enchanted by her looks (Job 31:1). Then she greatly insulted me, and I went on my way.
Christian – Did you not meet any other obstacle?
Faithful – When I came to the foot of the Valley of Difficulty, I met a very old man who asked me what my name was and where I was going. I answered him. And he added: You seem like a good lad. Would you like to be in my service, assured of being well paid?
I then asked him his name and where he lived, and he said his name was Adam the First, and that he lived in the city of Deceit (Ephesians 4:22). I asked what kind of work he had for me and what the wage would be, and he said: Your work consists of many delights, and your reward will be to be my heir.
I asked him about the food he provided and how many servants he had, and he answered that in his house there were all sorts of pleasures of this world, and that his servants were of his own making.
I asked how many children he had. I have only three daughters, the old man said. Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, and Pride of Life (1 John 2:26), and he promised to marry me to one of them, if I wished. I asked him finally how long he wanted me in his service, and he said for as long as he lived.
Christian – What did you decide in the end?
Faithful – I confess that at first I was somewhat inclined to go with him, for his words were quite pleasant; but looking closely at him, I saw these words written on his forehead: “Put off the old man with all his deeds.”
Christian – And then?
Faithful – Oh! Then the thought struck my mind like nails of fire—that no matter how he flattered me at that moment, he would sell me as a slave once I was in his power. Don’t trouble yourself anymore, I told him, for I won’t even approach the door of your house.
He grew angry and hurled many insults at me, assuring me that he would send someone after me who would make the path I was taking bitter to my soul. I turned my back to continue my journey, but just then I felt him grab me and tear something from within me, and I cried out: “O wretched man that I am!” (Rom. 7:24). I went on my way, and I noticed I was being followed by someone swifter than the wind, who caught up with me precisely at the resting place.
Christian – That place brings back very sad memories for me. It was right there that I sat to rest, and sleep having overcome me, I dropped the scroll from my chest.
Faithful – As I was saying, dear brother, the moment that man caught up with me, he struck me with such a blow that I fell to the ground as if dead. As soon as I came to, I asked him why he treated me like that, and he replied: Because you secretly leaned toward the First Adam. Saying this, he struck me again in the chest, knocking me to the ground, nearly lifeless at his feet. When I regained consciousness, I begged him for mercy. And again he threw me down. And he surely would have finished me off had not someone passed by and commanded him to stop.
Christian – And who was that someone?
Faithful – I didn’t recognize him at first, but noticing the wounds in His hands and His side, I realized it was the Lord. Thanks to Him, I was able to continue on the path through the valley.
Christian – The man who took hold of you was Moses¹, who pardons no one, and knows no compassion for those who transgress his law.
Faithful – I know that well, for it wasn’t the first time I had encountered him. He had sought me out when I was very peaceful at home, to assure me that he would burn house and all if I continued to dwell there.
Christian – And didn’t you see a house at the top of the slope where you met Moses?
Faithful – I did. And I also saw the lions before I got there. They seemed to be asleep, though. And since I still had a few hours of sunlight, I didn’t stop to speak with the porter, but continued down the hill.
Christian – I now recall that he told me he saw you pass. But you have no idea how much I wish you had entered the palace. You would have seen many rare things that you would hardly forget for the rest of your life. And in the Valley of Humiliation, did you not meet anyone?
Faithful – I met Discontent, who tried to persuade me to go back with him; in his opinion, that valley was completely dishonorable. He added that to pass through it would be offensive to my friends Pride, Arrogance, Vanity, Worldly Glory, and others whom he knew for certain would be insulted if I were so foolish as to attempt to cross the valley.
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¹ The Scriptures present the development of Moses’ character, who at the beginning was violent and vengeful (Exodus 2:11–15). But upon knowing the Lord, he came to fear the word of the Lord, which at that time was the Law. The Lord loved him, and the fellowship between them made Moses the meekest man of his time (Num. 12:3).
Enjoy more:
Hymn Longings – “For Being Freed from the Self”
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