TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME
CHAPTER 13
WEEK 4 – FRIDAY
Read and pray: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35)
Pilgrims at Vanity Fair (3)
After Flattery’s testimony was given, the judge turned to the accused and said: Renegade, heretic, and traitor, did you hear what these respectable witnesses said against you?
Faithful – Am I allowed to say a few words in my defense?
Judge – Ah, wicked man! You do not deserve to live another moment; yet, to show how much leniency I offer you, you may speak. What have you to say?
Faithful – First, in response to the testimony of Mr. Envy, I say that the words for which he accuses me were these: That all rules, laws, customs, or persons which are directly contrary to the Word of God are entirely opposed to Christianity. If this is not true, convince me of my error, and I am ready to retract it here.
As for the second witness, Mr. Superstition, and his testimony, I declare that what I said was: That in the worship of God, divine faith is necessary, which cannot exist without a divine revelation of God’s will; and therefore, anything introduced into God’s worship, out of harmony with divine revelation, can only arise from human faith, which is of no value for eternal life.
Regarding Mr. Flattery, setting aside the insults and similar things he said, I declare that the prince of this city, along with the vile company of his court to which the witness referred, are more worthy of hell than of this city and this country. And I will end by saying: May the Lord have mercy on me.
Then the judge turned to the jury, who had been listening and observing throughout the hearing, and said:
— Gentlemen of the jury, you see that this man has stirred up a great disturbance in your city. You have just heard what the worthy witnesses have testified against him; you have also heard his reply and confession. It is up to you to condemn or acquit him; but before your decision, it seems appropriate to instruct you in our law.
In the time of Pharaoh the Great, a servant of our prince, in order to prevent the multiplication of sectarians of a religion contrary to ours, and lest they become too powerful, a decree was issued that all their male children should be cast into the river (Exodus 1:22).
In the days of Nebuchadnezzar the Great, also a servant of our prince, a decree was made that whoever refused to bow the knee and worship his golden image should be thrown into a burning furnace (Daniel 3:6).
In the time of Darius, a similar decree was issued, ordering that anyone who prayed to any god except Darius during a certain period should be thrown into the lions’ den (Daniel 6:7). Now, this rebel has violated the principle established by those laws, not only in thought (which alone should not be permitted), but also in word and deed. Can this be tolerated?
Note that Pharaoh’s decree was based on a presumption, that is, it sought to prevent a potential evil, for at that time no actual crime had been committed; whereas in this case, there is a full violation of the law. In the second and third points, he offends our religion, and since he confesses his treason, he is worthy of death.
After hearing the law’s exposition, the jury withdrew. It was composed of Mr. Blindness, Mr. Injustice, Mr. Malice, Mr. Lust, Mr. Licentiousness, Mr. Rashness, Mr. Pride, Mr. Enmity, Mr. Liar, Mr. Cruelty, Mr. Hate-Light, and Mr. Implacable. Each one gave his verdict against the accused, and they unanimously declared the crimes proven. Then they informed the judge. Mr. Blindness, who was the foreman, said:
— I clearly see that this man is a heretic.
— Away with this scoundrel, said Injustice.
— Yes, added Malice, even the sight of him offends me.
— As for me, I never could bear him, said Lust.
— Nor I, confirmed Licentiousness, for he was always criticizing my way of life.
— Hang him, hang him, said Rashness.
— He is a wretch, added Enmity.
— A rogue, said Liar.
— We do him a favor by hanging him, said Cruelty.
— And quickly, said Hate-Light. And finally, Implacable said: Even if you gave me the whole world, I could never be reconciled to him. Let us declare him, here and now, worthy of death.
And so they did. They condemned him to be taken to the place where the tumult had begun, and to be executed there in the cruelest manner that could be devised.
They seized him to carry out the law: they whipped him, struck him, tore his flesh, stoned him, wounded him with swords, and finally burned him and reduced him to ashes. Thus perished Faithful.
But behind the crowd, in my dream, I saw a chariot drawn by two horses waiting for him. And as soon as his enemies had killed him, he was taken up in that chariot through the clouds, to the sound of trumpets, toward the celestial gate.
Christian’s punishment was delayed. Our pilgrim returned to prison, where he remained for some time. However, He who orders all things, and who holds in His hand power over the wrath of enemies, allowed Christian to escape this time and continue his journey.
What sweet songs I heard from Christian as he walked! “Great was your joy in the Lord, my good friend Faithful,” he said. “Now you are blessed, while the unbelievers, whose pleasures are false and vain, shall mourn in pain and agony. Bless God, dear Faithful, and sing: your name shall endure, for you live, though they have slain you.”
I then saw in my dream that Christian did not leave the city alone, but was joined by Hopeful, who had come to bear that name by observing Christian and Faithful’s conduct, hearing them, and witnessing their sufferings at Vanity Fair.
Hopeful joined Christian, and treating him with brotherly peace, promised to be his companion. So, as Faithful had died bearing witness to the truth, another arose from his ashes to be the pilgrim’s companion; and, according to Hopeful, there were many more at the fair who would follow them at the next opportunity.
The two companions had not gone far when they were overtaken by a man named Self-Interest, whom they asked where he had come from and where he was going.
— I come from the town of Fair-Speech and am going to the Celestial City. — But he did not tell them his name.
Christian – You come from the town of Fair-Speech? Is there anyone good there? (Proverbs 26:24)
Self-Interest – Certainly; who could doubt it?
Christian – Would you kindly tell me your name?
Self-Interest – My dear sir, I am a stranger to you, as you are to me; if you are traveling this way, I shall gladly enjoy your company; if not, I’ll go on without it.
Christian – I’ve heard of that town Fair-Speech before. They say it’s a land of great wealth.
Self-Interest – Nearly all the inhabitants are traders; I myself have very rich relatives there.
Enjoy more:
Hymn – Praise the Lord – “His Glory”
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