The Pilgrim's Progress, week 5, Sunday, chapter 13

THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

FROM THIS WORLD,
TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME

CHAPTER 13

WEEK 5 – SUNDAY

Read and pray: "Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." (1 Peter 1:18-19)

Pilgrims at Vanity Fair (5)

Covetousness – It seems to me that we are all in agreement on this point, and I don’t believe there’s any doubt about moving on to another topic.

Love-of-Money – We have nothing more to say about this matter. And whoever does not believe in Scripture or reason (both of which are on our side) does not know his own freedom, nor does he seek his own safety.

Self-Interest – Friends, from what I see, we are all pilgrims, and in order to better avoid evil things, allow me to raise a question.

Let us suppose that a pastor or a merchant is presented with an opportunity to obtain the good things of this life, but he cannot gain them unless he appears to be extraordinarily zealous in some aspect of religion, which previously he had not paid much attention to; would it not be permissible for him to use the necessary means to achieve his end, without thereby ceasing to be an honest man?

Love-of-Money – I see the heart of your question, and, with the kind consent of these gentlemen, I will offer a response, which I will first consider in relation to the pastor. Let us imagine a man of this class, a good man, who holds a very small living, and who, in the hope of another more comfortable and better-paying one, has the opportunity to obtain it on the condition that he be more studious, preach more, and with greater zeal; despite contrary opinions, I see no reason why this man may not do this and even more, when the opportunity arises, without ceasing to be an honest man. And why?

1.° – To desire a better living is lawful, without contradiction, since it is Providence that presents it; and so he may obtain it if it is within his reach and not a matter of conscience.

2.° – Furthermore, the desire for that benefit makes him more studious and more zealous in preaching, compels him to develop his talent, all of which is, no doubt, very much in line with God’s will.

3.° – As for adapting to the character of his people, if he lays aside some of his principles, this suggests: a) that he has a self-denying spirit; b) that he acts with gentleness and attractiveness; c) that he is therefore more fit for the pastoral ministry.

4.° – I therefore conclude that a pastor who exchanges a small living for a greater one should not be called covetous. On the contrary, it should be considered that he is simply following his calling and taking the opportunity to do good when it presents itself.

Now, as for the second part of the question, that is, in reference to the merchant, suppose that his business is quite small, but by becoming religious, he can improve his situation, perhaps finding a rich wife or attracting more customers.

As for me, I see no reason why this cannot be done honestly; because,

1. becoming religious is a virtue, whatever path one takes to achieve it;

2. it is also not unlawful to seek a rich wife or more and better customers;

3. moreover, the man who obtains these things by becoming religious gains one good thing through others just as good and becomes good himself; he obtains many good things – a good wife, good customers, good profits – and becomes good. Therefore, to become religious in order to obtain all these things is a good and profitable temptation.

These words from Love-of-Money were greatly applauded by everyone, and it was unanimously agreed that such doctrine was sound and advantageous.

And since it seemed to them that it could not be refuted, they decided to quicken their pace to present the question to Christian and Hopeful, with even more eagerness since they knew the two had previously opposed Self-Interest’s opinions. They began calling to them loudly, forcing them to stop and wait. They had agreed that the one to pose the question would not be Self-Interest, but rather Worldly-Attachment, since they believed that the answer he received would not be as heated as the one Self-Interest had gotten. As soon as they caught up with the two pilgrims, everyone exchanged greetings, and Worldly-Attachment presented the question, asking them to kindly answer it, if they could.

Christian replied in these terms: – Not only I, but any novice in religion could easily answer a thousand questions like this; if it is lawful to follow Christ for the loaves, as seen in John 6:26, how much more abominable is it to use Christ and religion as a means to obtain and enjoy the things of the world! Only the Gentiles, hypocrites, devils, and sorcerers could embrace such a notion.

1. The Gentiles: When Hamor and Shechem desired the daughters and cattle of Jacob, and saw that there was no other way to obtain them than by being circumcised, they said to their companions, “If every male among us is circumcised as they are, will not their livestock, their property, and every animal of theirs be ours?” (Genesis 34:20-24)
   What they wanted were Jacob’s daughters and goods. Religion was only the means to get their end.

2. The hypocritical Pharisees were also religious in this way. Their long prayers were a pretense to devour widows’ houses, and therefore they received greater condemnation from God (Luke 20:46-47).

3. Such was also the religion of Judas. This demon was religious for the money bag and what it contained; but he was lost and cast out as the son of perdition.

4. This was also the religion of Simon the Sorcerer, for he desired to have the Holy Spirit so that he could make money from it; but he received from Peter the rebuke he deserved (Acts 8:18-23).

5. I must also say that whoever takes up religion to gain the world will leave it, if need be, in order not to lose the world; for it is just as true that Judas became religious because of the world as it is that, for the same reason, he sold his religion and his Lord. To answer your question affirmatively, as it seems you have done, and to accept such an answer as good, is to be a pagan, a hypocrite, and a child of perdition, and your reward will be according to your works.

Upon hearing this speech, the false pilgrims did not know what to say. Then Christian said to his companion: If these men cannot stand before the judgment of a man, what will they do when they appear before the judgment seat of God? If earthen vessels silence them, what will it be when they are rebuked by the flames of a devouring fire?

Christian and Hopeful continued on their way until they came to a beautiful plain called Relief. It was very pleasant for them to cross this plain, but the joy was short-lived, because the plain was not very large. On the other side they found a hill called Gain, and on that hill was a silver mine. Some travelers who had passed that way had strayed from the path to visit the mine, which they believed to be very valuable. But as they approached the mouth of the pit too closely, the ground under them – being false – gave way, and they were swallowed into the abyss where they perished; others, who did not die, were crippled and maimed and were never able to recover their strength for the rest of their lives.

Enjoy more:

Hymn – Assurance and Joy of Salvation – “Redeemed by the Blood”

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