THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME
CHAPTER 16
WEEK 5 - THURSDAY
Read and pray: "Who is wise, that he may understand these things? prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of the Lord are right, and the just shall walk in them: but the transgressors shall fall therein." (Hosea 14:9)
The pilgrims are hosted by the shepherds of the Mountains of Delight
Walking, our pilgrims finally arrived at the Mountains of Delight. They climbed up to behold the garden, the vineyards, and the fountains: they drank, washed, and freely ate of the fruit of life. At the top of the mountains were shepherds feeding the flocks, and at that moment they were near the path. The pilgrims approached them, and leaning on their staves (as travelers do when weary and stopping to talk with someone on the way), asked to whom the Mountains of Delight and the grazing flocks belonged.
Shepherds – These mountains belong to the land of Emmanuel, and from here the Celestial City is in view; the sheep are also His, for whom He gave His life.
Christian – Is this the way that leads to the Celestial City?
Shepherds – It certainly is.
Christian – How far is it still from here to the city?
Shepherds – Great for those who will never arrive, but very small for the persevering.
Christian – Is the path dangerous or safe?
Shepherds – It is safe for those for whom it should be, but the transgressors shall fall in it (Hosea 14:9).
Christian – Is there any relief here for pilgrims who come tired and faint?
Shepherds – The Lord of these mountains has always charged us with the duty of hospitality; therefore, all good things are at your disposal (Hebrews 13:2).
Then I saw in my dream that, once the shepherds learned who the pilgrims were, they asked them some questions about their native land, their entry into the good way, and perseverance in following it, because very few have reached these mountains in their journey; and when they heard the pilgrims’ satisfactory answers, they gave them the best shelter and made the warmest reception.
The shepherds were named Knowledge, Experience, Watchfulness, and Sincerity. They took the pilgrims by the hand and led them into their tents.
“You shall stay with us some time,” said the shepherds, “so that we may get to know each other well and you may be comforted with the delights of these mountains.”
“With the greatest pleasure,” replied the pilgrims, and they lodged there that night, for it was already late and the day had declined.
The next morning, they invited Christian and Hope to take a walk on the mountains. The prospect presented to the eyes of the two pilgrims was exceedingly wonderful. However, the shepherds’ good hospitality did not end there. They agreed to show them some marvels and first took them to the top of the mountain called Error, whose opposite side was very steep; from there, they could see at the bottom of the valley many bodies of people who, having fallen from that height, had been completely shattered.
Christian – What does this mean?
Shepherds – Have you not heard of those who went astray because they listened to what Hymenaeus and Philetus said about the resurrection of the body? (2 Timothy 2:17-18). Those you see down there are those very ones, and they have not been buried up to this day as a warning to others, so that we do not climb too high or come too close to the edge of this valley.
They then led them to the summit of another mountain called Caution, and made them look afar, showing some men who were walking up and down among the graves there.
Those men were blind because they stumbled over the graves and could not get out from among them.
Christian – And what does this mean?
Shepherds – Do you not see a little farther down a bridge that leads to a meadow on the left side of the path? From that bridge, a path goes directly to the Castle of Doubt, property of the giant Despair. Those men you see over there once came on a pilgrimage like you now do, until they reached the bridge; and as the straight path seemed rough to them at that place, they agreed to leave it and go through the meadow, where they were caught by the giant Despair, who locked them up in the Castle of Doubt. After holding them in the dungeon for some days, he put out their eyes and led them to those graves, where they have remained to this day.
“The man who wanders out of the way of wisdom shall rest in the congregation of the dead” (Proverbs 21:16). Christian and Hope exchanged a tearful look, but said nothing to the shepherds.
They then took them to another place at the bottom of the valley. There, on the mountainside, was a door, which they opened.
“Look inside,” they said.
The pilgrims looked and saw that the interior was very dark and full of smoke; they also seemed to hear a roaring noise like of fire, and cries as of those suffering torments.
A strong smell of sulfur came out of there.
Christian – This is a little gate of hell, where enter hypocrites who, like Esau, sell their birthright; who, like Judas, sell their Master; who blaspheme the Gospel like Alexander; who pretend and lie like Ananias and his wife.
Hope – From what I see, those wretches had all the signs of pilgrims, like us, did they not?
Shepherds – They did, yes. And some for a long time.
Hope – How far had they gone in their pilgrimage when they miserably got lost?
Shepherds – Some had reached these mountains, and others even beyond.
Then the pilgrims said among themselves, “We must call on Him who is mighty, to ask Him for strength.”
Hope – And you will also need to use it, if you receive it.
The pilgrims then showed a desire to continue on their way, which the shepherds agreed to, accompanying them to the edge of the mountains. Then the shepherds said:
“Now we will show these pilgrims the gate of the Celestial City, if they can see it through our spyglass.”
Indeed, they made an effort to see, but the memory of what they had seen before made their hands tremble, so that they could not apply the spyglass. Nevertheless, it seemed to them that they saw the gate, and some glory of that place. With this, they took their leave and went singing along the way: “Mysterious secrets the shepherds have taught us; thanks be to them! Come, come to these shepherds those who desire to know deep, hidden, and mysterious things.”
At the farewell, one of the shepherds pointed out the way they should follow; another warned them against the Flatterer; the third advised them not to sleep on the enchanted ground; and the fourth wished them a good journey in the company of the Lord. Then I awoke from my dream.
Enjoy more:
Hymn "With Shepherds at His Feet"
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