THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
FROM THIS WORLD,
TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME
TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME
CHAPTER 15
WEEK 5 - TUESDAY
Read and pray: "You have put far from me my friends and my acquaintances into darkness." (Psalm 88:18)
Christian and Hope imprisoned by the giant Despair
Christian and Hope, feeling surrounded by consolation and peace, fall into negligence and take a wrong path, being captured by the giant Despair;
Our pilgrims were following their way when I saw them reach a beautiful river, which King David called "river of God" and John "river of the water of life" (Psalm 65:9; Revelation 22:1; Ezekiel 47:1-9).
They had to cross this river. Great was the consolation they felt, and even greater when, having put their lips to the water of life, they found it pleasant and refreshing for their weary spirits.
On the riverbanks grew leafy trees that bore every kind of fruit, and whose leaves served to prevent the diseases that usually afflict people who, after walking much, feel heat in their blood. On either side of the river were beautiful meadows adorned with lush lilies, which stayed green all year.
Arriving at one of these meadows, they lay down and fell asleep, for in this place they could rest safely (Psalm 23:2; Isaiah 14:30). When they awoke, they ate fruits from the trees, drank again from the water of life, and fell asleep once more. They did this for several days while staying in this place. The pleasure they possessed was so great that they exclaimed: "Blessed be the Lord, who has prepared these crystal waters for the pilgrims who pass by here. And sweet is the fragrance these meadows exhale, which invite us with great delight. Whoever tastes these fruits or even the leaves of these trees will gladly sell all they possess to buy this land."
Since they had not yet reached the end of their journey, they decided to leave after having eaten and drunk.
I then saw in my dream that nearby the path and the river separated, which saddened them greatly. Nevertheless, they did not dare to leave the road. The further the road was from the river, the rougher it became, and since the pilgrims' feet were very sensitive due to the long journey they had made, a great discouragement entered their souls (Numbers 21:4).
Still, they continued their way, although they desired a meadow accessible by wooden planks; it was named "Meadow of the Wrong Path." Christian then said to his companion: If this meadow continued parallel to the road, we could go through it. And, approaching the planks to better examine, he saw a shortcut that ran alongside the road, on the other side of the wall.
Hope - And what if we get lost?
Christian - It is unlikely. Look, don't you see that the shortcut runs parallel to the road?
Hope, convinced by his companion, crossed over with him and entered the shortcut, which was very soft for their feet. They soon spotted a man a little further ahead walking the same shortcut, named Vain-Confidence. They asked him where this path led. To the celestial gate, the man replied. "See? Didn't I tell you?" said Christian to his companion. "Now we can be sure we are going the right way."
They continued their walk, with the man ahead. Suddenly, night surprised them, becoming so dark they could not distinguish the man ahead. This man, unable to see the path, fell into a deep pit, dug by the prince of those places to trap presumptuous fools, and he was greatly hurt in the fall (Isaiah 3:16).
Christian and Hope, hearing him fall, shouted to him asking what had happened, but the only response was a deep groan. Then Hope asked: Where are we? Christian did not dare to answer, fearing they were lost. At the same time, rain began, and a violent storm broke out. Thunder and lightning followed one another and the water rose, flooding the pilgrims. Hope groaned, saying to himself: If only we had stayed on the road as I wanted!
Christian - Who would have thought that this shortcut would cause us to lose the way!
Hope - I had a feeling from the beginning and thus gave you that gentle warning, not speaking more clearly out of respect for your age.
Christian - Do not be offended, good brother. I feel deeply sorry for having caused you to lose the way and exposed you to such danger. Forgive me; I meant no harm.
Hope - Rest assured, brother. I gladly forgive you, and believe this event will be beneficial to us both.
Christian - How I cherish having such a kind brother as my companion! But instead of staying here, let's turn back in search of the path.
Hope - Very well, dear brother, but let me go ahead.
Christian - No. I wish to go first. If there is danger, let me suffer it first, since it is my fault that we both got lost.
Hope - I cannot agree because your spirit is troubled, and we might get lost even more.
At that moment, they heard with great consolation a voice saying:
"Mark well the highway, the road you took; turn back." (Jeremiah 31:21). But the waters had risen so much that returning was very dangerous. (I thought then how much easier it is to leave the path when we are on it than to reach it after losing it). Our pilgrims risked going back; but the darkness was so thick and the water so high that they almost drowned several times.
No matter how much effort they made, they could not find the wooden planks. Then, having found a small shelter, they sat down and waited for daybreak, falling asleep from fatigue and weariness.
Near the place where they sat, there was a castle called the Castle of Doubt, whose owner was the giant Despair, to whom also belonged the lands where our pilgrims had fallen asleep.
The giant, having risen early, walked through his fields when he came upon Christian and Hope, still sleeping. With a harsh and threatening voice, he asked them where they came from and what they wanted there.
_ We are pilgrims, they answered, and we have lost our way.
_ Miserable, exclaimed the giant; you violated my lands last night, trampling and treading on my sowing; you are my prisoners. They could not answer this accusation, for the giant was stronger and they recognized they had transgressed; thus they decided to obey. The giant pushed them before him and locked them in one of the dungeons of his castle, dark, foul, and repugnant to the spirits of the poor pilgrims. There they lay from Wednesday morning until Saturday night, without food, without water, without light, and without anyone coming to inquire about their condition. Their situation was very sad, far from friends and acquaintances (Psalm 88:1-18), especially Christian’s, because his ill-advised haste had caused such misfortune.
The wife of the giant Despair was named Distrust. The giant told her, when they went to bed, that he had captured the prisoners and thrown them into jail for violating his fields, then asked her what fate, in her opinion, should be given to the prisoners. Distrust, after questioning who they were, where they came from, and where they were going, advised her husband to whip them mercilessly the next morning.
Enjoy more:
Hymn – Spiritual Warfare – "With the Armor of God"
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