What are the things you seek , since you leave all the World to find them ?

I seek an * Inheritance , incorruptible , undefiled , and that fadeth not away ; and it is laid up in Heaven , and fast there , to be bestowed at the time appointed , on them that diligently seek it .

Tush , said Obstinate , away with your Book ; will you go back with us , or no ?

No , not I , said the other ; because I have laid my hand to the * Plow .

Come then , Neighbour Pliable , let us turn again , and go home without him ; There is a Company of these Craz d-headed Coxcombs , that when they take a fancy by the end , are wiser in their own eyes then seven men that can render a Reason .

Then said Pliable , Don't 〈◊〉 ; if what the good Christian says is true , the things he looks after , are better then ours : my heart inclines to go with my Neighbour .

Come with me Neighbour Pliable ; there are such things to be had which I spoke of , and many more Glo●…s besides . If you believe not me , read here in this Book : and for the truth of what is exprest therein , behold all is confirmed by the † blood of him that made it .

Well Neighbour Obstinate ( said Plia le ) I begin to come to a point ; I intend to go along with this good man , and 〈◊〉 in my lot with him : But my good Companion , do you know the way to this defired place ?

I am directed by a man whose name is Evangelist : to speed me to a little Gate that is before us , where we shall receive instruction about the way .

Come then good Neighbour , let us be gving .

And I will go back to my place , said Obstinate . I will be no Companion of such miss-led 〈◊〉 Fellows .

Come Neighbour Pliable , how do you do ? I am glad your are perswaded to go along with me ; and had even Obstinate himself , but felt what I have felt of the Powers and Terrours of what is yet unseen , he would not thus lightly have given us the back .

Come Neighbour Christian , since there is none but us two here , tell me now further , what the things are , and how to be enjoyed , whither we are going ?

I can better conceive of them with my Mind , then speak of them with my ●…ongue : But yet since you are desirous to know , I will read of them in my Book .

And do you think that the words of your Book are certainly true ?

Yes verily , for it was made by him that † cannot lye .

Well said ; what things are they ?

There is an * endless Kingdom to be Inhabited , and everlasting life to be given us ; that we may Inhabit that Kingdom for ever .

Well said ; and what else ?

There are Crowns of Glory to be given us ; † and Garments that will make us shine like the Sun in the Firmament of Heaven .

This is excellent ; And what else ?

There shall be no more crying , * nor sorrow ; For he that is owner of the places , will wipe all tears from our eyes .

And what company shall we have there ?

There we shall be with Seraphims , * and Cherubins , Creatures that will dazle your eyes to look on them : There also you shall meet with thousands , and ten thousands that have gone before us to that place ; none of them are hurtful , but loving , and holy : every one walking in the sight of God ; and standing in his presence with acceptance for ever : In a word , there we shall see the † Elders with their Golden Crowns : There we shall see the Holy † Virgins with their Golden Harps . There we shall see a Men that by the World were cut in pieces , burned in flames , eaten of Beasts , drownded in the Seas , for the love that they bare to the Lord of the place ; all well , and cloathed with b Immortality , as with a Garment .

The hearing of this is enough to ravish ones heart ; but are these things to be enjoyed ? how shall we ●…ges to be Sharers hereof ?

The Lord , the Governour of that Countrey , hath Recorded that c in this Book : The substance of which is , If we be truly willing to have it , he will bestow it upon us freely .

Well , my good Companion , glad am I to hear of these things : Come on , let us mend our pace .

I cannot go so fast as I would , by reason of this burden that is upon my back .

Now I saw in my Dream , that just as they had ended this talk , they drew near to a very Miry Slough , that was in the midst of the Plain , and they being heedless , did both fall suddenly into the bogg . The name of the Slow was Dispond . Here therefore they wallowed , for a time , being grieviously bedaubed with the dirt ; And Christian , because of the burden that was on his back , began to sink in the Mire .

Then said Pliable , Ah , Neighhour Christian , where are you now ?

Truly , said Christian , I do not know .

At that , Pliable began to be offended ; and angerly said to his Fellow , Is this the happiness you have told me all this while o●… ? if we have such ill speed at our first setting out , what may we exp●… , twixt this , and our Journeys e●…d ? d May I get out again with my life , you shall possess the brave Country alone for me . And with that be gave a desperate struggle or two , and got out of the Mire , on that side of the Slough which was next to his own House : So away he went , and Christian saw him no more .

Wherefore Ch●… was left to tumble in the Slough of Dispondency alone , but still he endeavoured to struggle to that side of the Slough , that was still further e from his own House , and next to the Wicket-gate ; the which he did , but could not get out , because of the burden that was upon his back . But I beheld in my Dream , that a Man came to him , whose name was Help , and asked him , W●…at he did t●…e ?

Sir , said Christian , I was directed this way by a Man called 〈◊〉 ; who directed me also to yonder Gate , that I might esc●…pe the wrath to come : And as I was going thither , I fell in here .

But why did you not look for f the steps ?

Fear followed me so hard , that I ●…ed the next way , and fell in .

Give me thy hand . So he gave him his hand , and g he drew him out , and set him upon sound ground , and bid him go on his way .

Then I stepped to him that pluck●… him out ; and said ; Sir. W●…ore ( since over this place , is the 〈◊〉 from the City of De●…n , 〈◊〉 yonder G●… ) is it , that this Plat is not ●…ded , that poor Trav●… 〈◊〉 go thither with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he said unto me ; this Miry 〈◊〉 is such a place as cannot be mended : It is the descent whither the soum and filth that attends conviction 〈◊〉 sin , continually run , and therefore is it called the Slough of Dispond : for still as the sinner is awakened about his lost condition , there ariseth in his soul many fears , and doubts , and discouraging apprehensions , which all of them get together , and settle in this place : And this is the reason of the badness of this ground .

It is not the h pleasure of the King , that this place should remain so bad ; his Labourers also , have by the direction of His Majesties Surveyors , been for above this sixteen hundred years , imploy'd about this patch of ground , if perhaps it might have been mended : yea , and to my knowledge , saith he , Here hath been swallowed up , at least . Twenty thousand Cart Loads ; Yea Millions of whol●… Instructions , that have at all seasons been ●…ght from all places of the Kings Dominions ; ( and they that can tell , say , they are the best Materials to make good ground of the pla●… ) If so be it might have been mended , but it is the Slough of Dispond still ; and so will be ; when they have done what they can .

True , there are by the direction of the Law giver , certain good and subs●… , Steps●… , placed even through the very midst of this Slough ; but at such time as this place doth much spue out 〈◊〉 , as it doth against change of weather , these steps are hardly seen ; or if they be , Men through the diziness of their heads , step besides ; and then they are bemired to purpose , notwithstanding the steps be there ; but the ground is k good when they are once got in at the Gate .

Now I saw in my Dream , that by this time Pliable was got home to his House again . So his Neighbours came to visit him ; and some of them called him wife Man for coming back ; and som●… called him Fool , for hazarding himself with 〈◊〉 : others again did mock at his Cowardliness ; saying , Surely 〈◊〉 yo●… began to venture , I would not have been so base to have given out 〈◊〉 a few ●…culties . So Pliable sat sneaking among them . But at last he got more confidence , and then they all turned their tales , and began to deride poor Christian behind his bac●… . And thus much concerning 〈◊〉 .

Here is a poor burdened 〈◊〉 , I come srom the City of Destruction , but am going to Mount Zion , that I may be delivered from the wrath to come ; I would therefore . Sir , since I am informed that by this Gate is the way thither , know if you are willing to let me in .

m I ●…m willing with all my heart , said he ; and with that he op●…d the Gate .

So when Ch●… was stepping in , the other gave him a pull ; Then ●…id Christian , What means that ? The other told him , A little distance from this Gate , there is erected a strong Castle , of which n Beelzebub is the Captain : from thence both he , and them that are with him shoot Arrows at those that come up to this Gate ; if happily they may dye before they can enter in . Then said Ch●…tian , I rejoyce and tremble . So when he was got in , the Man of the Gate asked him , Who directed him thither ?

Evangelist bid me come hither and knock , ( as I 〈◊〉 ) And he said , that you , Sir , would 〈◊〉 me what I must do .

An open Door is set be●… 〈◊〉 , and no man can shut 〈◊〉 .

Now I begin to reap the benefits of my hazzards .

But how is it that you came alone ?

Because none of my Neighbours saw their danger , as I saw mine .

Did 〈◊〉 of them know of your coming ?

Yes , my W●… and Children saw me at the first , and called 〈◊〉 me to 〈◊〉 again : Also some of my Neighbours stood crying , and calling after me to return ; but I put my Fingers in mine Ears , and so came on my way .

But did none of them follow you , to perswade you to go back ?

Yes , both Obstinate , and Pliable : But when they saw that they could not prevail , Obstinate went railing back ; but Pliable came with me a little way .

But why did he not come through ?

We indeed came both together , until we came at the Slow of Dispond , into the which , we also suddenly fell . And then was my Neighbour Pliable discouraged , and would not adventure further . o Wherefore g●…ing out again , on that side next to his own House ; he told me , I should possess the brave Countrey alone for him : So he went his way , and I came mine . He after Obstinate , and I to this Gate .

Then said Good Will , Alass poor Man , is the Caelestial Glo●…y of so small esteem with him , that he counteth it not worth running the hazards of a few difficulties to obtain it . Well , good Christian , come a little way with me , and I will teach 〈◊〉 about the way thou must go . Look before thee ; dost thou see this narrow way ? That is the way thou must go . It was cast up by the Patriarchs , Prophets , Christ , his Apostles ; and it is as straight as a Rule can make it : This is the way thou must go .

But said Christian , Is there no turnings nor windings by which a Stranger may loose the way ?

Yes , there are many ways Butt down upon this ; and they are Crooked , and Wide : But thus thou may'st distinguish the right from the wrong , That only being straight and narrow .

Then I saw in my Dream , That Christian asked him further , If he could not help him off with his burden that was upon his back ; For as yet he had not got rid thereof , nor could he by any means get it off without help .

He told him ; As to the burden , be content to bear it , untill thou comest to the place of q Deliverance ; for there it will fall from thy back it self .

Then Christian began to gird up his loins , and to address himself to Journey . So the other told him , that by that he was gone some distance from the Gate , he would come at the House of the Interpreter ; at whose Door he should knock ; and he would shew him excellent things . Then Christian took his leave of his Friend , and he again bid him , God speed .

Then he went on , till he came at the House of the q Interpreter , where he knocked over and over : at last one came to the Door , and asked Who was there ?

Sir , here is a Travailer , who was bid by an acquaintance of the Good-man of this House , to call here for my profit : I would therefore speak with the Master of the House : so he called for the Master of the House ; who after a little time came to Christian , and asked him what he would have ?

Sir , said Christian , I am a Man that am come from the City of Destruction , and am going to the Mount Zion , and I was told by the Man that stands at the Gate , at the head of this way , That if I called here , you would shew me excellent things , r such as would be an help to me in my Journey .

Then said the Interpreter , s Come in , I will shew thee that which will be profitable to thee . So he commanded his Man to light the Candle , and bid Christian follow him ; so he had him into a private Room , and bid his Man open à Door ; the which when he had done , t Christian saw a Picture of a very grave Person hang up against the Wall , and this was the fashion of it . u It had eyes lift up to Heaven , the best of Books in its hand , the Law of Truth was written upon its lips , the World was behind his back ; it stood as if it Pleaded with Men , and a Crown of Gold did hang over its head .

Then said Christian , What means this ?

The Man whose Picture this is , is one of a thousand , he can x beget Children , Travel in birth with Children , and y Nurse them himself , when they are born . And whereas thou seest him with eyes lift up to Heaven , the best of Books in his hand , and the Law of Truth writ on his lips : it is to shew thee , that his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners ; even as also thou seest a him stand as if he Pleaded with Men : And whereas thou seest the World as cast behind him , and that a Crown hangs over his head ; that is , to shew thee that slighting and despising the things that are present , for the love that he hath to his Masters service , he is sure in the World that comes next to have Glory for his Reward : Now , said the Interpreter , I have shewed thee this Picture , first , b because the Man whose Picture this is , is the only Man , whom the Lord of the Place whither thou art going , hath Authorized , to be thy Guide in all difficult places thou mayest meet with in the way : wherefore take good heed to what I have shewed thee , and bear well in thy mind what thou hast seen ; lest in thy Journey , thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right , but their way goes down to death .

Then he took him by the hand , and led him into a very large Parlour that was full of dust , because never swept ; the which , after he had reviewed a little while , the Interpreter called for a man to sweep : Now when he began to sweep , the dust began so abundantly to fly about , that Christian had almost there with been 〈◊〉 : Then said the Interpreter to 〈◊〉 that stood by , Bring hither Water , and sprinkle the Room ; which when she had done , was swept and cleansed with pleasure .

Then said Christian , What means this ?

The Interpreter answered ; This Parlor is the heart of a Man that was never sanctified by the sweet Grace of the Gospel : The dust , is his Original Sin , and inward Corruptions that have defiled the whole Man ; He that began to sweep at first , is the Law ; but She that brought water , and did sprinkle it , is the Gospel : Now , whereas thou sawest that so soon as the first began to sweep , the dust did so fly about that the Room by him could not be cleansed , but that thou wast almost choaked therewith . This is to shew thee , that the Law , instead of cleansing the heart ( by its working ) from sin , d doth revive , put e strength into , and f increase it in the soul , as it doth discover and sorbid it , but doth not give power to subdue .

Again , as thou sawest the Damsel sprinkle the Room with Water , upon which it was cleansed with pleasu●… This is to shew thee , that when the Gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences thereof to the heart , then I say , even as thou sawest the Damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the Floor with Water , so is sin vanquished and subdued , and the soul made clean , through the Faith of it ; and consequently : fit for the King of Glory to inhabit .

I saw mor●…over in my Dream , h that the Interpreter took him by the hand , and had him into a little Room ; where sat two little Children , each one in his Chair : The name of the eldest was Passion , and of the other Patience ; Passion seemed to be much discontent , but Patience was very quiet . Then Christian asked , What is the reason of the discontent of Passion ? The Interpreter answered , The Governour of them would have him stay for his best things till the beginning of the next year ; but he will have all now : i Bu●… Patience is willing to wait .