The Man in Rags

As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I came upon a certain place where there was a den, and lay me down in that place to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream. I dreamed, and behold, I saw a man clothed with rags, standing in a certain place, with his face from his own house, a book in his hand, and a great burden upon his back. I looked, and saw him open the book, and read from it. As he read, he wept and trembled; and, being unable to contain it, he broke out with a lamentable cry, saying, “What shall I do?”

Rejected by Family

In this plight, therefore, he went home and restrained himself as long as he could, that his wife and children should not perceive his distress; but he could not be silent long, because his trouble increased. Finally he poured out his heart to his wife and children. He began to talk to them: “Oh my dear wife,” said he, “and you my sweet children, I, your dear friend, am in myself undone by reason of a burden that lies hard upon me. Moreover, I am told to a certainty that this our city will be burned with fire from heaven. In this fearful conflagration, both myself, with you, my wife, and you, my sweet children, shall miserably come to ruin, except some way of escape can be found whereby we may be delivered.” At this, all his family was sore amazed; not because they believed that what he had said to them was true, but because they thought that some frenzy or madness had got into his head. Therefore, as it was drawing towards night, and they hoped that sleep might settle his brain, they hurried to get him to bed. But the night was as troublesome to him as the day. Instead of sleeping, he spent it in sighs and tears. So when the morning came, they asked him how he felt. He told them, Worse and worse. He also set out to talk to them again, but they began to be hardened. They also thought to drive away his madness by harsh and surly treatment of him. Sometimes they would ridicule, sometimes they would chide, and sometimes they would quite neglect him. Therefore he began to retire himself to his chamber, to pray for and pity them, and also to sorrow over his own misery. He would also walk aline in the fields, sometimes reading, and sometimes praying; and thus for some days he spent his time.

The Evangelist

Now, I saw, upon a time, when he was walking in the fields, that he was (as was his habit) reading in his book, and greatly distressed in his mind. As he read, he burst out as he had done before, crying, “What shall I do to be saved?”

I saw also that he looked this way and that way, as if he would run. Yet he stood still, because (as I perceived) he could not tell which way to go. I looked then, and saw a man named Evangelist coming to him, who asked, “Wherefore dost thou cry?”

He answered, “Sir, I read in the book in my hand that I am condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment; and I find that I am not willing to do the first, nor able to do the second.”

Then said Evangelist, “Why aren’t you willing to die, since this life is troubled with so many evils?” The man answered, “Because I fear that this burden that is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave, and I shall fall into Tophet. And, sir, if I be not fit to go to prison, I am not fit to go to judgment, and from thence to death; and the thoughts of these things make me cry.”

The Wicket Gate

Then said Evangelist, “If this is your condition, why do you yet stand still?”

He answered, “Because I know not where to go.” Then he gave him a parchment roll, and there was written within, “Flee from the wrath to come.”

The man, therefore, read it, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully, said, “To where must I flee?” Then said Evangelist (pointing with his finger over a very wide field), “Do you see in the distance the wicket-gate?” The man said, “No.” Then said the other, “Do you see the far off shining light?” He said, “I think I do.” Then said Evangelist, “Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly to it. There you shall see the gate. At this gate, when you knock, it shall be told to you what you shall do.” So I saw in my dream that the man began to run. Now, he had not run far from his own door, when his wife and children, perceiving it, began to cry after him to return. But the man closed his ears to them, and ran on, crying, “Life! life! eternal life!” So he looked not behind him, but fled towards the middle of the plain.

Flight From Home

The neighbors also came out to see him run. As he ran, some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to return. Among those that did so, there were two that resolved to fetch him back by force. The name of the one was Obstinate, and the name of the other Pliable. Now, by this time, the man had got a good distance from them; but, they were resolved to pursue him, which they did, and in a little time they overtook him. Then said the man, “Neighbors, why have you come?” They said, “To persuade you to go back with us.” But he said, “That can by no means be.” He said, “You dwell in the City of Destruction, the place also where I was born. I see it to be so; and, dying there, sooner or later, you will sink lower than the grave, into a place that burns with fire and brimstone. Be content, good neighbors, and come along with me.”

Obstinate and Pliable

Obstinate: “What!” said Obstinate, “and leave our friends and comforts behind us?”

Christian: “Yes,” said Christian (for that was his name), “because that all which you forsake is not worthy to be compared with a little of that I am seeking to enjoy. If you would come along with me, and stick to it, you shall fare as I myself; for there, where I go, is enough and to spare. Come away, and prove my words.”

Obstinate: What are the things you seek, since you leave the world to find them?

Christian: I seek a place that can never be destroyed, one that is pure, and that does not fade away. It is laid up in heaven, and safe there, to be given, at the time appointed, to those that seek it with all their heart. Read it for yourself, if you will, in my book.

Obstinate: “Tush!” said Obstinate, “away with your book! Will you go back with us or not?”

Christian: “No, not I,” said the other, “because I have put my hand to the plough.”

Obstinate: Come, then, neighbor Pliable, let us turn again, and go home without him. There is a company of these crazy-headed fools, that, when they take a fancy by the end, are wiser in their own eyes than seven men that can render a reason.

Pliable: Then said Pliable, “Don’t revile. If what good Christian says is true, the things he looks after are better than ours. My heart is inclined to go with my neighbor.”

Obstinate: What! more fools still? Be ruled by me, and go back. Who knows where such a brain-sick fellow will lead you? Go back, go back, and be wise.

Christian: Nay, but you should come with your neighbor Pliable. There are such things to be had which I spoke of, and many more glories besides. If you don’t believe me, read it here in this book. For the truth of what is told in it, behold, all is made by the blood of Him that made it.

Pliable: “Well, neighbor Obstinate,” said Pliable, “I begin to come to a point. I intend to go along with this good man, and to cast in my lot with him. But, my good companion, do you know the way to this desired place?”

Christian: I am directed by a man whose name is Evangelist, to speed me to a little gate that is before us. There we shall receive directions about the way.

Pliable: Come, then, good neighbor, let us be going. Then they both went together.

“And I will go back to my place,” said Obstinate, “I will be no companion of such misled, fantastical fellows.”

Now, I saw in my dream that, when Obstinate had gone back, Christian and Pliable went talking over the plain; and thus they began:

Christian: Come, neighbor Pliable, how do you do? I am glad you are persuaded to go along with me. Had even Obstinate himself but felt what I have felt of the powers and terrors of what is yet unseen, he would not so lightly have given us the back.

Pliable: Come, neighbor Christian, since there are none but us two here, tell me now further what the things are ahead, and what enjoyments there will be where we are going.

Christian: I can better understand them with my mind than speak of them with my tongue. Even still, since you are longing to know, I will read about them from my book.

Pliable: And do you think that the words of your book are certainly true?

Christian: Yes, for sure, because it was made by Him that cannot lie.

Pliable: Well said. What things are they?

Christian: There is an endless kingdom to be enjoyed, and everlasting life to be given us, that we may live in that kingdom forever.

Pliable: Well said, and what else?

Christian: There are crowns of glory to be given to us, and garments that will make us shine like the sun in the sky.

Pliable: This is very pleasant, and what else?

Christian: There shall be no more crying, nor sorrow. For he who is the owner of the place will wipe every tear from our eyes.

Pliable: And what company shall we have there?

Christian: There we shall be with seraphims and cherubims, creatures that shall dazzle 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 all 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 women with their golden harps. There we shall see men that by the world were cut in pieces, burnt in flames, eaten of beasts, drowned in the seas, for the love they bear to the Lord of the place, all well, and clothed with everlasting life as with a garment.

Pliable: The hearing of this is enough to delight one’s heart. But are these things to be enjoyed? How shall we get to be sharers of this?

Christian: The Lord, the Governor of the country, has written that in this book; the substance of which is, if we are truly willing to have it, He will bestow it upon us freely.

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

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

The Slough of Despond

Now, I saw in my dream that just as they had ended this talk, they drew near to a very miry slough or swamp that was in the midst of the plain, and they, being heedless, did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of the slough was Despond. Here, therefore, they wallowed for a time, being grievously soaked with the mud. Christian, because of the burden that was on his back, began to sink into the mire.

Pliable: Then said Pliable, “Ah! Neighbor Christian, where are you now?”

Christian: “Truly,” said Christian, “I do not know.”

Pliable Leaves

Pliable: At this, Pliable began to be offended, and angrily said to his fellow, “Is this the happiness you have told me all this while of? If we have such ill speed at our first setting out, what may we expect between this and our journey’s end? If I get out again with my life, you shall go on to the brave country alone without me.” With that, he gave a desperate struggle or two, and got out of the mire on that side of the swamp which was closest to his own house. So away he went, and Christian saw him no more.

Wherefore Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone. Still he tried to struggle to that side of the slough which was farthest from his own house, and closest to the wicket-gate. Even still, try as he might, he 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, What is he doing there?

Help Helps

Christian: “Sir,” said Christian, “I was told to go this way by a man called Evangelist, who directed me also to yonder gate, that I might escape the wrath to come. As I was going there, I fell in here.”

Help: But why did you not look for the steps?

Christian: Fear followed me so hard that I fled the next way and fell in.

Help: Then said he, “Give me your hand.” So Christian gave him his hand, and he drew him out. Then he set him upon solid ground, and bade him go on his way.

Then Christian stepped to him that plucked him out, and said, “Sir, why, since this place is on the way from the City of Destruction to yonder gate, is it that this place is not mended, so that poor travelers might go this way with more safety?” And he said unto me, “This miry slough is such a place as cannot be mended; it is the hollow whither the scum and filth that go with the feeling of sin, do continually run. This is why it is called the Slough of Despond. For when, as the sinner is awakened by his lost condition, there arise in his soul many fears, doubts, and discouraging alarms. All of them gather together and settle in this place. This is the reason for the badness of the ground.

“It is not the desire of the King that this place should remain so bad. His laborers also have, by the direction of His Majesty’s surveyors, been for about these sixteen hundred years employed at this patch of ground to see if perhaps it might be mended,” said he. “And to my knowledge, here has been swallowed up at least twenty thousand cart-loads, yea, millions, of wholesome teachings. These have at all seasons been brought from all places of the King’s dominions and those that know best say they are the best materials to make good the ground of this place. So it should have been mended, but it is the Slough of Despond still, and so it will be remain despite all who have done what they can.

“True, there are, by the direction of the Lawgiver, certain good and substantial steps, placed even through the very midst of this slough. But at such time as this place spews out so much of its filth, as it does this no matter the weather, these steps are hardly seen. Even if they are, men, through the dizziness of their heads, step aside, and then they are bemired to purpose, notwithstanding the steps be there; but the ground is good when they are got in at the gate.”

Now, I saw in my dream that by this time, Pliable had got home to his house. So his neighbors came to visit him; and some of them called him a wise man for coming back, and some called him a fool for risking himself with Christian. There were others who mocked at his cowardliness, saying “Surely since you began to venture, I would not have been so base to have given out for a few difficulties.” So Pliable sat sneaking among them. But at last he got more confidence, and then they all turned their tales, and began to abuse poor Christian behind his back. That is all we have to say concerning Pliable.

Mr Worldly Wiseman

Now, as Christian was walking solitary by himself, he spied someone far off come crossing over the field to meet him. By chance they met just as they were crossing the way of each other. The gentleman’s name that met him was Mr. Worldly Wiseman. He dwelt in the town of Carnal Policy, a very great town, and also hard by from whence Christian came. This man, then, meeting with Christian, and having heard about him, for Christian’s setting forth from the City of Destruction was much noised abroad, not only in the town where he dwelt, but also it began to be the town-talk in some other places. Mr. Worldly Wiseman therefore, having some guess of him, by beholding his laborious going, by noticing his sighs and groans, and the like, began to enter into some talk with Christian.

Worldly Wiseman: How now, good fellow! Where are you going in this burdened manner?

Christian: A burdened manner indeed, as ever I think poor creature had! And whereas you ask me, Where are you going? I tell you, sir, I am going to yonder wicket-gate before me. There, as I am informed, I shall be put into a way to be rid of my heavy burden.

Worldly Wiseman: Have you a wife and children?

Christian: Yes, but I am so laden with this burden that I cannot take that pleasure in them as formerly. I think I am as if I had none.

Worldly Wiseman: Wilt you hearken to me, if I give you counsel?

Christian: If it is good, I will, for I stand in need of good counsel.

Worldly Wiseman: I would advise you, then, that you with all speed should get yourself rid of your burden. You will never be settled in your mind till then; nor can you enjoy the blessings which God has bestowed upon you till then.

Christian: That is what I seek, even to be rid of this heavy burden. But get it off myself I cannot; nor is there any man in our country that can take it off my shoulders. Therefore am I going this way, as I told you, that I may be rid of my burden.

Worldly Wiseman: Who told you to go this way to be rid of your burden?

Christian: A man who appeared to me to be a very great and honorable person. His name, as I remember, is Evangelist.

Worldly Wiseman: I curse him for his counsel! There is no more dangerous and troublesome way in the world than is that into which he has directed you. You shall find this for yourself, if you will be ruled by his advice. You have met with something, as I perceive, already; for I see the dirt of the Slough of Despond is upon thee; but that slough is the beginning of the sorrows that do attend those that go on in that way. Hear me: I am older than thou: thou art like to meet with, in the way which thou goest, wearisomeness, painfulness, hunger, perils, nakedness, sword, lions, dragons, darkness, and, in a word, death, and what not. These things are certainly true, having been proved by the words of many people. And why should a man so carelessly cast away himself by giving heed to a stranger?

Christian: Why, sir, this burden upon my back is more terrible to me than all these things which you have mentioned; nay, methinks I care not what I meet with in the way, if so be I can also meet with deliverance from my burden.

Worldly Wiseman: How camest thou by the burden at first?

Christian: By reading this book in my hand.

Worldly Wiseman: I thought so. And it has happened unto thee as unto other weak men, who, meddling with things too high for them, do suddenly fall into thy crazy thoughts, which thoughts do not only unman men, as thine I perceive have done thee, but they run them upon desperate efforts to obtain what they know not.

Christian: I know what I would obtain; it is an ease for my heavy burden.

The Village of Morality

Worldly Wiseman: But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers attend it? Especially since (if you have patience to hear me,) I could direct thee to the getting of what you desire, without the dangers that thou in this way wilt run thyself into. Yes, and the remedy is at hand. Besides, I will add that, instead of those dangers, thou shalt meet with much safety, friendship, and content.

Christian: Sir, I pray, open this secret to me.

Worldly Wiseman: Why, in yonder village (the village is named Morality), there dwells a gentleman whose name is Legality, a very wise man, and a man of very good name, that has skill to help men off with such burdens as thine is from their shoulders; yea, to my knowledge he hath done a great deal of good this way; aye, and besides, he hath skill to cure those that are somewhat crazed in their wits with their burdens. To him, as I said, thou mayest go, and be helped presently. His house is not quite a mile from this place, and if he should not be at home himself, he hath a pretty young man as his son, whose name is Civility, that can do it (to speak on) as well as the old gentleman himself. There, I say, thou mayest be eased of thy burden; and if thou art not minded to go back to thy former habitation (as indeed I would not wish thee), thou mayest send for thy wife and children to thee in this village, where there are houses now standing empty, one of which thou mayest have at a reasonable rate; provision is there also cheap and good; and that which will make thy life the more happy is, to be sure there thou shalt live by honest neighbors, in credit and good fashion.

Now was Christian somewhat at a stand; but presently he concluded, “If this be true which this gentleman hath said, my wisest course is to take his advice;” and with that, he thus further spake:

Christian: Sir, which is my way to this honest man’s house?

Worldly Wiseman: Do you see yonder high hill?

Christian: Yes, very well.

Worldly Wiseman: By that hill you must go, and the first house you come at is his.

So Christian turned out of his way to go to Mr. Legality’s house for help; but, behold, when he was got now hard by the hill, it seemed so high, and also that side of it that was next the wayside did hang so much over, that Christian was afraid to venture farther, lest the hill should fall on his head; wherefore there he stood still, and knew not what to do. Also, his burden now seemed heavier to him than when he was in his way. There came also flashes of fire out of the hill, that made Christian afraid that he should be burnt; here, therefore, he sweated and did quake for fear.

Return of the Evangelist

Now he began to be sorry that he had taken Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s counsel; and with that, he saw Evangelist coming to meet him, at the sight also of whom he began to blush for shame. So Evangelist drew nearer and nearer and, coming up to him, he looked upon him with a severe and dreadful countenance. He thus began to reason with Christian:

Evangelist: “What are you doing here, Christian?” said he. To these words Christian knew not what to answer; therefore at present he stood speechless before him. Then said Evangelist further, “Are you not the man that I found crying, outside the walls of the City of Destruction?”

Christian: Yes, dear sir, I am the man.

Evangelist: Did not I direct you the way to the little wicket-gate?

Christian: “Yes, dear sir,” said Christian.

Evangelist: How is it, then, that you are so quickly turned aside? For you are now out of the way.

Christian: I met with a gentleman as soon as I had got over the Slough of Despond, who persuaded me that I might, in the village before me, find a man that could take off my burden.

Evangelist: What was he?

Christian: He looked like a gentleman, and talked much to me, and got me at last to yield. So I came here, but when I beheld this hill, and how it hangs over the way, I suddenly made a stand, lest it should fall on my head.

Evangelist: What said that gentleman to you?

Christian: Why, he asked me where I was going, and I told him.

Evangelist: And what said he then?

Christian: He asked me if I had a family, and I told him. But, said I, I am so laden with the burden that is on my back, that I cannot take pleasure in them as formerly.

Evangelist: And what said he then?

Christian: He bade me with speed get rid of my burden, and I told him it was ease that I sought. And, said I, I am therefore going to yonder gate to receive further direction how I may get to the place of deliverance. So he said that he would show me a better way, and short, not so hard as the way, sir, that you sent me in. This way, said he, will direct you to a gentleman’s house who has the skill to take off these burdens. So I believed him, and turned out of that way into this, if haply I might soon be eased of my burden. But, when I came to this place, and beheld things as they are, I stopped for fear, as I said, of danger. Now know not what to do.

Evangelist: Then said Evangelist, “Stand still a little, that I may show thee the words of God.” So he stood trembling. Then said Evangelist, “God says in his book, ‘See that ye refuse not him that speaks; for if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from Him that speaks from heaven.’ He said, moreover, ‘Now, the righteous man shall live by faith in God, but if any man draw back, my soul will have no pleasure in him.’” He also did thus apply them: “You are the man that is running into misery. You have begun to reject the counsel of the Most High, and to draw back your foot from the way of peace, even almost to the danger of your everlasting ruin.”

Repentance and Return

Then Christian fell down at his feet as dead, crying, “Woe is me, for I am undone!” At the sight of this, Evangelist caught him by the right hand, saying, “All manner of sin and evil words shall be forgiven unto men. Be not faithless, but believing.” Then did Christian again revive a little, and stood up trembling, as at first, before Evangelist.

Then Evangelist proceeded, saying, “Give more earnest heed to the things that I shall tell you of. I will now show you who it was that led you astray, and who it was also to whom he sent you. That man that met thee is Mr. Worldly Wiseman. Rightly is he so called, in part because he seeks only for the things of this world. Therefore he always goes to the town of Morality to church. And partly because he loves that way best, for it spares him the necessity of the Cross. Because he is of this evil temper, therefore he seeks to turn you from my way though it is the right way.

“He to whom you were sent for ease, being by name Legality, is not able to set you free from your burden. No man was ever yet rid of his burden by him. No, nor ever is like to be. You cannot be set right by any such plan. Therefore, Mr. Worldly Wiseman is an enemy, and Mr. Legality is a cheat; and, for his son Civility, notwithstanding his simpering looks, he is but a fraud and cannot help you. Believe me, there is nothing in all this noise that you have heard of these wicked men, but a design to rob you of your salvation, by turning you from the way in which I had set you.” After this, Evangelist called aloud to the heavens for proof of what he had said; and with that there came words and fire out of the mountain under which poor Christian stood, which made the hair of his flesh stand up. The words were thus spoken: “As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse.”

Now, Christian looked for nothing but death, and began to cry out lamentably; even cursing the time in which he met with Mr. Worldly Wiseman; still calling himself a thousand fools for listening to his counsel. He was also greatly ashamed to think that this gentleman’s arguments should have the power with him so far as to cause him to forsake the right way. This done, he spoke again to Evangelist, in words and sense as follows.

Christian: Sir, what think you? Is there any hope? May I now go back and go up to the wicket-gate? Shall I not be abandoned for this, and sent back from there ashamed? I am sorry I have hearkened to this man’s counsel, but may my sins be forgiven?

Evangelist: Then said Evangelist to him, “Your sin is very great, for by it you have committed two evils: you have forsaken the way that is good, to tread in forbidden paths. Yet will the man at the gate receive you, for he has good will for all men,” said he. “Only take heed that you turn not aside again, lest you perish from the way, when his anger is kindled but a little.”