Pilgrim’s Progress: Stage 7 – Hopeful and Doubting Castle

Hopeful (7:1)

Now, I saw in my dream that Christian went forth not alone. For there was one whose name was Hopeful (being so made by looking upon Christian and Faithful in their words and behavior in their sufferings at the fair,) who joined himself unto him, and, entering into a brotherly pledge told him that he would be his companion. Thus one died to show faithfulness to the truth, and another rises out of his ashes to be a companion with Christian in his pilgrimage. This Hopeful also told Christian that there were many more of the men in the fair that would take their time and follow after.

By-Ends (7:2)

So I saw that, quickly after they had got out of the fair, they overtook one that was going before them, whose name was By-ends; so they said to him, “What country are you from, sir? And how far will you go in this way?” He told them that he came from the town of Fair-speech, and he was going to the Celestial City; but told them not his name.

Christian: “From Fair-speech! Are there any that love good who live there?”

By-ends: “Yes,” said By-ends, “I hope.”

Christian: Pray, sir, what may I call you?

By-ends: I am a stranger to you, and you to me: if you are going this way, I shall be glad of your company; if not, I must be content.

Christian: This town of Fair-speech, I have heard of it; and, as I remember, they say it’s a wealthy place.

By-ends: Yes, I will assure you that it is; and I have very many rich kindred there.

Christian: Pray, who are your kindred there? If a man may be so bold.

The Town of Fair-Speech (7:3)

By-ends: Almost the whole town; but in particular my Lord Turnabout, my Lord Timeserver, my Lord Fair-speech, from whose ancestors that town first took its name; also Mr. Smooth-man, Mr. Facing-both-ways, Mr. Anything; and the parson of our parish, Mr. Two-tongues, was my mother’s own brother by father’s side. To tell you the truth, I have become a gentleman of good quality; yet my great-grandfather was but a waterman, looking one way and rowing another, and I got most of my estate by the same occupation.

Christian: Are you a married man?

By-ends: Yes, and my wife is a very virtuous woman, the daughter of a virtuous woman; she was my Lady Feigning’s daughter. Therefore she came from a very honorable family, and has arrived at such a pitch of breeding, that she knows how to carry it to all, even to prince and peasant. ‘Tis true we somewhat differ in religion from those of the stricter sort, but only in two small points: First, we never strive against wind and tide; secondly, we are always most zealous when Religion is well dressed and goes in his silver slippers. We very much love to walk with him in the street if the sun shines and the people praise him.

Then Christian stepped a little aside to his fellow Hopeful, saying, “It runs in my mind that this is one By-ends of Fair-speech, and if it be he, we have as much a knave in our company as dwells in all these parts.” Then said Hopeful, “Ask him; I think not that he should be ashamed of his name.” 

Confronting By-Ends (7:4)

So Christian came up with him again, and said, “Sir, you talk as if you knew something more than all the world does. If I do not miss my mark, I think I have half a guess of who you are. Is not your name Mr. By-ends, of Fair-speech?”

By-ends: This is not my name. Indeed, it is but a nickname that was given to me by some that cannot abide me. I must be content to bear it as a reproach, as other good men have borne theirs before me.

Christian: But did you never give an occasion for men to call you by this name?

By-ends: Never, never! The worst that ever I did to give them an occasion to give me this name was, that I always had the luck to jump in my judgment with the present way of the times, whatever it was, and my fortune was to gain through this. If things are thus cast upon me, let me count them a blessing, but let not the malicious load me for this with reproach.

Christian: I thought, indeed, that you were the man that I heard of. To tell you what I think, I fear this name belongs to you more properly than you desire for us to think it does.

By-ends: Well, if you will thus imagine, I cannot help it. You shall find me a fair company-keeper if you still allow me to be your companion.

Christian: If you will go with us, you must go against wind and tide; the which, I perceive, is against your opinion. You must also own Religion in his rags, as well as when in his silver slippers; and stand by him, too, when bound in irons, as well as when he walks the streets with applause.

By-ends: You must not impose or lord it over my faith. Leave it to my liberty, and let me go with you.

Christian: Not a step farther, unless you are willing to do what I declare and as we do also.

By-ends: Then said By-ends, “I never desert my old principles, since they are harmless and profitable. If I may not go with you, I must do as I did before you overtook me, even go by myself, until some overtake me that will be glad of my company.”

By-Ends Companions (7:5)

Now, I saw in my dream that Christian and Hopeful forsook him, and kept their distance before him. But one of them, looking back, saw three men following Mr. By-ends; and, behold, as they came up with him, he made them a very low bow, and they also gave him a compliment. The men’s names were Mr. Hold-the-world, Mr. Money-love, and Mr. Save-all. They were men that Mr. By-ends had been formerly acquainted with; for in their boyhood they were schoolfellows. They were all taught by one Mr. Gripe-man, a schoolmaster in Love-gain, which is a market town in the county of Coveting, in the North. This schoolmaster taught them the art of getting, either by violence, cheating, flattery, lying, or by putting on a pretence of religion; and these four gentlemen had learned much of the art of their master, so that they could each of them have kept such a school themselves.

Well, when they had, as I said, thus saluted each other, Mr. Money-love said to Mr. By-ends, “Who are they upon the road before us?” For Christian and Hopeful were yet within view.

By-ends: They are a couple of far countrymen, that, after their mode, are going on pilgrimage.

Money-love: Alas! why did they not stay, that we might have had their good company? For they, and we, and you, sir, I hope, are all going on pilgrimage.

By-ends: We are so, indeed; but the men before us are rigid, and love much their own notions, and do also lightly esteem the opinions of others. Let a man be ever so godly, yet, if he agrees not with them in all things, they thrust him quite out of their company.

Save-all: That is bad; but we read of some that are righteous overmuch, and such men’s rigidness makes them judges and to condemn all but themselves. But I pray, what and how many were the things in which you differed?

By-ends: Why, they, after their headstrong manner, did conclude that it is their duty to rush on their journey all weathers; and I prefer waiting for wind and tide. They are for taking the risk of all for God at a clap; and I am for taking all advantages to secure my life and property. They are for holding their notions, though all other men might be against them; but I am for religion in what and so far as, the times and my safety will bear it. They are for Religion when in rags and contempt; but I am for him when he walks in his golden slippers, in the sunshine, and with applause.

Hold-the-world: Ay, and hold you there still, good Mr. By-ends. For, for my part, I can count him but a fool, that, having the liberty to keep what he has, shall be so unwise as to lose it. Let us be wise as serpents. It is best to make hay while the sun shines. You see how the bee lies still all winter, and bestirs herself only when she can have profit and pleasure. God sends sometimes rain and sometimes sunshine. If they are such fools let them go through the rain. Yet let us be content to take fair weather along with us. For my part, I like that religion best that will stand with the safety of God’s good blessings unto us. Who can imagine, that is ruled by his reason, since God has bestowed upon us the good things of this life, but that He would have us keep them for His sake? Abraham and Solomon grew rich in religion; and Job says that “a good man should lay up gold as dust;” but he must not be such as the men before us, if they are as you have described them.

Save-all: I think that we are all agreed on this matter, and therefore let us speak no more words about it.

Money-love: No, there needs no more words about this matter, indeed. For he that believes neither Scripture nor reason (and you see we have both on our side), neither knows his own liberty nor seeks his own safety.

And so these four men, Mr. By-ends, Mr. Money-love, Mr. Save-all, and old Mr. Hold-the-world, walked on together, while Christian and Hopeful remained far in advance.

Demas (7:6)

Then Christian and Hopeful went on till they came to a delicate plain, called Ease, where they went with much content; but that plain was but narrow, so they quickly passed over it. Now at the farther side of that plain was a little hill, called Lucre, and in that hill a silver mine. Some of them who had formerly gone that way, because of the rarity of it, had turned aside to see; but going too near the brink of the pit, the ground, being deceitful under them, broke, and they were slain. Some also had been maimed there, and could not to their dying day be their own men again.

Then I saw in my dream that a little off the road, over against the silver mine, stood Demas (gentleman-like) to call to passengers to come and see. He said to Christian and his fellow, “Ho! turn aside here, and I will show you a thing.”

Christian: What thing so deserving as to turn us out of the way?

Demas: Here is a silver mine, and some digging in it for treasure; if you will come, with a little effort you may richly provide for yourselves.

Hopeful: Then said Hopeful, “Let us go see.”

Christian: “Not I,” said Christian. “I have heard of this place before now, and how many have there been slain; and besides, that treasure is a snare to those who seek it, for it hinders them in their pilgrimage.”

Christian: Then Christian called to Demas, saying, “Is not the place dangerous? Has it not hindered many in their pilgrimage?”

Demas: Not very dangerous, except to those who are careless. But even still, he blushed as he spoke.

Christian: Then said Christian to Hopeful, “Let us not stir a step, but still keep on our way.”

Hopeful: I will warrant you, when By-ends comes up, if he has the same invitation as we, he will turn in at that place to see.

Christian: No doubt tis true, for his principles lead him that way; and a hundred to one but he dies there.

Demas: Then Demas called out again, saying, “But will you not come over and see?”

Christian: Then Christian roundly answered, saying, “Demas, you are an enemy to the right ways of the Lord of this way, and have been already condemned for your own turning aside, by one of His Majesty’s judges. Why do you seek to have us condemned also? Besides, if we at all turn aside, our Lord the King will certainly hear of it, and will put us to shame where we should stand with boldness before Him.”

Demas cried again that he also was one of their company, a pilgrim like themselves, and that, if they would tarry a little, he also himself would walk with them.

Christian: Then said Christian, “What is your name? Is it not the same by the which I have called you?”

Demas: Yes, my name is Demas; I am the son of Abraham.

Christian: I know you: Gehazi was your great-grandfather, and Judas your father, and you have trod in their steps. It is but a devilish prank that you use. Your father was hanged for a traitor, and you deserve no better reward. Assure yourself that when we come to the King, we will tell him of your behavior this day. Thus they went their way.

The Fate of By-Ends (7:7)

By this time By-ends and his companions were come again within sight, and they at the first beck went over to Demas. Now, whether they fell into the pit by looking over the brink thereof, or whether they went down to dig, or whether they were smothered in the bottom by the damps that commonly arise, of these things I am not certain. But this I observed, that they never were seen again in the way. Then sang Christian:

“By-ends and silver Demas both agree;
One calls; the other runs, that he may be
A sharer in his lucre; so these two
Take up in this world, and no farther go.”

Remember Lot’s Wife (7:8)

Now, I saw that just on the other side of the plain the pilgrims came to a place where stood an old monument hard by the highway-side; at the sight of which they were both concerned, because of the strangeness of the form there. For it seemed to them as if it had been a woman changed into the shape of a pillar. Here, therefore, they stood looking and looking upon it, but could not for a time tell what they should make of it. At last Hopeful espied written above, there upon the head, a writing in an unusual hand. He, being no scholar, called to Christian, for he was learned, to see if he could pick out the meaning. So Christian came, and after a little laying of letters together, he found the writing to be this, “Remember Lot’s wife.” So he read it to his fellow; after which, they both concluded that this was the pillar of salt into which Lot’s wife was turned, for her looking back with a covetous heart when she was going from Sodom. Which sudden and amazing sight gave them occasion for speaking thus:

Christian: Ah, my brother! This is a timely sight. It came just in time to us after the invitation which Demas gave us to come over to view the hill Lucre. Had we gone over, as he desired us, and as you were inclining to do, my brother, we had, for all I know, been made ourselves, like this woman, a spectacle for those that shall come after to behold.

Hopeful: I am sorry that I was so foolish, and am made to wonder that I am not now as Lot’s wife. For what was the difference between her sin and mine? She only looked back, and I had a desire to go see. Let God’s goodness be praised; and let me be ashamed that ever such a thing should be in my heart.

Christian: Let us take notice of what we see here, for our help for time to come. This woman escaped one judgment, for she fell not by the destruction of Sodom; yet she was destroyed by another. As we see: she is turned into a pillar of salt.

Hopeful: What a mercy is it that neither you, but especially I, have not made myself this example! This gives reason for us to thank God, to fear before Him and always to remember Lot’s wife.

At the Bank of the River (7:9)

I saw, then, that they went on their way to a pleasant river, which David the King called “the river of God,” but John, “the river of the water of life.” Now their way lay just upon the bank of this river; here, therefore, Christian and his companion walked with great delight. They drank also of the water of the river, which was pleasant and enlivening to their weary spirits. Besides, on the banks of this river on either side were green trees that bore all manner of fruit; and the leaves of the trees were good for medicine. With the fruit of these trees they were also very delighted. The leaves they ate to prevent illness, especially such diseases that come to those that heat their blood by traveling. On either side of the river was also a meadow, curiously beautified with lilies, and it was green all the year long. In this meadow they lay down and slept, for here they might lie down safely. When they awoke, they gathered again of the fruit of the trees and drank again of the water of the river, and they lay down again to sleep. This they did for several days and nights. Then they sang:

“Behold ye, how these crystal streams do glide,
To comfort pilgrims by the highway-side;
The meadows green, besides their fragrant smell,
Yield dainties for them; and he who can tell
What pleasant fruit, yea, leaves, these trees do yield,
Will soon sell all, that he may buy this field.”

So when they were disposed to go on, for they were not yet at their journey’s end, they ate and drank, and departed.

By-Path Meadow (7:10)

Now, I beheld in my dream that they had not journeyed far, but the river and the way for a time parted. At this they were not a little sorry; yet they dared not go out of the way. Now the way from the river was rough, and their feet tender by reason of their travels. So the souls of the pilgrims were much discouraged because of the way. Therefore, still as they went on they wished for a better way. Now, a little before them there was, on the left hand of the road, a meadow, and steps to go over the wall into it, and that meadow is called By-path Meadow. Then said Christian to his fellow, “If this meadow lies here along our wayside, let’s go over it.” Then he went to the steps to see; and behold, a path lay along by the way on the other side of the wall. “It is according to my wish,” said Christian; “here is the easiest going. Come, good Hopeful, and let us go over.”

Hopeful: But what if this path should lead us out of the way?

Vain Confidence (7:11)

Christian: “That is not likely,” said the other. “Look, does it not go along by the wayside?” So Hopeful, being persuaded by his companion, went after him over the steps. When they had gone over, and had got into the path, they found it very easy on their feet. Soon, they, looking before them, spied a man walking as they did, and his name was Vain-Confidence. They called after him, and asked him where that way led. He said, “To the Celestial Gate.” “Look,” said Christian, “did not I tell you so? By this you may see we are right.” So they followed, and he went before them. But, behold, the night came on, and it grew very dark; so that the two that were trailing behind lost sight of him that went before. He, therefore, that went before, Vain-Confidence by name, not seeing the way before him, fell into a deep pit. This was on purpose there, made by the prince of those grounds to catch careless fools, and so he was dashed in pieces with his fall.

Now Christian and his fellow heard him fall. So they called to know what happened, but there was none to answer, only they heard a groaning. Then said Hopeful, “Where are we now?” Then was this fellow silent, as mistrusting that he had led him out of the way. Now it began to rain, and thunder, and lighten in a most dreadful manner, and the water began to rise.

Then Hopeful groaned in himself, saying, “Oh that I had kept on my way!”

Christian: Who could have thought that this path should have led us out of the way?

Hopeful: I was afraid of it at the very first, and therefore gave you that gentle caution. I would have spoken plainer, but that you are older than I.

Christian: Good brother, be not offended. I am very sorry I have brought you out of the way, and that I have put you into such great danger. Pray, my brother, forgive me: I did not do it of any evil intent.

Hopeful: Be comforted, my brother, for I forgive you, and believe, too, that this shall be for our good.

Christian: I am glad I have with me a merciful brother; but we must not stand still: let us try to go back again.

Hopeful: But, good brother, let me lead the way.

Christian: No, if you please; let me go first, that if there be any danger, I may be first to it, because by my means we are both gone out of the way.

Hopeful: “No, you shall not go first; for your mind being troubled may lead you out of the way again.” Then for their encouragement they heard the voice of one saying, “Let your heart be towards the highway, even the way that you went; turn again.” But by this time the waters had greatly risen. For this reason, the way of going back was very dangerous. Then I thought that it is easier going out of the way when we are in, than going in when we are out. Yet they undertook to go back; but it was so dark, and the flood so high, that, on their heading back, they were near to being drowned nine or ten times.

Giant Despair (7:12)

Neither could they, with all the skill they had, get again to the steps by the wall that night. Wherefore, at last lighting under a little shelter, they sat down there until daybreak. Being weary, they fell asleep. Now, there was, not far from the place where they lay, a castle, called Doubting Castle the owner of which was Giant Despair. It was in his grounds they now were sleeping. Therefore he, getting up in the morning early, and walking up and down in his fields, caught Christian and Hopeful asleep in his grounds. Then, with a grim and surly voice, he bid them awake, and asked them whence they were, and what they did in his grounds. They told him they were pilgrims, and that they had lost their way. Then said the giant, “You have this night trespassed on me by trampling in and lying on my grounds, and therefore you must go along with me.” So they were forced to go, because he was stronger than they. They had also but little to say, for they knew themselves to be at fault. The giant, therefore, drove them before him, and put them into his castle, into a very dark dungeon, nasty and smelling horribly to the spirits of these two men. Here, then, they lay from Wednesday morning till Saturday night, without one bit of bread or a drop of drink, or light, or any to ask how they did. They were, therefore, here in an evil predicament, and were far from friends and people whom they knew. Now, in this place Christian had double sorrow, because it was through his thoughtless haste that they were brought into this distress.

Now, Giant Despair had a wife, and her name was Diffidence. So, when he was gone to bed, he told his wife what he had done; to wit, that he had taken a couple of prisoners and cast them into his dungeon for trespassing on his grounds. Then he asked her also what he had best to do further to torment them. So she asked him what they were, whence they came, and where they were bound; and he told her. Then she advised him that when he arose in the morning, he should beat them without any mercy. So, when he arose, he selected a grievous crab-tree cudgel, and went down into the dungeon to them, and there first fell to abusing them as if they were dogs, although they never gave him a word of distaste. Then he fell upon them, and beat them fearfully, in such a way that they were not able to help themselves, or to turn them upon the floor. This done, he withdrew and left them there to sorrow over their misery and to mourn under their distress. So all that day they spent their time in nothing but sighs and bitter grief. The next night she, talking with her husband about them further, and understanding that they were yet alive, did advise him to tell them to make away with themselves. So, when morning was come, he goes to them in a surly manner, as before and, perceiving them to be very sore with the stripes that he had given them the day before, he told them that, since they were never like to come out of that place, their only way would be forthwith to make an end of themselves, either with knife, halter, or poison: “For why,” said he, “should you choose life, seeing it is attended with so much bitterness?” But they longed for him to let them go. With that, he looked ugly upon them, and rushing to them, had doubtless made an end of them himself, but that he fell into one of his fits, for he sometimes, in sunny weather, fell into fits/ He lost for a time the use of his hands. Therefore he withdrew, and left them as before to consider what to do. Then did the prisoners consult between themselves, whether it was best to take his advice or no; and thus they began to discourse:

The Temptation of Suicide (7:13)

Christian:  “Brother,” said Christian, “what shall we do? The life we now live is miserable. For my part, I know not whether it is best, to live like this, or to die out of hand. My soul chooses strangling rather than life, and the grave is more easy for me than this dungeon. Shall we be ruled by the giant?”

Hopeful: Indeed, our present condition is dreadful; and death would be far more welcome to me than thus for ever to abide. But yet, let us think: the Lord of the country to which we are going has said, “Thou shalt do no murder.” If  not to another man’s person, how much more, then, are we forbidden to take his advice to kill ourselves? Besides, he that kills another can but commit murder upon his body. But for one to kill himself is to kill body and soul at once. And, moreover, my brother, you talk of ease in the grave; but have you forgotten the hell, where, for certain, the murderers go? For “no murderer has eternal life.” And let us consider again, that all the law is not in the hand of Giant Despair. Others, so far as I can understand, have been taken by him as well as we, and yet have escaped out of his hand. Who knows but that God, who made the world, may cause that Giant Despair may die? Or perhaps, at some time or other, he may forget to lock us in? Or maybe, in a short time, he might have another of his fits before us, and he may lose the use of his limbs? If ever that should come to pass again, for my part, I am resolved to pluck up the heart of a man, and to my utmost try to get out from under his hand. I was a fool that I did not try to do it before. But however, my brother, let us be patient, and endure a while: the time may come that may give us a happy release; but let us not be our own murderers.

With these words, Hopeful at present did calm the mind of his brother. So they continued together in the dark that day, in their sad and sorrowful condition.

Well on towards evening, the giant went down into the dungeon again, to see if his prisoners had taken his counsel. But, when he came there, he found them alive. Truly, alive was all. For now, because of the want of bread and water, and by reason of the wounds they received when he beat them, they could do little but breathe. But, I say, he found them alive. At this he fell into a grievous rage, and told them that, seeing they had disobeyed his counsel, it would be worse with them than if they had never been born.

At this they trembled greatly, and I think that Christian fell into a swoon. But, coming a little to himself again, they renewed their discourse about the giant’s advice and whether yet they had best to take it or not. Now, Christian again seemed for doing it; but Hopeful made his second reply as follows:

Hopeful: “My brother,” said he, “rememberest thou not how valiant you have been up till now? Apollyon could not crush you, nor could all that you did hear, or see, or feel in the Valley of the Shadow of Death. What hardship, terror, and amazement have you already gone through! And are you now nothing but fear? You see that I am in the dungeon with you, a far weaker man by nature than you are. Also this giant has wounded me as well as you. He has also cut off the bread and water from my mouth; and, with you, I mourn without the light. But let us have a little more patience. Remember how you showed yourself the man at Vanity Fair, and was neither afraid of the chain, nor cage, nor yet of bloody death. Therefore, let us, at least to avoid the shame that it becomes not a Christian to be found in, bear up with patience as well as we can.”

Now, night had come around again, and the giant and his wife were in bed. She asked him concerning the prisoners, if they had taken his advice. To this he replied, “They are sturdy rogues; they choose rather to bear all hardship than to make away with themselves.” Then said she, “Take them unto the castle-yard to-morrow, and show them the bones and skulls of those that you have already killed. Make them believe, before a week comes to an end, you wilt tear them also in pieces, as you have done their fellows before them.”

So when the morning had come, the giant went to them again, and took them into the castle-yard and showed them as his wife had bidden him. “These,” said he, “were pilgrims, as you are, once. They trespassed in my grounds as you have done. When I thought it fit, I tore them in pieces. And so within ten days I will do you. Go, get you down to your den again.” And, with that, he beat them all the way there. They lay, therefore, all day on Saturday in a lamentable case, as before. Now, when night had come, and when Mrs. Diffidence and her husband, the giant, were gone to bed, they began to renew their talking of their prisoners. And now, the old giant wondered that he could neither by his blows nor counsel bring them to an end. And, with that, his wife replied, “I fear,” said she, “that they live in hope that some will come to relieve them; or that they have pick locks about them, by the means of which they hope to escape.” “And why do you say so, my dear?” said the giant: “I will therefore search for them in the morning.”

The Key of Promise (7:14)

Well, on Saturday about midnight, they began to pray, and continued in prayer till almost break of day.

Now, a little before it was day, good Christian, as one half amazed, broke out into this earnest speech: “What a fool,” said he, “am I to lie in a foul-smelling dungeon, when I may as well walk at liberty! I have a key in my bosom called Promise, that will, I am sure, open any lock in Doubting Castle.” Then said Hopeful, “That is good news, good brother: pluck it out of thy bosom, and try.”

Then Christian pulled it out of his bosom, and began to try at the dungeon door, whose bolt, as he turned the key, gave back, and the door flew open with ease, and Christian and Hopeful both came out. Then he went to the outward door that leads into the castle-yard, and with his key opened that door also. After, he went to the iron gate, for that must be opened too; but that lock went exceedingly hard, yet the key did open it. Then they thrust open the gate to make their escape with speed; but that gate, as it opened, made such a creaking, that it woke Giant Despair who, hastily rising to pursue his prisoners, felt his limbs to fail, for his fits took him again, so that he could by no means go after them. Then they went on, and came to the King’s highway again, and so were safe because they were out of Giant Despair’s rule.

Now, when they were gone over the steps at the wall, they began to contrive with themselves what they should do at that stile to prevent those that should come after from falling into the hands of Giant Despair. So they agreed to build there a pillar, and to engrave upon the side thereof this sentence: “Over this stile is the way to Doubting Castle, which is kept by Giant Despair, who despises the King of the Celestial Country, and seeks to destroy His holy pilgrims.” Many, therefore, that followed after, read what was written, and escaped the danger. This done, they sang as follows:

“Out of the way we went, and then we found
What ’twas to tread upon forbidden ground:
And let them that come after have a care,
Lest heedlessness make them as we to fare;
Lest they for trespassing his prisoners are
Whose Castle’s Doubting, and whose name’s Despair.”