Pilgrim’s Progress, Part 1, The First Stage

As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a
certain place where was a den, [3] and laid 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. Isa 64:6; Luke 14:33; Psalm 38:4. I looked and saw him open the
book, and read therein; and as he read, he wept and trembled; and not
being able longer to contain, he brake out with a lamentable cry,
saying, "What shall I do?" Acts 2:37; 16:30; Habak 1:2,3.

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 that his trouble
increased. Wherefore at length he brake his mind to his wife and
children; and thus he began to talk to them: "O, my dear wife," said
he, "and you the children of my bowels, I, your dear friend, am in
myself undone by reason of a burden that lieth hard upon me; moreover,
I am certainly informed that this our city will be burnt with fire from
heaven; in which fearful overthrow, both myself, with thee my wife, and
you my sweet babes, shall miserably come to ruin, except (the which yet
I see not) some way of escape can be found whereby we may be
delivered." At this his relations were sore amazed; not for that they
believed that what he had said to them was true, but because they
thought that some frenzy distemper had got into his head; therefore, it
drawing towards night, and they hoping that sleep might settle his
brains, with all haste they got him to bed. But the night was as
troublesome to him as the day; wherefore, instead of sleeping, he spent
it in sighs and tears. So when the morning was come, they would know
how he did. He told them, "Worse and worse:" he also set to talking to
them again; but they began to be hardened. They also thought to drive
away his distemper by harsh and surly carriage to him; sometimes they
would deride, sometimes they would chide, and sometimes they would
quite neglect him. Wherefore he began to retire himself to his chamber
to pray for and pity them, and also to condole his own misery; he would
also walk solitarily in the fields, sometimes reading, and sometimes
praying: and thus for some days he spent his time.

Now I saw, upon a time, when he was walking in the fields, that he was
(as he was wont) reading in his book, and greatly distressed in his
mind; and as he read, he burst out, as he had done before, crying,
"What shall I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30,31.

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, and
he asked, "Wherefore dost thou cry?"

He answered, "Sir, I perceive, by the book in my hand, that I am
condemned to die, and after that to come to judgment, Heb. 9:27; and I
find that I am not willing to do the first, Job 10: 21,22, nor able to
do the second." Ezek. 22:14.

Then said Evangelist, "Why not willing to die, since this life is
attended 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. Isa. 30:33. And Sir, if I be not fit to go to
prison, I am not fit to go to judgment, and from thence to execution;
and the thoughts of these things make me cry."

Then said Evangelist, "If this be thy condition, why standest thou
still?" He answered, "Because I know not whither to go." Then he gave
him a parchment roll, and there was written within, "Fly from the wrath
to come." Matt. 3:7.

The man therefore read it, and looking upon Evangelist very carefully,
said, "Whither must I fly?" Then said Evangelist, (pointing with his
finger over a very wide field,) "Do you see yonder wicket-gate?" Matt.
7:13,14. The man said, "No." Then said the other, "Do you see yonder
shining light?" Psalm 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:19. He said, "I think I do."
Then said Evangelist, "Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly
thereto, so shalt thou see the gate; at which, when thou knockest, it
shall be told thee what thou shalt 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 put his fingers in his ears, and ran on crying, Life! life!
eternal life! Luke 14:26. So he looked not behind him, Gen. 19:17, but
fled towards the middle of the plain.

The neighbors also came out to see him run, Jer. 20:10; and as he ran,
some mocked, others threatened, and some cried after him to return; and
among those that did so, there were two that were 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 was got a good distance from
them; but, however, they were resolved to pursue him, which they did,
and in a little time they overtook him. Then said the man, "Neighbors,
wherefore are you come?" They said, "To persuade you to go back with
us." But he said, "That can by no means be: you dwell," said he, "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 go along with me."

Obstinate: What, said Obstinate, and leave our friends and our 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, 2 Cor. 4:18; and if you will go along with
me, and hold it, you shall fare as I myself; for there, where I go, is
enough and to spare. Luke 15:17. Come away, and prove my words.

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

Christian: I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that
fadeth not away, 1 Peter 1:4; and it is laid up in heaven, and safe
there, Heb. 11:16, to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on them that
diligently seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my book.

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

Christian: No, not I, said the other, because I have laid my hand to
the plough. Luke 9:62.

Obstinate: Come then, neighbor Pliable, let us turn again, and go home
without him: there is a company of these crazy-headed coxcombs, 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 the good Christian
says is true, the things he looks after are better than ours: my heart
inclines to go with my neighbor.

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

Christian: Nay, but do thou come with thy neighbor Pliable; there are
such things to be had which I spoke of, and many more glories besides.
If you believe not me, read here in this book, and for the truth of
what is expressed therein, behold, all is confirmed by the blood of Him
that made it. Heb. 9: 17-21.

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, where we shall receive instructions
about the way.

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

Obstinate: 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 was gone back, Christian and
Pliable went talking over the plain; and thus they began their
discourse.

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 thus lightly have given us the back.

Pliable: Come, neighbor Christian, since there are none but us two
here, tell me now farther, what the things are, and how to be enjoyed,
whither we are going.

Christian: I can better conceive of them with my mind, than speak of
them with my tongue: but yet, since you are desirous to know, I will
read of them in my book.

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

Christian: Yes, verily; for it was made by Him that cannot lie. Tit.
1:2.

Pliable: Well said; what things are they?

Christian: There is an endless kingdom to be inhabited, and everlasting
life to be given us, that we may inhabit that kingdom for ever. Isa.
65:17; John 10: 27-29.

Pliable: Well said; and what else?

Christian: There are crowns of glory to be given us; and garments that
will make us shine like the sun in the firmament of heaven. 2 Tim. 4:8;
Rev. 22:5; Matt. 13:43.

Pliable: This is very pleasant; and what else?

Christian: There shall be no more crying, nor sorrow; for he that is
owner of the place will wipe all tears from our eyes. Isa. 25:8; Rev
7:16, 17; 21:4.

Pliable: And what company shall we have there?

Christian: There we shall be with seraphims and cherubims, Isaiah 6:2;
1 Thess. 4:16,17; Rev. 5:11; creatures that will 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 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, Rev. 4:4; there we
shall see the holy virgins with their golden harps, Rev. 14:1-5; 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 bare to
the Lord of the place, John 12:25; all well, and clothed with
immortality as with a garment. 2 Cor. 5:2.

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

Christian: The Lord, the governor of the country, hath recorded that in
this book, Isaiah 55:1,2; John 6:37; 7:37; Rev. 21:6; 22:17; the
substance of which is, if we be 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 as fast as I would, by reason of this burden
that is on my back.

Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk, they drew
nigh to a very miry slough 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 bedaubed with the dirt; and Christian, because of the burden
that was on his back, began to sink in the mire.

Pliable: Then said Pliable, Ah, neighbor Christian, where are you now?

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

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? May I get out again with my life,
you shall possess the brave country alone for me. And with that he 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 Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone;
but still he endeavored to struggle to that side of the slough that was
farthest 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 what he did there.

Christian: Sir, said Christian, I was bid to go this way by a man
called Evangelist, who directed me also to yonder gate, that I might
escape the wrath to come. And as I was going thither, I fell in here.

Help: But why did not you 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 thine hand: so he gave him his hand, and
he drew him out, Psalm 40:2, and he set him upon sound ground, and bid
him go on his way.

Then I stepped to him that plucked him out, and said, "Sir, wherefore,
since over this place is the way from the city of Destruction to yonder
gate, is it, that this plat is not mended, that poor travellers might
go thither with more security?" And he said unto me, "This miry slough
is such a place as cannot be mended: it is the descent whither the scum
and filth that attends conviction for sin doth continually run, and
therefore it is called the Slough of Despond; for still, as the sinner
is awakened about his lost condition, there arise 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 pleasure of the King that this place should remain so
bad. Isa. 35:3,4. His laborers also have, by the direction of his
Majesty's surveyors, been for above this sixteen hundred years employed
about this patch of ground, if perhaps it might have been mended: yea,
and to my knowledge," said he, "there have been swallowed up at least
twenty thousand cart loads, yea, millions of wholesome instructions,
that have at all seasons been brought from all places of the King's
dominions, (and they that can tell, say, they are the best materials to
make good ground of the place,) if so be it might have been mended; but
it is the Slough of Despond still, and so will be when they 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 doth much spew out its filth, as it doth
against change of weather, these steps are hardly seen; or if they be,
men, through the dizziness of their heads, step beside, and then they
are bemired to purpose, notwithstanding the steps be there: but the
ground is good when they are once got in at the gate." 1 Sam. 12:23.

Now I saw in my dream, that by this time Pliable was got home to his
house. So his neighbors came to visit him; and some of them called him
wise man for coming back, and some called him fool for hazarding
himself with Christian: others again did mock at his cowardliness,
saying, "Surely, since you began to venture, I would not have been so
base as 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 deride poor Christian behind his
back. And thus much concerning Pliable.

Now as Christian was walking solitary by himself, he espied one afar
off come crossing over the field to meet him; and their hap was to meet
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 some inkling [4] of
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 observing his sighs and groans, and the like, began thus to enter
into some talk with Christian.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: How now, good fellow, whither away after this
burdened manner?

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

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: Hast thou a wife and children?

Christian: Yes; but I am so laden with this burden, that I cannot take
that pleasure in them as formerly: methinks I am as if I had none. 1
Cor. 7:29.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: Wilt thou hearken to me, if I give thee counsel?

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

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: I would advise thee, then, that thou with all
speed get thyself rid of thy burden; for thou wilt never be settled in
thy mind till then: nor canst thou enjoy the benefits of the blessings
which God hath bestowed upon thee till then.

Christian: That is that which I seek for, 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.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: Who bid thee go this way to be rid of thy burden?

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

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: I beshrew [5] him for his counsel! there is not a
more dangerous and troublesome way in the world than is that into which
he hath directed thee; and that thou shalt find, if thou wilt be ruled
by his counsel. Thou hast 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
confirmed by many testimonies. And should a man so carelessly cast away
himself, by giving heed to a stranger?

Christian: Why, sir, this burden on my back is more terrible to me than
are 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.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: How camest thou by thy burden at first?

Christian: By reading this book in my hand.

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

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

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing
so many dangers attend it? especially since (hadst thou but patience to
hear me) I could direct thee to the obtaining of what thou desirest,
without the dangers that thou in this way wilt run thyself into. Yea,
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.

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: Why, in yonder village (the village is named
Morality) there dwells a gentleman whose name is Legality, a very
judicious man, and a man of a 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 to 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 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 farther spake.

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

Mr. Worldly Wiseman: Do you see yonder high hill?

Christian: Yes, very well.

Mr. 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 way-side did hang so
much over, that Christian was afraid to venture further, lest the hill
should fall on his head; wherefore there he stood still, and wotted not
what to do. Also his burden now seemed heavier to him than while he was
in his way. There came also flashes of fire, Ex. 19:16, 18, out of the
hill, that made Christian afraid that he should be burnt: here
therefore he did sweat and quake for fear. Heb. 12:21. And 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, and thus began to reason with Christian.

Evangelist: What doest thou here, Christian? said he: at which words
Christian knew not what to answer; wherefore at present he stood
speechless before him. Then said Evangelist farther, Art not thou the
man that I found crying without the walls of the city of Destruction?

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

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

Christian: Yes, dear sir, said Christian.

Evangelist: How is it then thou art so quickly turned aside? For thou
art now out of the way.

Christian: I met with a gentleman so 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 hither; 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 whither 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 bid 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 farther 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 attended with difficulties as the way, sir, that you set me in;
which way, said he, will direct you to a gentleman's house that hath
skill to take off these burdens: so I believed him, and turned out of
that way into this, if haply I might be soon 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: but I now know not what to do.

Evangelist: Then said Evangelist, Stand still a little, that I show
thee the words of God. So he stood trembling. Then said Evangelist,
"See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh; for if they escaped not who
refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we
turn away from Him that speaketh from heaven." Heb. 12:25. He said,
moreover, "Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back,
my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Heb. 10:38. He also did thus
apply them: Thou art the man that art running into this misery; thou
hast begun to reject the counsel of the Most High, and to draw back thy
foot from the way of peace, even almost to the hazarding of thy
perdition.

Then Christian fell down at his feet as dead, crying, Woe is me, for I
am undone! At the sight of which Evangelist caught him by the right
hand, saying, "All manner of sin and blasphemies shall be forgiven unto
men." Matt. 12:31. "Be not faithless, but believing." John 20:27. Then
did Christian again a little revive, and stood up trembling, as at
first, before Evangelist.

Then Evangelist proceeded, saying, Give more earnest heed to the things
that I shall tell thee of. I will now show thee who it was that deluded
thee, and who it was also to whom he sent thee. The man that met thee
is one Worldly Wiseman, and rightly is he so called; partly because he
savoreth only the doctrine of this world, 1 John 4:5, (therefore he
always goes to the town of Morality to church;) and partly because he
loveth that doctrine best, for it saveth him best from the cross, Gal.
6:12: and because he is of this carnal temper, therefore he seeketh to
pervert my ways, though right. Now there are three things in this man's
counsel that thou must utterly abhor.

1. His turning thee out of the way.

2. His laboring to render the cross odious to thee.

3. And his setting thy feet in that way that leadeth unto the
administration of death.

First, Thou must abhor his turning thee out of the way; yea, and thine
own consenting thereto; because this is to reject the counsel of God
for the sake of the counsel of a Worldly Wiseman. The Lord says,
"Strive to enter in at the straight gate," Luke 13:24, the gate to
which I send thee; "for strait is the gate that leadeth unto life, and
few there be that find it." Matt. 7:13,14. From this little
wicket-gate, and from the way thereto, hath this wicked man turned
thee, to the bringing of thee almost to destruction: hate, therefore,
his turning thee out of the way, and abhor thyself for hearkening to
him.

Secondly, Thou must abhor his laboring to render the cross odious unto
thee; for thou art to prefer it before the treasures of Egypt. Heb.
11:25,26. Besides, the King of glory hath told thee, that he that will
save his life shall lose it. And he that comes after him, and hates not
his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and
sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be his disciple. Mark
8:38; John 12:25; Matt. 10:39; Luke 14:26. I say, therefore, for a man
to labor to persuade thee that that shall be thy death, without which,
the truth hath said, thou canst not have eternal life, this doctrine
thou must abhor.

Thirdly, Thou must hate his setting of thy feet in the way that leadeth
to the administration of death. And for this thou must consider to whom
he sent thee, and also how unable that person was to deliver thee from
thy burden.

He to whom thou wast sent for ease, being by name Legality, is the son
of the bond-woman which now is, and is in bondage with her children,
Gal. 4:21-27, and is, in a mystery, this Mount Sinai, which thou hast
feared will fall on thy head. Now if she with her children are in
bondage, how canst thou expect by them to be made free? This Legality,
therefore, is not able to set thee free from thy burden. No man was as
yet ever rid of his burden by him; no, nor ever is like to be: ye
cannot be justified by the works of the law; for by the deeds of the
law no man living can be rid of his burden: Therefore Mr. Worldly
Wiseman is an alien, and Mr. Legality is a cheat; and for his son
Civility, notwithstanding his simpering looks, he is but a hypocrite,
and cannot help thee. Believe me, there is nothing in all this noise
that thou hast heard of these sottish men, but a design to beguile thee
of thy salvation, by turning thee from the way in which I had set thee.
After this, Evangelist called aloud to the heavens for confirmation 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 pronounced: "As many as are of the works
of the law, are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one
that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the
law to do them." Gal. 3:10.

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 hearkening to his
counsel. He also was greatly ashamed to think that this gentleman's
arguments, flowing only from the flesh, should have the prevalency with
him so far as to cause him to forsake the right way. This done, he
applied himself 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 thence ashamed? I am sorry I have hearkened to this
man's counsel; but may my sin be forgiven?

Evangelist: Then said Evangelist to him, Thy sin is very great, for by
it thou hast committed two evils: thou hast forsaken the way that is
good, to tread in forbidden paths. Yet will the man at the gate receive
thee, for he has good-will for men; only, said he, take heed that thou
turn not aside again, lest thou "perish from the way, when his wrath is
kindled but a little." Psalm 2:12.