As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I lighted on a certain place where was a Den, and I 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.  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?"  In this plight, therefore, he went home and refrained 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 for certain informed that this our city will be burned with fire from heaven...

As I was walking through the wilderness of this world, I came to a place where there was a cave. I laid down in that place to sleep, and as I slept I had a dream in which I saw a man dressed in rages standing in a certain place and facing away from his own house. He had a Book in his hand aand a great burden on his back. As I looked, I saw him open the Book and read out of it, and as he read he wept and trembled. Unable to contain himself any longer, he broke out with a sorrowful cry, saying, "What shall I do?"

He went home in this state of mind but restrained himself as long as he could so his wife and children would not notice his distress. Yet he could not be silent long, because his troubled feeling was getting worse. He finally revealed to his wife and children what was going on in his mind, saying, "Oh, my dear Wife and Children, I'm suffering from inner turmoil because of a burden that lays heavily upon me. And what's worse, I've been reliably informed that our city will be burned with fire from Heaven..."

As I walked through the wilderness of the world, I came to a place where there was a den. There I lay down to sleep; and as I slept, I dreamed a dream. In my dream I saw a man clothed with rags, standing by a path with a book in his hand and a great burden upon his back. His face was turned from his own house, which stood nearby. I saw him open his book and read, then begin to weep. No longer being able to control his feelings, he broke out with a mournful cry, saying, "What shall I do?" In this condition he went into his house. Drying his tears, he restrained himself as best he could so that his wife and children might not know of his distress. But he could not be silent long, for his trouble increased. AT length he began to tell his wife and children: "Oh, my dear wife and children, I, you father and companion, am undone by reason of an awful burden that lies heavily upon my heart. I am surely warned that this our city shall be burned with fire from heaven..."

CHR. But what have you seen? said Christian.

 

MEN. Seen! Why, the Valley itself, which is as dark as pitch; we also saw there the hobgoblins, satyrs, and dragons of the pit; we heard also in that Valley a continual howling and yelling, as of a people under unutterable misery, who there sat bound in affliction and irons; and over that Valley hangs the discouraging clouds of confusion. Death also doth always spread his wings over it. In a word, it is every whit dreadful, being utterly without order. [Job 3:5; 10:22]

 

CHR. Then, said Christian, I perceive not yet, by what you have said, but that this is my way to the desired haven. [Jer. 2:6]

 

MEN. Be it thy way; we will not choose it for ours. So, they parted, and Christian went on his way, but still with his sword drawn in his hand, for fear lest he should be assaulted.  I saw then in my dream, so far as this valley reached, there was on the right hand a very deep ditch; that ditch is it into which the blind have led the blind in all ages, and have both there miserably perished. [Ps. 69:14,15] Again, behold, on the left hand, there was a very dangerous quag, into which, if even a good man falls, he can find no bottom for his foot to stand on. Into that quag King David once did fall, and had no doubt therein been smothered, had not HE that is able plucked him out.

 

"And what did you see?" asked Christian.

"See!" They exclaimed. "Why, the valley itself, which is as dark as pitch. We also saw there the Hobgoblins, Satyrs, and Dragons of the pit. We also heard in that valley a continual sitting there in affliction and irons. Over that valley a continual howling and yelling, as of people under unutterable misery sitting there in affliction and irons. Over that valley hang the discouraging clouds of confusion, and death also spreads his wings over it. In a word, it's completely dreadful, being utterly without order." 

Then Christian said, "In spite of what you've said, I still see this as my path to the desired refuge."

"Let it be your way," they replied. "We'll not choose it for ours."

So they parted, and Christian went on his way with his Sword drawn in his hand for fear of being assaulted.

I saw then in my dream that a very deep ditch lay on the right hand for the length of the valley. It is the Ditch into which the blind have led the blind throughout the ages and where both have miserably perished. Also, on the left hand was a very dangerous quagmire into which, if a good man falls, he finds no bottom for his foot to stand on. This is the Quagmire into which King David once fell, and in which he would have been smothered if He Who is Able had not pulled him out.

 

CHRISTIAN: But what did you see?

"What did we see? Why, the valley itself! It was as dark as pitch. We saw the hobgoblins, satyrs, and dragons of the pit. We saw the hobgoblins, satyrs, and dragons of the pit. We also heard hideous sounds--continual howlings and screamings, sounding like a great many miserable souls in iron chains of afflictions. And over the valley hung a dark cloud of confusion, and the Angle of Death hovered over it all.  That valley is exceedingly dreadful and utterly without order."

 

CHRISTIAN: I fail to be convinced by what you say that this is not my way to the desired haven.

"You may have it your way," they said, "but as for us, we want none of it. We're going back."

So they went back and Christian went on his way, with his sword drawn ready for an attack.

Now he saw on one side of the road a very deep ditch-- where the blind for centuries have led the blind-- from which none have ever emerged; and on the other was a filthy quagmire where the lustful of all ages have fallen and have found no bottom for their feet. King David once fell in here and would have drowned had not the merciful Lord of all lifted him out.

 

 

"But what did you se?"
"What did we see? Why, the Valley, itself, which is pitch black. We could see Hobgoblins, Satyrs, and Dragons of the Pit. We could also hear in that Valley continual howling and screaming__ it sounded like people in indescribable misery who ere bound in affliction and chains. We also saw the depressing clouds of confusion hanging over the Valley; and death, with wings spread, was hovering over it all. It is absolutely dreadful and in complete chaos."
"From what you have said," replied Christian, "I'm still not convinced that this isn't the way to my destination. 
"Have it your way," they said, "but we won't choose it for ourselves."
So they left, and Christian went on his way with his Sword still drawn for fear that he might be assaulted. I then saw in my dream that there was a very deep Ditch along the right side of the Valley as far as it reached. It is into that Ditch that the blind have led the blind throughout the ages, and there both have miserably died. I could also see that on the left side was a very dangerous Quagmire; even a good person, should he fall in, will find no bottom for his foot to stand on. King David once fell in here and no doubt would have suffocated had not He who is able mercifully plucked him out.

I saw, moreover, in my dream, 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 the name of the other Patience. Passion seemed to be much discontented; but Patience was very quiet. Then Christian asked, What is the reason of the discontent of Passion? The Interpreter answered, The Governor of them would have him stay for his best things till the beginning of the next year; but he will have all now: but Patience is willing to wait.

Then I saw that one came to Passion, and brought him a bag of treasure, and poured it down at his feet, the which he took up and rejoiced therein, and withal laughed Patience to scorn. But I beheld but a while, and he had lavished all away, and had nothing left him but rags.

CHR. Then said Christian to the Interpreter, Expound this matter more fully to me.

INTER. So he said, These two lads are figures: Passion, of the men of this world; and Patience, of the men of that which is to come; for as here thou seest, Passion will have all now this year, that is to say, in this world; so are the men of this world, they must have all their good things now, they cannot stay till next year, that is until the next world, for their portion of good. That proverb, 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush', is of more authority with them than are all the Divine testimonies of the good of the world to come. But as thou sawest that he had quickly lavished all away, and had presently left him nothing but rags; so will it be with all such men at the end of this world.

 

 

Besides this, I saw in my dream that the Interpreter took Christian by the hand and led him into a little room in which Christian by the hand and led him into a little room in which two boys sat; each in his own chair. The name of the oldest child was Passion, and the other's name was Patience. Passion seemed to be very discontented, but Patience was very quiet.

Then Christian asked, "What is the reason for Passion's discontentment?" The Interpreter answered, "Their guardian wants them to wait until the beginning of next year to receive his best things. Passion wants to have it all now, but Patience is willing to wait."

Then I saw that someone came to Passion, bringing him a bag of treasure and pouring it down at his feet. Passion gathered it up, rejoiced in it, and laughed at Patience scornfully. But as I continued to watch, he squandered it all away and had nothing left for himself but rags.

Then Christian said to the Interpreter, "Explain this matter to me more completely."

So the Interpreter began his explanation: "These two boys are figures. Passion is figuratively the people of this world, and Patience is the people of the world to come. As you see here, just like the people of this world, Passion wants it all now, this year--that is to say, in this world.  The people of this world must have all their good things now, for they can't wait for their portion of good things until next year--that is, until the next world. The proverb, 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,' carries more weight with them than all the divine testimonies of the worth of the world to come. But as you saw, he quickly wasted it all away and soon had nothing left for himself but rags. So it will be with all such people at the end of this world."

 

Then the Interpreter took Christian into a little room where two children were seated, each in his own chair. The name of the older was Passion, and the name of the other Patience. Obviously, Passion was not at all content, while Patience was very quiet.

"Why is Passion so restless?" asked Christian.

"Their governess wants them to wait for their best things until next year," said the Interpreter, "but Passion wants all of his best things now; while Patience is willing to wait."

Then one came to Passion and poured out at his feet a bag of treasures which he quickly gathered into his arms with great joy. He laughed loudly and made fun of Patience. But soon he wasted everything he had received, and had nothing left but an empty bag.

"Explain this matter more fully," said Christian.

INTERPRETER: Passion represents the men of this world; and Patience represents those who are of the next world. Men of this world must have all their rewards in this life; they cannot wait. "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" has more weight with them than all the promises of the Bible. But they soon go through what they have, and at the end of life they have nothing at all.

 One chanced mockingly, beholding the carriage of the men, to say unto them, What will ye buy? But they, looking gravely upon him, answered, "We buy the truth." [Prov. 23:23] At that there was an occasion taken to despise the men the more; some mocking, some taunting, some speaking reproachfully, and some calling upon others to smite them. At last things came to a hubbub and great stir in the fair, insomuch that all order was confounded. Now was word presently brought to the great one of the fair, who quickly came down, and deputed some of his most trusty friends to take these men into examination, about whom the fair was almost overturned. So the men were brought to examination; and they that sat upon them, asked them whence they came, whither they went, and what they did there, in such an unusual garb? The men told them that they were pilgrims and strangers in the world, and that they were going to their own country, which was the heavenly Jerusalem, [Heb. 11:13-16] and that they had given no occasion to the men of the town, nor yet to the merchandisers, thus to abuse them, and to let them in their journey, except it was for that, when one asked them what they would buy, they said they would buy the truth. But they that were appointed to examine them did not believe them to be any other than bedlams and mad, or else such as came to put all things into a confusion in the fair. Therefore they took them and beat them, and besmeared them with dirt, and then put them into the cage, that they might be made a spectacle to all the men of the fair.

 

 

 

 

One individual, seeing how the men conducted themselves, mockingly risked to  say to them, "What do you intend to buy?"

They looiked upon him seriously and said, "We buy the truth."

At that, there was an occation taken to despise the men even more, with some of them mocking, some taunting, some speaking slanderously, and some calling upon others to strike them. At last things came to an uproar and a great stir in the fair, so much so that everything was in a state of confusion. Word was soon taken to the great one of the fair, who quickly came down and appointed some of his most trusted friends to take and interrogate these men who were responsible for almost destroying the fair. So the men were brough to interrogation, and those who had taken them asked them where they came from, where they were going, and what they were doing there in such unsual attire. The men told them they were pilgrims and strangers in the world, and that they were going to their own country, which was the Heavenly Jerusalem. They said they had done nothing to give the men of the town or the merchandisers a reason to abuse them, except that when one asked thme what they wanted to buy, they said  they would buy the truth. They then asked to be allowed to continue on their journey.

 

 

 

One who had already heard of the men, observing their peculiar behavior, mockingly said to them, "What will you buy?"

Then they fastened their eyes upon him and said, "What will you buy/"

Then they fastened their eyes upon him and said, "We buy the truth." At this an occasion was taken to persecute them. Finally the haters of the pilgrims created a mob and such commotion that all order was destroyed.

Word was brough to the ruler, who quickly came down and had these men taken into custody for a questioning. In the examination, the investigators asked them where they came from, where they were going, and what they were doing in Vanity Fair in such a garb. The men told them that they were pilgrims and strangers in the world, that they were going to their own country and their own city. New Jerusalem, and that they had given no occation for this disturbance, and there was no reason why they should be abused and hindered in their journey. They told the examiners that the trouble started when a merchant asked them what they would buy and they replied that they would buy the truth; and that when they said this, they had no idea that it would cause such a commotion.

One merchant, after observing them for a time, mockingly asked, "So, what will you buy? But looking intently at him, they answered, "We will buy the truth." This gave the people a reason to despise them even more. Some began mocking the pilgrims, taun ting them and discrediting them, and they callled on others to beat them up. At last the situation became out of control, and the commotion in the fair was so great that all order was lost. Word then reached the manager of the fair, who quickly came down and appointed som eof hi smost trusted friends to take the men into custordy for questioning since they had sirupted the entire fair. So the pilgrims were interrogated. They were asked where they ahd come from, where they were going, and why they were dressed in such unusual garb. They answered the people that they were pilgrims and strangers in the world, and that they wre on their way to their own Country, which wa the Heavenly Jerusalem. They xplained that they had not given the townsfolk or the merchangts any reason to abuse them and detain them from their journey.

 When he was come up to the gate, he looked up to the writing that was above, and then began to knock, supposing that entrance should have been quickly administered to him; but he was asked by the men that looked over the top of the gate, Whence came you, and what would you have? He answered, I have eat and drank in the presence of the King, and he has taught in our streets. Then they asked him for his certificate, that they might go in and show it to the King; so he fumbled in his bosom for one, and found none. Then said they, Have you none? But the man answered never a word. So they told the King, but he would not come down to see him, but commanded the two Shining Ones that conducted Christian and Hopeful to the City, to go out and take Ignorance, and bind him hand and foot, and have him away. Then they took him up, and carried him through the air to the door that I saw in the side of the hill, and put him in there. Then I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of heaven, as well as from the City of Destruction. So I awoke, and behold it was a dream.

When he arrived at the gate, he looked up to the writing that was above it and then began to knock, supposing that entrance should have been quickly provided to him. The men who looked over the top of the gate asked him, "Where have you come from, and what do you want?"
Ignorance answered, "I've eaten and drunk in the presence of the King, and He has taught in our streets." Then they asked him for the Certificate, so they might go in and show it to the King. He fumbled in his coat for one and found none.
Then they said, "Have you none?"
But the man didn't answer. When they told the King, He would not come down to see him but instead commanded the two Shining Ones who had conducted Christian and Hopeful into the City to bind Ignorance hand a foot and take him away.
Then they picked Ignorance up and carried him through the air to the door that I had seen in the side of the hill and put him in there. Then I saw that there was a way to Hell, even from the very gates of Heaven, as well as from the City of Destruction.

Then I saw him ascend the hill, but he was alone and no one met him at the gate. He read the sign above the gate and began to knock. Then I heard a voice from within, asking, "Who are you? Where are you from, and what do you want?" He answered, "Lord, I have eaten and drunk in Your presence and You have taught in our streets." When the gatekeeper within asked for his certificate, he was silent. The gatekeeper said, "Have you no certificate?" Ignorance had no answer.
Then, being commanded by the King, the two shining ones came out and bound Ignorance hand a foot, and carried him away through the air, to the dark door I saw in the side of the hill in the Delectable Mountains, put him in, and shut the door. I asked the angels why he was not admitted to the Celestial City, and they said, "His name was not found written in the book of life, and he had no certificate in his bosom." Then I knew that there was a way to Hell from the gates of Heaven, as well as from the City of Destruction.