The Pilgrim's Progress (AmazonClassics Edition)

by John Bunyan

But Christiana said unto her, “Tempt me not, my neighbor. I have now a price put into my hands to get gain, and I should be a fool of the greatest size if I should have no heart to strike in with the opportunity.

Then Timorous reviled her, and said to her fellow, “Come, neighbor Mercy, let us leave her in her own hands, since she scorns our counsel and company.” But Mercy was at a stand, and could not so readily comply with her neighbor, and that for a twofold reason.

Mercy began thus to reply to her neighbor Timorous:

But she told her not of the second reason, but kept that to herself.

Tim. Well, I see you have a mind to go a-fooling too; but take heed in time, and be wise. While we are out of danger, we are out; but when we are in, we are in.

So Mrs. Timorous returned to her house, and Christiana betook herself to her journey. But when Timorous was got home to her house, she sends for some of her neighbors; to wit, Mrs. Bat’s-eyes, Mrs. Inconsiderate, Mrs. Light-mind, and Mrs. Know-nothing. So, when they were come to her house, she falls to telling o...

Mrs. Inconsiderate also replied, saying, “Away with such fantastical fools from the town! a good riddance, for my part, I say, of her!

Then Mrs. Light-mind added as followeth: “Come, put this kind of talk away. I was yesterday at Madam Wanton’s, where we were as merry as the maids.

For who do you think should be there, but I and Mrs. Love-the-Flesh, and three or four more, with Mr. Lechery, Mrs. Filth, and some others. So there we had music and dancing, and what else was meet to fill up the pleasure.

So as they went, her children being there also, Christiana began to discourse. “And, Mercy,” said Christiana, “I take this as an unexpected favor, that thou shouldest set forth out of doors with me, to accompany me a little in my way.”

Mer. Then said young Mercy (for she was but young), “If I thought it would be a good purpose to go with you, I would never go near the town any more.”

The King who hath sent for me and my children is One that delighteth in mercy. Besides, if thou wilt, I will hire thee, and thou shalt go along with me as my servant; yet we will have all things in common betwixt thee and me, only go along with me.”

Mer. But how shall I be sure that I also shall be welcomed? Had I this hope but from one that can tell, I would have no hesitation at all, but would go, being helped by Him that can help, though the way be never so tedious.

Christiana was then glad at her heart, not only that she had a companion, but also for that she had prevailed with this poor maid to fall in love with her own salvation. So they went on together and Mercy began to weep.

Then said Christiana, “Wherefore weepeth my sister so?” Mer. “Alas!” said she, “who can but lament, that shall but rightly consider what a state and condition my poor relations are in, that yet remain in our sinful town?

Chr. Tenderness becometh pilgrims;

but his Lord and ours did gather up his tears, and put them into His bottle;

Mercy, that these tears of thine will not be lost;

for the Truth hath said that “they that sow in tears shall reap in joy,” in singing; and “he that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Then said Mercy: “Let the Most Blessèd be my guide, If ’t be His blessèd will, Unto His gate, into His fold, Up to His holy hill. “And never let Him suffer me To swerve or turn aside From His...

“But when Christiana came to the Slough of Despond, she began to be at a stand; ‘For,’ said she, ‘this is the place in which my dear husband had like to have been smothered with mud.’

Here Christiana, therefore, with her boys, did make a stand.

Yet Christiana had to have been in, and that not once nor twice.

“Now, they had no sooner got over, but they thought they heard words that said unto them, ‘Blessed is she that believeth, for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.’

they heard as if a dog came barking upon them; a dog, and a great one too: and this made the women and children afraid,

Then said the Keeper, “Whence come ye? and what is it that you would have?”

Feeble-mind, Mr. Great-heart commanded, should come up after him; and Mr. Despondency was under the eye of Mr. Valiant.