The Pilgrim's Progress in Words of One Syllable. Lucy Aikin

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СКАЧАТЬ cure is at hand.

      Christian.—Pray, Sir, tell me what that way is.

      Worldly Wiseman.—Well, in yon town, which you can see from hence—the name of which is Morality—there dwells a man whose name is Legality, a wise man, and a man of some rank, who has skill to help men off with such loads as yours from their backs; I know he has done a great deal for good in that way; aye, and he has the skill to cure those who, from the loads they bear, are not quite sound in their wits. To him as I said, you may go and get help. His house in but a mile from this place, and should he not be at home, he has a son whose name is Civility, who can do it just as well as his sire. There, I say, you may go to get rid of your load. I would not have you go back to your old home, but you can send for your wife and babes, and you will find that food there is cheap and good.

      Now was Christian brought to a stand; but by and by he said, Sir, which is my way to this good man's house?

      Worldly Wiseman.—Do you see that hill?

      Christian.—Yes, I do.

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

      So Christian went out of his way to find Mr. Legality's house to seek for help.

      But, lo, when he had got close up to the hill, it was so steep and high that he had fear lest it should fall on his head; so he stood still, for he knew not what to do. His load, too, was of more weight to him than when he was on the right road. Then came flames of fire out of the hill, that made him quake for fear lest he should be burnt. And now it was a great grief to him that he had lent his ear to Worldly Wiseman; and it was well that he just then saw Evangelist come to meet him; though at the sight of him he felt a deep blush on his face for shame. So Evangelist drew near, and when he came up to him, he said, with a sad look; What dost thou here, Christian?

      To these words Christian knew not what to say, so he stood quite mute. Then Evangelist went on thus: Art not thou the man that I heard cry in The City of Destruction?

      Christian.—Yes, dear Sir, I am the man.

      Evangelist.—Did not I point out to thee the way to the Wicket Gate?

      Christian.—Yes, you did, Sir.

      Evangelist.—How is it, then, that thou hast so soon gone out of the way?

      Christian.—When I had got out of the Slough of Despond I met a man who told me that in a town near, I might find one who could take off my load.

      Evangelist.—What was he?

      Christian.—He had fair looks, and said much to me, and got me at last to yield; so I came here. But when I saw this hill, and how steep it was, I made a stand, lest it should fall on my head.

      Evangelist.—What said the man to thee?

      When Evangelist had heard from Christian all that took place, he said: Stand still a while, that I may show thee the words of God.

      So Evangelist went on to read, 'Now the just shall live by faith, but if a man draw back, my soul shall have no joy in him.' Is not this the case with thee? said he: Hast not thou drawn back thy feet from the way of peace, to thine own cost; and dost thou not spurn the most high God?

      Then Christian fell down at his feet as dead, and said: Woe is me! Woe is me!

      At the sight of which, Evangelist caught him by the right hand, and said: Faith hopes all things.

      Then did Christian find some peace, and stood up.

      Evangelist.—I pray thee give more heed to the things that I shall tell thee of. The Lord says, 'Strive to go in at the strait gate, the gate to which I send thee, for strait is the gate that leads to life, and few there be that find it.' Why didst thou set at nought the words of God, for the sake of Mr. Worldly Wiseman? That is, in truth, the right name for such as he. The Lord hath told thee that he who will save his life shall lose it.' He to whom thou wast sent for ease, Legality by name, could not set thee free; no man yet has got rid of his load through him; he could but show thee the way to woe, for by the deeds of the law no man can be rid of his load. So that Mr. Worldly Wiseman and his friend Mr. Legality are false guides; and as for his son Civility, he could not help thee.

      Now Christian, in great dread, could think of nought but death, and sent forth a sad cry in grief that he had gone from the right way. Then he spoke once more to Evangelist in these words:—Sir, what think you? Is there hope? May I now go back, and strive to reach The Wicket Gate? I grieve that I gave ear to this man's voice; but may my sin find grace?

      Evangelist.—Thy sin is great, for thou hast gone from the way that is good, to tread in false paths, yet will the man at the gate let thee through, for he has love and good will for all men; but take heed that thou turn not to the right hand or to the left.

      Then did Christian make a move to go back, and Evangelist gave him a kiss and one smile, and bade him God speed.

      So he went on with haste, nor did he speak on the road; and could by no means feel safe till he was in the path which he had left. In time, he got up to the gate. And as he saw by the words which he read on it, that those who would knock could go in, he gave two or three knocks, and said: May I go in here?

      At last there came a great man to the gate, whose name was Good-will, and he said: Who is there; whence come you, and what would you have?

      Christian.—I come from The City of Destruction with a load of Sins on my back; but I am on my way to Mount Zion, that I may be free from the wrath to come; and as I have been told that my way is through this gate, I would know, Sir, if you will let me in?

      Good-will.—With all my heart.

      So he flung back the gate. But just as Christian went in, he gave him a pull.

      Then said Christian: What means that? Good-will told him that a short way from this gate there was a strong fort, of which Beelzebub was the chief, and that from thence he and the rest that dwelt there shot darts at those that came up to the gate to try if they could kill them ere they got in.

      Then said Christian: I come in with joy and with fear. So when he had gone in, the man at the gate said: Who sent you here?

      Christian.—Evangelist bade me come and knock (as I did); and he said that you, Sir, would tell me what I must do.

      Good-will.—The door is thrown back wide for you to come in, and no man can shut it.

      Christian.—Now I seem to reap the good of all the risks I have met with on the way.

      Good-will.—But how is it that no one comes with you?

      Christian.—None of my friends saw that there was cause of fear, as I did.

      Good-will.—Did they know of your flight?

      Christian.—Yes, my wife and young ones saw me go, and I heard their cries as they ran out to try and stop me. Some of my friends, too, would have had me come home, but I put my hands to my ears, and so came on my way.

      Good-will.—But did none of them come out to beg of you to go back?

      Christian.—Yes, both Obstinate and Pliable came, but when they found that I would not yield, Obstinate went home, but Pliable came with me as far as the Slough of Despond.

      Good-will.—Why did he not come through it?

      When СКАЧАТЬ