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Listen to Episodes 1-5 all in one
Pilgrim’s Progress text to follow along with
FAITHFUL. When I came to the foot of the hill called
Difficulty, I met with a very aged man, who asked me what
I was, and whither bound. I told him that I am a pilgrim,
going to the Celestial City. Then said the old man, Thou
lookest like an honest fellow; wilt thou be content to dwell
with me for the wages that I shall give thee? Then I asked
him his name, and where he dwelt. He said his name was
Adam the First, and that he dwelt in the town of Deceit.110 I
asked him then, what was his work, and what the wages that
he would give. He told me, that his work was many delights;
and his wages, that I should be his heir at last. I further
asked him, what house he kept, and what other servants he
had. So he told me, that his house was maintained with all
the dainties in the world; and that his servants were those of
his own begetting. Then I asked if he had any children. He
said that he had but three daughters; the Lust of the Flesh,
the Lust of the Eyes, and the Pride of Life, and that I should
marry them all if I would.111 Then I asked how long time he
would have me live with him? And he told me, As long as
he lived himself.
CHRISTIAN. Well, and what conclusion came the old
man and you to, at last?
FAITHFUL. Why, at first, I found myself somewhat in –
clinable to go with the man, for I thought he spake very fair;
but looking in his forehead, as I talked with him, I saw there
written, “Put off the old man with his deeds.”
CHRISTIAN. And how then?
FAITHFUL. Then it came burning hot into my mind,
whatever he said, and however he flattered, when he got me
home to his house, he would sell me for a slave. So I bid
him forbear to talk, for I would not come near the door of
his house. Then he reviled me, and told me, that he would
send such a one after me, that should make my way bitter
to my soul. So I turned to go away from him; but just as I
turned myself to go thence, I felt him take hold of my flesh,
and give me such a deadly twitch back, that I thought he
had pulled part of me after himself. This made me cry, “O
wretched man!”.112 So I went on my way up the hill.
Now when I had got about half way up, I looked be-
hind, and saw one coming after me, swift as the wind; so
he overtook me just about the place where the settle stands.
CHRISTIAN. Just there, said Christian, did I sit down to
rest me; but being overcome with sleep, I there lost this roll
out of my bosom
FAITHFUL. But, good brother, hear me out. So soon as
the man overtook me, he was but a word and a blow, for
down he knocked me, and laid me for dead. But when I
was a little come to myself again, I asked him wherefore
he served me so. He said, because of my secret inclining to
Adam the First: and with that he struck me another deadly
blow on the breast, and beat me down backward; so I lay
at his foot as dead as before. So, when I came to myself
again, I cried him mercy; but he said, I know not how to
show mercy; and with that knocked me down again. He had
doubtless made an end of me, but that One came by, and
bid him forbear.
CHRISTIAN. Who was that that bid him forbear.
FAITHFUL. I did not know Him at first, but as He went
by, I perceived the holes in His hands, and in His side; then
I concluded that He was our Lord. So I went up the hill.
CHRISTIAN. That man that overtook you was Moses. He
spareth none, neither knoweth he how to show mercy to
those that transgress his law.
FAITHFUL. I know it very well; it was not the first time
that he has met with me. It was he that came to me when I
dwelt securely at home, and that told me he would burn my
house over my head, if I stayed there.
CHRISTIAN. But did you not see the house that stood
there on the top of the hill, on the side of which Moses met
you?
FAITHFUL. Yes, and the lions too, before I came at it; but
for the lions, I think they were asleep; for it was about noon;
and because I had so much of the day before me, I passed by
the porter, and came down the hill.
CHRISTIAN. He told me indeed, that he saw you go by,
but I wish you had called at the house, for they would have
showed you so many rarities, that you would scarce have
forgot them to the day of your death. But pray tell me, Did
you meet nobody in the Valley of Humility?
FAITHFUL. Yes, I met with one Discontent, who would
willingly have persuaded me to go back again with him; his
reason was, for that the valley was altogether without hon-81
Christian Overtakes Faithful
our. He told me, moreover, that there to go was the way
to disobey all my friends, as Pride, Arrogancy, Self-conceit,
Worldly-glory, with others, who, he knew, as he said, would
be very much offended, if I made such a fool of myself as to
wade through this valley.
CHRISTIAN. Well, and how did you answer him?
FAITHFUL. I told him that although all these that he
named might claim kindred of me, and that rightly, for in-
deed they were my relations according to the flesh, yet since
I became a pilgrim, they have disowned me, as I also have
rejected them; and therefore they were to me now no more
than if they had never been of my lineage.
I told him, moreover, that as to this valley he had quite
misrepresented the thing; “for before honour is humility;
and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Therefore, said I, I had
rather go through this valley to the honour that was so ac-
counted by the wisest, than choose that which he esteemed
most worthy our affection