Now, he had not ran far from his own door, but his wife and children perceiving it, began to cry after him to return;10 but the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying, Life! life! Eter-7Matt. 3:78Matt. 7:139Psa. 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:1910Luke 14:266ThePilgrim’sProgressnal life! So he looked not behind him, but fled towards the middle of the plain.The neighbours also came out to see him run, 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.11The name of the one was Obstinate, and the name of the other Pli-able. 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, Neighbours, wherefore are ye 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 De-struction, 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 neighbours, and go along with me.What, said Obstinate, and leave our friends and our comforts behind us?Yes, said Christian, for that was his name, because that all “which you shall forsake”12 is not worthy to be compared with a little of that which I am seeking to enjoy; 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.13 Come away, and prove my words.OBST. What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them?CHRISTIAN. I seek an “inheritance incorruptible, unde-filed, and that fadeth not away”14 and it is laid up in Heaven-11Jer. 20:10122 Cor. 4:1813Luke 15:17141 Peter 1:4
, and safe there, 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, saith the other; because I have laid my hand to the plough.16OBSTINATE. Come, then, neighbour Pliable, let us turn again, and go home without him; there is a company of these crazed-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.17PLIABLE. Then said Pliable, Do not revile; if what the good Christian says is true, the things he looks after are bet-ter than ours; my heart inclines to go with my neighbour.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 neighbour 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.18PLIABLE. Well, neighbour Obstinate, saith Pliable, I be-gin 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 compan-ion, do you know the way to this desired place?CHRISTIAN. I am directed by a man whose name is Evan-15Heb. 11:1616Luke 9:6217Prov. 26:1618Heb. 13:20, 21; 9:17–218ThePilgrim’sProgressgelist, to speed me to a little gate that is before us, where we shall receive instructions about the way.PLIABLE. Come then, good neighbour, let us be going. Then they went both together.OBSTINATE. And I will go back to my place, said Ob-stinate; I will be no companion of such misled fantastical fellows