The Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan:(1628-1688)
You can read the book, or watch the movie, either way, this is a fantastic depiction of our road to heaven, with the stumbling blocks and temptations along the way. It was published in February, 1678.
Next to the Bible, this is the most read Christian book in the world! It is regarded as one of the most significant works of English literature, has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print.
Bunyan began the work while in prison for holding of religious services outside the auspices of the established Church of England.
Enjoyable and spiritually instructive, Pilgrim's Progress is highly recommended.
We will publish some extracts from time to time to whet your appetite.
ReplyDeleteChristian has left the city where he lives to go on this pilgrimage, but as soon as he left, PLIABLE and OBSTINATE goes after him to persuade him to come back ...
ReplyDeleteCHRISTIAN : Neighbors, wherefore are you come ?
THEY : To persuade you to go back with us.
CHRISTIAN : That can by no means be; you dwell in the City of Destruction; ... 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 neighbors, and go along with me.
OBSTINATE : What! and leave out friends and our comforts behind us ?
CHRISTIAN : Yes, because all that you forsake is not worthy to be compared with a little of that that 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: Come away, and prove my words.
OBSTINATE : What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them ?
CHRISTIAN : I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, and it is laid up in Heaven, and safe there, to be bestowed at the time appointed, on them that diligently seek it. ...
OBSTINATE : Come, Neighbor PLIABLE, let us turn again, and go home without him; there is a company of these crazy 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.
Abstract 2
ReplyDeleteAfter the above altercation, OBSTINATE goes back to the City of Destruction and PLIABLE joins CHRISTIAN on the pilgrimage.
PLIABLE : Come neighbor Christian, ... tell me now further, what the things are, and how to be enjoyed, whither we are going.
CHRISTIAN : ... I will read to you of them in my Book
PLIABLE : And do you think that the words of your Book are certainly true ?
CHRISTIAN : Yes, verily ; for it was made by Him that cannot lie.
PLIABLE : Well said, what things are they ?
CHRISTIAN : There is an endless Kingdom to be inherited, and everlasting life ...
PLIABLE : Well said, what else ? ...
....
PLIABLE : Well, my good companion, glad am I to hear of these things; come on, let us mend our pace.
CHRISTIAN : I cannot go so fast as I would, by reason of this Burden that is on my back.
Now I saw in my dream, that just as they had ended this talk, they drew near to a very miry slough, that was in the midst of the plain, and they, being heedless, did both fall suddenly into the bog. The name of the slough was DISPOND (Despond.) Here therefore they wallowed for a time, being grievously bedaubed with the dirt; and Christian, because of the burden on his back, began to sink in the mire.
PLIABLE : Ah, neighbor Christian, where are you now ?
CHRISTIAN : Truly, I do not know.
PLIABLE (being angry and offended): Is this the happiness you have told me all this while? If we have such ill speed at our first setting out, what may we expect between this and our Journey's end? May I get out again with my life, you shall possess the brave Country alone for me. (.. and when he had a chance, he got out and went back to the City of Destruction.)