The Children's Hour Volume V Part 6

Then I saw in my Dream, that he commanded them to lie down; which when they did, he chastised them sore, to teach them the good way wherein they should walk; and as he chastised them he said, _As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent_. This done, he bids them go on their way, and take good heed to the other directions of the Shepherds. So they thanked him for all his kindness, and went softly along the right way.

"Come hither, you that walk along the way, See how the Pilgrims fare that go astray; They catched are in an intangling Net, 'Cause they good Counsel lightly did forget; 'Tis true they rescu'd were, but yet you see They're scourg'd to boot: Let this your caution be."

Now after a while, they perceived afar off one coming softly and alone all along the High-way to meet them. Then said _Christian_ to his fellow, Yonder is a man with his back toward _Sion_, and he is coming to meet us.

_Hope._ I see him, let us take heed to ourselves now, lest he should prove a _Flatterer_ also. So he drew nearer and nearer, and at last came up unto them. His name was _Atheist_, and he asked them whither they were going?

_Chr._ We are going to Mount _Zion_.

Then _Atheist_ fell into a very great Laughter.

_Chr._ What is the meaning of your Laughter?

_Atheist._ I laugh to see what ignorant persons you are, to take upon you so tedious a Journey, and yet are like to have nothing but your travel for your paines.

_Chr._ Why, man? Do you think we shall not be received?

_Atheist._ Received! There is no such place as you dream of in all this World.

_Chr._ But there is in the World to come.

_Atheist._ When I was at home in mine own Country, I heard as you now affirm, and from that hearing went out to see, and have been seeking this City this twenty years; but find no more of it than I did the first day I set out.

_Chr._ We have both heard and believe that there is such a place to be found.

_Atheist._ Had not I when at home believed, I had not come thus far to seek; but finding none, (and yet I should, had there been such a place to be found, for I have gone to seek it further than you) I am going back again, and will seek to refresh myself with the things that I then cast away, for hopes of that which I now see is not.

_Chr._ Then said _Christian_ to _Hopeful_ his fellow, Is it true which this man hath said?

_Hope._ Take heed, he is one of the _Flatterers_; remember what it hath cost us once already for our harkening to such kind of Fellows.

What! no Mount _Sion_? Did we not see from the Delectable Mountains the Gate of the City? Also, are we not now to walk by Faith? Let us go on, said _Hopeful_, lest the man with the Whip overtakes us again. You should have taught me that lesson, which I will round you in the ears withall: _Cease, my Son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge_. I say, my Brother, cease to hear him, and let us believe to the saving of the Soul.

_Chr._ My Brother, I did not put the question to thee for that I doubted of the Truth of our belief myself, but to prove thee, and to fetch from thee a fruit of the honesty of thy heart. As for this man, I know that he is blinded by the G.o.d of this World. Let thee and I go on, knowing that we have belief of the Truth, and no lie is of the Truth.

_Hope._ Now do I rejoyce in hope of the glory of G.o.d. So they turned away from the man; and he laughing at them went his way.

THE CELESTIAL CITY

_By John Bunyan_

Now I saw in my Dream, that by this time the Pilgrims were entering into the Country of _Beulah_, whose air was very sweet and pleasant, the way lying directly through it, they solaced themselves there for a season. Yea, here they heard continually the singing of Birds, and saw every day the Flowers appear in the earth, and heard the voice of the Turtle in the Land. In this Country the Sun s.h.i.+neth night and day; wherefore this was beyond the Valley of the _Shadow of Death_, and also out of the reach of Giant _Despair_, neither could they from this place so much as see _Doubting_ Castle. Here they were within sight of the City they were going to, also here met them some of the inhabitants thereof; for in this land the s.h.i.+ning Ones commonly walked, because it was upon the borders of Heaven. In this land also the contract between the Bride and the Bridegroom was renewed; yea, here, _as the Bridegroom rejoyceth over the Bride, so did their G.o.d rejoice over them_. Here they had no want of Corn and Wine; for in this place they met with abundance of what they had sought for in all their Pilgrimage. Here they heard voices from out of the City, loud voices, saying, _Say ye to the daughter of_ Zion, _Behold thy salvation cometh, behold his reward is with him_. Here all the inhabitants of the Country called them, _The holy People, The redeemed of the Lord, Sought out_, &c.

Now as they walked in this land, they had more rejoicing then in parts more remote from the Kingdom to which they were bound; and drawing near to the City, they had yet a more perfect view thereof. It was builded of Pearls and Precious Stones, also the Street thereof was paved with Gold; so that by reason of the natural glory of the City, and the reflection of the Sun-beams upon it, _Christian_ with desire fell sick; _Hopeful_ also had a fit or two of the same disease.

Wherefore here they lay by it a while, crying out because of their pangs, _If you see my Beloved, tell him that I am sick of love_.

But being a little strengthened, and better able to bear their sickness, they walked on their way, and came yet nearer and nearer, where were Orchards, Vineyards, and Gardens, and their gates opened into the High-way. Now as they came up to these places, behold the Gardiner stood in the way, to whom the Pilgrims said, Whose goodly Vineyards and Gardens are these? He answered, They are the King's, and are planted here for his own delights, and also for the solace of Pilgrims. So the Gardiner had them into the Vineyards, and bid them refresh themselves with Dainties. He also shewed them there the King's walks, and the Arbors where he delighted to be; and here they tarried and slept.

Now I beheld in my Dream, that they talked more in their sleep at this time then ever they did in all their Journey, and being in a muse thereabout, the Gardiner said even to me, Wherefore musest thou at the matter? It is the nature of the fruit of the grapes of these Vineyards to go down so sweetly as to cause the lips of them that are asleep to speak.

So I saw that when they awoke, they addressed themselves to go unto the City. But, as I said, the reflections of the Sun upon the City (for the City was pure Gold) was so extreamly glorious, that they could not as yet with open face behold it, but through an _Instrument_ made for that purpose. So I saw that as they went on, there met them two men, in Raiment that shone like Gold, also their faces shone as the light.

These men asked the Pilgrims whence they came, and they told them.

They also asked them where they had lodged, what difficulties and dangers, what comforts and pleasures they had met in the way, and they told them. Then said the men that met them, You have but two difficulties more to meet with, and then you are in the City.

_Christian_ then and his Companion asked the men to go along with them, so they told them they would. But said they, you must obtain it by your own Faith. So I saw in my Dream that they went on together till they came in sight of the Gate.

Now I further saw that betwixt them and the Gate was a River, but there was no Bridge to go over; the River was very deep: at the sight therefore of this River the Pilgrims were much stounded; but the men that went with them said, You must go through, or you cannot come at the Gate.

The Pilgrims then began to enquire if there was no other way to the Gate; to which they answered, Yes, but there hath not any, save two, to wit, _Enoch_ and _Elijah_, been permitted to tread that path, since the foundation of the World, nor shall, untill the last Trumpet shall sound. The Pilgrims then, especially _Christian_, began to dispond in his mind, and looked this way and that, but no way could be found by them by which they might escape the River. Then they asked the men if the Waters were all of a depth? They said, No; yet they could not help them in that case, for said they, _you shall find it deeper or shallower, as you believe in the King of the place_.

They then addressed themselves to the Water; and entring, _Christian_ began to sink, and crying out to his good friend _Hopeful_, he said, I sink in deep Waters; the Billows go over my head, all his Waves go over me, _Selah_.

Then said the other, Be of good chear, my Brother, I feel the bottom, and it is good. Then said _Christian_, Ah my friend, the sorrows of death have compa.s.sed me about, I shall not see the land that flows with milk and honey. And with that a great darkness and horror fell upon _Christian_, so that he could not see before him. Also here he in great measure lost his senses, so that he could neither remember, nor orderly talk of any of those sweet refreshments that he had met with in the way of his Pilgrimage. But all the words that he spake, still tended to discover that he had horror of mind, and heart-fears that he should die in that River, and never obtain entrance in at the Gate.

Here also, as they that stood by perceived, he was much in the troublesome thoughts of the sins that he had committed, both since and before he began to be a Pilgrim. 'Twas also observed that he was troubled with apparitions of Hobgoblins and evil Spirits, for ever and anon he would intimate so much by words. _Hopeful_ therefore here had much adoe to keep his Brother's head above water; yea sometimes he would be quite gone down, and then ere a while he would rise up again half dead. _Hopeful_ also would endeavour to comfort him, saying, Brother, I see the Gate, and men standing by to receive us. But _Christian_ would answer, 'Tis you, 'tis you they wait for, you have been _hopeful_ ever since I knew you. And so have you, said he to _Christian_. Ah Brother, said he, surely if I was right, he would now arise to help me; but for my sins he hath brought me into the snare, and hath left me. Then said _Hopeful_, My Brother, you have quite forgot the Text, where it is said of the wicked, _There is no band in their death, but their strength is firm, they are not troubled as other men, neither are they plagued like other men_. These troubles and distresses that you go through in these Waters are no sign that G.o.d hath forsaken you, but are sent to try you, whether you will call to mind that which heretofore you have received of his goodness, and live upon him in your distresses.

Then I saw in my Dream, that _Christian_ was as in a muse a while. To whom also _Hopeful_ added this word, _Be of good cheer, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole_; and with that _Christian_ brake out with a loud voice, Oh I see him again, and he tells me, _When thou pa.s.sest through the Waters, I will be with thee; and through the Rivers, they shall not overflow thee_. Then they both took courage, and the Enemy was after that as still as a stone untill they were gone over. _Christian_ therefore presently found ground to stand upon, and so it followed that the rest of the River was but shallow. Thus they got over. Now upon the bank of the River on the other side, they saw the two s.h.i.+ning men again, who there waited for them; wherefore being come out of the River, they saluted them saying, _We are ministring Spirits, sent forth to minister for those that shall be heirs of salvation._ Thus they went along towards the Gate. Now you must note that the City stood upon a mighty Hill, but the Pilgrims went up that Hill with ease because they had these two men to lead them up by the arms; also they had left their Mortal Garments behind them in the River, for though they went in with them, they came out without them. They therefore went up here with much agility and speed, though the foundation upon which the City was framed was higher than the Clouds. They therefore went up through the Regions of the Air, sweetly talking as they went, being comforted, because they safely got over the River, and had such glorious Companions to attend them.

The talk they had with the s.h.i.+ning Ones was about the glory of the place, who told them that the beauty and glory of it was inexpressible. There, said they, is the Mount _Sion_, the heavenly _Jerusalem_, the innumerable company of Angels, and the Spirits of Just Men made perfect. You are going now, said they, to the Paradice of G.o.d, wherein you shall see the Tree of Life, and eat of the never-fading fruits thereof; and when you come there, you shall have white Robes given you, and your walk and talk shall be every day with the King, even all the days of Eternity. There you shall not see again such things as you saw when you were in the lower Region upon the earth, to wit, sorrow, sickness, affliction, and death, _for the former things are pa.s.sed away_. You are now going to _Abraham_, to _Isaac_, and _Jacob_, and to the Prophets, men that G.o.d hath taken away from the evil to come, and that are now resting upon their Beds, each one walking in his righteousness. The men then asked, What must we do in the holy place? To whom it was answered, You must there receive the comfort of all your toil, and have joy for all your sorrow; you must reap what you have sown, even the fruit of all your Prayers and Tears, and sufferings for the King by the way. In that place you must wear Crowns of Gold, and enjoy the perpetual sight and vision of the Holy One, _for there you shall see him as he is_. There also you shall serve him continually with praise, with shouting, and thanksgiving, whom you desired to serve in the World, though with much difficulty, because of the infirmity of your flesh. There your eyes shall be delighted with seeing, and your ears with hearing the pleasant voice of the Mighty One. There you shall enjoy your friends again, that are gone thither before you; and there you shall with joy receive even every one that follows into the holy place after you.

There also shall you be cloathed with Glory and Majesty, and put into an equipage fit to ride out with the King of Glory. When he shall come with sound of Trumpet in the Clouds, as upon the wings of the Wind, you shall come with him; and when he shall sit upon the Throne of Judgement, you shall sit by him; yea, and when he shall pa.s.s sentence upon all the workers of Iniquity, let them be Angels or Men, you also have a voice in that Judgement, because they were his and your Enemies. Also when he shall again return to the City, you shall go too, with sound of Trumpet, and be ever with him.

Now while they were thus drawing towards the Gate, behold a company of the Heavenly Host came out to meet them; to whom it was said by the other two s.h.i.+ning Ones, These are the men that have loved our Lord when they were in the World, and that have left all for his holy Name, and he hath sent us to fetch them, and we have brought them thus far on their desired Journey, that they may go in and look their Redeemer in the face with joy. Then the Heavenly Host gave a great shout, saying, _Blessed are they that are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb_. There came out also at this time to meet them several of the King's Trumpeters, cloathed in white and s.h.i.+ning Raiment, who with melodious noises and loud, made even the Heavens to echo with their sound. These Trumpeters saluted _Christian_ and his fellow with ten thousand welcomes from the World, and this they did with shouting and sound of Trumpet.

This done, they compa.s.sed them round on every side; some went before, some behind, and some on the right hand, some on the left, (as 't were to guard them through the upper Regions) continually sounding as they went with melodious noise, in notes on high: so that the very sight was to them that could behold it, as if Heaven itself was come down to meet them. Thus therefore they walked on together; and as they walked, ever and anon these Trumpeters, even with joyful sound, would, by mixing their musick with looks and gestures, still signify to _Christian_ and his Brother, how welcome they were into their company, and with what gladness they came to meet them; and now were these two men as 't were in Heaven before they came at it, being swallowed up with the sight of Angels, and with hearing of their melodious notes.

Here also they had the City itself in view, and they thought they heard all the Bells therein ring to welcome them thereto. But above all, the warm and joyful thoughts that they had about their own dwelling there, with such company, and that for ever and ever. Oh, by what tongue or pen can their glorious joy be expressed! And thus they came up to the Gate.

Now when they were come up to the Gate, there was written over it in Letters of Gold, _Blessed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the Gates into the City_.

Then I saw in my Dream, that the s.h.i.+ning Men bid them call at the Gate; the which when they did, some from above looked over the Gate, to wit, _Enoch_, _Moses_, and _Elijah_, _&c._ to whom it was said, These Pilgrims are come from the City of _Destruction_ for the love that they bear to the King of this place; and then the Pilgrims gave in unto them each man his Certificate, which they had received in the beginning; those therefore were carried in to the King, who when he had read them, said, Where are the men? To whom it was answered, They are standing without the Gate. The King then commanded to open the Gate, _That the righteous nation_, said he, _that keepeth Truth may enter in_.

Now I saw in my Dream that these two men went in at the Gate: and loe, as they entered, they were transfigured, and they had Raiment put on that shone like Gold. There was also that met them with Harps and Crowns, and gave them to them, the Harps to praise withall, and the Crowns in token of honor. Then I heard in my Dream that all the Bells in the City rang again for joy, and that it was said unto them, _Enter ye into the joy of your Lord_. I also heard the men themselves, that they sang with a loud voice, saying, _Blessing, Honour, Glory, and Power be to him that sitteth upon the Throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever_.

Now just as the Gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them, and behold, the City shone like the Sun; the Streets also were paved with Gold, and in them walked many men, with Crowns on their heads, Palms in their hands, and golden Harps to sing praises withall.

There were also of them that had wings, and they answered one another without intermission, saying, _Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord_. And after that they shut up the Gates. Which when I had seen, I wished myself among them.

Now while I was gazing upon all these things, I turned my head to look back, and saw _Ignorance_ come up to the River-side; but he soon got over, and that without half that difficulty which the other two men met with. For it happened that there was then in that place one _Vainhope_ a Ferry-man, that with his Boat helped him over; so he, as the other I saw, did ascend the Hill to come up to the Gate, only he came alone; neither did any man meet him with the least incouragement.

When he was come up to the Gate, he looked up to the writing that was above, and then began to knock, supposing that entrance should have been quickly administered to him; but he was asked by the men that lookt over the top of the Gate, Whence came you? and what would you have? He answered, I have eat and drank in the presence of the King, and he has taught in our Streets. Then they asked him for his Certificate, that they might go in and shew it to the King. So he fumbled in his bosom for one, and found none. Then said they, Have you none? But the man answered never a word. So they told the King, but he would not come down to see him, but commanded the two s.h.i.+ning Ones that conducted _Christian_ and _Hopeful_ to the City, to go out and take _Ignorance_, and bind him hand and foot, and have him away. Then they took him up, and carried him through the air to the door that I saw in the side of the Hill, and put him in there. Then I saw that there was a way to h.e.l.l even from the Gates of Heaven, as well as from the City of _Destruction_. So I awoke, and behold it was a Dream.

ROBINSON CRUSOE