The Parable of the Pilgrim, Parable · Chapter 6
CAP. VI.
The Acceptance which he found with him: and how plainly the Guide dealt with him about the difficulties of the way.
NOw the Inquirer appearing in habit like a Pilgrim, having a very innocent countenance, an humble behaviour, and uſing ſuch language as ſignified that it was not curioſity, or a mind to try the ſkill which the other had in foreign parts, but a real deſire to travel, which had brought him thither; Anſwer was returned by him, to whom he made his application, that he was heartily glad to meet with any man that would ask the way to Jeruſalem; and that he thought he read in his face ſo much of the ſerenity of his mind, and the ſincerity of his heart, that he might be confident he came with a real deſire to receive ſatisfaction about it. But, ſaid he, though I muſt needs grant that I am furniſhed with ſome knowledge of the way to that City, yet perhaps I may ſpare my pains of giving you any directions in it, becauſe there is ſome reaſon to think you will not be at the pains to follow them. For if you will give any credit to my words, I muſt let you know, that the way is both long, and alſo full of many and great difficulties; and that there are many waies alſo which will ſeem to you to lead ſtraight to it, & which many men will ponyt you unto as the next rode; which if you ſhould take, will lead you into great danger, and not only carry you a great deal about, but perchance conduct you to the quite contrary place, and end in your utter undoing. I would wiſh you therefore to conſider a while, whether it be an adviſeable thing to undertake ſuch a journey wherein there are ſo many hardſhips, and ſo many croſs paths. A journey which is ſo tedious alſo, and wherein I cannot promiſe you ſecurity from frights, theeves, beatings, and ſuch ill uſages as have made many men poſſeſſed with ſuch intentions as you ſeem now to have, quite to lay aſide all thoughts of it, and to ſit down contented at their own homes. And after all this, I know not whether you will yield your belief to all that I ſhall tell you of the way; if you have heard ſome of the reports which are ſpread of me, and have received any prejudice at all againſt me, which I am ſure will be increaſed by ſome of the Precepts that I muſt give you.
The Pilgrim was ſo far from ſhewing any tokens of diſguſt at this diſcourſe, that he rather diſcovered an inward pleaſure that he had conceived in the freedom and prudence of it. And after he had rendred him his thanks for dealing with him ſo impartially, he beſeeched him that he would not think it fit to ſpare his pains which he had already with no ſmall ſucceſs begun to beſtow; but that he would make a poor ſoul ſo happy as to let it know from that mouth which he perceived would not deceive or miſ guide it; that difficult, long, and dangerous way which leads to Jeruſalem. I am not ignorant indeed (continued he) how much many men are wont to ſtartle and boggle at thoſe terrible words; but I thank my God they ſtrike no terrour at all into my heart, nor move me one jot from the reſolution which I hope is immoveably ſetled in it, of going to that bleſſed place. For ſo much have I heard of the glory of it, that I am apt to think of nothing elſe; and ſo I may but come in ſafety thither at the laſt, I matter not at all what the way may be which carries me unto it. Oblige me therefore I beſeech you ſo much as to be my Guide, and to chalk out the way for me. I am confident you will not repent of your labour, when you ſhall ſee your directions obſerved with as much faithfulneſs and care as they are by you delivered. And as for the truſt which I repoſe in your ſkill and ſincerity, I am as confident by what I diſcern already, that I ſhall as little repent of it, as you will of your taking me into your tuition. I doubt not at all but I ſhall be better taught than yet I have ever been; and if the world judge otherwiſe, I beſeech you do not take me for one that meaſures mens worth by their eſteem with the vulgar ſort, or by the favour they have obtained to be commended by the mouth of common fame. The Vulgar themſelves have whipt her about the world as a lewd Strumpet; and we have a plain ſaying, That the common report hath too often a bliſter upon her tongue. Therefore ſpeak Sir, I intreat you, and let me know what you are from your own mouth, and not from other mens. For as I never intended to truſt my neighbour to chuſe my opinions for me, and to diſpoſe of my belief; ſo do I never mean to reſign my mind to be ſtamped with thoſe Characters that they ſhall pleaſe to make of men, and of their qualities. I never yet beheld ſo many Saints as they have created and worſhipped; nor can I take all thoſe for Devils, whom they are pleaſed to defie and abominate.