PILGRIM: Neighbors, wherefore are ye come?
NEIGHBOR: To persuade you to go back with us.
PILGRIM: That can by no means be. You dwell in the city of Destruction, the place also where I was born: I see it to be son; 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, go along with me!
OBSTINATE: What! And leave our friends and our comforts behind us!
CHRISTIAN: Yes (said Christian, for that was his name), because that all is not worthy to be compared with a little of that I am seeking to enjoy (2 Cor 4:18). 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 (Luke 15:17). 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 (1 Peter 1:4); and it is laid up in Heaven, and safe there (Hebrews 2:16), to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on them diligently seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my Book.
OBSTINATE: Tush! Away with your Book; will you go back with us or no?
CHRISTIAN: No, not I, because I have laid my hand to the plow (Luke 9:62).
OBSTINATE: Come then, 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.
PLIABLE: Then don't revile. If what the good Christian says is true, the things he looks after are better than ours. My heart inclines to go with my neighbor.
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: Come with me, neighbor 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 (Hebrews 9:17-21).
PLIABLE: Well, neighbor Obstinate, I begin 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 companion, do you know the way to this desired place?
CHRISTIAN: I am directed by a man, whose name is Evangelist, to speed me to a little gate that is before us, where we shall receive instruction about the way.
PLIABLE: Come then, good neighbor, let us be going.
(Then they went together.)
OBSTINATE: And I will go back to my place; I will be no companion of such misled, fantastical fellows.
Now I saw in my dream that when Obstinate was gone back, Christian and Pliable went talking over the plain; and thus they began their discourse.
CHRISTIAN: Come, neighbor Pliable, how do you do? I am glad you are persuaded to go along with me. Had even Obstinate himself but felt what I have felt of the powers and terrors of what is yet unseen, he would not thus lightly have given us the back.
PLIABLE: Come, neighbor Christian, since there are none but us two here, tell me now further what the things are, and how to be enjoyed, whither we are going.
CHRISTIAN: I can better conceive of them with my mind than speak of them with my tongue; but yet, since you are desirous to know, I will read 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 (Titus 1:2)
PLIABLE: Well said; what things are they?
CHRISTIAN: There is an endless kingdom to be inhabited, and everlasting life to be given us, that we may inhabit that kingdom forever (Isaiah 45:17; John 10:27-29)
PLIABLE: Well said; and what else?
CHRISTIAN: There are crowns of glory to be given us, and garments that will make us shine like the sun in the firmament of the Heaven (2 Tim 4:8, Revelation 22:5, Matthew 13:43).
PLIABLE: This is excellent; and what else?
CHRISTIAN: There shall be no more crying, nor sorrow; for He that is owner of the place will wipe all tears from our eyes (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:16-17; 21:4)
PLIABLE: And what company shall we have there?
CHRISTIAN: There we shall be with seraphim and cherubim (Isaiah 6:2; I Thess 4:16-17; Revelation 5:11), creatures that will dazzle our eyes to look on them. There also we shall meet with thousands and ten thousands that have gone before us to that place; none of them are hurtful, but loveing and holy, everyone walking in the sight of God, and standing in His presence with acceptance forever. In a word, there we shall see the elders with their golden crowns (Revelation 4:4); there we shall see the holy virgins with their golden harps (Revelation 14:1-5); there we shall see men that by the world were cut in pieces, burned in flames, eaten of beasts, drowned in the seas, for the love they bare to the Lord of the place (John 12:25); all well, and clothed with immortality as with a garment (2 Cor 5:2, 3, 5).
PLIABLE: The hearing of this is enough to ravish one's heart. But are these things to be enjoyed? How shall we get to be sharers thereof?
CHRISTIAN: The Lord, the Governor of the country, hath recorded that in this Book (Isaiah 55:1-2; John 7:37; Revelation 21:6; 22:17), the substance of which is, if we be truly willing to have it, He will bestow it upon us freely.
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. ..."
Obstinate
firmly or stubbornly adhering to one's purpose, opinion, etc.; not yielding to argument, persuasion, or entreaty. (www.dictionary.com)
Pliable
easily influenced or persuaded (www.dictionary.com)
I love how John Bunyan has named his characters, and how these characters totally reflect those we see today.. I think I can say who is the obstinate one at my own home.. Well, God willing, she'll be Christian.. =)
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