Supper and music at table

Now Supper was ready, the Table spread, and all things set on the board; so they sat down and did eat when one had given thanks. And the Interpreter did usually entertain those that lodged with him with Music at meals, so the minstrels played. There was also one that did sing, and a very fine voice he had. His song was this:

The Lord is only my support,

And he that doth me feed;

How can I then want anything

Whereof I stand in need?

When the song and music ended, the Interpreter asked Christiana, What it was that at first did move her to betake herself to a Pilgrim's life?

Christiana answered, First, the loss of my husband came into my mind, at which I was heartily grieved; but all that was but natural affection. Then after that came the troubles and pilgrimage of my husband's into my mind, and also how like a churl I had carried it to him as to that. So guilt took hold of my mind, and would have drawn me into the pond; but that opportunely I had a dream of the well-being of my husband, and a Letter sent me by the King of that Country where my husband dwells, to come to Him. The dream and the Letter together so wrought upon my mind, that they forced me to this way.

Interpreter: But met you with no opposition afore you set out of doors?

Christiana: Yes, a Neighbor of mine, one Mrs Timorous (she was akin to him that would have persuaded my husband to go back for fear of the lions). She all tobefooled me for as she called it my intended desperate adventure; she also urged what she could to dishearten me to it, the hardship and troubles that my husband met with in the way: but all this I got over pretty well. But a dream that I had of two ill-looked ones, that I thought did plot how to make me miscarry in my journey, that hath troubled me much; yea, it still runs in my mind, and makes me afraid of every one that I meet, lest they should meet me to do me a mischief, and to turn me out of the way. Yea, I may tell my Lord, tho' I would not have everybody know it, that between this and the Gate by which we got into the way, we were both so sorely assaulted, that we were made to cry out murder, and the two that made this assault upon us were like the two that I saw in my dream.

Then said the Interpreter,

Thy beginning is good,

thy latter end shall greatly increase.

So he addressed himself to Mercy, and said unto her,

And what moved thee to come hither sweet heart?

Then Mercy blushed and trembled, and for a while continued silent.

Interpreter: Then said he, Be not afraid, only believe, and speak thy mind.

Mercy: So, she began and said, Truly Sir, my want of experience is that that makes me covet to be in silence, and that also that fills me with fears of coming short at last. I cannot tell of visions and dreams as my friend Christiana can, nor know I what it is to mourn for my refusing of the counsel of those that were good relations.

Interpreter: What was it then, dear heart, that hath prevailed with thee to do as thou hast done?

Mercy: Why, when our friend here was packing up to be gone from our Town, I and another went accidentally to see her. So we knocked at the door and went in. When we were within and seeing what she was doing, we asked what was her meaning. She said she was sent for to go to her husband; and then she up and told us how she had seen him in dream, dwelling in a curious place among Immortals, wearing a Crown, playing upon a harp, eating and drinking at his Prince's Table, and singing Praises to him for bringing him hither, etc. Now me - thought while she was telling these things unto us, my heart burned within me; and I said in my heart, If this be true, I will leave my father and my mother and the land of my nativity, and will, if I may, go along with Christiana.

So I asked her further of the truth of these things, and if she would let me go with her; for I saw now that there was no dwelling, but with the danger of ruin, any longer in our Town. But yet I came away with a heavy heart, not for that I was unwilling to come away, but for that so many of my relations were left behind. And I am come with all the desire of my heart, and will go, if I may, with Christiana, unto her husband and his King.

Interpreter: Thy setting out is good, for thou hast given credit to the truth. Thou art a Ruth, who did for the love she bore to Naomi and to the Lord her God, leave father and mother and the land of her nativity, to come out, and go with a people that she knew not heretofore. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under Whose Wings thou art come to trust.

Now Supper was ended, and preparation was made for bed; the women were laid singly alone, and the boys by themselves. Now when Mercy was in bed, she could not sleep for joy, for that now her doubts of missing at last were removed further from her than ever they were before. So she lay blessing and praising God who had had such favor for her.

Interpretation:

The conversation between the Interpreter, Christiana and Mercy shows the true fellowship in a local church where testimonies are given importance than sermons by pastors. Pastors need to interpret scriptures in a simple manner citing parables. They are supposed to interpret the scriptures and not to give sermons. Nobody is worthy to give sermons like Jesus gave His Sermon on the Mount. While giving messages, let us not boast that we give God’s messages. Nobody except Jesus is worthy to give sermons. Pastors likened to the Interpreter should edify the faith of the Lord's sheep.

Next......Journey into the celestial city