Ignorance in the country of deceit

Ignorance: Sir, I was born in the Country that lieth off there a little on the left hand, and I am going to the Celestial City.

Christian: But how do you think to get in at the Gate, for you may find some difficulty there?

Ignorance: As other good people do, said he.

Christian: But what have you to shew at that Gate, that may cause that the Gate should be opened to you?

Ignorance: I know my Lord's will, and I have been a good liver; I pay every man his own; I pray, fast, pay Tithes, and give alms, and have left my country for whither I am going.

Christian: But thou camest not in at the Wicket-Gate that is at the head of this way; thou camest in hither through that same crooked lane, and therefore I fear, however thou mayest think of thyself, when the reckoning day shall come, thou wilt have laid to thy charge that thou art a thief and a robber, instead of getting admittance into the City.

Ignorance: Gentlemen, ye be utter strangers to me, I know you not; be content to follow the Religion of your country, and I will follow the Religion of mine. I hope all will be well. And as for the Gate that you talk of, all the world knows that that is a great way off of our country. I cannot think that any man in all our parts doth so much as know the way to it, nor need they matter whether they do or no, since we have, as you see, a fine pleasant Green Lane, that comes down from our country the next way into the way.

When Christian saw that the man was wise in his own conceit, he said to Hopeful whisperingly, There is more hopes of a fool than of him. And said moreover, When he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool. What, shall we talk further with him, or outgo him at present, and so leave him to think of what he hath heard already, and then stop again for him afterwards, and see if by degrees we can do any good of him? Then said Hopeful,

Let Ignorance a little while now muse on what is said, and let him not refuse Good counsel to embrace, lest he remain still ignorant of what's the chiefest gain. God saith, Those that no understanding have, (Although he made them) them he will not save.

Hopeful: He further added, It is not good, I think, to say all to him at once; let us pass him by, if you will, and talk to him anon, even as he is able to bear it.

So they both went on, and Ignorance he came after. Now when they had passed him a little way, they entered into a very dark Lane, where they met a man whom seven Devils had bound with seven strong cords, and were carrying of him back to the door that they saw on the side of the Hill. Now good Christian began to tremble, and so did Hopeful his companion; yet as the Devils led away the man, Christian looked to see if he knew him, and he thought it might be one turn-away that dwelt in the Town of Apostacy. But he did not perfectly see his face, for he did hang his head like a thief that is found. But being gone past, Hopeful looked after him, and espied on his back a paper with this inscription,

Wanton Professor and damnable Apostate.

Author Interprets:

There are numerous ministers in Christendom who have superfluous theological knowledge but do not know Jesus Christ personally as their Saviour and Lord. They are in the grip of the spirit of the Antichrist with his seven fold characters. Pride, self-righteousness, iniquity, selfishness, untruth, hatred and hypocrisy. Those who hear the Wanton Professor and damnable Apostate would not enter the Celestial City.

Little Faith being robbed

Then said Christian to his fellow, Now I call to remembrance that which was told me of a thing that happened to a good man hereabout. The name of the man was Little-faith, but a good man, and he dwelt in the Town of Sincere. The thing was this; At the entering in of this passage, there comes down from Broad-way Gate, a Lane called Dead Man's Lane; so called because of the murders that are commonly done there; and this Little-faith going on Pilgrimage as we do now, chanced to sit down there and slept. Now there happened at that time, to come down the Lane from Broad-way Gate, three sturdy Rogues, and their names were Faint - heart, Mistrust, and Guilt. (three Brothers) and they espying Little-faith where he was, came galloping up with speed. Now the good man was just awakened from his sleep, and was getting up to go on his journey. So they came up all to him, and with threatening language bid him to stand.

At this Little-faith looked as white as a clout, and had neither power to fight nor fly. Then said Faint-heart, "Deliver thy purse". But he making no haste to do it (for he was loathe to lose his money) Mistrust ran up to him, and thrusting his hand into his pocket, pull'd out thence a bag of silver. Then he cried out, "Thieves, Thieves". With that guilt with a great club that was in his hand, struck Little - faith on the head, and with that blow felled him flat to the ground, where he lay bleeding as one that would bleed to death.

All this while the thieves stood by. But at last, they hearing that some were upon the road, and fearing lest it should be one Great-grace that dwells in the City of Good - confidence, they betook themselves to their heels, and left this good man to shift for himself. Now after a while Little-faith came to himself, and getting up made shift to scrabble on his way. This was the story.

Hopeful: But did they take from him all that ever he had?

Christian: No; the place where his jewels were they never ransacked, so those he kept still; but as I was told, the good man was much afflicted for his loss, for the thieves got most of his spending money. That which they got not (as I said) were jewels, also he had a little odd money left, but scarce enough to bring him to his journey's end; nay, if I was not misinformed, he was forced to beg as he went, to keep himself alive, for his jewels he might not sell. But beg, and do what he could, he went (as we say) with many a hungry belly the most part of the rest of the way.

Hopeful: But is it not a wonder that they got from him his Certificate, by which he was to receive his admittance at the Celestial Gate?

Christian: 'Tis a wonder but they got not that, though they missed it not through any good cunning of his; for he being dismayed with their coming upon him, had neither power nor skill to hide anything; so 'twas more by good Providence than by his endeavour, that they miss'd of that good thing.

Hopeful: But it must needs be a comfort to him that they got not this Jewel from him.

Christian: It might have been great comfort to him, had he used it as he should; but they that told me the story said that he made but little use of it all the rest of the way, and that because of the dismay that he had in their taking away his money; indeed he forgot it a great part of the rest of his journey; and besides, when at any time it came into his mind, and he began to be comforted therewith, then would fresh thoughts of his loss come again upon him, and those thoughts would swallow up all.

Hopeful: Alas poor man! This could not but be a great grief to him.

Christian: Grief! Nay, a grief indeed. Would it not have been so to any of us, had we been used as he, to be robbed, and wounded too, and that in a strange place, as he was? 'Tis a wonder he did not die with grief, poor heart! I was told that he scattered almost all the rest of the way with nothing but doleful and bitter complaints; telling also to all that over-took him, or that he over-took in the way as he went, where he was robbed, and how; who they were that did it, and what he lost; how he was wounded, and that he hardly escaped with his life.

Hopeful: But 'tis a wonder that his necessity did not put him upon selling or pawning some of his Jewels, that he might have wherewith to relieve himself in his journey.

Christian: Thou talkest like one upon whose head is the shell to this very day; for what should he pawn them, or to whom should he sell them? In all that Country where he was robbed, his jewels were not accounted of; nor did he want that relief which could from thence be administered to him. Besides, had his jewels been missing at the Gate of the Celestial City, he had (and that he knew well enough) been excluded from an Inheritance there; and that would have been worse to him than the appearance and villainy of ten thousand thieves.

Hopeful: Why art thou so tart my Brother? Esau sold his birth-right, and that for a mess of pottage, and that birth-right was his greatest jewel; and if he, why might not Little-faith do so too?

Christian: Esau did sell his birth-right indeed, and so do many besides, and by so doing exclude themselves from the chief blessing, as also that caitiff did; but you must put a difference betwixt Esau and Little-faith, and also betwixt their estates. Esau's birth-right was typical, but Little-faith's jewels were not so: Esau's belly was his god, but Little-faith's belly was not so: Esau's want lay in his fleshly appetite, Little-faith's did not so. Besides, Esau could see no further than to the fulfilling of his lusts: For I am at the point to die, said he, and what good will this Birth-right do me? But Little-faith, though it was his lot to have but a little faith, was by his little faith kept from such extravagancies, and made to see and prize his jewels more than to sell them, as Esau did his birth-right. You read not anywhere that Esau had faith, no not so much as a little; therefore no marvel if where the flesh only bears sway (as it will in that man where no faith is to resist) if he sells his birth-right, and his soul and all, and that to the Devil of Hell; for it is with such, as it is with the ass, who in her occasions cannot be turned away. When their minds are set upon their lusts, they will have them whatever they cost. But Little-faith was of another temper, his mind was on things Divine; his livelihood was upon things that were spiritual, and from above; therefore to what end should he that is of such a temper sell his jewels (had there been any that would have bought them) to fill his mind with empty things? Will a man give a penny to fill his belly with hay? or can you persuade the turtle-dove to live upon carrion like the crow? Though faithless ones can, for carnal lusts, pawn or mortgage, or sell what they have, and themselves outright to boot; yet they that have faith, saving faith, though but a little of it, cannot do so. Here therefore my brother is thy mistake.

Hopeful: I acknowledge it; but yet your severe reflection had almost made me angry.

Christian: Why, I did but compare thee to some of the birds that are of the brisker sort, who will run to and fro in trodden, paths, with the shell upon their heads; but pass by that, and consider the matter under debate, and all shall be well betwixt thee and me.

Hopeful: But Christian, these three fellows, I am persuaded in my heart, are but a company of cowards; would they have run else, think you, as they did, at the noise of one that was coming on the road? Why did not Little-faith pluck up a greater heart? He might, me-thinks, have stood one brush with them, and have yielded when there had been no remedy.

Christian: That they are cowards, many have said, but few have found it so in the time of trial. As for a great heart, Little-faith had none; and I perceive by thee, my Brother, hadst thou been the man concerned, thou art but for a brush, and then to yield. And verily since this is the height of thy stomach, now they are at a distance from us, should they appear to thee as they did to him, they might put thee to second thoughts.

But consider again, they are but journeymen thieves; they serve under the king of the bottomless pit, who, if need be, will come in to their aid himself, and his voice is as the roaring of a lion. I myself have been engaged as this Little-faith was, and I found it a terrible thing. These three villains set upon me, and I beginning like a Christian to resist, they gave but a call, and in came their master: I would, as the saying is, have given my life for a penny; but that, as God would have it, I was clothed with Armor of proof. Nay, and yet though I was so harnessed, I found it hard work to quit myself like a man: no man can tell what in that combat attends us, but he that hath been in the battle himself.

Hopeful: Well, but they ran, you see, when they did but suppose that one Great-grace was in the way.

Christian: True, they have often fled, both they and their master, when Great - grace hath but appeared; and no marvel, for he is the King's champion. But I tro you will put some difference between Little-faith and the King's champion. All the King's subjects are not his champions, nor can they when tried to do such feats of war as he. Is it meet to think that a little child should handle Goliath as David did? Or that there should be the strength of an ox in a wren? Some are strong, some are weak; some have great faith, some have little: this man was one of the weak, and therefore he went to the wall.

Hopeful: I would it had been Great-grace for their sake.

Christian: If it had been he, he might have had his hands full; for I must tell you, that though Great-grace is excellent good at his weapons, and has, and can, so long as he keeps them at sword's point, do well enough with them; yet if they get within him, even Faint-heart, Mistrust, or the other, it shall go hard but they will throw up his heels. And when a man is down, you know, what can he do?

Whoso looks well upon Great-grace's face, shall see those scars and cuts there, that shall easily give demonstration of what I say. Yea, once I heard he should say, (and that when he was in the combat) We despaired even of life. How did these sturdy rogues and their fellows make David groan, mourn, and roar? Yet, Heman and Hezekiah too, though champions in their day, were forced to bestir them when by these assaulted; and yet notwithstanding they had their coats soundly brushed by them. Peter upon a time would go try what he could do; but though some do say of him that he is the Prince of the Apostles, they handled him so, that they made him at last afraid of a sorry girl.

Besides their king is at their whistle. He is never out of hearing; and if at any time they be put to the worst, he if possible comes in to help them; and of him it is said, The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold, the spear, the dart, nor the Habergeon: he esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. The arrow cannot make him fly; sling-stones are turned with him into stubble, darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear. What can a man do in this case? 'Tis true, if a man could at every turn have Job's horse, and had skill and courage to ride him, he might do notable things; for his neck is clothed with thunder, he will not be afraid as the grasshopper, the glory of his nostrils is terrible, he paweth in the valley, rejoiceth in his strength, and goeth out to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted, neither turneth back from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear, and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage, neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thundering of the captains, and the shoutings

But for such footmen as thee and I are, let us never desire to meet with an enemy, nor vaunt as if we could do better, when we hear of others that they have been foiled, nor be tickled at the thoughts of our own manhood; for such commonly come by the worst when tried. Witness Peter, of whom I made mention before. He would swagger, nay he would; he would, as his vain mind prompted him to say, do better, and stand more for his Master than all men; but who so foiled and run down by these villains as he?

When therefore we hear that such robberies are done on the King's High - way, two things become us to do: First, To go out harnessed and to be sure to take a shield with us; for it was for want of that, that he that laid so lustily at Leviathan could not make him yield; for indeed if that be wanting he fears us not at all. Therefore he that had skill hath said, Above all take the Shield of Faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

'Tis good also that we desire of the King a Convoy, yea that he will go with us himself. This made David rejoice when in the Valley of the Shadow of Death: and Moses was rather for dying where he stood, than to go one step without his God. O my Brother, if he will but go along with us, what need we be afraid of ten thousands that shall set themselves against us? But without him, the proud helpers fall under the slain.

I for my part have been in the fray before now, and though (through the goodness of him that is best) I am, as you see, alive; yet I cannot boast of my manhood. Glad shall I be, if I meet with no more such brunts, though I fear we are not got beyond all danger. However, since the lion and the bear have not as yet devoured me, I hope God will also deliver us from the next uncircumcised Philistine. Then sang Christian,

Poor Little-faith!

Hast been among the thieves? Wast robbed,

Remember this:

Whoso believes And gets more Faith,

shall then a victor be

Over ten thousand, else scarce over three.

Interpretation:

There are multitudes in our churches who are likened to the Ignorance residing in the country of Conceit. They have not entered through the Wicket Gate but through the narrow crooked lane. At the same time, there are equally multitudes in our churches who are likened to the Little Faith in the Town of Sincere.

The Little Faith had chanced to sit down and sleep at the Dead Man's Lane where three sturdy rogues, Faint - heart, Mistrust, and Guilt, journeymen thieves serving under the king of the bottomless pit, stole him of his purse containing a bag of silver and wounded him when he awakened from the sleep. Great-grace dwelling in the City of Good - confidence, came to his rescue. Now after a while Little-faith came to himself, and getting up made shift to scrabble on his way.

Little Faith was not robbed of the jewels like the Certificate by His providence. Only he lost the perishable money but not the precious and imperishable jewels which were not of any use in the City of Destruction or the Town of Deceit. The thieves got most of his spending money with result that he was forced to beg as he went, to keep himself alive, for his jewels he might not sell. He went (as we say) with many a hungry belly the most part of the rest of the way. Like Esau sold his birthright, Little Faith did not part with his precious jewels.

Little-faith was of another temper, his mind was on things Divine; his livelihood was upon things that were spiritual, and from above; therefore to what end should he that is of such a temper sell his jewels (had there been any that would have bought them) to fill his mind with empty things? Will a man give a penny to fill his belly with hay? or can you persuade the turtle-dove to live upon carrion like the crow? Though faithless ones can, for carnal lusts, pawn or mortgage, or sell what they have, and themselves outright to boot; yet they that have faith, saving faith, though but a little of it, cannot do so.

But 'tis a wonder that his necessity did not put him upon selling or pawning some of his Jewels, that he might have wherewith to relieve himself in his journey.

There are indeed multitudes in Christendom who, though materially poor and having money just for their bare necessities, have not sold their birthright but preserved their faith even when they had undergone afflictions or had lost their money to robbers or cheats who took their money by deceit. They hold on to their certificate until they reach the Celestial City. There are many poor saints in the Body of Christ who are not able to earn more money but have to lose their money in hospitals where the greedy hospitals overcharge them or in courts of law where the greedy lawyers overcharge and cheat them. Christians likened to the Little Faith had chanced to sit down and sleep at the Dead Man's Lane where three sturdy rogues, Faint-heart, Mistrust, and Guilt robbed them. Pastors and teachers in the Stately Palace do not take care to teach the Lord's sheep how to overcome their faint-heart, mistrust and guilt. The Lord's sheep were allowed to graze in prohibited places like Dead Man's Lane where the False Prophet through his ministers induce the believers who are weak in their faith to believe in their ability to help them tide over their problems by their special prayers. Instead of teaching them to trust in Jesus Christ, they mislead them and make them dependent upon their abilities to bless them. They attack their faith life and make them to lose their faith in Jesus. In many Indian churches, the poor saints are made to visit churches only to get material blessings through the prayers of pastors who induce them to sow seeds or to pay tithes in order to receive divine blessings or divine healing. These poor saints who have a little faith are not exhorted to believe God for great things. People with a little faith lose their earthly possessions due to fraud or due to lack of faith in God. But they hold on to their faith and do not sell their birthrights as they continue to profess their faith in Jesus.

In many Indian churches, the poor saints are taught to visit churches only to get material blessings through the prayers of pastors who induce them to sow seeds or to pay tithes in order to receive divine blessings or divine healing. These poor saints who have a little faith are not exhorted to believe God for great things. However, people with a little faith hold on to their faith in Jesus and do not sell their birthrights as they continue to profess their faith in Jesus. When poor saints are robbed of their hard-earned money, preachers or pastors who induce them to part with their money become thieves in the eyes of God.

Next.......Falling into Net