Flatterer causing fall in the net

So they went on, and Ignorance followed. They went then till they came at a place where they saw a way put itself into their way, and seemed withal to lie as straight as the way which they should go: and here they knew not which of the two to take, for both seemed straight before them; therefore here they stool still to consider. And as they were thinking about the way, behold a man black, of flesh, but covered with a very light robe, came to them, and asked them why they stood there? They answered they were going to the Celestial City, but knew not which of these ways to take. "Follow me", said the man, "it is thither that I am going". So they followed him in the way that but now came into the road, which by degrees turned, and turned them so from the City that they desired to go to, that in little time their faces were turned away from it: yet they followed him. But by-and-by, before they were aware, he led them both within the compass of a net, in which they were both so entangled, that they knew not what to do; and with that the white robe fell off the black man's back: then they saw where they were. Wherefore there they lay crying some time, for they could not get themselves out.

Christian: Then said Christian to his fellow, Now do I see myself in an error. Did not the Shepherds bid us beware of the flatterers? As is the saying of the Wise man, so we have found it this day, A man that flattereth his neighbour, spreadeth a net for his feet.

Hopeful: They also gave us a Note of directions about the way, for our more sure finding thereof; but therein we have also forgotten to read, and have not kept ourselves from the paths of the destroyer. Here David was wiser than we; for saith he, Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

Thus they lay bewailing themselves in the net.

At last they espied a Shining One coming towards them with a whip of small cord in his hand. When he was come to the place where they were, he asked them "whence they came?" and "what they did there"? They told him that they were poor Pilgrims going to Zion, but were led out of their way by a black man, clothed in white, who bid us, said they, "follow him, for he was going thither too". Then said he with the whip, "It is Flatterer, a false Apostle, that hath transformed himself into an Angel of Light". So he rent the net, and let the men out.

Then said he to them, "Follow me, that I may set you in your way again": so he led them back to the way which they had left to follow the Flatterer. Then he asked them, saying, "Where did you lie the last night?" They said, "With the Shepherds upon the Delectable Mountains. He asked them then, If they had not of those Shepherds a Note of direction for the way?" They answered, Yes. "But did you", said he, "when you were at a stand pluck out and read your Note?" They answered, "No". He asked them, "Why?" They said."they forgot". He asked moreover, "If the Shepherds did not bid them beware of the Flatterer?" They answered, "Yes; but we did not imagine, said they, that this fine-spoken man had been he".

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 bid 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, singing,

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 rescued were, but yet you see

They're scourged to boot:

Let this your caution be.

Interpretation:

The Note of directions contains the prophetic warnings given at the Delectable Mountains by prophetic ministers to warn us against the Flatterer, the false apostle. There are many such false apostles wandering in the churches to deceive us by their flattering words. They do not speak about the sin and righteousness but simply praise us by their mouths. They are fine-spoken men in disguise as the angels of light. Today, we do not appreciate the warnings given to us by prophetic ministers but hearken to the words of blessings from the false apostles who quote the Word of God from one angle.

The false promises or the false prophecies made by such flattering preachers would not come to pass and we would become frustrated or desperate. We would thus fall into their nets. God would send us ministers likened to the shining one to deliver us from such nets. They rebuke us and open our hearts to the truth in His word.

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