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MR. WORLDLY WISEMAN
Christian with Mr Wordly Wiseman in the Town of Carnal Policy
Now as Christian was walking solitary by himself, he espied one afar off come crossing over the field to meet him; and their hap was to meet just as they were crossing the way of each other. The gentleman's name that met him was Mr Worldly Wiseman: he dwelt in the Town of Carnal Policy, a very great Town, and also hard by from whence Christian came. This man then meeting with Christian, and having some inkling of him, - for Christian's setting forth from the City of Destruction was much noised abroad, not only in the Town where he dwelt, but also it began to be the town-talk in some other places, - Master Worldly Wiseman therefore, having some guess of him, by beholding his laborious going, by observing his sighs and groans, and the like, began thus to enter into some talk with Christian.
Worldly Wiseman: How now, good fellow, whither away after this burdened manner?
Christian: A burdened manner indeed, as ever I think poor creature had. And whereas you ask me, Whither away? I tell you, Sir, I am going to yonder Wicket - gate before me; for there, as I am informed, I shall be put into a way to be rid of my heavy burden.
Worldly Wiseman: Hast thou a wife and children?
Christian: Yes, but I am so laden with this burden, that I cannot take that pleasure in them as formerly; methinks I am as if I had none.
Worldly Wiseman: Wilt thou hearken to me if I give thee counsel?
Christian: If it be good, I will; for I stand in need of good counsel.
Worldly Wiseman: I would advise thee then, that thou with all speed get thyself rid of thy burden; for thou wilt never be settled in thy mind till then; nor canst thou enjoy the benefits of the blessing which God hath bestowed upon thee till then.
Christian: That is that which I seek for, even to be rid of this heavy Burden; but get it off myself, I cannot; nor is there any man in our country that can take it off my shoulders; therefore am I going this way, as I told you, that I may be rid of my burden.
Worldly Wiseman: Who bid thee go this way to be rid of thy burden?
Christian: A man that appeared to me to be a very great and honorable person; his name as I remember is Evangelist.
Worldly Wiseman: I beshrew him for his counsel; there is not a more dangerous and troublesome way in the world than is that unto which he hath directed thee; and that thou shalt find, if thou wilt be ruled by his counsel. Thou hast met with something (as I perceive) already; for I see the dirt of the Slough of Despond is upon thee; but that Slough is the beginning of the sorrows that do attend those that go on in that way: Hear me, I am older than thou; thou art like to meet with, in the way which thou goest, Wearisomeness, Painfulness, Hunger, Perils, Nakedness, Sword, Lions, Dragons, Darkness, and in a word, Death, and what not! These things are certainly true, having been confirmed by many testimonies. And why should a man so carelessly cast away himself, by giving heed to a stranger?
Christian: Why, Sir, this Burden upon my back is more terrible to me than are all these things which you have mentioned; nay, methinks I care not what I meet with in the way, so be I can also meet with deliverance from my burden.
Worldly Wiseman: How camest thou by the Burden at first?
Christian: By reading this Book in my hand.
Worldly Wiseman: I thought so; and it is happened unto thee as to other weak men, who meddling with things too high for them, do suddenly fall into thy distractions; which distractions do not only unman men (as thine I perceive has done thee), but they run them upon desperate ventures, to obtain they know not what.
Christian: I know what I would obtain; it is ease for my heavy burden.
Worldly Wiseman: But why wilt thou seek for ease this way, seeing so many dangers attend it? Especially, since (hadst thou but patience to hear me) I could direct thee to the obtaining of what thou desirest, without the dangers that thou in this way wilt run thyself into; yea, and the remedy is at hand. Besides, I will add, that instead of those dangers, thou shalt meet with much safety, friendship, and content.
Christian: Pray Sir, open this secret to me.
Worldly Wiseman: Why in yonder Village (the village is named Morality) there dwells a Gentleman whose name is Legality, a very judicious man, and a man of very good name, that has skill to help men off with such burdens as thine are from their shoulders: yea, to my knowledge he hath done a great deal of good this way; nay, and besides, he hath skill to cure those that are somewhat crazed in their wits with their burdens. To him, as I said, thou mayest go, and be helped presently. His house is not quite a mile from this place, and if he should not be at home himself, he hath a pretty young man to his son, whose name is Civility, that can do it (to speak on) as well as the old Gentleman himself; there, I say, thou mayest be eased of thy burden; and if thou art not minded to go back to thy former habitation, as indeed I would not wish thee, thou mayest send for thy wife and children to thee to this village, where there are houses now stand empty, one of which thou mayest have at reasonable rates; Provision is there also cheap and good; and that which will make thy life the more happy is, to be sure there thou shalt live by honest Neighbors, in credit and good fashion.
Now was Christian somewhat at a stand, but presently he concluded, If this be true which this Gentleman hath said, my wisest course is to take his advice; and with that he thus farther spoke.
Christian: Sir, which is my way to this honest man's house?
Worldly Wiseman: Do you see yonder high Hill?
Christian: Yes, very well.
Worldly Wiseman: By that Hill you must go, and the first house you come at is his.
So Christian turned out of his way to go to Mr Legality's house for help; but behold, when he was got now hard by the Hill, it seemed so high, and also that side of it that was next the wayside, did hang so much over, that Christian was afraid to venture further, lest the Hill should fall on his head; wherefore there he stood still, and he wot not what to do. Also his burden now seemed heavier to him than while he was in his way. There came also flashes of fire out of the Hill, that made Christian afraid that he should be burned. Here therefore he sweat and did quake for fear.
When Christians unto Carnal Men give ear,
Out of their way they go, and pay for 't dear;
For Master Worldly Wiseman can but shew
A saint the way to bondage and to Wo.
And now he began to be sorry that he had taken Mr Worldly Wiseman's counsel. And with that he saw Evangelist coming to meet him; at the sight also of whom he began to blush for shame. So Evangelist drew nearer and nearer; and coming up to him, he looked upon him with a severe and dreadful countenance, and thus began to reason with Christian.
Evangelist: What doest thou here, Christian? said he: at which words Christian knew not what to answer; wherefore at present he stood speechless before him. Then said Evangelist "farther, Art not thou the man that I found crying without the walls of the City of Destruction?"
Christian: Yes, dear Sir, I am the man.
Evangelist: Did not I direct thee the way to the little Wicketgate?
Christian: Yes, dear Sir, said Christian.
Evangelist: How is it then that thou art so quickly turned aside? for thou art now out of the way.
Christian: I met with a gentleman so soon as I had got over the Slough of Despond, who persuaded me that I might, in the village before me, find a man that could take off my burden.
Evangelist: What was he?
Christian: He looked like a Gentleman, and talked much to me, and got me at last to yield; so I came hither: but when I beheld this Hill, and how it hangs over the way, I suddenly made a stand, lest it should fall on my head.
Evangelist: What said that Gentleman to you?
Christian: Why, he asked me whither I was going; and I told him.
Evangelist: And what said he then?
Christian: He asked me if I had a family; and I told him. But, said I, I am so loaden with the Burden that is on my back, that I cannot take pleasure in them as formerly.
Evangelist: And what said he then?
Christian: He bid me with speed get rid of my burden; and I told him 'twas ease that I sought. And, said I, I am therefore going to yonder Gate, to receive further direction how I may get to the place of deliverance. So he said that he would shew me a better way, and short, not so attended with difficulties as the way, Sir, that you set me; which way, said he, will direct you to a Gentleman's house that hath skill to take off these Burdens: So I believed him, and turned out of that way into this, if haply I might be soon eased of my Burden. But when I came to this place, and beheld things as they are, I stopped for fear (as I said) of danger: but I now know not what to do.
Evangelist: Then, said Evangelist, stand still a little, that I may shew thee the words of God. So he stood trembling. Then said Evangelist, See that ye refuse not him that speaketh; for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on Earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven. He said moreover, Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. He also did thus apply them, Thou art the man that art running into this misery, thou hast begun to reject the counsel of the Most High, and to draw back thy foot from the way of peace, even almost to the hazarding of thy perdition.
Then Christian fell down at his foot as dead, crying, Woe is me, for I am undone: At the sight of which, Evangelist caught him by the right hand, saying, All manner of sin and blasphemies shall be forgiven unto men; be not faithless, but believing. Then did Christian again a little revive, and stood up trembling, as at first, before Evangelist.
Then Evangelist proceeded, saying, "Give more earnest heed to the things that I shall tell thee of. I will now shew thee who it was that deluded thee, and who it was also to whom he sent thee. The man that met thee is one Worldly Wiseman, and rightly is he so called: partly because he savoureth only the doctrine of this world, (therefore he always goes to the Town of Morality to church); and partly because he loveth that doctrine best, for it saveth him from the Cross. And because he is of this carnal temper, teerefore he seeketh to prevent my ways, though right. Now there are three things in this man's counsel that thou must utterly abhor.
1. His turning thee out of the way.
2. His labouring to render the Cross odious to thee.
3. And his setting thy feet in that way that leadeth unto the administration of death.
First, Thou must abhor his turning thee out of the way; yea, and thine own consenting thereto, because this is to reject the counsel of God for the sake of the counsel of a Worldly Wiseman. The Lord says, Strive to enter in at the strait gate, the gate to which I sent thee; for strait is the gate that leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. From this little Wicket - gate, and from the way thereto, hath this wicked man turned thee, to the bringing of thee almost to destruction; hate therefore his turning thee out of the way, and abhor thyself for hearkening to him.
Secondly, Thou must abhor his labouring to render the Cross odious unto thee; for thou art to prefer it before the treasures of Egypt. Besides, the King of Glory hath told thee, that he that will save his life shall lose it: and He that comes after him, and hates not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my Disciple. I say therefore, for a man to labour to persuade thee, that that shall be thy death, without which, the Truth hath said, thou canst not have eternal life; This doctrine thou must abhor.
Thirdly, Thou must hate his setting of thy feet in the way that leadeth to the ministration of death. And for this thou must consider to whom he sent thee, and also how unable that person was to deliver thee from thy burden.
He to whom thou was sent for ease, being by name Legality, is the Son of the Bond-woman which now is, and is in bondage with her children; and is in a mystery this Mount Sinai, which thou hast feared will fall on thy head. Now if she with her children are in bondage, how canst thou expect by them to be made free? This Legality therefore is not able to set thee free from thy Burden. No man was as yet ever rid of his Burden by him; no, nor ever is like to be: ye cannot be justified by the Works of the Law; for by the deeds of the Law no man living can be rid of his burden: therefore, Mr Worldly Wiseman is an alien, and Mr Legality a cheat; and for his son Civility, notwithstanding his simpering looks, he is but a hypocrite and cannot help thee. Believe me, there is nothing in all this noise, that thou hast heard of this sottish man, but a design to beguile thee of thy Salvation, by turning thee from the way in which I had set thee. After this Evangelist called aloud to the Heavens for confirmation of what he had said; and with that there came words and fire out of the Mountain under which poor Christian stood, that made the hair of his flesh stand. The words were thus pronounced, As many as are the works of the Law are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them".
Now Christian looked for nothing but death, and began to cry out lamentably, even cursing the time in which he met with Mr Worldly Wiseman, still calling himself a thousand fools for hearkening to his counsel: he also was greatly ashamed to think that this Gentleman's arguments, flowing only from the flesh, should have that prevalency with him as to cause him to forsake the right way. This done, he applied himself again to Evangelist in words and sense as follows.
Christian: Sir, what think you? Is there hope? May I now go back and go up to the Wicket-gate? Shall I not be abandoned for this, and sent back from thence ashamed? I am sorry I have hearkened to this man's counsel: But may my sin be forgiven?
Evangelist: Then said Evangelist to him, Thy sin is very great, for by it thou hast committed two evils: thou hast forsaken the way that is good, to tread in forbidden paths; yet will the man at the Gate receive thee, for he has goodwill for men; only, said he, take heed that thou turn not aside again, lest thou perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Then did Christian address himself to go back; and Evangelist, after he had kissed him, gave him one smile, and bid him God speed. So he went on with haste, neither spake he to any man by the way; nor if any man asked him, would he vouchsafe them an answer. He went like one that was all the while treading on forbidden ground, and could by no means think himself safe, till again he was got into the way which he left to follow Mr Worldly Wiseman's counsel. So in process of time Christian got up to the Gate. Now over the Gate there was written, Knock and it shall be opened unto you. He that will enter in must first without Stand knocking at the Gate, nor need he doubt That is a knocker but to enter in, For God can love him, and forgive his sin. He knocked therefore more than once or twice, saying, May I now enter here? Will he within Open to sorry me, though I have been an undeserving rebel? Then shall I not fail to sing His lasting praise on high.
Interpretation:
Today, 90% of Christians claiming to be born again Christians love to live in the Town of Carnal Policy to be mentored by Mr. Worldly Wiseman who leads them to Mr. Legality and Mr. Civility. Mr. Legality merely asks you to follow certain do's and don’ts to ease your burden and exhorts you to go back to the City of Destruction for a comfortable life. He exhorts you to continue going to the church and to be content with your present state of spiritual growth. He discourages you to go to the yonder gate to behold the Crucified Christ. According to his instructions, you can continue to live in the City of Destruction by going to the church. He says you have already been saved by His grace and by the Blood of Jesus Christ. So long as you follow the instructions of your pastor or the servant of God who had preached the gospel to you, you would be alright. He tells you that it would be difficult to follow the instructions of Jesus in His mount sermon. He presents a rosy picture of the City of Destruction and the material blessings available in the said city. He leads you to another Christ, the Antichrist.
In the yonder Village of Morality, you find the Town of Carnal Policy. In the Village of Morality, the Christians go by the moral standards of this world and not by the standards of righteousness as set by Jesus in the New Covenant. They cling to an outward keeping of the moral law of the Bible without seeking the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the sin by grace.
If Legality is not home (when Christian moral laws are not upheld within the present culture) then Civility will come to your rescue. You may simply try to get along with worldly people, act with decency and benevolence towards your fellow man and you may feel that all is well with your present life style and your religious activities by going to the church, hearing the sermon, praying with other Christians but without being transformed to the image of Christ Jesus. Bunyan describes his own stay in this Village:
"Wherefore I fell to some outward reformation, both in my words and life, and did set the commandments before me for my way to heaven; which commandments I also did strive to keep, and, as I thought, did keep them pretty well sometimes, and then I should have comfort; yet now and then should break one, and so afflict my conscience; but then I should repent, and say I was sorry for it, and promise God to do better next time, and there get help again, for then I thought I pleased God as well as any man in England." [Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners, par. 30]
There is a town of carnal policy in Christendom. In the midst of carnal Christians, you may also become carnal-minded. Paul writes, "And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned (I Cor.2:13-14). You are not taught in the churches to discern what the false is; how you can distinguish between the truth and the false. As a spiritual man, you have to discern what is taught in your church or in an evangelical meeting. You have to compare it with what is written in the Bible like the Berean believers did.
You find Mr. Legality who quotes from the Old Testament scriptures and who wants you to follow certain dos' and don’ts by quoting the Word of God even from the New Testament books. Mr. Legality imposes certain laws on your life but cannot move them with one of his fingers. There are modern-day Pharisees in our midst. “For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers” (Matthew 23:4). They ask the women not to wear jewels or not to wear jeans. They say women should not preach in churches quoting Paul's epistle.
Christian now strays from the Way of the Cross as advised by Mr. Worldly Wiseman. The closer he gets to the high hill, the more he fears it will fall on his head and crush him. He has forsaken the Way of the Cross and follows some moral law. The high hill before him is the Way of the Cross, according to which, he has to deny himself, take up his cross and follow Jesus Christ. Christian as advised by Mr. Legality and Mr. Civility in the town of carnal policy wants to please God by his own righteousness and by a moral life conforming to the world and not conforming to the Way of the Cross. He is afraid that the high hill would fall on his head and crush him. Christian finds himself in great fear, not knowing what to do or which way to turn. The Lord is merciful, however, and sends His servant Evangelist once again to warn and comfort Christian.
The Evangelist tells the Christian, "Stand still a little that I may show thee the words of God". So he stood trembling. Then said Evangelist, "See that ye refuse not him that speaketh; for if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from Heaven. He said moreover, “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him”. The Evangelist further adds, “You are the man that is running into this misery, you have begun to reject the counsel of the Most High, and to draw back your foot from the way of peace, even almost to the hazarding of your perdition".
Please note that the Evangelist quotes Hebrews 10:38:
"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him".
There are millions dwelling in the city of carnal town today who draw back from the Way of the Cross and live as men of this world. They came to the Cross for salvation and received salvation by forgiveness of sins but did not go beyond the city gate unto the place of Golgotha bearing His reproach (Heb.13:13). They are carnal Christians but not crucified Christians. They are content with their own Christian standards which are prescribed for them from the pulpits they hear. So long as they pay their tithes regularly to their pastors and attend the church services regularly, they are considered as safe from the righteous judgment of God. Millions of them are deceived into believing that they have received the anointing of the Holy Spirit when their own lives do not reflect the very life of Christ Jesus.
"And that is why Jesus suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood. Therefore let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore. For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come" (Hebrews 13:11 to 13).
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollo’s; are ye not carnal? (I Cor.3:4). They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. Carnal Christians worship their leaders and blindly follow them. As they do not discern, they easily fall a prey to these false teachers and false prophets.
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