We left Bunyan's pilgrim, though still a stranger to the grace of God, a truly anxious, awakened soul. He saw and felt himself to be a sinner. Light-some light-from God had shone into his heart, or he would not have seen his danger or felt his need of pardon.
Perhaps what I am writing may be read by some dear boy or girl who says, "I think that is just about where I am; I know that I am a sinner and I do really want to be saved, but though I sometimes read my Bible and very often hear the gospel preached, I cannot say that I am really a Christian. Many of my friends love the Lord Jesus, and they seem so bright and happy, while I am often almost miserable."
Take courage, dear disheartened one. The work of God has begun in your soul, or you would not have that weary, restless longing for peace and pardon. Take heart again! For you there is a sure and precious word of encouragement, "Seek, and ye shall find.... He that seeketh findeth" (Luke 11:9-109And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Luke 11:9‑10)). There is really no need for long, weary struggles in the Slough of Despond.
Salvation through faith in the finished work of Christ is the free gift of God. Accept the gift, and then you will love and thank the Giver. But we must follow our pilgrim a little farther on his way toward the Celestial City.
Pliable, having fallen into the Slough of Despond, lost heart, and after a few struggles, forgetting what he had heard of the terrible judgments that might at any time fall upon the guilty city and destroy all who had not escaped from it, got out on the side nearest to his home, to which as quickly as possible he returned. Some of his neighbors called him a wise man for having done so, others said he ought never to have made the attempt, while others were of the opinion that, having set out, it was a pity he did not go on and see what the end would be.
So Christian was left to struggle on alone, but not for long, for as he was in the midst of the slough a man whose name was Help came so near that by grasping his friendly hand Christian was enabled to get out on the side farthest from the city he had left, but a little nearer to the Wicket-Gate he wished so much to reach.
Christian had not gone far on his journey before he noticed a stranger coming to meet him. This gentleman's name was Mr. Worldly Wiseman. He lived in a large and busy town called Carnal Policy, not far from the City of Destruction.
Noticing the pilgrim's sad face and slow steps (for the burden he carried seemed to grow heavier with every step he took) and really wanting to hinder Christian on his way, though he pretended that he only wished to do him a kindness, he began by asking him where he was going with such a heavy load.
"It is, indeed, sir, as heavy a load as ever a poor creature carried" was Christian's reply, and then he went on to tell him that he was on his way to the Wicket-Gate, as he had been told that there he would find one who would tell him how and where he might lose his burden.
Worldly Wiseman then asked who had told him to go that way to get rid of his load, and upon hearing that it was a man whose name was Evangelist, he said, "Do not believe him.
There is not a more dangerous or troublesome fellow in this part of the country. I can see that even now the mire of the Slough of Despond is upon your clothes; I can tell you that if you follow his advice the troubles you have already met with are only the beginning of sorrows. Listen to me. I am older than you and can tell you of some of the trials and dangers you will meet with if you are so foolish as to persist in going this way: pain and weariness, hunger, thirst, scorn and reproach, lions and dragons, and at the end death. And what for?"
"Ah, sir," said Christian, "the burden upon my neck is so heavy that it is more terrible to me than all the things you have told me of."
"But how did you come by such a burden?" was the next question Mr. Worldly Wiseman put to the pilgrim.
"It was through reading this book," said Christian, holding forth the Bible he still held in his hand.
"Ah, I thought so! People of weak minds, both men and women, are often upset by meddling with matters too high for them. Take my advice, and I will show you a much shorter and more pleasant way to get rid of your burden."