SIMPLE, SLOTH, AND PRESUMPTION HANGING.

MER. Then said Mercy to him that was their guide and conductor, What are these three men? and for what are they hanged there?

235

Simple, Sloth, and Presump

tion hanged; and why.

GREAT. These three men were men of bad qualities; they had no mind to be pilgrims themselves, and whomsoever they could they hindered. They were for sloth and folly themselves, and whomsoever they could persuade they made so too, and withal taught them to presume that they should do well at last. They were asleep when Christian went by, and now you go by they are hanged.

MER. But could they persuade any to be of their opinion ?

Their crime

GREAT. Yes, they turned several out of the way. There was Slow-pace that they persuaded to do as they. They also prevailed with one Short-wind, with one No-heart, with one Linger-after-lust, and with one Sleepyhead, and with a young woman, her name was Dull, to turn out of the way and become as they. Besides, they brought up an ill report of your Lord, persuading others that he was a hard taskmaster. They also brought up an evil report of the good land, saying, it was not half so good as some pretended it was. They also began to vilify his servants, and to count the very best of them meddlesome, troublesome busy-bodies. Further, they would call the bread of God husks; the comforts of his children fancies; the travel and labour of pilgrims, things to no purpose.

CHR. Nay, said Christiana, if they were such, they shall never be bewailed by me: they have but what they deserve; and I think it is well that they stand so near the highway, that others may see and take warning. But had it not been well if their crimes had been engraven in some plate of iron or brass,

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THE PILGRIMS REACH THE HILL DIFFICULTY.

and left here where they did their mischiefs, for a caution to

other bad men?

GREAT. So it is, as you may well perceive, if you will go a little to the wall.

MER. No, no; let them hang, and their names rot, and their crimes live for ever against them. I think it a high favour that they were hanged before we came hither; who knows else what they might have done to such poor women as we are. Then she turned it into a song, saying,

Now then you three hang there, and be a sign

To all that shall against the truth combine.
And let him that comes after fear this end,

If unto pilgrims he is not a friend.

And thou, my soul, of all such men beware,
That unto holiness opposers are.

Thus they went on till they came to the foot of the hill Difficulty, where again the good Mr. Great-heart took an occasion to tell them what happened there when Christian himself went by. So he had them first to the spring. Lo, saith

doctrine in er

It is difficult he, this is the spring that Christian drank of begetting of good fore he went up this hill: and then it was clear roneous times. and good; but now it is dirty with the feet of some that are not desirous that pilgrims here should quench their thirst, Ezek. xxxiv. 18, 19. Thereat Mercy said, And why so envious, trow? But, said the guide, it will do, if taken up and put into a vessel that is sweet and good; for then the dirt will sink to the bottom, and the water come out by itself more clear. Thus therefore Christiana and her companions were compelled to do. They took it up, and put it into an earthen pot, and so let it stand till the dirt was gone to the bottom, and then they drank thereof.