The King’s Highway

CHRISTIAN: What you describe us certainly what I am seeking after, namely to be rid of my burden. But I cannot get relief by myself, nor do I know of a man in our country who can lift it off from my shoulders. So, for this reason I am heading…

WORLDLY-WISEMAN: Hello there, my good fellow, and where are you traveling with such a burdened manner? CHRISTIAN: Yes, it certainly is a burdened manner, and as good a one as any poor creature ever had. As to where I am going, sir, let me tell you. I am on my…

Now as Christian was walking all alone, he notices someone else in the distance on his way across the field coming to meet him. And so it happened that they met just when their paths crossed. The name of this particular gentleman was Mr. Worldly Wiseman who resided in the…

Now I [Bunyan] saw in my dream that by this time, Pliable had arrived back at his house. So, his neighbors came to visit him, and some of them called him wise on account of his return to his home; some called him a fool for endangering himself with Christian's…

It is not the pleasure of the King that this place should remain in such a bad condition. For this reason, His laborers have, according to the direction of His Majesty's surveyors, been employed for sixteen hundred [now over two-thousand] years attempting to mend this piece of ground. Yes, to…

However, I [Bunyan] saw in my dream that a man came to him named Help, (1) and he asked Christian, "What are you doing here? CHRISTIAN: Sir, I was advised to go this way by a man named Evangelist, and he directed me toward the Wicket-gate ahead so that I…

Now I saw in my dream that just as they had ended this talk, they drew near to a very miry slough [filthy quagmire] that was in the middle of the plain. And not watching where they were going, they both suddenly fell into the bog. The name of the…

Christian’s conversation with Neighbor Pliable continues. CHRISTIAN: There will be no more crying or sorrow; for he who is the owner of that place will wipe all tears from our eyes. (1) PLIABLE: And what company shall we have there? CHRISTIAN: There we shall be with the seraphim and cherubim,…

The conversation continues between Christian and his neighbors Pliable and Obstinate: CHRISTIAN: I have been directed by a man whose name is Evangelist, to hasten toward a little gate that is before us, where we will receive further instruction about the way ahead. PLIABLE: Come then, my good neighbor, let…

The conversation between Christian and his neighbors Obstinate and Pliable continues: OBSTINATE: Come then, neighbor Pliable, let us turn about and go home without him. He represents those crazy-headed coxcombs [pompous and silly strutting cocks] who, when possessed by some blind passion, are wiser in their own eyes than seven…