Now I saw, still in my dream, that they went on until they were come to the place that Simple and Sloth and Presumption lay and slept in when Christian went by on pilgrimage; and behold, they were hanged up in irons a little way off on the other side.
Mercy: Then said Mercy to him that was their guide and conductor, “What are those three men? And for what are they hanged there?”
Great-heart: These three men were men of very bad qualities. They had no minds to be pilgrims themselves, and whomsoever they could they hindered. They were for sloth and folly themselves, and whoever 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.
Mercy: But could they persuade any to be of their opinion?
Great-heart: 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 Sleepy-Head; 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 taskmaster. They also brought up an evil report of the good land, saying it was not half so good as some pretend it was. They also began to defame His servants, and to count the very best of them meddlesome, troublesome busybodies. Further, they would call the bread of God, husks, the comforts of His children, fancies, the travel and labor of pilgrims, things to no purpose.
Christina: “Nay,” said Christina, “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 hang 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, and left here, even where they did their mischiefs, for a caution to other bad men?Great-heart: So it is, as you well may perceive, if you will go a little to the wall.
Mercy: No, no; let them hang, and their names rot, and their crimes live for ever against them. I think it a high favor 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 you, my soul, of all such men beware,
That unto holiness opposers are.”
Notes and Commentary
Not far from the cross, the pilgrims come across a fearful scene. They find three men, whom Christian encountered in Part 1 of The Pilgrim’s Progress, now “hanged up in irons.” Simple, Sloth, and Presumption had ventured near the cross, yet chose to remain tethered to this world. Despite Christian’s warning, they refused to acknowledge the peril of turning aside from the Way. Now their chains have ensnared and strangled them.
Continue Reading Notes and Commentary
The text for The Pilgrim’s Progress is public domain.
Notes and Commentary for Part II ©2014, 2025 Ken Puls
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from
the New King James Version (NKJV) ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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