Once Christian made it out of the Slough of Despond, he continued his journey towards the Wicket Gate. The news of Christian’s odyssey spread throughout the surrounding towns and cities. Mr. Worldly Wiseman, from the town of Morality, was one such man who had heard the rumors about Christian. He met Christian not far from the Slough of Despond.
Seeing Christian’s burden upon his back, Mr. Worldly Wiseman was concerned about how Christian was going to have the burden removed. Christian told him about Wicket-Gate. Mr. Wiseman asked if Christian was willing to listen to his advice. Christian said, “If it be good, I will; for I stand in need of good counsel.” Who could blame Christian for wanting some good advice? He had just barely survived the Slough of Despond.
Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s Advice
Mr. Worldly Wiseman began his counsel by asking, “Who bid you go this way to be rid of thy burden?” “A man that appeared to me to be a very great and honorable person; his name is Evangelist” said Christian.
“There is not a more dangerous way than that which Evangelist told you of” moaned Worldly Wiseman. He then asked Christian how he came to realize the burden on his back. Christian answered, “By reading this book in my hand.” With exasperation Worldly Wiseman said, “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.”
Worldly Wiseman mocked the residue from the Slough of Despond on Christian’s clothes. “Didn’t Evangelist warn you about Despond? The way you are traveling will be filled with wearisomeness, painfulness, hunger, perils, nakedness, sword, lions, dragons, darkness, and even death! But Evangelist didn’t mention those hazards either, did he?”
Here was Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s advice: “Go to my hometown called Morality. There will be no danger there. You’ll find safety, friendship, and contentment.” Next he added, “Go find Mr. Legality, a man who will easily remove the burden from your back. You’ll find ease and comfort in my hometown. Go fetch your family, and they will also enjoy the pleasures of this better destination.” Mr. Worldly Wiseman pointed towards a hill in the distance, which was away from the original path that Christian was told to travel.
Christian’s Regret
As Christian approached the hill, his burden became heavier. Dread began to grip Christian’s heart, and he was suddenly paralyzed with fear. The hill became a mountain, ablaze with fire and smoke. It looked as if the hill was going to fall upon Christian. Thoughts of regret for listening to Mr. Worldly Wiseman filled Christian’s mind.
And with that he saw Evangelist coming towards him. Christian blushed with shame for failing to listen to Evangelist’s instructions. “What are you doing here, Christian?” asked Evangelist. Christian stood speechless. “How is it that you that thou art so quickly turned aside? For thou art now out of the way” said Evangelist.
Christian explained that he met a man who persuaded him to go another way in hopes of relieving the heavy burden. Evangelist told Christian that this hill was Mt. Sinai, and Mr. Worldly Wiseman had beguiled him. Evangelist told him that Mr. Worldly Wiseman loves the doctrine of the world, and that he goes to the town of Morality to church.
Evangelist led Christian to repent of his turning aside from the original path. Next, he pointed Christian towards the Wicket-Gate and how to get back on the correct path.
Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s Errors
Evangelist revealed the errors in Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s advice:
- He loves the world’s doctrine.
- His religion is morality.
- His morality keeps him from the Cross.
- He wants to turn people from the Way.
- He believes the Cross is repulsive.
- He presents his own way as the easier way.
Mr. Worldly Wiseman preached a different gospel. His gospel was void of Christ’s cross, and the necessity of carrying a cross. Mr. Worldly Wiseman believed that simply being a good person, or trying to keep the Law of the Old Testament were the keys to eternal life. In his opinion, the spiritual life should not have any problems or hazards, it should be a life of ease and comfort.
Mr. Bunyan does a very good job of using Mr. Worldly Wiseman to describe the issues that Paul faced with the Galatian church. Like Christian, the Galatians had been “removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:6-7). Mr. Worldly Wiseman was preaching another gospel, and leading Christian astray. The Galatians had been bewitched to believe that they could be made perfect by the flesh, or by the keeping of the Law (Gal. 3:1-5). Mr. Worldly Wiseman believed that Mr. Legality could easily remove Christian’s burden. But the Law is unable to remove the burden of sin, for the Law cannot justify the sinner. It is only by faith in Jesus Christ that one can be justified (Gal. 3:10-13). Bunyan made reference to Mt. Sinai, much as Paul did, to describe the differences between Law and Grace (Gal. 4:21-31).
Application
As you journey through the Christian life you are going to meet many people who want to give you advice and counsel. There will be those who will attempt to tell you how you can find relief from the burden of sin. However, any advice that attempts to remove the Cross, or to minimize salvation by grace should be avoided. Counsel that tries to get you to leave the narrow path for the broad path should be evaded.
To echo Paul’s sentiment, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8–9).