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Lesson 15
The whole town was talking of the two prisoners. Some had been so impressed by their quiet, gentlemanly behavior that they were ready to release them. A few, in fact, went so far as to say they believed that the words which the strangers spoke were true and they would all be wise to heed them. But the greater number cried that the prisoners should be put to death.
At last the judge of the fair was ready to hear them tried in his court, but when we notice that his name is Lord Hate-good, and when we remember that all the characters in this story are like their names, we do not think it will be a just trial. The prisoners were brought in with their hands still in chains, and were made to stand before the judge and hear the indictment against them.
In deep and solemn tones, Judge Hate-good read: "These two men, to wit, Christian and Faithful, are accused of being enemies to and disturbers of the trade; of causing commotions and divisions in the town; and of winning some persons to their most dangerous opinions in contempt of the prince of this town." "Now," he continued, "these men have shown themselves worthy of death, but that our kindness and gentleness may be known to all, we shall allow them to have a just and fair trial before you all. Bring in the jury." So, the jurymen came in and took their places, six on the right side of Judge Hate-good and six on the left. What evil-looking men they were! One could see at a glance that they would not deal justly or kindly with any man, least of all with those whose lives were in contrast with their own. On Judge Hate-good's right sits Mr. Blind-man.
He cannot see the light. He knows nothing of the Lord Jesus, who is the Light of the World, nor of God's Word, which is a light on the Christian's path. He owes allegiance only to Satan, the prince of darkness, and should he try to lead anyone in the right way, they would surely stumble into the ditch. Next to him sits Mr. Love-lust.
Anything he wants he takes, whether he has a right to it or not. He thinks only about satisfying his own desires. There is also Mr. High-mind.
He thinks he is better than anybody else, and he believes that everything he says and does is right. There is also Mr. Cruelty.
You can tell by looking at him that he never did a kindness to anyone and that his chief delight is to cause pain. Mr. No-good
looks worse than any person you have ever seen. The world would be better off without him. Beside him sits Mr. Live-loose,
who always does the thing that pleases himself, whether it is right or wrong, and it is generally wrong. He pays no attention to laws and rules. As we look at the six jurymen to the right of the judge there appears to be little hope for Christian and Faithful. Perhaps the six jurymen to his left will be better. Let us see. First, there is Mr. Enmity.
He has no friends, and does not want them. We also see Mr. Hate-light.
If he hates light, he must love darkness, and we are reminded of that verse which says, "men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." Beside him sits Mr. Malice.
He never forgives or forgets anything that displeases him, nor remembers anything pleasant. He is always looking for a way to "get even" with someone. Mr. Heady is next.
He is a stubborn man and always insists that he is right, no matter what the facts are. Then comes Mr. Liar,
and you all know what kind of person he is. Last of all we see Mr. Implacable.
He is constantly angry with the whole world and no one ever does anything that meets his approval. He cannot be satisfied. They all sat down and with their cold friendless eyes, stared at the two prisoners. "Bring in the witnesses," said the judge. Thereupon three witnesses appeared. They were all surly, angry-looking men, and boded no favor for the prisoners at the bar. One of them advanced and in answer to Judge Hate-good's question said that his name was Envy. He swore to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. "Now on behalf of your prince, say what you can against them," instructed the judge. "I have known this man Faithful for a long time," said Envy. "He is one of the worst men in the country. He says the customs and laws of our town, Vanity, are all wrong and he persuades other men to share his belief. I could say much more about him but for the sake of brevity will forbear unless more testimony is needed to convict him." Superstition was called to witness next. He said, "Your Honor, I do not know much about this man, nor do I care to know him better. But I do know he is evil, for I heard him say the teachings of the town of Vanity are vain and that, believing them, we are still in our sins." "Enough," said the judge. "Next witness." Then the third witness spoke and gave his name as Pick-thank. "I have known him a long time and know nothing good of him," he stated. "he speaks evil of our prince and of other good men of our town, including yourself, noble judge. He says our town is full of ungodly villains." Why all the testimony was directed against Faithful and did not include Christian we do not know, but it was to him that the judge spoke. "Have you heard what these honest gentlemen witness against you?" he asked. "You do not deserve to live any longer, but to show you how gracious we are, we will allow you to speak for yourself, if you have anything to say." Then Faithful answered fearlessly, "I am a man of peace. I did not try to cause trouble in your town. In answer to what your witnesses have said I can only say, as I have said before, than any manner of living which is opposed to the Word of God is wrong, that anyone not believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior is still in his sins, and that one should flee from the prince of this place as from the wrath to come. This is the truth and I leave my life with my Lord." Then the judge addressed the jury. "You have seen the uproar this man has caused. You have heard the things these good witnesses have testified against him, and have heard him admit that they are true. Now you can sentence him to death or spare his life." The jurymen began to talk in low tones. "I hate the very looks of him," said Mr. Malice. "Death is too good for him," said Mr. Cruelty. "He is a low wretch!" exclaimed Mr. High-mind. "I cannot stand him," said Mr. Live-loose. "He is always condemning the way I live." There was not one kind word spoken for Faithful. "Let us kill him and have him out of the way," said Mr. Hate-light, and the others all agreed. So they brought in a verdict of guilty and recommended that Faithful be sentenced to the most cruel death possible. The judge readily consented and so the sentence was passed. First of all he was beaten mercilessly, then pierced with the points of their swords and stoned with large stones. Finally, when he could scarcely stand, he was tied to a stake and burned to death. In all this suffering Faithful gave no cry except of praise to God. Christian's heart seemed ready to burst with sorrow for his beloved friend, but he found comfort in remembering Evangelist's words that the one who died here at Vanity Fair should have the shorter route to glory. Christian saw something which the others did not see. He saw a heavenly chariot waiting, and as soon as Faithful breathed his last, his spirit was taken into the chariot and borne with a trumpet blast into the presence of his Lord. Christian was kept in prison for a while after Faithful died but the fury of the crowd abated and before long he was released and allowed to go on his way. We still find in the world those who resemble the jurymen and the witnesses at Faithful's trial. We still find Hatred, Pride and Envy, and their companions, Lying, Cruelty and Malice, and all the others. They are still fighting against the Lord Jesus and all His people. We must decide for ourselves on which side we are on. "Love not the
world; it with its lusts,
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