The Pilgrim’s Progress — Part VII: Vanity Fair: “We Buy the Truth”

After many dangers and deliverances, Christian and Faithful came down at last to a town called Vanity.

And in that town stood a fair.

Not a market held once a year.

Not a feast for a season.

But a fair that never ended.

As soon as the pilgrims entered, the noise surrounded them.

Merchants shouted from every side:

“What will ye buy?”

“Fine pleasures!”

“Honors and titles!”

“Rich garments!”

“Gold! Silver! Preferments!”

Others cried:

“Buy our delights!”

“Buy our lusts!”

“Buy our amusements!”

“Buy wives! Buy lands! Buy reputations!”

And Bunyan says that all the kingdoms of the world were sold there.

But Christian and Faithful walked quietly through the streets with eyes lifted higher than the booths around them.

Their clothing was strange to the people of Vanity.

Their speech was stranger still.

One man in the crowd laughed:

“These men speak the language of another country.”

Another said:

“They look beyond the fair as if they seek something better.”

Then the merchants pressed closer:

“What will ye buy?”

At last, Faithful answered plainly:

“We buy the truth.”

The fair fell into confusion at those words.

Some mocked them.

Some cursed them.

Others shouted:

“These men despise our wares!”

One cried:

“Bring them before the judges!”

And soon the whole city was in an uproar.

Before Lord Hategood

Christian and Faithful were beaten and placed in cages while the people of Vanity gathered to stare at them.

Some threw dirt.

Others mocked:

“Where is your King now?”

But the pilgrims answered little.

At length, Faithful was brought to trial.

The judge’s name was Lord Hategood.

And the witnesses who stood against him were named Envy, Superstition, and Pickthank.

Envy stepped forward first.

“This man condemns our customs,” he declared.

Superstition followed:

“He speaks against our religion.”

Then came Pickthank:

“He has stirred division among the people and spoken against the fair itself.”

Lord Hategood turned toward Faithful.

“What sayest thou for thyself?”

Faithful answered steadily:

“I have spoken only against that which is against God.”

The courtroom murmured angrily.

But Faithful continued:

“If truth condemns Vanity, the fault lies not in truth.”

At this many covered their ears.

Others shouted:

“Away with him!”

And Lord Hategood delivered the sentence.

Faithful was condemned to die.

Faithful Goes Ahead

Christian watched as his companion was beaten through the streets.

Then they bound Faithful to the stake.

The fire rose around him.

The people of Vanity believed they had silenced him forever.

But Bunyan tells us that behind the smoke came a heavenly chariot with horses swift as flame.

And Faithful was carried upward toward the Celestial City.

Christian remained behind upon the road.

Alone once more.

Hopeful Joins the Pilgrimage after leaving Vanity

Not long after, a man drew near to Christian.

Christian asked:

“What man are you, and how came you here?”

The stranger answered:

“My name is Hopeful.”

Christian looked upon him carefully.

“And how were you persuaded to leave Vanity behind?”

Hopeful replied:

“At first I mocked you both with the rest.”

“I stood among the crowds.”

“I listened while men accused Faithful.”

Then Hopeful’s voice softened.

“But when I saw him answer without fear…”

“And when I saw him go joyfully toward death…”

“I began to see the emptiness of Vanity Fair.”

Christian listened silently.

Hopeful continued:

“The merchants still shouted.”

“The crowds still laughed.”

“But all their pleasures suddenly seemed thin as smoke.”

Then he said:

“Faithful’s ashes preached louder than all the voices of Vanity.”

Christian answered:

“The Lord has brought good even from sorrow.”

And Hopeful replied:

“I desire now to walk the same road that you and Faithful walked before me.”

So Christian welcomed him gladly.

And together the two pilgrims departed from Vanity Fair and continued onward toward the Celestial City.

Where We Go Next

The road now seems quieter.

The dangers less obvious.

Which makes them more dangerous still.

Soon Christian and Hopeful will leave the narrow way for an easier path through By-Path Meadow.

And there they will fall into the hands of Giant Despair himself.

Next: Part VIII — Doubting Castle and the Key of Promise

Lord Jesus, keep me from vanity and turn my eyes to You. Show me those eternal things that do not pass away, as I pray in You Name. Amen,

Join me in this prayer by writing your agreement and your own prayer in the Comments section so we can present them togehter to Jesus and ask Him to pray with us and give us His faith. Ken

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1 When I survey the wondrous cross

on which the Prince of glory died,

my richest gain I count but loss,

and pour contempt on all my pride.

2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast

save in the death of Christ, my God!

All the vain things that charm me most,

I sacrifice them through his blood.

3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,

sorrow and love flow mingled down.

Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,

or thorns compose so rich a crown?

4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,

that were a present far too small.

Love so amazing, so divine,

demands my soul, my life, my all.

--Isaac Watts, 1708