So they went on without stopping or looking behind them, till they came to a pleasant plain, called Ease; but it was narrow, so that they were quickly over it. On the farther side was a little hill, called Lucre, and in that hill a silver mine, which many who went that way, had formerly turned aside to see: but the ground breaking in with them, they miserably perished. A little way off, over against it, stood one, who called to Christian and his fellow, “Ho! turn aside hither, and I will shew you a thing.”
Christian. For what thing should we turn out of our way?
Man. Here is a mine of silver. Come and see.
Hopeful. Let us go and see it.
Christian. Not I. I have heard of this place before, and how many have been slain here; that treasure is a snare to them that seek it, and hindreth them in their pilgrimage.
Man. Will you not come over and see?
Christian. Demas, I know thee, who thou art. Thou art an enemy to the right ways of the Lord. Thou hast been already condemned for turning aside from his way. And wouldest thou bring us into the same condemnation? Rather shall thy money perish with thee. So they went their way.
Now I saw that on the other side of the plain, stood an old monument, at the sight of which they were surprised; for it seemed as if it had been a woman transformed into a pillar. For some time they could not tell what to make of it, till they espied a writing upon the head, which was, Remember Lot’s wife. Ah, my brother, said Christian, this is a seasonable sight. Had we gone over to view the hill Lucre, we had, for ought I know, been made like this woman a spectacle to all generations.
Hopeful. How justly might I have been as she is! She only looked back; and I desired to go and see. I am ashamed such a thought should be in my heart.
Christian. Let us take notice of what we see here, for our help in time to come. This woman escaped one judgment; for she fell not in the destruction of Sodom; yet she was destroyed by another. She was turned, as we see, into a pillar of salt.