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So they both went on...

Now, after a while, they perceived, afar off, one coming softly and alone, all along the highway to meet them. Then said Christian to his fellow, Yonder is a man with this back towards Zion, and he is coming meet us.

...His name was Atheist, and he asked them whither they were going.

Chr: We are going to Mount Zion.

Then atheist fell into a very great laughter.

Atheist: I laugh to see what ignorant persons you are, to take upon you so tedious a journey, and you are like to have nothing by your travel for your pains.

Chr: We have both heard and believe that there is such a place to be found.

Hope: Did we not see, from the Delectable Mountains, the gate of the city? Also, are we not now to walk by faith? Let us go on, said Hopeful...

Chr: ...As for this man, I know that he is blinded by the god of this world. Let thee and I go on, knowing that we have belief of the truth, "and no lie is of the truth." (1 John ii.21.)

 

I saw then in my dream, that they went until they came into a certain country whose air naturally tended to make one drowsy, if he came a stranger into it. And here Hopeful began to be very dull and heavy of sleep; wherefore he said unto Christian, I do now begin to grow so drowsy that I can scarcely hold up mine eyes; let us lie down here and take one nap.

Chris: By no means...

Do you not remember that one of the Shepherds bid us beware of the Enchanted Ground? He meant by that, that we should beware of sleeping; "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober." (1Thess.v.6.)

Hope: ...I see it is true that the wise man saith, "Two are better than one." Hitherto hath thy company been my mercy, and thou shalt have a good reward for thy labor.

Chr: Now, then, said Christian, to prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse.

Now, as they walked in this land, they had more rejoicing than in parts more remote from the kingdom to which they were bound; and, drawing near to the city, they had yet a more perfect view thereof. It was builded of pearls and precious stones, also the street thereof was paved with gold; so that by reason of the natural glory of the city, and the reflection of the sunbeams upon it, Christian with desire fell sick; Hopeful also had a fit or two... 

    ... they addressed themselves to go up to the city...

...So I saw, that as they went on, there met them two men, in raiment that shone like gold; also their faces shone as the light.

...Then said the men that met them, You have but two difficulties more to meet with, and then you are in the city.

    Christian then, and his companion, asked the men to go along with them; so they told them they would. But, said they, you must obtain it by your own faith. So I saw in my dream that they went on together, until they came in sight of the gate.

    Now, I further saw, that betwixt them and the gate was a river, but there was no bridge to go over: the river was very deep. At the sight, therefore, of this river, the pilgrims were much stunned; but the men that went with them said, You must go through, or you cannot come at the gate.

...you shall find it deeper or shallower as you believe in the King of the place.

 

 

Table Of Contents  Dream begins, A Man with a Burden Evangelist & the Slough of Despond Worldly Wiseman & Entering the Wicket-Gate The House of Interpreter  The Burden meets the Cross, The Shining Ones  Formalist, Hypocrisy, The Hill Difficulty, Arbor, Mistrust&Timorous The Palace Beautiful, Chained Lions,  Lessons from Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence Valley of Humiliation Battle with Apollyon, Valley of Shadow of Death, Faithful  Vanity Fair, The Trial, Burned at the Stake  Hopeful, Pillar of Salt, River of God, Vain-confidence Doubting Castle, Giant Despair, Delectable Mountains   Atheist, Enchanted Ground Passing Through The Waters Of Death Entering the Gates of Heaven 

The Dream