The Junior Classics, Volume 5: Stories that never grow old
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The Junior Classics, Volume 5: Stories that never grow old
Children's literature
So he took _Christian_ by the hand again, and led him into a
Chamber, where there was one rising out of bed; and as he put on
his raiment, he shook and trembled. Then said _Christian_,
Why doth this man thus tremble? The _Interpreter_ then bid
him tell to _Christian_ the reason of his so doing. So he
began and said, This night, as I was in my sleep, I dreamed, and
behold the Heavens grew exceeding black; also it thundred and
lightned in most fearful wise, that it put me into an agony; so I
looked up in my Dream, and saw the Clouds rack at an unusual rate,
upon which I heard a great sound of a Trumpet, and saw also a Man
sit upon a Cloud, attended with the thousands of Heaven; they were
all in flaming fire, also the Heavens were in a burning flame. I
heard then a Voice saying, _Arise ye dead, and come to Judgment_;
and with that the Rocks rent, the Graves opened, and the
Dead that were therein came forth. Some of them were exceeding
glad, and looked upward; and some sought to hide themselves under
the Mountains. Then I saw the Man that sat upon the Cloud open the
Book, and bid the World draw near. Yet there was, by reason of a
fierce flame which issued out and came from before him, a
convenient distance betwixt him and them, as betwixt the Judge and
the Prisoners at the bar. I heard it also proclaimed to them that
attended on the Man that sat on the Cloud, _Gather together the
Tares, the Chaff, and Stubble, and cast them into the burning
Lake_. And with that, the bottomless pit opened, just whereabout
I stood; out of the mouth of which there came in an abundant
manner, smoke and coals of fire, with hideous noises. It
was also said to the same persons, _Gather my Wheat into the
Garner_. And with that I saw many catch'd up and carried away
into the Clouds, but I was left behind. I also sought to hide
myselfs but I could not, for the Man that sat upon the Cloud still
kept his eye upon me: my sins also came into my mind; and my
Conscience did accuse me on every side. Upon this I awaked from my
sleep.
CHR. But what was it that made you so afraid of this sight?
MAN. Why, I thought that the day of Judgment was come, and that I
was not ready for it: but this frighted me most, that the Angels
gathered up several, and left me behind; also the pit of Hell
opened her mouth just where I stood: my Conscience too afflicted
me; and as I thought, the Judge had always his eye upon me,
shewing indignation in his countenance.
Then said the _Interpreter_ to _Christian, Hast thou
considered all these things_?
CHR. Yes, and they put me in _hope_ and _fear_.
INTER. Well, keep all things so in thy mind that they may be as a
Goad in thy sides, to prick thee forward in the way thou must go.
Then _Christian_ began to gird up his loins, and address
himself to his Journey. Then said the _Interpreter_, The
Comforter be always with thee, good _Christian_, to guide
thee in the way that leads to the City. So _Christian_ went
on his way.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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