The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can ReadBunyan, John
Religion
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan Every Child Can Read
Bunyan, John
Christian life -- Juvenile literature; Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages -- Juvenile literature
Now I saw in my dream, that by this time the pilgrims were got over the
Enchanted Ground, and entering into the country of Beulah, whose air was
very sweet and pleasant: the way lying directly through it, they enjoyed
themselves there for a season. Yea, here they heard continually the
singing of birds and saw every day the flowers appear on the earth, and
heard the voice of the turtle in the land. In this country the sun
shineth night and day; wherefore this was beyond the Valley of the
Shadow of Death, and also out of the reach of Giant Despair; neither
could they from this place so much as see Doubting Castle. Here they
were within sight of the City they were going to; also here met them
some of the inhabitants thereof; for in this land the Shining Ones
commonly walked, because it was upon the borders of heaven. Here they
had no want of corn and wine; for in this place they met with abundance
of what they had sought for in all their pilgrimage. Here they heard
voices from out of the City, loud voices, saying, "Say ye to the
daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh! Behold, His reward is
with Him!" Here all the inhabitants of the country called them "The holy
people, and redeemed of the Lord, sought out," etc.
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 streets thereof were 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 of the same disease, wherefore here they
lay by it awhile, crying out because of their pangs, "If you see my
Beloved tell Him that I am sick of love."
But being a little strengthened, and better able to bear their sickness,
they walked on their way, and came yet nearer and nearer, where were
orchards, vineyards, and gardens, and their gates opened into the
highway. Now, as they came up to these places, behold, the gardener,
stood in the way; to whom the pilgrims said, "Whose goodly vineyards and
gardens are these?" He answered, "They are the King's, and are planted
here for His own delight, and also for the solace of pilgrims." So the
gardener had them into the vineyards, and bid them refresh themselves
with the dainties. He also showed them there the King's walks, and the
arbors where He delighted to be; and here they tarried and slept.
Now I beheld in my dream, that they talked more in their sleep at this
time than ever they did in all their journey; and being in thought
thereabout, the gardener said even to me, "Wherefore dost thou meditate
at the matter? It is the nature of the fruit of the grapes of these
vineyards to go down so sweetly as to cause the lips of them that are
asleep to speak."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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