The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come: Delivered under the similitude of a dream, by John BunyanBunyan, John
ReligionComparative
The Pilgrim's Progress from this world to that which is to come: Delivered under the similitude of a dream, by John Bunyan
Bunyan, John
Christian fiction; Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages -- Fiction
{15} Then said Evangelist, Why not willing to die, since this life
is attended with so many evils? The man answered, Because I fear
that this burden is upon my back will sink me lower than the grave,
and I shall fall into Tophet. [Isa. 30:33] And, Sir, if I be not
fit to go to prison, I am not fit, I am sure, to go to judgement,
and from thence to execution; and the thoughts of these things make
me cry.
{16} Then said Evangelist, If this be thy condition, why standest
thou still? He answered, Because I know not whither to go. Then
he gave him a parchment roll, and there was written within, Flee
from the wrath to come. [Matt. 3.7]
{17} The man therefore read it, and looking upon Evangelist
very carefully, said, Whither must I fly? Then said Evangelist,
pointing with his finger over a very wide field, Do you see yonder
wicket-gate? [Matt. 7:13,14] The man said, No. Then said the other,
Do you see yonder shining light? [Ps. 119:105; 2 Pet. 1:19] He
said, I think I do. Then said Evangelist, Keep that light in your
eye, and go up directly thereto: so shalt thou see the gate; at
which, when thou knockest, it shall be told thee what thou shalt
do.
{18} So I saw in my dream that the man began to run.
Now, he had not run far from his own door, but his wife and children,
perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put
his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying, Life! life! eternal
life! [Luke 14:26] So he looked not behind him, but fled towards
the middle of the plain. [Gen. 19:17]
{19} The neighbours also came out to see him run [Jer. 20:10];
and, as he ran, some mocked, others threatened, and some cried
after him to return; and, among those that did so, there were two
that resolved to fetch him back by force. The name of the one was
Obstinate and the name of the other Pliable. Now, by this time,
the man was got a good distance from them; but, however, they were
resolved to pursue him, which they did, and in a little time they
overtook him. Then said the man, Neighbours, wherefore are ye come?
They said, To persuade you to go back with us. But he said, That
can by no means be; you dwell, said he, in the City of Destruction,
the place also where I was born: I see it to be so; and, dying
there, sooner or later, you will sink lower than the grave, into
a place that burns with fire and brimstone: be content, good
neighbours, and go along with me.
{20} OBST. What! said Obstinate, and leave our friends and our
comforts behind us?
CHR. Yes, said Christian, for that was his name, because that ALL
which you shall forsake is not worthy to be compared with a little
of that which I am seeking to enjoy [2 Cor. 4:18]; and, if you
will go along with me, and hold it, you shall fare as I myself;
for there, where I go, is enough and to spare. [Luke 15:17] Come
away, and prove my words.
{21} OBST. What are the things you seek, since you leave all the
world to find them?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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