Rev. 5. 13, 14. Ignorance comes up to the Vain-Hope ferrys him River, and over. I also heard the men themselves say, that they sang with a loud voice, saying, Blessing, Honour, Glory, and Power, be to Him thatsitteth upon the Throne, and to the Lamb, for ever and ever. Now, just as the Gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them; and behold the City shone like the Sun, the streets also were paved with Gold, and in them walked many men with Crowns on their heads, Palms in their hands, and Golden Harps to sing praises withal. There were also of them that had wings, and they answered one another without intermission, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord: and after that, they shut up the Gates which when I had seen, I wished myself among them. Now, while I was gazing upon all these things, I turned my head to look back, and saw Ignorance coming up to the River-side; but he soon got over, and that without half the Difficulty which the other two men met with. For it happened that there was then in that place one Vain-Hope, a ferryman, that with his boat helped him over: so he, as the other, I saw did ascend the Hill, to come up to the Gate, only he came alone; neither did any man meet him with the least encouragement. When he was come up to the Gate, he looked up to the Writing that was above, and then began to knock, supposing that Entrance should have been quickly administred to him: But he was asked by the men that looked over the top of the Gate, Whence come you? And what would you have? He answered, I have eat and drank in the Presence of the King, and he has taught in our streets. Then they asked him for his Certificate, that they might go in and shew it to the King; so he fumbled in his bosom for one, and found none. Then, said they, Have you none? but the man answered never a word. So they told the King, but he would not come down to see him, but commanded the two shining Ones that conducted Christian and Hopeful to the City, to go out and take Ignorance and bind him hand and foot, and have him away. Then they took him up, and carried him through the air to the door that I saw in the side of the Hill, and put him in there. Then I saw that there was a Way to Hell, even from the Gates of Heaven, as well as from the City of Destruction. awoke, and behold it was a Dream. So I The Conclusion. NOW, Reader, I have told my Dream to thee, Or to Thyself, or Neighbour; but take heed Take heed also that thou be not extreme Put thee into a Laughter, or a Feud; Leave this for Boys and Fools; but as for thee, Do thou the Substance of my matter see. Put by the curtains, look within my vail, What of my dross thou findest here, be bold The End of the First Part. THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS: FROM THIS WORLD TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME. THE SECOND PART. Delivered under the Similitude of a DREAM. Wherein is set forth The Manner of the setting out of Christian's Wife and Country. BY JOHN BUNYAN. I have used Similitudes. Hos. xii. 10. |