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03 - The Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan · Wisdom of the Ages Library

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Part one, the second stage. Then did Christian address himself to go back
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and evangelist. After he had kissed him, gave him one smile and bid
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him God's speed. So he went on with haste. Neither spake he to
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any man by the way, nor if any asked him, would he vouchsafe
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them an answer. He went like one that was all the wild, treading
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on forbidden ground, and could by no means think himself safe till again he
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was got into the way which he had left to follow mister worldly Wiseman's counsel.
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So in the process of time Christian got up to the gate. Now
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over the gate there was written, knock, and it shall be opened unto
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you Matthew seven seven. He knocked therefore more than once or twice, saying,
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may I now enter here? Will he within open to sorry me?
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Though I have been an undeserving rebel, then shall I not fail to sing
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his lasting praise on high? At last there came a grave person to the
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gate named good Will, who asked who was there, and whence he came,
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and what he would have Christian, here is a poor bird and sinner.
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I come from the city of destruction, but I am going to Mount
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Zion, that I may be delivered from the wrath to come. I would,
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therefore, sir, since I am informed that by this gate is the
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way to thither, know if you are willing to let me in good will.
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I am willing with all my heart, said he, And with that
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he opened the gate. So, when Christian was stepping in, the other
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gave him a pull. Then said Christian? What means that the other told
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him? A little distance from this gate there is erected a strong castle,
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of which Beelzebub is the captain. From thence, both he and they that
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are with him shoot arrows at those that come up to this gate, if
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haply they may die before they can enter in. Then said Christian, I
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rejoice and tremble. So when he was got in, the man of the
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gate asked him who directed him thither. Christian Evangelist bid me come hither and
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knock as I did, And he said that, you, sir, would
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tell me what I must do. Good Will an open door set before thee
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and no man can shut it. Christian, Now I begin to reap the
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benefits of my hazards good will. But how is it that you came alone?
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Christian? Because none of my neighbors saw their danger as I saw mine,
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good Will, Did any of them know of your coming? Christian?
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Yes, my wife and children saw me at the first and called after me
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to turn again. Also some of my neighbors stood crying and calling after me
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to return. But I put my fingers in my ears, and so came
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on my way, good Will. But did none of them follow you to
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persuade you to go back? Christian? Yes, both Obstinate and Pliable.
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But when they saw that they could not prevail, Obstinate went railing back,
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But Pliable came with me a little way. Good Will, But why did
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he not come through? Christian? We indeed came both together until we came
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to the slow of despond, into the which we also suddenly fell. And
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then was my neighbor Pliable discouraged and would not venture father. Wherefore, getting
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out again on the side next to his own house, he told me I
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should possess the brave country alone for him. So he went his way,
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and I came mine here after Obstinate and I to this gate. Good Will,
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then said good Will, alas poor man is the celestial glory of so
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little esteem with him that he counted it not worth running the hazard of a
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few difficulties to obtain it. Christian truly said Christian, I have said the
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truth appliable, and if I should also say all the truth of myself,
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it will appear there is no betterment betwixt him and myself. It is true
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he went back to his own house. But I also turned aside to go
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in the way of death, being persuaded thereto by the carnal arguments of one
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mister worldly wiseman good Will. Oh, did he light upon you what he
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would have had you have seek for ease at the hands of mister Legality.
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They are both of them and very cheat. But did you take his counsel,
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Christian? Yes, as far as I durst, I went to find
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out mister Legality, until I thought that the mountain that stands by his house
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would have fallen upon my head. Wherefore there I was forced to stop,
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good Will. That mountain has been the death of many and will be the
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death of many more. It is well you escaped, being by it dashed
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in pieces. Christ Why, truly I do not know what had become of
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me there had not evangelists happily met me again as I was musing in the
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midst of my dumps. But it was God's mercy that he came to me
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again, for else I had never come hither. But now I am come
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such a one as I am more fit indeed for death by that mountain than
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thus to stand talking with my Lord. But oh, what a favor is
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this to me, that yet I have admitted entrance here. Good Will,
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We make no objections against any notwithstanding all that they have done before they come
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hither. They in no wise are cast out John six thirty seven. And
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therefore, good Christian, come a little way with me, and I will
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teach THEE about the way thou must go. Look before THEE, dost thou
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see this narrow way, that is the way thou must go. It was
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cast up by the patriarchs, prophets, Christ and his apostles, and it
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is as straight as a rule can make it. This is the way thou
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must go, Christian. But said Christian, are there no turnings nor windings
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by which a stranger may lose his way? Good Will? Yes, there
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are many ways, but down upon this, and they are crooked and wide.
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But thus thou mayest distinguish the right from the wrong, the right only
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being straight and narrow Matthew seven fourteen. Then I saw in my dream that
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Christian asked him further if he could not help him off with his burden that
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was upon his back, for as yet he had not got rid thereof,
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nor could he by any means get it off without help. He told him,
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as to thy burden, be content to bear it until thou comest to
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the place of deliverance, for there it would fall from thy back of itself.
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Then Christian began to gird up his loins and to address himself to his
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journey. So the other told him that by by that he was gone some
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distance from the gate, he would come to the house of the Interpreter,
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at whose door he should knock, and he would show him excellent things.
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Then Christian took his leave of his friend, and he again bid him God's
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speed. Then he went on till he came at the house of the Interpreter,
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where he knocked over and over. At last one came to the door
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and asked who was there, Christian, Sir, here is a traveler who
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is bid by an acquaintance of the good man of this house to call here
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for my prophet. I would therefore speak with the master of the house.
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So he called for the mass of the house, who, after a little
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time came to Christian and asked him what he would have Christian, Sir,
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said Christian, I am a man that am come from the city of Destruction
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and am going to the Mount Zion. And I was told by the man
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that stands at the gate at the head of this way, that if I
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called here, you would show me excellent things such as would be helpful to
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me on my journey. Interpreter then said, Interpreter, come in, I
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will show thee that which will be profitable to thee. So he commanded his
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man to light the candle and bid Christian follow him. So he had him
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into a private room and bid his man open a door the witch. When
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he had done, Christian saw the picture very grave person hang up against the
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wall, and this was the fashion of it. It had eyes lifted up
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to heaven, the best of books in its hand, the law of truth
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was written upon its lips. The world was behind its back. It stood
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as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over
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its head. Christian then said, Christian, what means this interpreter. The
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man whose picture this is is one of a thousand. He can beget children
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one Corinthians four fifteen, travail in birth with children Galatians four nineteen, and
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nurse them himself when they are born. And wheres thou seest him, with
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his eyes lift up to heaven, the best of books in his hand,
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and the law of truth writ on his lips. It is to show THEE
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that his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners, even as
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also thou seest him stand as if he pleaded with men, and where as
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thou seest the world as cast behind him, and that a crowd hangs over
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his head. That is to show THEE that slighting and despising the things that
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are present, for the love that he hath to his master's service. He
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is sure in the world that comes next to have glory for his reward.
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Now said the interpreter, I have showed THEE this picture first, because the
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man whose picture this is is the only man whom the Lord of the place
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whither thou art going hath authorized to be thy guide in all difficult places thou
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mayest meet with in the way. Wherefore, take good to what I have
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showed thee, and bear well in thy mind what thou hast seen. Lest
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in thy journey thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right, but
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their way goes down to death. Then he took him by the hand and
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led him into a very large parlor that was full of dust because never swept
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the witch. After he had reviewed it a little while, the interpreter called
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for a man to sweep. Now, when he began to sweep, the
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dust began so abundantly to fly about that Christian had almost therewith been choked.
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Then said the interpreter to a damsel that stood by, bring hither water and
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sprinkle the room the witch. When she had done it was swept and cleansed
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with pleasure. Christian then said Christian, what means this interpreter? The interpreter
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answered, this parlor is the heart of a man that was never sanctified by
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the sweet grace of the Gospel. The dust is his original sea and inward
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corruptions that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first
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is the law. But she that brought water and did sprinkle it is the
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Gospel. Now, where's thou soarest, that so soon as the first began
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to sweep the dust did so fly about, that the room by him could
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not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choked therewith. This is to
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show THEE that the law, instead of cleansing the heart, by its working
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from sin, doth revive Romans seventy nine, put strength into first Corinthians fifteen
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fifty six, and increase it in the soul Romans five twenty. Even as
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it doth discover and forbid it, for it doth not give power to subdue
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again, as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with water, upon which
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it was cleansed with pleasure. This is to show THEE that when the gospel
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comes in the wheat and precious influences thereafter the heart. Then I say,
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even as thou sawest the damsel laid the dust by sprinkling the floor with water,
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so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean through the
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faith of it, and consequently fit for the King of Glory to inhabit.
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John fifteen three, Ephesians five twenty six, Acts fifteen nine, Romans sixteen
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twenty five, and twenty six. I saw moreover in my dream that the
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interpreter took him by the hand and led him into a little room where sat
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two little children, each one in his chair. The name of the eldest
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was Passion, and the name of the other Patience. Passion seemed to be
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much discontent, but Patience was very quiet. Then Christian asked, what is
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the reason of the discontent of Passion. The interpreter answered, the governor of
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them would have him stay for his best things till the beginning of the next
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year. But he will have all now, But Patience is willing to wait.
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Then I saw that one came to Passion and brought him a bag of
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treasure, and poured it down at his feet, the which he took up
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and rejoiced therein, and with all laughed Patience to scorn. But I beheld
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but awhile, and he had lavished all away, and had nothing left him
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but rags. Christian then said Christian to the interpreter, expound this matter more
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fully to me. Interpreter, so he said, these two lads are figures
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Passion of the men of this world and Patience of the men of that which
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is to come. For as here thou seest Passion will have all now this
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year, that is to say, in this world, so are the men
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of this world. They must have all their good things now. They cannot
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stay till the next year, that is, until the next world, for
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their poor of good. That proverb a bird in the hand is worth two
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in the bush is of more authority with them than are all the divine testimonies
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of the good of the world to come. But as thou sawest that he
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had quickly lavished all the way, and had presently left him nothing but rags,
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so will it be with all such men at the end of this world.
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Christian then said Christian. Now I see that Patience has the best wisdom,
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and that upon many accounts, one because he stays for the best things
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two and also because he will have the glory of his when the other has
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nothing but rags. Interpreter, Nay, you may add another to wit.
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The glory of the next world will never wear out. But these are suddenly
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gone. Therefore, Passion had not so much reason to laugh at Patience because
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he had his good things first, as Patience will have to laugh at Passion
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because he had his best things last. For first must give place to last,
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because last must have his time to come. But last gives place to
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nothing, for there is not another to succeed He. Therefore, that hath
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his portion first must needs have a time to spend it. But he that
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hath his portion last must have it lastingly. Therefore it is said of dives
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in thy lifetime, thou receivest thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things.
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But now he is comforted, and thou art tormented Luke sixteen twenty five.
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Christian, then I perceive it is not best to covet things that are
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now, but to wait for things to come. Interpreter, you say truth,
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for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are
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not seen are eternal second Corinthians four eighteen. But though this be so,
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yet, since things present and our fleshly appetite are such near neighbors one to
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another, and again because things to come and carnal sense are such strangers to
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one another. Therefore it is that the first of these so suddenly fall into
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amity, and that distance is so continued between the second. Then I saw
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in my dream that the interpreter took Christian by the hand and led him into
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a place where was a fire burning against the wall, and one standing by
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it, always casting much water upon it to quench it. Yet did the
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fire burn higher and hotter? Then said Christian? What means this? The
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interpreter answered, This fire is the work of brace that is wrought in the
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heart. He that casts water upon it to extinguish and put it out is
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the devil. But in that thou seest the fire, notwithstanding very higher and
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hotter, thou shalt also see the reason of that. So he had him
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about to the back side of the wall, where he saw a man with
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a vessel of oil in his hand, of the which he did also continually
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cast, but secretly into the fire. Then said Christian, what means this?
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The interpreter answered, this is Christ, who continually, with the oil
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of his grace, maintains the work already begun in the heart, by the
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means of which, notwithstanding what the devil can do, the souls of his
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people proved gracious still second Corinthius twelve nine. And in that thou sawest that
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the man stood behind the wall to maintain the fire. This is to teach
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thee that it is hard for the tempted to see how this work of great
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is maintained in the soul. I saw also that the interpreter took him again
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by the hand, and led him into a pleasant place, where was built
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a stately palace, beautiful to behold, at the sight of which Christian was
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greatly delighted. He saw also upon the top thereof certain persons walking who were
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clothed all in gold. Then said Christian, may we go in thither.
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Then the interpreter took him and led him up towards the door of the palace,
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And behold at the door stood a great company of men, as desirous
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to go in, but durst not. They also set a man at a
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little distance from the door, at a table side, with a book and
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his inkhorn before him, to take the names of them that should enter therein.
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He saw also that in the doorway stood many men in armor to keep
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it, being resolved to do to the men that would enter, what hurt
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and mischief they could. Now was Christian somewhat in a maze. At last,
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when every man started back for fear of the armed men, Christian saw
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a man of a very stout countenance come up to the man that sat there
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to write saying, set down my name, sir the rich. When he
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ye done, he saw the man draw his sword and put a helmet on
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his head, and rushed towards the door upon the armed men, who laid
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upon him with deadly force. But the man, not at all discouraged,
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fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. So, after he had received and
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given many wounds to those that attempted to keep him out Matthew eleven twelve Acts
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fourteen twenty two, he cut his way through them all and pressed forward into
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the palace, at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that were
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within, even of those that walked upon the top of the palace, saying,
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come in, Come, in eternal glory, thou shalt win. So
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he went in and was clothed with such garments as stay. Then Christian smiled
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and said, I think verily I know the meaning of this. Now,
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said Christian, let me go. Hence, nay, stay, said the
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interpreter, till I have showed thee a little more, and after that thou
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shalt go on thy way. So he took him by the hand again and
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led him into a very dark room, where there sat a man in an
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iron cage. Now the man to look on seemed very sad. He sat
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with his eyes looking down to the ground, his hands folded together, and
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he sighed as if he would break his heart. Then said Christian, what
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means this, at which the interpreter bid him talk with the man. Then
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said Christian to the man, what art thou? The man answered, I
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am what I was not once? Christian? What wast thou once the man?
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The man said, I was once a fair and flourishing professor Luke eight
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thirteen, both in mine own eyes and also in the eyes of others.
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I once was, as I thought, fair for the celestial city, and
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had then even joy at the thoughts that I should get thither. Christian,
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Well, but what art thou now, the man? I am now a
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man of despair, and am shut up in it? As in this iron
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cage I cannot get out? Oh now I cannot, Christian? But how
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camest thou into this condition? The man I left off to watch and be
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sober. I laid the reins upon the neck of my lusts. I sinned
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against the light of the Word and the goodness of God. I have grieved
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the spirit, and he is gone. I tempted the devil, and he
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has come to me. I have provoked God to anger, and he has
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left me. I have so hardened my heart that I cannot repent, then,
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said Christian to the interpreter. But is there no hope for such a
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man as this ask him, said the interpreter. Christian then said, Christian,
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is there no hope? But you must be kept in the iron cage
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of despair? The man, no none at all? Christian. Why the
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son of the blessed is very pitiful the man I have crucified him to myself
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afresh Hebrews six six. I have despised his person Luke nineteen fourteen. I
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have despised his righteousness. I have counted his blood an unholy thing. I
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have done despite to the spirit of grace Hebrews ten twenty nine. Therefore I
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have shut myself out of all the promises, and there now remains to me
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nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings, faithful threatenings of certain judgment, and fiery
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indignation, which shall devour me as an adversary. Christian, For what did
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you bring yourself into this condition? The man for the last pleasures and prophets
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of this world? In the enjoyment of which I did then promise myself much
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delight. But now every one of those things also bite me and gnaw me
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like a burning worm. Christian, But canst thou not now repent and turn
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the man? God hath denied me repentance. His word gives me no encouragement
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to believe. Yea himself hath shut me up in this iron cage. Nor
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can all the men in the world let me out, Oh, eternity,
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eternity, How shall I grapple with the misery that I must meet with in
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eternity? Interpreter? Then said the interpreter to Christian. Let this man's misery
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be remembered by THEE and be an everlasting caution to THEE. Christian, Well
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said Christian, this is fearful. God. Help me to watch and to
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be sober, and to pray that I may shun the cause of this man's
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misery. Sir, is it not time for me to go on my way?
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Now? Interpreter tarry till I shall show THEE one thing more, and
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then thou shalt go on thy way. So he took Christian by the hand
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again and led him into a chamber where there was one rising out of bed,
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and as he put on his raiment, he shook and trembled. Then
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said Christian, why doth this man thus tremble? The interpreter then bid him
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tell to Christian the reason of his so doing. So he began and said,
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this night, as I was in my sleep, I dreamed, and
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behold, the heavens grew exceeding black. Also it thundered and lightened in most
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fearful, wise that it put me into an agony. So I looked up
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in my dream and saw the clouds rack at an unusual wait, upon which
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I heard a great sound of a trumpet, and saw also a man sitting
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upon a cloud, attended with the thousands of heaven They were all in flaming
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fire. Also the heavens were in a burning flame. I heard then a
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voice saying, arise, ye dead, and come to judgment. And with
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that the rocks rent the graves opened, and the dead that were therein came
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forth. Some of them were exceeding glad and looked upward, and some sought
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to hide themselves under the mountains. Then I saw the man that sat upon
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the cloud opened the book and bid the world draw near. Yet there was
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by reason of a fierce flame that issued out and came from before him,
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a convenient distance between him and them, as between the judge and the prisoners
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at the bar. First Corinthians fifteen, First the Selonians four sixteen, Jude
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fifteen, John five, twenty eight and twenty nine, Second Thessalonians one eight
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to ten, Revelations twenty eleven to fourteen, Isaiah twenty six, twenty one,
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Micah seven, sixteen and seventeen, Psalmed five four fifty one to three,
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Malachi three two and three, Daniel seven nine and ten. I heard
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it also proclaimed to them that attended on the man that sat on the cloud
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gathered together the tears, the chaff, and stubble, and cast them into
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the burning lake Matthew three twelve, eighteen thirty twenty four thirty Malachi four one.
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And with that the bottomless pit opened just whereabout I stood, out of
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the mouth of which there came, in an abundant manner, smoke and coals
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of fire, with hideous noises. It was also said to the same persons
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gather my wheat into the ghana Luke three seventeen. And with that I saw
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many catched up and carried away into the clouds, but I was left behind
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first the Salonians four sixteen and seventeen. I also sought to hide myself,
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but I could not, for the man that sat upon the cloud still kept
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his eye upon me. My sins also came into my mind, and my
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conscience did accuse me on every side Romans two fourteen and fifteen. Upon this
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I awakened from my sleep, Christian. But what was it that made you
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so afraid of this sight the man? Why? I thought that the day
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of judgment was come, and that I was not ready for it. But
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this frightened me most that the angels gathered up several and left me behind.
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Also, the pit of Hell opened her mouth just where I stood. My
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conscience too afflicted me, and as I thought, the judge had always his
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eye upon me, showing indignation in his countenance. Then said the interpreter to
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Christian, hast thou considered all these things, Christian? Yes, and they
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put me in hope and fear. Interpreter, Well, keep all things so
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in thy mind, that they may be as a goad in thy sides,
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to prick thee forward in the way thou must go. Then, Christian began
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to gird up his loins and to address himself to his journey. Then said
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the interpreter. The comforter be always with THEE, good Christian, to guide
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THEE in the way that leads to the city. So Christian went on his
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way, saying, here I have seen things rare and profitable, things pleasant,
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dreadful, things to make me stable in what I have begun to take
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in hand. Then let me think on them and understand wherefore they showed me
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were, And let me be thankful, O good interpreter, to THEE.
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End Part one, The second stage