166 THE PILGRIMS PROGRESS.

you,” said he to Christian. “ Ah, brother,” said he, “ surely, if I were right, He would
now arise to help me; but for my sins He hath brought me into this snare, and hath

“My brother, you have quite forgot the text where

left me.” Then said Hopeful,
it is said of the wicked, ‘There are no bands in their death, but their strength
is firm; they are not troubled as other men, neither are they plagued like other men.’ #
These troubles and distresses that you go through in these waters are no sign that
God hath forsaken you; but are sent to try you, whether you will call to mind that
which hitherto you have received of His goodness, and live upon Him in your dis-
tresses.”

Then I saw in my dream that Christian was in a muse awhile. To whom also
Hopeful added these words, “Be of good
cheer, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.”
And, with that, Christian brake out with a
loud voice, “Oh, I see Him again; and He
tells me, ‘When thou passest through the
waters, I will be with thee; and through the

 

rivers, they shall not overflow thee.’” *“ Then
they both took courage; and the enemy was,
after that, as still as a stone, until they were
gone over. Christian, therefore, presently
found ground to stand upon; and so it fol-
lowed that the rest of the river was but shallow.
Thus they got over.

Now, upon the bank of the river, on the
other side, they saw the two Shining Men

 

 

 

again, who there waited forthem. Wherefore,
being come out of the river, they saluted
them, saying, “We are ministering spirits,
sent forth to minister for those that shall be
heirs of salvation.” Thus they went along towards the gate. Now, you must note

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Thus they got over.”

that the City stood upon a mighty hill; but the pilgrims went up that hill with ease,
because they had these two men to lead them up by the arms; also they had left their
mortal garments behind them in the river; for though they went in with them, they
came out without them. They therefore went up here with much agility and speed,
though the foundation upon which the City was framed was higher than the clouds.
They therefore went up through the regions of the air, sweetly talking as they went,