When they were strengthened a little, they went on their way, and came nearer and nearer; where were orchards, vineyards and gardens. The gardener stood in the way, and leading them into the vineyard, bid them refresh themselves with the fruit. He also shewed them here the King’s walks and arbours, where they delighted to be; and here they tarried and slept.
So I saw that when they awoke, they addressed themselves to go up to the city; but the reflection of the sun (for the city was pure gold) was so extremely glorious, that they were not able to behold it with open face; but only thro’ a glass. And as they went on there met them two men in raiment shining like gold; also their faces shone as the light.
These asked the pilgrims, Whence they came? Where they had lodged? What difficulties [♦]and dangers, and what comforts they had found in the way? To all which they answered briefly. Then said they, “You have but two difficulties more, and you enter into the city.”
[♦] duplicate word “and” removed
Christian then and his companion asked them to go with them; they said, “We will; but you must enter in by your own faith.” So I saw in my dream that they went on together till they came in sight of the gate.
Now I saw there was a deep river between them and the gate, and there was no bridge over it: at the sight of this the pilgrims stopt; but the men said, “You must go through or you cannot come to the gate.”
*They enquired, if there were no other way to the gate: To which they answered, “Yes; but there hath not any save two, Enoch and Elijah, trod that path since the foundation of the world.” Then they asked, if the waters were all of a depth? They said, “No: but we cannot help you in this case; for you will find them either shallower or deeper, according to your faith.”
Then they went in; but Christian began to sink, and cried out to his friend, I sink in the deep waters: the billows go over my head, all the waves go over me.
*Then said Hopeful, “Be of good cheer, my brother, I feel the bottom, and it is good.” Oh, my friend, said Christian, The sorrows of death have compassed me round about. I shall not see the land that floweth with milk and honey. And with that a great darkness and horror fell upon him, so that he could not see before him; also he lost in a great measure, his senses, so that he could not remember any of the refreshments or deliverances that he had met with before in the way of his pilgrimage. But all the words that he spake, still tended to discover the anguish of his spirit, and his fear that he should die in the river, and never enter into the gate. Here also the sins that he had committed, both before and after he was a pilgrim, were brought all together to his remembrance, and terrified him afresh. He was also troubled with the apparition of evil spirits, as if they would have torn him in pieces; so that Hopeful here had much ado to keep his brother’s head above water; yea, sometimes he sunk; and then in awhile rose up again half dead: however, he still endeavoured to comfort him, saying, “I see the gate, and men standing to receive us.” “’Tis you, said Christian, whom they stand to receive; I am as a dead man, out of mind. Surely, if I was right, he would now arise to help me. But for my sins I am brought into this snare, and now God hath forgotten me.” “Not so, said Hopeful; but he trieth thy faith as with fire.”
Then I saw that Christian was in a muse, and immediately Hopeful said, “Be of good cheer; thy faith hath saved thee. Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.”