The Pilgrim's Progress (AmazonClassics Edition)

by John Bunyan

In Bedford jail he stayed twelve years. To find a means of living in jail, he made lace, and sold it as a support for himself and his blind daughter.

Now, I saw in my dream, that these two men went in at the gate; and lo! as they entered, their looks were changed so that their faces became bright; and they had garments put on that shone like gold.

Now while I was gazing upon all these things, I turned my head to look back, and saw Ignorance come 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 the place one Vain-Hope, a ferryman, that with his boat helped him over; so he, as the others 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 sh...

two Shining Ones

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!

Nor let my figure or similitude Put thee into a laughter or a feud.

Put by the curtains, look within my veil; Turn up my metaphors, and do not fail, There, if thou seekest them, such things to find As will be helpful to an honest mind.

But if thou shalt cast all away as vain, I know not but t’will make me dream again.

insomuch that he was forced to go on his progress without them;

And as I was in my dream, behold, an aged gentleman came by where I lay;

Then said Mr. Sagacity (for that was his name),

“Well, sir,” quoth I, “then I perceive you to be a well-meaning man, and so one that takes pleasure to hear and tell of that which is good.

Sag. Hear of him! Ay, and I also heard of the difficulties, troubles, wars, captivities, cries, groans, frights and fears that he met with and had in his journey.

Yea, I think I may say that his hazardous journey has got many wellwishers to his ways; for though, when he was here, he was a fool in every man’s mouth, yet now he is gone he is highly commended of all.

For ‘tis said he lives bravely where he is: yea, many of them that are resolved never to run his risks yet have their mouths water at his gains.

“They may,” quoth I, “well think, if they think anything that is true, that he liveth well where he is; for he now liv...

for there is no grief mixed...

Others say that the Shining Ones, that sometimes showed themselves unto him in his journey, are become his companions, and that he is as familiar with them in the place where he is, as here one neighbor is with another.

Moreover, it is expected of some, that his Prince, the Lord of that country, will shortly come into these parts,

For they say, now he is so in the affections of his Prince, and that his Sovereign is so much concerned with the wrongs that were cast upon Christian when he became a Pilgrim, that He will look upon all as if done unto Himself;

would by no means be persuaded by either the tears or entreaties of Christian,

Sag. You need not fear to declare it. I mean, that they are all gone on pilgrimage, both the good woman and her four boys.

after her husband had gone over the river, and she could hear of him no more, her thoughts began to work in her mind.

all her unkind, unnatural, and ungodly treatment of her dear friend; which also troubled her conscience, and did load her with guilt.

Specially that bitter outcry of his, “What shall I do to be saved?” did ring in her ears most dolefully.

Then said she to her children, “Sons, we are all undone. I have sinned away your father, and he is gone; he would have had us with him, but I would not go myself; I also have hindered you of life.”

snares of death.”

The next night Christiana had a dream; and, behold, she saw as if a broad parchment were opened before her, in which were recorded the sum of her ways; and the times, as she thought, looked very black upon her.

And then she thought she saw Christian her husband in a place of bliss, among many immortals,

that sat upon a throne, with a rainbow about His head.

Then shouted a company of them that stood round about, and harped with their harps; but no man living could tell what they said, but Christian and his companions.

“My name is Secret: I dwell with those that are on high. It is talked of where I dwell, as if thou hadst a desire to go thither; also there is a report that thou art aware of the evil thou hast formerly done to thy husband, in hardening thy heart against his way, and in keeping of these thy babes in their ignorance.

Christiana, the Merciful One hath sent me to tell thee, that He is a God ready to forgive, and that He taketh delight to pardon offences.

Jacob thy father.

This visitor proceeded, and said, “Christiana, here is also a letter for thee, which I have brought from thy husband’s King.” So she took it, and opened it; but it smelt after the manner of the best perfume; also it was written in letters of gold. The contents of the letter were these: “That the King would have her to do as Christian her husband; for that was the way to come to His City, and to dwell in His presence with joy for ever.”

Then said the visitor, “Christiana, the bitter is before the sweet. Thou must through troubles, as did he that went before thee, enter the Celestial City.

wicket-gate yonder over the plain, for that stands in the head of the way up which you must go;

Also I advise that thou put this letter in thy bosom, that thou read therein to thyself, and to thy children, until you have got it by rote of heart: for it is one of the songs that thou must sing while thou art in this house of thy p...

Then did her children burst out into tears, for joy that the heart of their mother was so inclined.

But while they were thus about to be gone, two of the women that were Christiana’s neighbors came up to the house, and knocked at the door. To whom she said as before, “if you come in God’s name, come in.” At this the women were stunned; for this kind of language they used not to hear, or to perceive to drop from the lips of Christiana.

Christiana answered and said to the eldest of them, whose name was Mrs. Timorous, “I am preparing for a journey.”

This Timorous was daughter to him that met Christian upon the Hill Difficulty, and would have had him go back for fear of the lions.

Tim. I hope not so, good neighbor. Pray, for your poor children’s sake, do not so unwomanly cast away yourself. Chr. Nay, my children shall go with me; not one of them is willing to stay behind.

But that which troubleth me most is my unkind treatment of him when he was under his distress. Besides, I am now as he was then: nothing will serve me but going on pilgrimage.

yea, and Pliable too; until they, like wise men, were afraid to go any farther.

We also heard, over and above, how he met with the lions, Apollyon, the Shadow of Death, and many other things.

For if he, though a man, was so hard put to it, what canst thou, being...

Consider also that these four sweet babes are thy children, thy ...