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Now while they were thus drawing towards the Gate, behold a company of the Heavenly Host came out to meet them; to whom it was said by the other two Shining Ones, These are the men that have loved our Lord when they were in the World, and that have left all for his holy Name, and he hath sent us to fetch them, and we have brought them thus far on their desired Journey, that they may go in and look their Redeemer in the face with joy. Then the Heavenly Host gave a great shout, saying, Blessed are they that are called to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.1 There came out also at this time to meet them, several of the King's Trumpeters, cloathed in white and shining Raiment, who with melodious noises and loud, made even the Heavens to echo with their sound. These Trumpeters saluted Christian and his fellow with ten thousand welcomes from the World, and this they did with shouting and sound of Trumpet.

This done, they compassed them round on every side; some went before, some behind, and some on the right hand, some on the left (as 'twere to guard them through the upper Regions), continually sounding as they went with melodious noise, in notes on high: so that the very sight was to them that could behold it, as if Heaven itself was come down to meet them. Thus therefore they walked on together; and as they walked, ever and anon these Trumpeters, even with joyful sound, would, by mixing their musick with looks and gestures, still signify to Christian and his Brother, how welcome they were into their company, and with what gladness they came to meet them; and now were these two men as 'twere in Heaven before they came at it, being swallowed

1 Rev. xix.

up with the sight of Angels, and with hearing of their melodious notes. Here also they had the City itself in view, and they thought they heard all the Bells therein ring to welcome them thereto. But above all, the warm and joyful thoughts that they had about their own dwelling there, with such company, and that for ever and ever. Oh, by what tongue or pen can their glorious joy be expressed! And thus they came up to the Gate.

Now when they were come up to the Gate, there was written over it in Letters of Gold, Blessed are they that do his Commandments, that they may have right to the Tree of Life, and may enter in through the Gates into the City.1

Then I saw in my Dream, that the Shining Men bid them call at the Gate; the which when they did, some from above looked over the Gate, to wit, Enoch, Moses, and Elijah, &c. to whom it was said, These Pilgrims are come from the City of Destruction for the love that they bear to the King of this place; and then the Pilgrims gave in unto them each man his Certificate, which they had received in the beginning; those therefore were carried in to the King, who when he had read them, said, Where are the men? To whom it was answered, They are standing without the Gate. The King then commanded to open the Gate, That the righteous nation, said he, that keepeth Truth may enter in.2

Now I saw in my Dream that these two men went in at the Gate and lo, as they entered, they were transfigured, and they had Raiment put on that shone like Gold. There was also that met them with Harps and Crowns, and gave them to them, the Harps to praise

1 Rev. xxii. 14.

2 Isa. xxvi. 2.

withal, and the Crowns in token of honour.

Then I

heard in my Dream that all the Bells in the City rang again for joy, and that it was said unto them, Enter ye into the joy of your Lord. I also heard the men themselves, that they sang with a loud voice, saying, Blessing, Honour, Glory, and Power, be to him that sitteth upon the Throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever.1

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 come up to the River-side; but he soon got over, and that without half that difficulty which the other two men met with. For it happened that there was then in that place one Vainhope a Ferry-man, 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 administered to him; but he was asked by the men that looked over the top of the Gate, Whence came you? and what would you

1 Rev. v. 13.

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. So I awoke, and behold it was a Dream.

THE CONCLUSION.

Now Reader, I have told my Dream to thee;
See if thou canst interpret it to me,

Or to thyself, or Neighbor; but take heed
Of mis-interpreting; for that, instead

Of doing good, will but thyself abuse:
By mis-interpreting, evil insues.

Take heed also, that thou be not extreme
In playing with the out-side of my Dream:
Nor let my figure or similitude

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;
Turn up thy Metaphors, and do not fail

There, if thou seekest them, such things to find,
As will be helpful to an honest mind.

What of my dross thou findest there, be bold
To throw away, but yet preserve the Gold;
What if my Gold be rapt up in Ore?
None throws away the Apple for the Core.
But if thou shalt cast all away as vain,
I know not but 'twill make me Dream again.

NOTES.

JOHN BUNYAN was born at Elstow, near Bedford, in 1628. His father was a tinker, and the boy received very little education. Early in life he enlisted in the Parliamentary Army. Having been baptized in 1653, he soon afterwards began to preach, for which, in 1660, he was imprisoned in Bedford jail. Here he remained for twelve years. During his confinement he wrote several works, the best known of which is "The Pilgrim's Progress from this World to that which is to Come." It was not published until 1678. Its popularity was such that it soon went through numerous editions, and has been translated into all languages. A second part appeared in 1684. The first collected edition of his works was published in 1767. Dr. Johnson says: "His 'Pilgrim's Progress' has great merit, both for invention, imagination, and the conduct of the story; and it has had the best evidence of its merit, the general and continued approbation of mankind." Lord Macaulay says: Bunyan is as decidedly the first of allegorists as Demosthenes is the first of orators, or Shakespeare the first of dramatists."

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So direct and simple is the story of the "Pilgrim's Progress," that few explanatory notes are necessary. The narrative is itself its best commentary. "The attempts which have been made to improve and to imitate this book," says Macaulay, "are not to be numbered. It has been done into verse; it has been done into modern English. The Pilgrimage of Tender Conscience,' the Pilgrimage of Good Intent,' the 'Pilgrimage

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