†...PILGRIM'S PROGRESS...† Stage 9 continued
Let us go on, lest the man with the whip overtake us again. You should have taught me that lesson, which I will sound you in the ears withal: "Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge." I say, my brother, cease to hear him, and let us believe to the saving of the soul.
Chr...><> My brother, I did not put the question to thee, for that I doubted of the truth of our belief myself, but to prove thee, and to fetch from thee a fruit of the honesty of thy heart. As for this man, I know that he is blinded by the God of this world. Let thee and me go on, knowing that we have belief of the truth; and no lie is of the truth.
Hope...><> Now do I rejoice in hope of the glory of God. So they turned away from the man; and he, laughing at them, went his way.
I then saw in my dream, that they went on until they came into a certain country whose air naturally tended to make one drowsy, if he came a stranger into it. And here Hopeful began to be very dull, and heavy to sleep: wherefore he said unto Christian, I do now begin to grow so drowsy that I can scarcely hold open mine eyes; let us lie down here, and take one nap.
Chr...><> By no means, said the other; lest, sleeping, we never awake more.
Hope...><> Why, my brother? sleep is sweet to the laboring man; we may be refreshed, if we take a nap.
Chr...><> Do you not remember that one of the shepherds bid us beware of the Enchanted Ground? He meant by that, that we should beware of sleeping; wherefore "let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober."
Hope...><> I acknowledge myself in a fault; and had I been here alone, I had by sleeping run the danger of death. I see it is true that the wise man saith, "Two are better than one." Hitherto hath thy company been my mercy; and thou shalt have a good reward for thy labor.
Chr...><> Now, then, said Christian, to prevent drowsiness in this place, let us fall into good discourse.
Hope...><> With all my heart, said the other.
Chr...><> Where shall we begin?
Hope. ..><>Where God began with us. But do you begin, if you please.
Chr...><> I will sing you first this song:
John Bunyan
To be continued |
