ng by to receive us;
but Christian would answer, It is you, it is you they wait for; you have
been hopeful ever since I knew you. And so have you, said he to
Christian. Ah, brother! said he, surely if I was right, he would now
arise to help me; but for my sins he hath brought me into the snare, and
hath left me. Then said Hopeful, My brother, you have quite forgot the
text where 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 heretofore
you have received of his goodness, and live upon him in your distresses.

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
shall 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 followed 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 for them. 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 toward the gate.

Now you must note, 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: they had likewise 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, being comforted because they safely got
over the river, and had such glorious companions to attend them.

The talk that they had with the Shining Ones was about the glory of the
place; who told them that the