could neither remember nor orderly talk of any of those sweet refreshments that he had met with in the way of his pilgrimage.  But all the words that he spoke still tended to discover that he had horror of mind, and heart-fears that he should die in that river, and never obtain entrance in at the gate.  Here also, as they that stood by perceived, he was much in the troublesome thoughts of the sins that he had committed, both since and before he began to be a pilgrim.  It was also observed, that he was troubled with apparitions of hobgoblins and evil spirits; for ever and anon he would intimate so much by words.

Hopeful therefore here had much ado to keep his brother’s head above water; yea, sometimes he would be quite gone down, and then, ere awhile, he would rise up again half dead.  Hopeful also would endeavor to comfort him, saying, Brother, I see the gate, and men standing 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.