Chr. Then said Christian, What means this?

Inter. The Interpreter answered, This Parlour is the heart of a man that was never sanctified by the sweet Grace of the Gospel:  the dust is his Original Sin and inward Corruptions, that have defiled the whole Man.  He that began to sweep at first, is the Law; but She that brought water, and did sprinkle it, is the Gospel.  Now, whereas thou sawest that so soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about that the Room by him could not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choaked therewith; this is to shew thee, that the Law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive, put strength into, and increase it in the soul, as it doth discover and forbid it, but doth not give power to subdue.

Again, as thou sawest the Damsel sprinkle the room with Water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure; this is to shew thee, that when the Gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences thereof to the heart, then I say, even as thou sawest the Damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with Water, so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean, through the Faith of it, and consequently fit for the King of Glory to inhabit.

I saw moreover in my Dream, that the Interpreter took him by the hand, and had him into a little room, where sat two little Children, each one in his chair.  The name of the eldest was Passion, and the name of the other Patience. Passion seemed to be much discontent; but Patience was very quiet.  Then Christian asked, What is the reason of the discontent of Passion?  The Interpreter answered, The Governour of them would have him stay for his best things till the beginning of the next year; but he will have all now; but Patience is willing to wait.

Then I saw that one came to Passion, and brought him a bag of Treasure, and poured it down at his feet, the which he took up and rejoyced therein; and withall, laughed Patience to scorn.  But I beheld but a while, and he had lavished all away, and had nothing left him but Rags.

Chr. Then said Christian to the Interpreter, Expound this matter more fully to me.

Inter. So he said, These two Lads are Figures:  Passion, of the Men of this World; and Patience of the Men of that which is to come; for as here thou seest, Passion will have all now this year, that is to say, in this world; so are the men of this world:  they must have all their good things now, they cannot stay till next year, that is, until the next world, for their portion of good.  That proverb, A Bird in the Hand is worth two in the Bush, is of more authority with them then are all the Divine testimonies of the good of the World to come.  But as thou sawest that he had quickly lavished all away, and had presently left him nothing but Raggs; so will it be with all such Men at the end of this World.