Here also, as they that stood by perceived, he was much in 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 a while, he would rise up again half dead.  Hopeful did also 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 a while.  To whom also Hopeful added these words:  “Be of good cheer; Jesus Christ maketh thee whole.”

And with that Christian broke out with a loud voice, “Oh, I see him again, and he tells me, ’When thou passest through the waters, I will he 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 to those that shall be heirs of salvation.”  Thus they went along towards the gate.

Bunyan’s death.

From the first biography of Bunyan.

“He comforted those that wept about him, exhorting them to trust in God, and pray to him for mercy and forgiveness of their sins; telling them what a glorious exchange it would be, to leave the troubles and cares of a wretched mortality to live with Christ for ever, with peace and joy inexpressible; expounding to them the comfortable scriptures by which they were to hope and assuredly come unto a blessed resurrection in the last day.  He desired some to pray with him, and he joined with them in prayer; and his last words, after he had struggled with a languishing disease, were these:  ’Weep not for me, but for yourselves.  I go to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will, through the mediation of his blessed Son, receive me, though a sinner; where I hope we ere long shall meet to sing the new song, and remain everlastingly happy, world without end.’”