The pilgrim's progress from earth to heaven, a metrical version of the allegory by J. Bunyan - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1845 Excerpt: ... behold, to terminate the road, A river wide and deep majestic flow'd. And here, no friendly bridge affords its aid--Then sunk the Pilgrims' hearts, with fear dismay'd, And to their kind conductors thus they said With faltering voice, " Is there no path but this? "No other way to reach eternal bliss?" 'No other way,' they said, 'you must pass through, 'As pilgrims all have done--excepting two.' They, anxious, turn'd their eyes, and gaz'd around, As if some other path might yet be found: Then ask'd, with fearful and foreboding heart, "But is it deep alike in ev'ry part?" 'No,' they replied, ' the waters sink or rise, 'As grace is more or less in exercise; 'If faith be lively, you may feel the ground, 'If unbelief prevail--no bottom's found.' Now humbly calling on their Saviour-God, They trembling plunge into the chilling flood, "Ah me," said Christian, "now I sink as lead, "The waves and billows overflow my head." It is with striking propriety that death is compared to a river: the passage of Israel through Jordan, in order to their enjoyment of Canaan, sufficiently justifies the figure. t Faith alone can conquer fear--" according to thy faith, be it unto thee." All Christians die with equal safety, but not with equal comfort. 'Courage, my dearest brother,' Hopeful said, 'I feel the bottom, do not be afraid.' Christian replied, " 0 pray for wretched me! "The glorious city I shall never see! "Despair and darkness overwhelm my mind, "And not a ray of comfort can I find." This agitation more and more prevail'd, (For Satan now with all his power assail'd) And, for a season, Christian's senses fail'd. Meanwhile his utmost efforts Hopeful tries--Holds up his head, and bids him vie...