The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

things, and desperately wicked! Be steadfast — you have all power in
Heaven and earth on your side.”
Then Christian thanked him for his exhortation, and asked that he
would speak further to them for their help the rest of the way. They
knew that he was a prophet, and could tell them of things that might
happen unto them, and also how they might resist and overcome them.
So Evangelist began as follows: "My sons, you have heard in the truths
of the Gospel, that you must, through many tribulations, enter into the
kingdom of Heaven — and again, that in every city bonds and
afflictions await you. Therefore you cannot expect that you should go
long on your pilgrimage without them, in some sort or other. You have
found something of the truth of these testimonies already — and more
will immediately follow.
"For now you are almost out of this wilderness, and therefore you will
soon come to a town which you will shortly see ahead of you. In that
town you will be grievously assaulted by enemies, who will make great
attempts to kill you. Be sure that one or both of you must seal the
testimony which you hold, with your blood. Be faithful unto death, and
the King will give you a crown of life! The one who dies there, although
his death will be violent, and his pain perhaps great — will be better off
than the other. For he will arrive at the Celestial City the soonest — and
because he will escape many miseries that the other will meet with
along the rest of his journey. But when you have come to the town, and
find what I have told you fulfilled — then remember what I have said,
and be men of courage, committing yourselves to your faithful Creator,
while continuing to do what is right."
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