The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

paved with gold, and on them walked many men, with crowns on their
heads, palms in their hands, and golden harps to sing praises with!
There were also some angelic beings with wings, and they sang back
and forth without intermission, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord!" After
that, they closed up the gates. When I had seen all of this — I wished
that I myself was among them.
Now while I was gazing upon all these things, I turned my head to look
back, and saw Ignorance come up to the river side. He soon got over the
river, and without half of the difficulty which Christian and Hopeful
met with. For it happened that one called Vain-hope, a ferryman, was
there — and with his boat he helped Ignorance cross the river.
Then I saw that Ignorance ascended the hill, and came up to the gate all
alone. There was no man to meet him with the least encouragement.
When he arrived at the gate, he looked up to the writing that was above
it, and then began to knock — supposing that entrance would quickly be
given to him. But he was asked by the men who looked over the top of
the gate, "Where have you come from? What do you want?"
He answered them, "I have eaten and drank in the presence of the King
— and He has taught in our streets!”
Then they asked him for his certificate, that they might go in and show
it to the King. So he fumbled in his bosom for one — but found none.
Then they asked, "Have you no certificate?"
But the man answered not a word.
So they told the King about Ignorance — but He would not go down to
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