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The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

The Pilgrim's Progress is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan in 1678 . It is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature, has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print. It has also been cited as the first novel written in English.

The Pilgrim's Progress is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan in 1678 . It is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature, has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print. It has also been cited as the first novel written in English.

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already, <strong>by</strong> the Lord of the way! <strong>The</strong>refore, you will not be found to be<br />

true Pilgrims at the end of the journey. You came in <strong>by</strong> your own way,<br />

without His direction; and you shall go out <strong>by</strong> yourselves, without His<br />

mercy!"<br />

To this, they made but little answer; they only told Christian to pay<br />

attention to himself.<br />

<strong>The</strong>n I saw that they went on in their own ways, without much<br />

conversation with one another; except that the two men told Christian,<br />

that as to laws and ordinances, they had no doubt but that they were as<br />

careful to do them as he was. "<strong>The</strong>refore," said they, "we do not see how<br />

you differ from us — except for that coat which is on your back, which<br />

probably was given to you <strong>by</strong> some of your neighbors — to hide the<br />

shame of your nakedness."<br />

Christian answered, "You cannot be saved <strong>by</strong> laws and ordinances —<br />

and you did not come in at the narrow-gate. And as for this coat which<br />

is on my back — it was given to me <strong>by</strong> the Lord of the place where I am<br />

going — and just as you say — to cover my nakedness. I take this as a<br />

token of His kindness to me — for I had nothing but rags before! With<br />

this, I comfort myself as I go: Surely, when I come to the gate of the<br />

Celestial City, the Lord will recognize me, since I have His coat on my<br />

back — a coat which He gave me on the day when He stripped me of my<br />

rags.<br />

"I have, moreover, a mark on my forehead — which perhaps you have<br />

not noticed, which one of my Lord's most intimate associates fixed<br />

there on the day that my burden fell off my shoulders! I tell you,<br />

furthermore, that I was then given a sealed scroll — to comfort me <strong>by</strong><br />

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