The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

he did not know his own voice. Just when he had come near the mouth
of the burning pit — one of the wicked ones snuck up stealthily behind
him whispering and suggesting many grievous blasphemies to him —
which he thought had proceeded from his own mind. This tried
Christian more than anything that he met with before — to think that
he would now blaspheme Him whom he loved so much! Yet, if he could
have helped it, he would not have done it; but he had not the discretion
either to stop his ears, or to know from whence these blasphemies
came.
When Christian had traveled in this disconsolate condition for a
considerable time, he thought that he heard the voice of a man
somewhere ahead of him, saying, "Though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me."
Then he was glad, and for these reasons:
First, because he realized by this, that someone who feared God was in
this valley, as well as himself.
Secondly, he realized that God was with him, in that dark and dismal
state — though he could not perceive Him.
Thirdly, he hoped that he could overtake the person ahead of him, and
to have company soon.
So Christian went on, and called to the person ahead of him. But that
person did not know what to answer, for he also thought that he was
alone.
Page
96 of 253