Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/44

40 I dreamed, and, behold, the heavens grew exceeding black; also it thundered and lightened in most fearful wise, that it put me into an agony. So I looked up in my dream, and saw the clouds rack at an unusual rate; upon which I heard great sound of a trumpet, and saw also a Man sitting upon a cloud, attended with the thousands of heaven: they were all in flaming fire; also the heavens were on a burning flame. I heard then a great voice, saying, "Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment!" and with that the rocks rent, graves opened, and the dead that were therein came forth. (John v. 28, 29. 1 Cor. xv. 51–68. 2 Thess. i. 7–10. Jude 14, 15. Rev. xx. 11–15.) Some of them were exceeding glad, and looked upward; and some sought to hide themselves under the mountains. (Ps. 1. 1–3, 22. Isa. xxvi. 20, 21. Mic. vii. 16, 17.) Then I saw the Man that sat upon the cloud open the book, and bid the world draw near. Yet there Was, by reason of a fierce flame which issued out and came before him, a convenient distance betwixt him and them, as betwixt the judge and the prisoners at the bar. (Dan. vii. 9, 10. Mal. iii. 2, 3.) I heard it also proclaimed to them that attended on the Man that sat on the cloud, "Gather together the tares, the chaff, and stubble, and cast them into the burning lake;" and with that the bottomless pit opened, just whereabout I stood; out of the mouth of which there came, in an abundant manner; smoke, and coals of fire, with hideous noises. It was also Said to the same persons, "Gather my Wheat into the garner." (Mal. iv. 2. Matt. iii. 12; xiii. 30. Luke iii. 17.) And "With that I saw many catched up, and carried away into the sleuds (1 Thess. iv. 13–18), but I was left behind. I also Sought to hide myself, but I could not; for the Man that sat upon the cloud still kept his eye upon me: my sins also came into my mind, and my Conscience did accuse me on every side. (Rom. ii. 14, 15.) Upon this I awakened from my sleep.

Chr. But What was it that made you so afraid of this Sight?