_Apollyon_ seeing this, came up close to _Christian_, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and withal _Christian_’s sword flew out of his hand. Then said _Apollyon_, “I am sure of thee now.” But as he was fetching his last blow, _Christian_ nimbly stretched out his hand for his sword, and caught it, saying, _Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall, I shall arise_; and with that he gave him a dreadful thrust, which made him draw back. _Christian_ perceiving this, made at him again, saying, _Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loveth us_. But _Apollyon_, spread forth his dragon’s wings, and fled away, that _Christian_ saw him no more.
Then there came to him a hand with some of the leaves of the tree of life, which he applied to his wounds, and they were immediately healed. After this he addressed himself to his journey, but with his sword drawn in his hand. Now at the end of this valley was another called, _The valley of the Shadow of Death_. The prophet _Jeremiah_ describes it thus, _A wilderness, a land of deserts and of pits, a land of drought, a land that no man_ (but a Christian¹) _passeth through, and where no man dwelt_.
¹ _N. B._ I cannot learn, either from scripture or experience, that every Christian passes through this.
On the right-hand of this valley was a deep ditch, that is it into which the blind have led the blind, in all ages, and have both there miserably perished together. On the left, there was a dangerous quagmire, into which whoever falls, (as _David_ did once) finds no bottom for his foot to stand on.
The path also was exceeding narrow. So that when _Christian_ sought to shun the ditch, he was ready to drop into the mire; and when he sought to shun the mire, to fall into the ditch. Likewise the night was so dark, that often when he lift up his foot, he knew not where he should set it next.
About the midst of the valley was the mouth of hell; and it stood hard by the way side. Now, thought _Christian_, What shall I do? For ever and anon the smoak and flame would come out, with such abundance of sparks and hideous noises, that he found no weapon availed but _prayer_. So he cried aloud, with all his might, _O Lord I beseech thee deliver my soul_. He walked on a great while in the midst of the flames. Also he heard doleful voices, and rushing to and fro; so that sometimes he thought he should be trodden down like mire in the streets. Thus he went on for several miles, till he heard a company of fiends coming forward to meet him. At this he knew not what to do; but at length resolved to go on. They seemed to come nearer and nearer; but when they were just come up, he cried out, with a most vehement voice, _I will walk in the strength of the Lord God_. So they gave back, and came no further.
I took notice, that _Christian_ was now so amazed, he did not know his own voice: for just as he was over-against the mouth of the pit, one of the wicked ones stepped up softly, and whispered many grievous blasphemies to him, which he verily thought had proceeded from his own mind.
When he had travelled thus for some time, he heard the voice of one before him, saying, _Though I walk through the valley of the Shadow of Death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me_.
Then he was glad, hoping to have company by and by; so he hasted on, and in awhile the day broke. Then said _Christian_, _He hath turned the Shadow of Death, into the morning_.
He now looked back, not out of a desire to return, but to see the dangers he had gone through. He feared them more before; but he saw them now more clearly, because of the light of the day. And about this time the sun arose, which was another mercy. For as dangerous as the first part of the valley was, the second was more dangerous still. The way from the place where he now stood, even to the end, being so full of snares, traps, and nets; and also of pits, deep holes, and shelvings down, that, had it now been dark, he must have perished. Then said he, _His candle shineth on my head, and, by his light, I go through darkness_.
In this light he walked to the end of the valley, and came to a small ascent; from whence looking forward, he saw _Faithful_ a little way before him; to whom _Christian_ cried, “Stay, stay, till I come up.” But _Faithful_ answered, “No; I cannot stay for none; I am upon my life; the avenger of blood is behind me.”
At this _Christian_ was somewhat moved, and putting forth all his strength, he soon got up with _Faithful_, and outwent him. So the last was first. Then did _Christian_ smile, because he had got the start of his brother: but not taking heed to his feet, he suddenly stumbled and fell; nor could he rise again, till _Faithful_ came to help him.
Then I saw in my dream, they went lovingly on together, discoursing of many things.
_Christian._ How long after me did you stay in the city of _Destruction_?