Pilgrim's Progress

Pilgrim’s Progress

The Land of Beulah

By John Bunyan

The Pilgrim's Progress from this world — to that which is to come, in the similitude of a dream

Retold for Children and Adapted to School Reading, by James Baldwin, 1913

Now I saw in my dream that the pilgrims went on, and by and by entered into the country of Beulah. This was indeed a pleasant land and a healthful one. For the air was very sweet, and the sun shone night and day.

There they heard always the singing of birds; they saw every day the flowers blooming in wood and field; they heard the cooing of turtle-doves and the songs of running brooks.

So in this land, the pilgrims tarried a while and solaced themselves. For the Land of Beulah is beyond the Valley of the Shadow of Death. It is also out of reach of Giant Despair, and Doubting Castle cannot so much as be seen from its hilltops.

But the pilgrims were here within sight of the city they were going to; and as they rested themselves, some of the people of that city came out to see them. For in this land the Shining Ones came often to walk, because it was on the borders of the Celestial Country.

Here the pilgrims had no want of corn and wine; for in this place was an abundance of all the things they had sought in their pilgrimage. And as they walked onward, their joy became greater, day by day. Then, as they drew nearer the city — they began to have a more perfect view of it.

They saw that it was builded of pearls and precious stones, and that the streets were paved with gold. Then, as they beheld somewhat of its natural glory and the sunbeams that enlightened it, Christian could scarcely wait to enter it. His desire was so great, that he fell sick; and Hopeful also had a fit of the same disease.

Therefore, they lay for a while in the Land of Beulah, looking wistfully over towards the Celestial Gate, and crying out because of their great desire. But after a time, being better able to hold themselves, they arose and went on. They went on and came yet nearer and nearer, where were orchards and vineyards and beautiful gardens.

Now as they passed these places, they saw the GARDENER standing in the way. They asked him, "Whose goodly vineyards and gardens are these?"

'They are the King's," he answered. "They are planted here for his own delight, and for the solace of pilgrims."

Then he led them into the vineyards and bade them refresh themselves with the dainty fruit that hung clustering on the vines. He showed them also the King's walks, and the pleasant arbors where He delighted to be. And here they tarried a while and slept. And sweet dreams came to them in their sleep, and they talked aloud of the joys that were in store for them.

In the morning when they awoke, they turned their steps once more towards the city. But the sunbeams which rested upon it were so extremely glorious, that they could not look that way with open face. So, as they went, they had need to look through glasses that had been made for that purpose.

Then I saw, as they went on, that two men in shining raiment came forth to meet them; and the faces of these men shone as the light. These men asked the pilgrims whence they came — and they told them. They asked them where they had lodged — and they told them. They asked them what dangers they had met and what difficulties they had overcome — and they told them.

"There are still two difficulties which you must surmount — and then you will be in the city," said the men.

"Will you not walk with us until we come to our journey's end?" asked Christian and Hopeful.

"That we will do," answered the men; "but it is by your own faith that you must go on in safety to the Celestial Gate."