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Church historian Bruce Shelley wrote, "Pilgrim's Progress is the dramatic and thought-provoking story of the soul's journey from life estranged from God to life tested at every turn but sustained by the grace of God. It so accurately describes the Christian experience, believers have read it and relived it for centuries."

In the following excerpt, Christian confronts temptations as he nears the end of his journey.

Below the mountains they met a quick lad whose name was Ignorance. He had traveled along a crooked lane that came from the country of Conceit, and said he was going to the Celestial City.

"How do you expect to get in?" Christian asked.

"Just as other good people do," replied Ignorance. "I live a good life, I pay whatever I owe, I pray, and I give money to the poor."

"But you didn't come in at the narrow gate," said Christian, "so I'm afraid you won't be admitted to the city."

Ignorance replied, "You follow your religion, and I'll follow mine." So Ignorance stayed back as the pilgrims walked ahead . …

The next man they met on the road was named Atheist. "Where are you going," he asked them.

"To Mount Zion," Christian answered.

Atheist let out a great laugh. "How stupid you are to take on such a tiresome journey, and get nothing for all your trouble."

Christian replied, "Do you think we won't be let in when we get there?"

"Let in! Why, there is no Mount Zion. I once believed there was. But I've seen no more of it than I did the day I set out. If there ever was a Celestial City, I would have found it. Now I know it doesn't exist."

"What!" Hopeful answered. "No City of Zion? Didn't we see it from the Delectable Mountains? Besides, we walk by faith."

Christian and Hopeful next entered a place where they became drowsy. They kept talking to keep one another awake. Hopeful looked back and saw Ignorance still following at a distance. So the pilgrims stopped to let him catch up.

Christian asked him, "How is it now between God and your soul?"

Ignorance answered that he felt good about himself, that he had good thoughts about God and heaven, and that he had a good heart. But Christian explained that the only good thoughts are those that agree with God's Word, which says that our hearts are evil.

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