Randomly came across this passage tonight. I've been reminded during the past few weeks of how often Apollyon likes to show up as soon as we exit the Palace Beautiful; it's when I've been most vulnerable lately. Glad for the reminder that I need to keep in the Scriptures especially after I leave church on Sunday.
Then Apollyon espying his opportunity, began to gather up close to Christian, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and with that Christian's Sword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, I am sure of thee now; and with that he had almost prest him to death; so that Christian began to despair of life. But as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching of his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good Man, Christian nimbly reached 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, gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give back, as one that had received his mortal wound: Christian perceiving that, made at him again, saying, Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us. And with that, Apollyon spread forth his Dragons wings, and sped him away, that Christian saw him no more.
In this Combat no man can imagine, unless he had seen and heard as I did, what yelling, and hideous roaring Apollyon made all the time of the night, he spake like a Dragon: and on the other side, what sighs and groans burst from Christians heart. I never saw him all the while give so much as one pleasant look, till he perceived he had wounded Apollyon with his two-edg'd Sword, then indeed did he smile, and look upward: but 'twas the dreadfullest sight that ever I saw.
(Pilgrim's Progress, 94-96)
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