' And having so said, they
dragged the Soldier along to a great and spacious River, that was
cover'd all over with a stinking sulphurous Flame, and filled up with
Devils and damned Souls. Know thou (say they unto him) that under
this River lyeth Hell. Now there was a great and lofty Bridge over
this River, in which three things appear'd very formidable, and
almost impossible to be overcome by those who were to pass over it.
The First, that the Surface of the Bridge was so slippery that it was
impossible for any Man to fix his feet upon it; the Second, that the
passage was so straight and narrow, that no Man cou'd stand or walk
on it. The Third, that the Bridge was so high up over the River, as
to create a Horror in any that shou'd look down. Thou must (added
the Devils) go over this Bridge, and we will raise a mighty Wind
which shall cast thee down into the River, where our Fellows that are
there shall take thee and drown thee in Hell: For we are resolv'd to
try how safe thou shalt think it for thee to attempt so dangerous a
Thing: However, if thou wilt consent to go back to the Door of the
Dave, thou shalt escape this Danger, and return safe home to thine
own Country.
"The faithful Soldier reflecting within himself, upon the great and
many Dangers from which his Pious advocate Jesus Christ had deliver'd
him, and calling often upon his Name boldly stepped in upon the
Bridge, and began to walk forward, feeling nothing slippery under his
Foot, but all firm and steady; because he firmly confided in God and
steadily adhered to his Promise: Nay the Higher he went up the
Bridge the broader he found the Passage; so as that in a short space
the way was equal to a Road where several carts may meet and pass.
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