But I beheld but a
while, and he had lavished all away, and had nothing left him but
rags.
{78} CHR. Then said Christian to the Interpreter, Expound this
matter more fully to me.
INTER. So he said, These two lads are figures: Passion, of the men
of this world; and Patience, of the men of that which is to come;
for as here thou seest, Passion will have all now this year, that
is to say, in this world; so are the men of this world, they must
have all their good things now, they cannot stay till next year,
that is until the next world, for their portion of good. That
proverb, `A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush', is of more
authority with them than are all the Divine testimonies of the
good of the world to come. But as thou sawest that he had quickly
lavished all away, and had presently left him nothing but rags; so
will it be with all such men at the end of this world.
CHR. Then said Christian, Now I see that Patience has the best
wisdom, and that upon many accounts. First, because he stays for
the best things. Second, and also because he will have the glory
of his, when the other has nothing but rags.
{79} INTER. Nay, you may add another, to wit, the glory of the next
world will never wear out; but these are suddenly gone.
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