Passion and Patience

UNLESS YOU ARE TRULY HEAVENLY MINDED YOU WILL BE OF NO ETERNAL GOOD and of no TRUE GOOD TO ANY EARTHLY MAN.

While in the Interpreter's House, Christian is shown two children, Passion and Patience. I couldn't find a suitable picture for you, but imagine one child as sour, rebellious, sullen, and impatient, the other child equal in age but whose countenance is peaceful, contented, and pleasant.

If you can imagine that you will have the picture proper. From Pilgrim's Progress: click here to read in context

I saw moreover in my dream, that the Interpreter took him by the hand, and had him into a little room, where sat two little children, each one in his chair. The name of the eldest was Passion, and the name of the other Patience. Passion seemed to be much discontented, but Patience was very quiet. Then Christian asked, “What is the reason of the discontent of Passion?” The Interpreter answered, “The governor of them would have him stay for his best things till the beginning of the next year, but he will have all now; but Patience is willing to wait.”

Then I saw that one came to Passion, and brought him a bag of treasure, and poured it down at his feet: the which he took up, and rejoiced therein, and withal laughed Patience to scorn. But I beheld but a while, and he had lavished all away, and had nothing left him but rags.

Christian: Then said Christian to the Interpreter, Expound this matter more fully to me.

Interpreter: 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 the 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.

Christian: Then said Christian, Now I see that Patience has the best wisdom, and that upon many accounts. 1. Because he stays for the best things. 2. And also because he will have the glory of his, when the other has nothing but rags.

Interpreter: Nay, you may add another, to wit, the glory of the next world will never wear out; but these are suddenly gone. Therefore Passion had not so much reason to laugh at Patience because he had his good things first, as Patience will have to laugh at Passion because he had his best things last; for first must give place to last, because last must have his time to come: but last gives place to nothing, for there is not another to succeed. He, therefore, that hath his portion first, must needs have a time to spend it; but he that hath his portion last, must have it lastingly: therefore it is said of Dives, “In thy lifetime thou receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” Luke 16:25.

Christian: Then I perceive it is not best to covet things that are now, but to wait for things to come.

Interpreter: You say truth: for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18. But though this be so, yet since things present and our fleshly appetite are such near neighbors one to another; and again, because things to come and carnal sense are such strangers one to another; therefore it is, that the first of these so suddenly fall into amity, and that distance is so continued between the second.

OUR LESSON:
Passion: represents the men of of this world. (the unregenerate)
Patience: represents the men of the world to come. (believers)

I ought and must be like Patience, who is patient. Who is willing to wait for his good things. His best life is yet to come and he knows it. From this allegory I should learn to live as a citizen of heaven, and set my affections upon it. Col 3:1-4 and Phil 3:20

Immediate Gratification belongs to that sullen child, Passion. Patient-Waiting upon the Lord belongs to Patience. And in the end, Passion dressed in his eternal rags of damnation will not be able to mock Patience. O' God give me eyes for eternity, and let my Hope be always in you. Not seeking the things of this present world but delivered from it and looking for the world to come. Patiently waiting now, forgoing the immediate gratification, for the glory that lasts lastingly. Gal 1:4 and Psa 42:11 and 2Thes 3:5.

Did you not thoroughly enjoy Bunyan's use of the English language here?
" first must give place to last, because last must have his time to come: but last gives place to nothing, for there is not another to succeed. He, therefore, that hath his portion first, must needs have a time to spend it; but he that hath his portion last, must have it lastingly.."

First MUST give place to Last.

Last Gives place to nothing.

He that hath his portion last, MUST HAVE IT LASTINGLY.

I Love it!!!!!! And so I hope for the world to come, I set my affections on things above, and with patience run the race set before me, and in patience possessing my soul, looking for the new heavens and the new earth, looking for that which comes last, for last gives place to nothing, and what I have at the last will last lastingly. Even now, this hope tasted, is a foretaste of the fullness to come. Col 3:2, 2Peter 3:13, Eph 1:14

Also there is conviction in my soul and a warning sounded as I read these words:
"yet since things present and our fleshly appetite are such near neighbors one to another; and again, because things to come and carnal sense are such strangers one to another; therefore it is, that the first of these so suddenly fall into amity, and that distance is so continued between the second."

My own "fleshly appetite" and "things present" are NEAR NEIGHBORS. So close do they dwell to one another, I must war against the flesh, and fight the fight of faith or these near neighbors will be far to well acquainted. 1Cor 9:25-27

But "things to come" and carnal sense, (which "carnal sense" I take to mean that kind of thinking which is in accord with the worlds way of thinking) are strangers one to another. Hence, I must not walk according to this world's wisdom, but I need a mind renewed. That is a spiritual mind and a spiritual sense so that my own manner of thinking is not carnal and will be no stranger to the "things to come. " Eph 4:23, Rom 12:2

That old saying illustrates well the distance between carnal sense and things to come "You are too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good." Fits Bunyan's expression well "Things to come and carnal sense are such strangers one to another"

Rom 8:5-7 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.