What is the source of the quote that Miles uses in “Borders of Infinity”?
It is from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, published in 1678, an allegory about the Christian soul’s path to salvation. The Bujold fragment is from the climax of Part I, in which Christian reaches Heaven. Here is the quote with some context: Now upon the bank of the river, on the other side, they saw the two Shining Men again, who there waited for them. Wherefore being come up out of the river, they saluted them, saying “We are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those that shall be heirs of salvation.” Thus they went along towards the gate. [Bujold begins to quote here.] Now you must note that the city stood upon a mighty hill, but the pilgrims went up that hill with ease, because they had these two men to lead them up by the arms. Also they had left their mortal garments behind them in the river, for though they went in with them, they came out without them. They therefore went up here with much agility and speed, though the foundation upon which the city was framed was
