They knock for admittance at the Wicket-gate.

let us be wary. Then they looked well to their steps, and made a shift to get staggering over.

Yet Christiana had like to have been in, and that not once or twice. Now they had no sooner got over, but they thought they heard words that said unto them, "Blessed is she that believeth, for there shall be a performance of what has been told her from the Lord."

Then they went on again; and said Mercy to Christiana, Had I as good ground to hope for a loving reception at the. Wicket Gate as you, I think no Slough of Despond could discourage me.

Well, said the other, you know your sore, and I know mine; and good friend, we shall all have enough evil before we come to our journey's end. For it cannot be imagined, that the people that design to attain such excellent glories as we do, and that are so envied that happiness as we are; but that we shall meet with what fears and snares, with what troubles and afflictions, they can possibly assault us with, that hate us.

And now Mr. Sagacity left me to dream out my dream by myself. Wherefore, methought I saw Christiana and Mercy, and the boys, go all of them up to the Gate: to which, when they came, they betook themselves to a short debate, about how they must manage their calling at the Gate; and what should be said unto him that did open unto them. So it was concluded, since Christiana was the eldest, that she should knock for entrance, and that she should speak to him that did open for the rest. So Christiana began to knock; and as her husband did, she knocked and knocked again. But instead of any that answered, they all thought that they heard, as if a dog came barking upon them; a dog, and a great one too, and this made

The Keeper opens the gate.

the women and children afraid. Nor durst they for awhile to knock any more, for fear the mastiff should fly upon them. Now therefore they were greatly tumbled up and down in their minds, and knew not what to do: knock they durst not, for fear of the dog go back they durst not, for fear the keeper of that Gate should espy them as they so went, and be offended with them: at last they thought of knocking again, and knocking more vehemently than they did at first. Then said the keeper of the gate, who is there? So the dog left off to bark, and he opened upon them. (x) Then Christiana made low obeisance, and said, Let not our Lord be offended with his hand-maidens, for that we have knocked at his princely Gate. Then said the keeper, Whence came ye? And what is it that you would have?

Christiana answered, We are come from whence Christian did come, and upon the same errand as he; to wit, to be, if it shall please you, graciously admitted by this Gate into the way that leads unto the Celestial City. And I answer, my Lord, in the next place, that I am Christiana, once the wife of Christian, that is now gotten above.

With that the Keeper of the Gate did marvel, saying, What! is she now become a pilgrim, that but awhile ago abhorred that life? Then she bowed her head, and said, Yea, and so are these my sweet babes also.

Then he took her by the hand, and let her in, and

(x) No sooner does a poor sinner open his lips in prayer to Jesus, but the devil will bark and roar at him, and by all means try to terrify and discourage him. Do you find this? What is your remedy against this? "Resist the devil, and he will fly from you." James iv. 7. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." James iv. 8. Oh! ever remember our dear Lord's word, "Men should pray always and not faint." Luke xviii. 4.

Christiana enters the gate.

said also, "Suffer the little children to come unto me:" with that he shut up the gate. This done, he calied to a trumpeter that was above, over the gate, to entertain Christiana with shouting, and sound of trumpet, for joy. So he obeyed, and sounded, and filled the air with his melodious notes.

Now all this while poor Mercy did stand without, trembling and crying for fear that she was rejected. But when Christiana had got admittance for herself and her boys, then she began to make intercession for Mercy.

Christ. And she said, My Lord, I have a companion of mine that stands yet without, that is come hither upon the same account as myself; one that is much dejected in her mind for that she comes, as she thinks without sending for; whereas I was sent to by my husband's King to come.

Now Mercy began to be very impatient, and each minute was as long to her as an hour; wherefore she prevented Christiana from a fuller interceding for her by knocking at the Gate herself. And she knocked then so loud, that she made Christiana to start. Then said the Keeper of the Gate, Who is there? And Christiana said, It is my friend. So he opened the gate, and looked out; but Mercy was fallen down without in a swoon, for she fainted, and was afraid that no Gate would be opened to her.

Then he took her by the hand, and said, Damsel, I bid thee arise.

O, Sir, said she, I am faint; there is scarce life left in me. But he answered, that one* said, "When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord, and my prayer came unto thee, into thy holy temple." Fear not, stand upon thy feet, and tell me wherefore thou art come.

* Jonah ii. 7.

Mercy's distress.

Mercy. I am come for that unto which I was never invited as my friend Christiaua was. Her's was from the King, and mine was but from her. Wherefore I presume. (y)

Did she desire thee to come with her to this place?

Mercy. Yes; and as my Lord sees, I am come. And if there is any grace or forgiveness of sins to spare, I beseech that thy poor handmaid be partaker thereof.

Then he took her again by the hand, and led her gently in, and said, I pray for all them that believe on me, 'by what means soever they come unto me. Then said he to those that stood by, Fetch something, and give it Mercy to smell on, thereby to stay her faintings : So they fetched her a bundle of myrrh awhile after she was revived.

And now were Christiana and her boys, and Mercy, received of the Lord at the head of the way, and spoke kindly unto by him. Then said they yet farther unto him, We are sorry for our sins, and

(y) Mercy's case is not singular. Many have set out just as she did, and have been discouraged by the same reason as she was. Some are wrought on by one means, and some by another. She, has many have been, was encouraged to set out in the ways of the Lord, by her neighbour and friend. Hence she, as many others also have, thought there was no cause to conclude that she was effectually called by the Lord, but it was only the effect of human power, or mortal persuasion, and therefore doubted and fainted lest she should not meet with acceptance. But her very doubts, fears, and distress, proved the earnestness of her heart, and the desire of her soul, after the Saviour; and also, that his attracting love and gracious power, had a hand in the work. Well, therefore, might Mr. Bunyan call upon his readers, at her gracious reception by Christ: Mark THIS, ye poor doubting, fearing, trembling souls, who are halting every step, and fearing ye have not set out aright: hear what Christ's angel said, and be not discouraged: Fear not, for ye seek Jesus. Matt. xxviii. 5.

Conversation of the Pilgrims

beg of our Lord his pardon, and farther information what we must do.

+

I grant pardon, said he, by word and deed ;* by word in the promise of forgiveness; by deed in the way I obtained it, Take the first from my lips with a kiss, and the other as it shall be revealed.

Now I saw in my dream, that he spake many good words unto them, whereby they were gladded, He also had them up to the top of the gate, and shewed them by what deed they were saved; and told them withal, that that sight they would have again as they went along in the way, to their comfort.

So he left them awhile in a summer parlour, below, where they entered into talk by themselves; and thus Christiana begun: O Lord, how glad am I that we got in hither!

Mercy. So you well may; but I of all have cause to leap for joy.

Christ. I thought one time, as I stood at the Gate (because I knocked, and none did answer,) that all our labour had been lost, especially when that ugly cur made such a heavy barking at us. (z)

Mercy. But my worst fear was, after I saw that you was taken into favour, and that I was left behind.

Now, thought 1, it is fulfilled which is written, "Two women shall be grinding together, the one shall be taken and the other left." I had much ado to forbear crying out, Undone. (a)

Song i. 2. John xx. 20.

+ Matt. xxiv. 41.

(z) The devil often barks most at us, and brings his heaviest accusations against us, when mercy, peace, comfort, and salvation,

are nearest to us.

"Press on, nor fear to win the day,

"Tho' earth and hell obstruct the way."

(a) See what proper use a gracious soul makes of the doctrine of