I am willing with all my heart, said he. And with that he opened the gate..

So when Christian was stepping in the other gave him a pull. Then said Christian, What means that? The other told him, "A little distance from this gate there is erected a strong castle, of which Beelzebub is the captain; from thence both he and they that are with him shoot arrows at those that come up to this gate, if haply they may die before they can enter in.'

Then said Christian, I rejoice and tremble. So when he was got in, the man of the gate asked him who directed him thither.

Chr. Evangelist bid me come hither and knock, as I did; and he said that you, Sir, would tell me what I must do.

Good. An open door is before thee, and no man can shut it.'

Chr. Now I begin to reap the benefits of my hazards.

*So when'-As sinners become more decided in apply ing to Christ, and assiduous in the means of grace, Satan, if permitted, will be more vehement in his endeavours to dis. courage them; that, if possible, he may induce them to degist, and so to come short of the prize. Indeed, the Lord will accomplish the good work which he hath begun by his special grace; but probably the powers of darkness cannot exactly distinguish between those impressions which are the effects of regeneration, and such as result from the excitement of natural passions. It is, however, certain, that they attempt to disturb those who earnestly cry for mercy, by vari ous suggestions, to which they were wholly strangers, while satisfied with a form of gouliness and that the Christian's grand conflict, to the end of as course, consists in surmounting the hindrances and opposition that he experiences, in keeping near to the throne of grace, by fervent, importunate, and persevering prayer.

Good But how is it that you come alone? Chr. Because none of my neighbours saw their danger, as I saw mine.

Good. Did any of them know of your coming?

Chr. Yes, my wife and children saw me at the first, and called after me to turn again; also some of my neighbours stood crying and calling after me to return; but I put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my way.

Good. But did none of them follow you to persuade you to go back?

Chr. Yes, both Obstinate and Pliable but when they saw that they could not prevail, Obstinate went railing back, but Pliable came with me a little way.

Good. But why did he not come through? Chr. We indeed came both together until we came at the slough of Despond, into the which we also suddenly fell. And then was my neighbour Pliable discouraged, and would not adventure farther. Wherefore, getting out again on that side next to his own house he told me I should possess the brave country alone for him so he went his way, and I came mine; he after Obstinate, and I to this gate.

Then said Goodwill, Alas, poor man! is the celestial glory of so small esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazard of a few difficulties to obtain it?

Truly, said Christian, I have said the truth of Pliable; and if I should also say all the truth of myself, it will appear there is no bet

terment* betwixt him and myself.

It is true

he went back to his own house, but I also turned aside to go into the way of death, being persuaded thereto by the carnal argument of one Mr. Worldly-Wiseman.

Good. Oh, did he light upon you? What, he would have had you have sought for case at the hands of Mr. Legality! they are both of them very cheats. But did you take his counsel ?

Chr. Yes, as far as I durst. I went to find out Mr. Legality, until I thought that the mountain that stands by his house would have fallen upon my head; wherefore there I was forced to stop.

Good. That mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more. It is well you escaped; being by it not dashed in pieces.

Chr. Why, truly, I do not know what had become of me there, had not Evangelist happily met me again as I was musing in the midst of my dumps : but it was God's mercy that he came to me again, for else I had never come hither. But now I am come,

* Betterment'-Our author here puts a very emphatical word into Christian's mouth (there is no betterment betwixt him and myself',) which later editors have changed for difference. This is far from an improvement, though the word be more classical: for grace had made an immense difference between Christian and Pliable; but the former thought his conduct equally criminal, and therefore, in respect of their deservings, there was no betterment betwixt them. There are many alterations of a similar nature, in which the old copies have been generally followed; but it world preclude more useful matter were they constantly noted.

such an one as I am, more fit indeed for death by that mountain, than thus to stand talking with my Lord. But, oh! what a favour is this to me, that yet I am admitted entrance here.

Good. We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they have done before they come hither. They in no wise are cast out' (John vi. 37;) and therefore, good Christian, come a little way with me, and I will teach thee about the way thou must go. Look before thee; dost thou see this narrow* way ? that is the way thou must go. It was cast up by the patriarchs, prophets,

But

*Narrow-Christian, being admitted at the strait gate, is directed in the narrow way. In the broad road every man may choose a path suited to his inclinations, shift about to avoid difficulties, or accommodate himself to circumstances; and he will be sure of company agreeable to his taste. Christians must follow one another in the narrow way, along the same track, surmounting difficulties, facing enemies, and bearing hardships, without any room to evade them : nor is any indulgence given to different tastes, habits, or propensi ties. It is, therefore, a straitened, or, as some render the word, an afflicted way; being indeed an habitual course of repentance, faith, love, self-denial, patience, and mortification to sin and the world, according to the rule of the Holy Scriptures. Christ himself is the way, by which we come to the Father and walk with him; but true faith works by love, and sets us in the way of his steps' (Psalm lxxxv 13.) This path is also straight, as opposed to the crooked ways of wicked men (Psalm cxxv. 5;) for it consists in an uniform regard to piety, integrity, sincerity, and kindness at a distance from all the hypocrisies, frauds, and artifices by which ungodly men wind about, to avoid detection, keep up their credit, deceive others, or impose on themselves The question proposed by Christian implies, that believern are more afraid of missing the way, than encountering hard ships in it and Goodwill's answer, that many ways butted down on it, or opened into it, in various directions, shews,

Christ and his apostles, and it is as straight as a rule can make it: this is the way thou must go.

But, said Christian, are there no turnings nor windings, by which a stranger may lose his way

?

Good. Yes, there are many ways butt down upon this, and they are crooked and wide: but thus thou must distinguish the right from the wrong, the right only being strait and nar row (Matt. vii. 13, 14.)

Then I saw in my dream, that Christian asked him farther, if he could not help him off with the burthen that was upon his back : for as yet he had not got rid thereof, nor could he by any means get it off without help.

that the careless and self-willed are extremely liable to be deceived: but it follows, that all these ways are crooked and wide; they turn aside from the direct line of living faith and holy obedience, and are more soothing, indulgent, and pleasng to corrupt nature than the path of life; which lies straight forward, and is everywhere contrary to the bias of the carnal mind.

* Asked him'-A general reliance on the mercy of God by faith in Christ, accompanied with consciousness of sincerity in applying for this salvation, gives some encouragement to the convinced sinner's hope; and transient joys are often vouchsafed in a large proportion to unestablished believers: but more distinct views of the glory of the Gospel are necessary to abiding peace. The young convert's consolations resemble the breaking forth of the sun in a cloudy and tempestuous day; those of the experienced Christian, his more constant light in settled weather, which is not long togeth er interrupted, though it be sometimes dimmed by intervening clouds. Believers should not, therefore, rest in such tran sient glimpses, but press forward to more abiding peace and joy and, as Christ does not in general bestow this blessing on the unestablished, the endeavours of ministers to do so mus be vain.