wrath is kindled but a little. Then did Chriftian addrefs himself to go back, and Evangelift, after he had kiffed him, gave him one fmile, and bid him good speed: So he went on with hafte neither fpake to any man by the way; nor, if they asked him, would he vouchfafe them an anfwer. He went like one that was all the while treading on forbidden ground, and could by no means think himself fafe, till again he was got into the way which he left to follow Mr. Worldly-Wifeman's counfel: So, in process of time, Chriftian got up to the gate. Now, over the gate there was written, § Knock and it shall be openHe knocked therefore more than Matt. 7. 8. ed unto you. once or twice, faying, May I now enter bere? Will he within An undeferving rebel? Then fall I Not fail to fing bis lafting praises on high. At laft there came a grave perfon to the gate, named Good-will, who afked, Who was there? And whence he came, and what he would have? The be Chr. Here is a poor burdened finner: I come from the city of Deltruction, but am going to Mount Zion, that I may be delivered from the wrath to come: I would therefore, Sir, ince I am informed that by this gate is the way thither, know if you are willing to let me in. gate will Good. I am willing with all my heart, faid open to bro- he; and with that he opened the gate. ken-hearted So when Chriftian was ftepping in, the other finners. gave him a pull: Then faid Chriftian what means that? The other told him, A little diftance from this gate there is erected a strong caftie, of which Belzebub is the captain; from thence both he, Satan envies and them that are with him, fhoot arrows at thofe that en- those that come up to the gate, if haply they ter the ftrait may die before they can enter in. Then, faid gate.. Chriftian, I rejoice and tremble. So when he was got in, the man of the ga e afked him, Who Chriftian en directed him thither ? terd the gate Chr. Evangelift bid me come hither and with joy and knock (as I did); and he faid, that you, Sir, would tell me what I must do. trembling. Goods Talk between Good. An open door is before thee, and no man can fhut it. He that would enter in, must first without, Stand knocking at the gate, nor need he doubt, For God can love him and forgive his fin, Good will Chriftian. Chr. Now I begin to reap the benefits of my hazards. Good. But how is it that you come alone? Chr. Because none of my neighbours faw their danger as I faw mine. Good. Did any of them know of your coming? Chr. Yes, my wife and children faw me at the first, and called after me to turn again; alfo fome of my neighbours flood crying, and calling after me to return, but I put my fingers in my ears, and fo came on my way. Good. But did none of them follow you, to perfuade you to go back? Chr. Yes, both Obftinate and Pliable. But when they faw they could not prevail, Obftinate 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 to the flough of Defpond, into which we alfo fuddenly fell; and then was my neighbour Pliable difcouraged, and would not adventure any farther; wherefore getting man may out again, on that fide next to his own house, have company he told me I fhould poffefs the brave country awhen he fets lone for him; fo he went his way, and I came out for heaven. mine; he after Obftinate, and I to this gate. Good. Then faid Good-will, Alas, poor man! is the celeftial glory of fo ímall efteem with him, that he counted it not worth running the hazard of a few difficulties to obtain it? Chr. Truly, faid Chriftian, I have said the Chriftian ac- truth of Pliable; and if I fhould alfo fay all the cufet himself truth of myself, it will appear there is no difbefore the man ference betwixt him and my felf. 'Tis true, he at the gate. went back to his own houfe but I alfo turned afide to go in the way of death, being perfuaded thereto by the carnal arguments of one Mr. WorldlyWiseman. Good. Oh, did he light upon you! What, he would have had you feek for eafe 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 durft; I went to find out Mr. Legality, until I thought that the mountain that stands by his houfe houfe would have fallen upon my head; wherefore then I was forced to stop.. Good. That mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more; 'tis well you escaped being dafhed in pieces by it. Chr. Why, truly, I do not know what had become of me there, had not Evangelift happily met me again, as £ was mufing in the midt of my dumps but it was God's mercy that he came to me again, for elfe Lhad never come hither: But now I am come, fuch a 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! Chriftian is comforted again. John 6. 37. Chriftian directed his Good. We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they have done before they came hither, they in no wife are caft out; and therefore, good Christian, come a little way with me, and I will teach thee about the way thou must go. Look before thee; doft thou fee this narrow way? THAT is the way thou must go It was caft up by the patriarch's, prophets, Chrift and his Apoftles, and it is as traight as a rule can make it: This is the way thou must go. Chr. But faid Chriftian, are there no turn sway ings nor windings, by which a stranger may Chriftian alofe his way? fraid of lofing Good. Yes, there are many ways BUTT down his way. upon this, and they are crooked and wide: Bat thus thou mayeft diftinguish the right Matt. 7. 14 from the wrong; the right only being trait and narrow, Then I faw in my dream, that Christian asked him farther, if he could help him off with that bur den that was upon his back; for as yet he had Chriftian weary of his burden. He told him, as to thy burden, be content to bear it until thou comelt unto the place of There is no dedeliverance; for there it will fall from thy liverance back of itself from fin but by Then Christian began to gird up his loins, the death and and to address himself to his journey. So the blood of brist. other other told him, that by that he was gone fome diftance from the gate, he would come to the houfe of the Interpreter, at whole door he fhould knock, and he would fhew him excellent things. Then Chriftian took his leave of his friend, and he again bid him good speed. Chriftian com- Then he went on till he came to the house of eth to the house the Interpreter, where he knocked over and of the Inter- over; at laft one came to the door, and asked, preter. Who was there? Chr. Sir, here is a traveller, who was bid by an acquaintance of the good-man of this houfe to call here for my profit; I would therefore fpeak with the master of the houfe: So he called for the mafter of the house, who, after a little time, came to Chriftian, and asked him, What he would have? Sir, faid Chriftian, I am a man that came from the City of Delbuction, and am going to the Mount Zion, and I was told by the man that fancs at the gate at the head of this way, that if I called here you would shew me excellent things, fuch as would be an help to me in my journey. Inter. Then faid the Interpreter, Come in, He is entertain. I will fhew thee that which will be profitable ed. to thee. Illumination. the grave picture. So he commanded his man to light the candle, and bid Christian follow him; fo he had him into a private room, and bid his man open a door; the which when he had done, Chriftian faw Chriftian fees the picture of a very grave perfon hang up against the wall; and this was the fashion of it; It had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in its hand, the law of truth was writThe fashion of ten upon its lips, the world was behind its the picture. its back; it flood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over its head. Chr. Then faid Chriftian, What meaneth this? Int. The man whofe picture this is, is one of a thousand; he can beget children, travel in birth with children, and nurfe them himfeif when they are born. And 1 Cor. 4. 15. whereas thou feelt him with his eyes lifted up Gal 4 19. to heaven, the best of books in his hand, and the law of truth written on his lips: It is to Thew thee, that his work is to know, and unfold dark |