hath this wicked man turned thee, to the bringing of thee almost to destruction; hate, therefore, his turning thee out of the way, and abhor thyself for hearkening to him.

Secondly, Thou must abhor his labouring to render the cross odious unto thee; for thou art to prefer it "before the treasures in Egypt." (Heb. xi. 25, 26.) Besides, the King of Glory hath told thee, that he that "will save his life shall lose it." (Mark viii. 35; John xii. 25; Matt. x. 39.) And, "He that cometh after me, and hateth not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke xiv. 26.) I say, therefore, for man to labour to persuade thee, that that shall be thy death, without which, THE TRUTH hath said, thou canst not have eternal life; this doctrine thou must abhor.

Thirdly, Thou must hate his setting of thy feet in the way that leadeth to the ministration of death. And for this thou must consider to whom he sent thee, and also how unable that person was to deliver thee from thy burden.

He to whom thou wast sent for ease, being by name Legality, is the son of the bond-woman which now is, and is in bondage with

The bond-woman. her children (Gal. iv. 21-27); and is, in a mystery, this

mount Sinai, which thou hast feared will fall on thy head. Now, if she, with her children, are in bondage, how canst thou expect by them to be made free? This Legality, therefore, is not able to set thee free from thy burden. No man was as yet ever rid of his burden by him; no, nor ever is like to be: ye cannot be justified by the works of the law; for by the deeds of the law no man living can be rid of his burden: therefore, Mr. Worldly Wiseman is an alien, and Mr. Legality is a cheat; and for his son Civility, notwithstanding his simpering looks, he is but a hypocrite, and cannot help thee. Believe me, there is nothing in all this noise that thou hast heard of these sottish men, but a design to beguile thee of thy salvation, by turning thee from the way in which I had set thee. After this, Evangelist called aloud to the heavens for confirmation of what he had said: and with that there came words and fire out of the mountain under which poor Christian stood, that made the hair of his flesh stand up. The words

were thus pronounced: "As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."21 (Gal. iii. 10.)

Now Christian looked for nothing but death, and began to cry out lamentably; even cursing the time in which he met with Mr. Worldly

Wiseman; still calling himself a thousand fools for hearkening to his counsel: he also was greatly ashamed to think that this gentleman's arguments, flowing only from the flesh, should have the prevalency with him as to cause him to forsake the right way. This done, he applied himself again to Evangelist in words and sense as follow:

CHR. Sir, what think you? Is there hope? May I now go back and go Christian in up to the wicket-gate? Shall I not be abandoned for this, quires if he may yet be happy. and sent back from thence ashamed? I am sorry I have hearkened to this man's counsel. But may my sin be forgiven?

perish from the way, when Then did Christian address had kissed him, gave him

EVAN. Then said Evangelist to him, Thy sin is very great, for by it thou hast committed two evils: thou hast forsaken the way that is good, to tread Evangelist com- in forbidden paths; yet will the man at the gate receive forts him. thee, for he has good-will for men; only, said he, take heed that thou turn not aside again, "lest thou his wrath is kindled but a little." (Psa. ii. 12.) himself to go back; and Evangelist, after he one smile, and bid him God-speed. So he went on with haste, neither spake he to any man by the way; nor, if any asked him, would he vouchsafe them an answer. He went like one that was all the while treading on forbidden ground, and could by no means think himself safe, till again he was got into the way which he left, to follow Mr. Worldly Wiseman's counsel. So, in process of time, Christian got up to the gate. Now over the gate there was written, "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matt. vii. 8.)

He knocked, therefore, more than once or twice, saying—

"May I now enter here; Will he within

Open to sorry me, though I have been

An undeserving rebel? Then shall I

Not fail to sing his lasting praise on high."

At last there came a grave person to the gate, named Good-will, who asked who was there? and whence he came? and what he would have? 22

CHR. Here is a poor burdened sinner. I come from the City of Destruction, but am going to Mount Zion, that I may be delivered from the wrath to come. I would, therefore, Sir, since I am informed that by this gate is the way thither, know if you are willing to let me in!

The gate will be opened to broken-hearted

sinners.

GOOD-WILL 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 Satan envies castle, of which Beelzebub is the captain; from thence, both the strait gate.

those that enter

he and them that are with him shoot arrows at those that come up to this gate, if haply they may die before they can enter in.23

Christian en- Then said Christian, I rejoice and tremble.

So when

tered the gate he was got in, the man of the gate asked him who directed with joy and trembling.

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-WILL. An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it. CHR. Now I begin to reap the benefits of my hazards. GOOD-WILL. But how is it that you came alone?

Talk between Good-will and Christian.

as I saw mine.

GOOD-WILL.

CHR. Because none of my neighbours saw their danger

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-WILL. 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.

A

GOOD-WILL. But why did he not come through?

CHR. We, indeed, came both together, until we came at the Slough

when he sets out

man may of Despond, into the which we also suddenly fell. And have company then was my neighbour, Pliable, discouraged, and would for heaven, and not adventure further. 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.

yet go thither alone.

GOOD-WILL. Then said Good-will, Alas, poor man! is the celestial glory of so small esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazards of a few difficulties to obtain it?