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Christian Comforted.

gan 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 that 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 up to the Wicketgate? Shall I not be abandoned for this, and sent back from thence ashamed? I am sorry I have hearkened to this man's But may my sin be forgiven?

Christian inquires if he may yet be happy.

counsel.

Evangelist comforts 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 in forbidden paths. Yet will the man at the gate receive thee, for he has good-will for men; only, said he, take heed that thou turn not aside again, "lest thou perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little" (Ps. ii. 12). Then did Christian address himself to go back; and Evangelist, after he had kissed him, gave him 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. 7).

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

At the Gate.

May I now enter here? Will he within
Open to sorry me, though I have been
An undeserving rebel? Then shail I
Not fail to sing his lasting praise on high.

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At last there came a grave person to the gate, named

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Good-will, who asked who was there? and whence he came? and what he would have?

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.

Good-will. I am willing with all my heart, said he; and with that he opened the gate.

The gate will be opened to broken-hearted sinners.

So when Christian was stepping in, the other gave

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Satan envies those that enter the strait gate.

An Open Door.

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.

Christian entered the gate with joy and trembling.

Talk between Good-will and Christian.

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-w. 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-w. But how is it that ye came alone?

Chr. Because none of my neighbours saw their danger, as I saw mine.

Good-w. 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-w. 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-w. But why did he not come through?

A man may have company when he sets out for heaven, and yet go thither alone.

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 venture further. Wherefore, getting out again, on that side next

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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.

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

Christian accuseth himself before the man at the gate.

Chr. 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 betterment betwixt him and myself. It is true, he went back to his own house, but I also turned aside to go in the way of death, being persuaded thereto by the carnal arguments of one Mr. Worldly Wiseman.

Good-w. Oh! did he light upon you? What! he would have had you a-sought for ease at the hands of Mr. Legality! They are both of them a very cheat. 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-w. That mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more; it is well you escaped being by it 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, such 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!

Good-w. We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they have done before they came

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hither. They are

Christian comforted a.

gain.

A Narrow Way.

"in no wise 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, Christ, and his apostles; and it is as straight as a This is the way thou must go.

Christian directed yet on his way.

rule can make it.

Christian afraid of losing his way.

Chr. But, said Christian, are there no turnings, or windings, by which a stranger may lose his way?

Good-w. Yes, there are many ways butt down upon this, and they are crooked and wide. But thus thou mayest distinguish the right from the wrong, the right only being straight and narrow (Matt. vii. 14).

Christian weary of his burden.

Then I saw in my dream, that Christian asked him further if he could not help him off with his burden 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.

There is no deliverance from the guilt and burden of sin, but by the death and blood of Christ.

He told him, As to thy burden, be content to bear it, until thou comest to the place of deliverance; for there it will fall from thy back of itself.

Then Christian began to gird up his loins, and to address himself to his journey. So the other told him, that by that he was gone some distance from the gate, he would come at the house of the Interpreter, at whose door he should knock, and he would show him excellent things. Then Christian took his leave of his friend, and he again bid him God-speed.

Christian comes to the house of the Interpreter.

Then he went on till he came to the house of the Interpreter, where he knocked over and over. At last one came to the door, and asked who was there.

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