He that would enter in, muft firft without
Stand knocking at the gate; nor need he doubt
That is a knocker, but to enter in,

For God can love him, and forgive his fine

Part I. rows at thofe that come up to this gate, if haply they may die before they can enter in.

Then faid Chriftian, I rejoice and tremble. So when he was got in, the man of the gate afked him who directed him thither.

Chr. Evangelift 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 fhut it.

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

Good. But how is it that you came 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 firft; and called after me to turn again: alfo fome of my neighbours ftood 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 that 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 the which we alfo fuddenly fell: and then was my neighbour Pliable difcouraged, and would not adventure farther. Wherefore, getting ut again, on that fide next to his own houfe, he told me, I

fhould poffefs the brave country alone for him. So he went his way, and I came mine: He after TeObftinate, and I to this gate.

Good. Then faid Goodwill, Alas, poor man! is the celeftial glory of so small efteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazard of a few difficulties to obtain it? Chr. Truly, faid Christian, I have faid the truth of Pliable, and if I fhould also say all the truth of myfelf, it will appear

Chriftian ac

cufeth himthe man at. Self before the gate.

there is little difference betwixt him and myself. It is true, he went back to his own house, but I also turned afide to go in the way of death, being perfuaded thereto by the carnal argument of one Mr. Worldly Wifeman.

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

to Chr. Yes, as far as I durft: I went to find out Mr Legality, until I thought that the moun tain that ftands by his house would have fallen upon my head: Wherefore there I was forced to ftop.

Good. That mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more: it is well you efcaped being dashed to pieces by it. Chr. Why, truly, I do not know what had become of me there, had not Evangelift happily met me again, as I was mufing in the midst of my dumps: but it was God's mercy that he came to me again, or else I had 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 ftand talking with my Lord. But oh! what a favour is this to me, that yet I am admitted entrance here!

Chriftian is comforted again.

Good. We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they have done before they come hither. They in no wife are

way

me,

go.

caft out, John vi. 37. and therefore, good Chriftian come a little with and I will teach thee about the thou must way Look before thee? dost thou fee this narrow way? that is the way thou must go: it was caft up by the patriarchs, prophets, Chrift, and his apoftles; and it is as ftraight as a rule can make it: this is the way thou must go.

Chr. But, faid Chriftian, are there no turnings nor windings, by which a stranger may lofe his way?

Good. Yes, there are many ways, but down upon this; and they are crooked and wide: but thus thou mayeft diftinguish the right from the wrong, the right only being straight and narrow Mat. vii. 14.

Then I faw in my dream, that Christian afked him further, If he could not help him off with the burden that was upon his back? for as ye he had not got rid thereof, nor could he by any means get it off without help.

He told him, As to thy burden, be content to bear it, until thou comeft to the Place of Deli verance; for there it will fall from thy back o itfelf

Then Chriftian began to gird up his loins and to addrefs himself to his journey. So the other told him, That by that he was got some distance from the gate, he would come at the house of the Interpreter, at whofe door he should knock, and he would fhew him excellent things. Then Christian took leave of his friend, and he again bid him God speed."

Then he went on till he came at the house of the Interpreter, where he knocked over and over; at last one came to the door, and afked, Who was there?

Chr. Sir, here is a traveller, who was bid by an acquaintance of the goodman of this houfe, to call here for my profit; I would therefore fpeak with the mafter of the house. So he called for the mafter of the house, who, after a little time, came to Christian, and asked him what he would have?

Chr. Sir, faid Chriftian, I am the man that am come from the city of Destruction, and am going to Mount Sion; and I was told by the man that ftands at the gate, at the head of this way, that if I called here, you would fhew me excellent things, fuch as would be a help to me in my journey.

Inter. Then faid the Interpreter, Come in; I will fhew thee that which will be profitable to thee. So he commanded his man

to light the candle, and bid Chrif

Illumination.

tian 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 the picture of a very grave perfon hung up against the wall: