How Chriftiana is entertained at the Gate. Chriftiana's Friend Chriftiana answered, We are come from whence Chriftian did come, come, and upon the fame Errand as he; to wit, to be, if it shall please you, graciously admitted, by this Gate, into the Way that leads unto the Coeleftial City. And I anfwer, my Lord, in the next Place, that I am Chriftiana, once the Wife of Chriftian, that now is gotten above. With that the Keeper of the Gate did marvel, faying, What is the now become a Pilgrim, that but a while ago abhorred that Life? Then the bowed her Head, and faid, Yea, and fo are these my sweet Babes alfo. Then he took her by the Hand, and let her in, and faid alfo, Suffer the little Children to come unto me; and with that he fhut up the Gate. This done, he called to a Trumpeter that was above, over the Gate, to entertain Chriftiana with Shouting, and Sound of Trumpet, for Joy. So he obeyed and founded, and filled the Air with his melodious Notes. Now all this while poor Mercy did stand without, trembling and crying, for fear that he was rejected. But when Chriftiana had gotten admittance for herself and her Boys, then she began to make Interceffion for Mercy. Chrift. And the faid, My Lord, I have Prayer for her a Companion of mine that ftands yet without, that is come hither upon the fame Account as myfelf: One that is much dejected in her Mind, for that he comes, as the thinks, without fending for, where Mercy. as I was fent to by my Husband's King to come. Now Mercy began to be very impatient, The Delays and each Minute was as long to her as an make the bunHour; wherefore the prevented Chriftiana gring Soul the from a fuller Interceding for her, by knock-ferventer. ing at the Gate herfelf. And the knocked then fo loud, that she made Chriftiana to ftart. Then faid the Keeper of the Gate, Who is there? And Chriftiana faid, It is my Friend. So he opened the Gate and looked out, but Mercy was fallen down without in a Mercy faints, Swoon, for fhe fainted, and was afraid that no Gate would be opened to her. Then he took her by the Hand, and faid, Damfel, I bid thee arife. O, Sir, faid fhe, I am faint; there is fearce Life left in me. But he anfwered that one faid, When my Soul fainted within Jonah 2. 7. me, I remembered the Lord, and my Prayer came unto thee, into thy boly Temple. Fear not but stand upon thy Feet, and tell me wherefore thou art come. Mercy. I am come for that unto which The Cause of I was never invited, as my Friend Chri- her Fainting. ftiana was. Hers was from the King, and mine was but from her. Wherefore I prefume. Did she defire thee to come with her to this Place? Mercy. Yes; and as my Lord fees, I am come. And if there is any Grace or Forgiveness of Sins to fpare, I befeech that thy poor Hand-maid may be Partaker thereof. Then Mark this. Song 1. 2. Chrift cruci fied jeen afar off. Then he took her again by the Hand, and led her gently in, and faid, I pray for all them that believe on me, by what Means foever they come unto me. Then faid he to those that stood by, fetch fomething and give it Mercy to smell on, thereby to stay her Faintings: So they fetched her a Bundle of Myrrh; a while after, fhe was revived. And now was Chriftiana and her Boys, and Mercy, received of the Lord at the Head of the Way, and spoke kindly unto by him. Then faid they yet farther unto him, We are forry for our Sins, and beg of our Lord his Pardon, and farther Information what we must do. I grant Pardon, faid he, by Word and Deed; by Word, in the Promife of Forgiveness; by Deed, in the Way I obtained it. Take the first from my Lips with a Kifs, and the other as it shall be revealed. Now I faw in my Dream, that he spake many good Words unto them, whereby they were greatly gladded. He also had them up to the Top of the Gate, and fhewed them by what Deed they were faved; and told them withal, That that Sight they would have again as they went along in the Way, to their Comfort. So he left them a while in a Summer Parlour below, where they entered into Talk between Talk by themselves; and thus Chriftiana the Chriftians. began: O Lord! how glad am I, that we are got in hither! Merty. So you well may; but I of all have Cause to leap for you. Chrift. Chrift. I thought one Time as I ftood at the Gate (becaufe I had knocked and none did anfwer) that all our Labour had been loft, especially when that ugly Cur made fuch a heavy Barking at us. Mercy, But my worft Fear was, after I faw that you was taken into his Favour, and that I was left behind: Now, thought I, it is fulfilled which is written; Two Matt. 24. 41. Women fhall be grinding together, the one fhall be taken, and the other left. I had much ado to forbear crying out, Undone ! And afraid I was to knock any more; but when I looked up to what was written over the Gate, I took Courage. I alfo thought that I muft either knock again, or die: So I knocked, but I cannot tell Part I. p. 23. how; for my Spirit now ftruggled between Life and Death. Chrift. Can you not tell how you knock- Chriftian ed? I am fure your Knocks were fo ear- thinks ber neft, that the very found made me start; Companion I thought I never heard fuch Knocking in than fhe. prays better all my Life; I thought you would come Matt. 11. 12. in by a violent Hand, or take the Kingdom by Storm. Mercy. Alas! to be in my Cafe, who that fo was, could but have done fo? You faw that the Door was fhut upon me, and that there was a most cruel Dog. thereabout. Who, I fay, that was fo fainthearted as I, would not have knocked with all their Might? But pray, What faid Lord unto my Rudeness? Was he not angry with me? Christ. When he heard your Noife, he gave a wonderful my lumbering Chrift pleafed innocent with loud and reftless Prayer. Smile : The Children are afraid of the Dog. Smile: I believe what you did, pleased him well, for he fhewed no Sign to the contrary. But I marvel in my Heart why he keeps fuch a Dog; had I known that before, I fhould not have had Heart enough to have ventured myself in this Manner. But now we are in, we are in, and I am glad with all my Heart. Mercy. I will afk, if you please, next Time he comes down, why he keeps fuch a filthy Cur in his Yard; I hope he will not take it amifs. Do fo, faid the Children, and perfuade him to hang him, for we are afraid he will bite us when we go hence. So at laft he came down to them again, and Mercy fell to the Ground on her Face before him, and worshipped, and said, Let my Lord accept the Sacrifice of Praife which I now offer unto him with the Calves of my Lips. So he faid unto her, Peace be to thee, fand up. But the continued upon her Face, Jer. 12. 1, 2. and faid, Righteous art thou, O Lord, when Mercy expo- I plead with thee, let me talk with thee of thy Rulates about Judgments: Wherefore doft thou keep fo cruel "the Dog⋅ Devil. a Dog in thy Yard, at the Sight of which, fuck Women and Children, as we, are ready to fly from the Gate for Fear? He anfwered and said, That Dog has another Owner; be alfo is kept close in another Man's Ground, only my Pilgrims bear bis Barking: He belongs to the Caftle which you Part I. p. 31. fee there at a Difence, but can come up to the Walls of this Place. He has frighted many an hon Pilgrim from Worfe to Better, by the great Voice of bis Roaring. Indeed, ke |