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I am sorry I have hearkened to this man's counsel; but may my sin be forgiven?

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, 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, sayingMay I now enter here? Will he within Open to sorry me, though I have been An undeserving rebel? Then shall I

if

Not fail to sing his lasting praise on high.

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

Goodwill. 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

The other

a pull. Then said Christian, What means that? 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 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. 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. Goodw. An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it.

Chr. Now I begin to reap the benefits of my hazards. Goodw. But how is it that you came alone?

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

Goodw. 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,

Goodw. 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.

Goodw. But why did he not come through?

Chr. We indeed came both together, until we came to the Slough of Despond, into the which we also suddenly

He that will enter in must first 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 sin.

fell; and then was my neighbour Pliable discouraged, and would 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.

Goodw. Then said Goodwill, Alas, poor man! is the celestial glory of so small esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazard of a few difficulties to obtain it?

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. 'Tis 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.

Goodw. Oh, did he light upon you? What, he would have had you seek 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.

Goodw. That mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more; 'tis 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!

Goodw. We make no objections. against any, notwithstanding all that they have done before they come hither. They in no wise are 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 rule can make it. This is the way thou must go.

Chr. But, said Christian, are there no turnings nor windings by which a stranger may lose his way?

Goodw. 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 strait and narrow (Matt. vii. 14).

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.

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 to 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.

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?

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

Chr. Sir, said Christian, I am a man that am come from the city of Destruction, and am going to the Mount Zion; and I was told by the man that stands at the gate at the head of this way, that if I called here, you would show me excellent things, such as would be a help to me in my journey.

Inter. Then said the Interpreter, Come in; I will show thee that which will be profitable to thee. So he commanded his man to light the candle, and bid Christian follow him. So he had him into a private room, and bid his man open a door; the which when he had done, Christian saw the picture of a very grave person hang up against the wall; and this was the fashion of it: It had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the law of truth was written upon his lips, the world was behind his back; it stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over its head.

Chr. Then said Christian, What means this?

Inter. The man whose picture this is, is one of a thousand. He can beget children, travail in birth with children, and nurse them himself when they are born (1 Cor. iv. 15; Gal. iv. 19). And whereas thou seest him with eyes lift up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, and the law of truth writ on his lips, it is to show thee, that his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners; even as also thou seest him stand as if he pleaded with men; and whereas thou seest the world as cast behind him, and that a crown hangs over his head, that is to show thee, that,

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