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 faid, that you, Sir, would tell me what I muft 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 first, and called after me to turn again: alfo some of my neighbours stood 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 saw 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 far ther. But happy the believer, who has been favingly brought to Chrift, who openeth and no man fhutteth, and fhutteth, and no man openeth. This is fpoken as a word of comfort to Chriftian, after he has gained admiffion, and in confequence of which he talks freely with Goodwill; fpeaks particularly of the manner of his fetting out, and the dangers that had befallen him in the way. He fet out with company, but he. reaches the gate alone. Many perfons feem willing to join the believer in the way to glory, but alas! awful, and almost ther. Wherefore, getting out again on that fide next to his own house, he told me, I should poffefs the brave country alone for him: fo he went his and I came mine; he after Obftinate, and I to this gate. way, Good. Then faid Goodwill, Alas, poor man, is the cœleftial 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, faid Chriftian, I have faid the truth of Pliable, and if I should also say all the truth of myself, it will appear there is no difference betwixt him and myself. 'Tis 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 ? Chr. Yes, as far as I durft: 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 ftop. Good. That mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more: 'tis well you escaped being dashed in pieces by it. Chr. Why, truly, I do not know what had become of me there, had not Evangelift happily met me daily experience, affords melancholy proof of the ftill remaining corruptions of their hearts, and that they never were favingly converted to God, or truly in earnest about the falvation of their fouls. Their tempers are very far from that of Chriftian, who accuseth himself to Goodwill, of the wickedness of his heart in giving heed to lying vanities; and when through the goodness of God he is brought to the gate, he does not dare me again as I was mufing in the midst of my dumps: but it was God's mercy, that he came to me again, for elfe 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! vi. Goodwill. We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they have done before they came hither. They in no wife are caft out, John 37. and therefore, good Chriftian, come a little way with me, and I will teach thee about the way thou must go. Look before thee; doft 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 butt down upon this; and they are crooked and wide: but thus thou mayft diftinguish the right from the wrong; the right only being straight and narrow, Matt. vii. 14: Then I faw in my dream, That Chriftian asked him farther, if he could not help him off with the burden that was upon his back; for as yet he had dare to prefume on his mercy. He ftill wants comfort, and direction to go on his way, and humbly afks it of Good-will, who affures him, as from the veracity of God, that all who come unto him, he will in no wife caft out, John vi. 37. That the way, the only way in which he muft walk to glory, is marked out by the adorable Immanuel himself, in the bleffed book of God. Language like this, was suited to the wishes of Chriftian's heart, and makes him defirous to know by what means he may get rid of the burden of his fins. He is directed to the Lamb, by whofe precious blood-fhedding alone he can be redeemed from the curfe of the law, and find deli verance from the guilt and burden of his fins. |