THE GATE OF THE CELESTIAL CITY.

147 was said by the other two shining ones, These are the men that have loved our Lord, when they were in the world, and that have left all for his holy name; and he hath sent us to fetch them, and we have brought them thus far on their desired journey, that they may go in and look their Redeemer in the face with joy. Then the heavenly host gave a great shout, saying, "Blessed are they that are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb," Rev. xix. 9. There came out also at this time to meet them several of the King's trumpeters, clothed in white and shining raiment, who with melodious noises and loud made even the heavens to echo with their sound. Those trumpeters saluted Christian and his fellow with ten thousand welcomes from the world; and this they did with shouting and sound of trumpet.

This done, they compassed them round on every side; some went before, some behind, and some on the right hand, some on the left (as it were to guard them through the upper regions), continually sounding as they went, with melodious noise, in notes on high: so that the very sight was to them that could behold it as if heaven itself was come down to meet them. Thus therefore they walked on together; and, as they walked, ever and anon these trumpeters, even with joyful sound, would, by mixing their music with looks and gestures, still signify to Christian and his brother how welcome they were into their company, and with what gladness they came to meet them. And now were these two men, as it were, in heaven, before they came at it, being swallowed up with the sight of angels, and with hearing of their melodious notes. Here also they had the City itself in view; and thought they heard all the bells therein to ring, to welcome them thereto. But, above all, the warm and joyful thoughts that they had about their own dwelling there with such company, and that for ever and ever, oh, by what tongue or pen can their glorious joy be expressed! -Thus they came up to the gate.

Now when they were come up to the gate, there was written over it in letters of gold, "BLESSED ARE THEY THAT DO HIS COMMANDMENTS,

THAT THEY MAY HAVE RIGHT TO THE TREE OF LIFE, AND MAY ENTER IN THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY," Rev. xxii. 14.

Then I saw in my dream that the shining men bid them call at the gate: the which when they did, some from above looked over the gate, to wit, Enoch, Moses, and Elijah, &c., to whom it was said, These pilgrims are come from the City of Destruction, for the love that they bear to the King of this place; and then the pilgrims gave in unto them each man his certificate, which they had received in the beginning; those therefore were carried in to the King, who, when he had read them, said, Where are the men? To whom it was answered, They are standing without the gate. The king then commanded to open the gate, "That the righteous nation (said he) that keepeth truth may enter in," Isa. xxvi. 2.

Now I saw in my dream that these two men went in at the gate (a):

(a) Heaven.-Augustine writes, "When shall I see that city, whose streets are paved with pure gold, in which shall be sung the song of gladness, and through all the streets of which the hallelujah shall be uttered by all. Ő! holy city! O! beautiful

148

THE PILGRIMS ENTER THE CELESTIAL CITY.

and, lo! as they entered, they were transfigured; and they had raiment put on that shone like gold. There were also that met them with harps and crowns, and gave them to them; the harps to praise withal, and the crowns in token of honour. Then I heard in my dream that all the bells in the city rang again for joy, and that it was said unto them, "Enter ye into the joy of our Lord," Matt. xxv. 23. I also heard the men themselves say that they sang with a loud voice, saying, "Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever, Rev. v. 13.

Now, just as the gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them, and behold, the City shone like the sun; the streets also were paved with gold; and in them walked many men, with crowns on their heads, palms in their hands, and golden harps, to sing praises withal.

city! From afar I salute thee, I cry for thee, I long to see thee, and to rest in thee. O! city to be longed for! Thy walls are gems, thy keeper God himself. Thy citizens always rejoicing, for they exult in the vision of God. In thee there is no corruptibility nor defect, no old age; no anger, but perennial peace and festal glory; joy everlasting, festival unbroken. In thee there is no yesterday nor to-morrow, but an unchanging to-day. To thee belong salvation, life, and endless peace. To thee God is all. In thee is no fear, nor sadness; each desire passes at once into joy; all that is wished for is at hand, and all that is longed for, abounds."

THE AWFUL END OF IGNORANCE.

149 There were also of them that had wings, and they answered one another without intermission, saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord! And after that they shut up the gates; which when I had seen, I wished myself among them.

Now, while I was gazing upon all these things, I turned my head to look back, and saw Ignorance come up to the river side; but he soon got over, and that without half the difficulty

Ignorance comes

which the other two men met with. For it happened up to the river. that there was in the place one Vain-hope, a ferryman, that with his boat helped him over; so he, as the others I saw, did

Vain Hope does

ascend the hill, to come up to the gate; only he came ferry him over. alone; neither did any man meet him with the least encouragement. When he was come up to the gate, he looked up to the writing that was above, and then began to knock, supposing that entrance should have been quickly administered to him; but he was asked by the men that looked over the top of the gate, Whence came you? and what would you have? He answered, I have ate and drank in the presence of the King, and he has taught in our streets. Then they asked him for his certificate, that they might go in and show it to the King : so he fumbled in his bosom for one, and found none. Then said they, Have you none? but the man answered never a word. So they told the King, but he would not come down to see him, but commanded the two shining ones, that conducted Christian and Hopeful to the City, to go out and take Ignorance, and bind him hand and foot, and have him away (b). Then they took him up, and carried him through the air, to the door that I saw in the side of the hill, and put him in there. Then I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of heaven, as well as from the City of Destruction. So I awoke, and behold it was a dream.

(b) Ignorance.-"There is no entrance," writes Adam," to the city but by the gates; no passage to glory but by grace. The wall of the city is said to be great and high, Rev. xxi. 13. High, no climbing over; great, no breaking through. Therefore, through the gates, or no way. Corruption doth not inherit incorruption. This corrupted man must be regenerate, that he may be saved; must be sanctified, that he may be glorified. Some trust to open these gates with golden keys; but bribery is rather a key to unlock the gates of hell. Others have dreamed of no other gate but their own righteousness; poor souls, they cannot find the gate, because they stand in their own light. Others think to pass through the gates of other men's merits; as well one bird may fly with another bird's wings. Only grace is the gate. Heaven is a glorious place, and, therefore, reserved for gracious men. To the spirits of just men made perfect, must be admitted none, save they that are justified. If you will not pass through the gates of holiness in this life, you must not enter the city of happiness in the life to come. How great is that blessedness where there shall be no evil present, no good absent. Pass through the gate of grace a holy and sanctified life, and you shall not fail of the city of glory; whither once entered you shall sing as we have heard, so have we seen in the city of our God."

CONCLUSION.

Now, reader, I have told my dream to thee,
See if thou canst interpret it to me.

Or to thyself, or neighbour; but take heed
Of misinterpreting, for that, instead
Of doing good, will but thyself abuse:

By misinterpreting, evil ensues.

Take heed also that thou be not extreme

In playing with the outside of my dream;
Nor let my figure or similitude

Put thee into a laughter, or a feud;

Leave this for boys and fools; but as for thee,

Do thou the substance of my matter see.
Put by the curtains, look within my vail,
Turn up my metaphors, and do not fail,
There, if thou seest them, such things to find
As will be helpful to an honest mind.
What of my dross thou findest there, be bold
To throw away, but yet preserve the gold.
What if my gold be wrapped up in ore?
None throws away the apple for the core.
But if thou shalt cast all away as vain,
I know not but 'twill make me dream again.

The Author's Way

OF SENDING FORTH HIS

SECOND PART OF THE PILGRIM.

Go now, my little Book, to every place
Where my first Pilgrim has but shown his face:
Call at their door; if any say, Who's there?
Then answer thou, Christiana is here.

If they bid thee come in, then enter thou,

With all thy boys; and then, as thou know'st how,
Tell who they are, also from whence they came:
Perhaps they 'll know them by their looks or name:
But if they should not, ask them yet again,

If formerly they did not entertain

One Christian, à Pilgrim? If they say

They did, and were delighted in his way;

Then let them know, that these related were

Unto him; yea, his wife and children are.

Tell them that they have left their house and home, Are turned Pilgrims; seek a world to come:

That they have met with hardships in the way:
That they do meet with troubles night and day:
That they have trod on serpents, fought with devils;
Have also overcome a many evils:

Yea, tell them also of the next who have,
Of love to pilgrimage, been stout and brave
Defenders of that way; and how they still
Refuse this world, to do their Father's will.

Go tell them also of those dainty things
That Pilgrimage unto the Pilgrim brings.
Let them acquainted be, too, how they are
Beloved of their King, under his care;

What goodly mansions he for them provides,

Though they meet with rough winds and swelling tides;

How brave a calm they will enjoy at last,

Who to their Lord and by his ways hold fast.

Perhaps with heart and hand they will embrace

Thee as they did my firstling, and will grace

Thee and thy fellows with good cheer and fare,
As show well, they of Pilgrims lovers are.

OBJECTION I

But how if they will not believe of me
That I am truly thine? 'cause some there be
That counterfeit the Pilgrim and his name,
Seek, by disguise, to seem the very same;

And by that means have brought themselves into
The hands and houses of I know not who.

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