cannot help thee. Believe me, there is nothing in all this noise, that thou hast heard of these sottish men, but a design to beguile thee of thy salvation, by turning thee from the way in which I had set thee. After this, Evangelist called aloud to the heavens for confirmation of what he had said: and with that there came words and fire out of the mountain under which poor Christian stood, that made the hair of his flesh stand up. The words were thus pronounced: As many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.1 Gal. iii. 10.

Now Christian looked for nothing but death, and began to cry out lamentably; even cursing the time in which he met with Mr. Worldly-wiseman; still calling himself a thousand fools for hearkening to his counsel: he also was greatly ashamed to think that this gentleman's arguments, flowing only from the flesh, should have the prevalency with him as to cause him to forsake the right way. This done, he applied himself again to Evangelist, in words and sense as follows:CHR. Sir, what think you? Is there hope? Christian in May I now go back, and go up to the may yet be wicket-gate? Shall I not be abandoned for this, and sent back from thence ashamed? I am sorry I have hearkened to this man's counsel. But may my sin be forgiven?

quires if he

happy.

Ps. ii. 12.

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 Evangelist com- in forbidden paths; yet will the man forts him. 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.' 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, if 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.' Mat. vii. 8.

1 Legality is as great an enemy to the cross of Christ as licentiousness; for it keeps the soul from coming to, believing in, and trusting wholly to the blood of Christ for pardon, and the righteousness of Christ for justification! so that it keeps the soul in bondage, and swells the mind with pride, while licentiousness brings a scandal on the cross.- -(Mason.)

He knocked, therefore, more than once or twice, saying

'May I now enter here? Will he within

Open to sorry me, though I have been
An undeserving rebel? Then shall I

Not fail to sing his lasting praise on high.'

At last there came a grave person to the gate, named Good-will, 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!

GOOD-WILL. I am willing with all The gate will be opened to my heart, said he; and with that he broken hearted opened the gate.3 sinners.

So when Christian was stepping in, the other gave him a pull. Then said Christian, What means that? The other told him. A little distance from this gate, there is erected a strong castle, of which Beelzebub is the Satan envies 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.*

those that enter the strait gate.

Then said Christian, I rejoice and tremble. So when he was got in, the man of the gate asked him who directed him

Christian

en

tered the gate with joy and trembling.

thither? CHR. Evangelist bid me come hither, and knock

nally, but mystically. This gate is wide enough for all the 2 The straitness of this gate is not to be understood cartruly sincere lovers of Jesus Christ, but so strait that it will keep all others out. The gate of Eden was wide enough for Adam and his wife to go out at, yet it was too strait for them to go in at. Why? They had sinned; and the cherubim and the flaming sword made it too strait for them. The gates of the temple were six cubits wide, yet they were so strait Strait Gate, vol. i. p. 367.) that none who were unclean might enter them.-(Bunyan's

3 Here behold the love of Jesus, in freely and heartily receiving every poor sinner who comes unto him; no matter he loves them freely and receives them graciously; for he how vile they have been, nor what sins they have committed, has nothing but GOOD-WILL to them. Hence, the heavenly host sang at his birth, 'Good-will towards men.' Lu. ii. 14 (Mason.)

and assiduous in the means of grace, Satan, if permitted, will 4 As sinners become more decided in applying to Christ, be more vehement in his endeavours to discourage them, that, if possible, he may induce them to desist, and so come is wrapped up in this little word IN-Strive to enter in;' short of the prize. (Scott.) A whole heaven and eternal life this calls for the mind and heart. Many professors make their striving to stand rather in an outcry of words, than in a hearty labour against the lusts and love of the world. this kind of striving is but a beating the air, and will come to nothing at last.-(Bunyan's Strait Gate, vol. i. p. 366.) Coming souls will have opposition from Satan. He casts his fiery darts at them; wanderings in prayer, enticements to old sins, and even blasphemous thoughts, assail the trembling penitent, when striving to enter into the strait gate, to drive him from the way and the life.'-(ED.)

But

GOOD-WILL. An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it.

Talk between Goodwill and

CHR. Now I begin to reap the Christian. benefits of my hazards. GOOD-WILL. But how is it that you came alone? CHR. Because none of my neighbours saw their danger, as I saw mine.

GOOD-WILL. 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.

GOOD-WILL. 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.

A man may have

company when he sets out for yet go thither

GOOD-WILL. But why did he not come through? CHR. We, indeed, came both together, until we came at the Slough of Despond, into the which we also suddenly 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.

heaven, and

alone.

GOOD-WILL. Then said Good-will, Alas, poor man! is the celestial glory of so small esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazards of a few difficulties to obtain it?

eth himself before the man at the gate.

CHR. Truly, said Christian, I have said the truth of Pliable, and if I should also say all the truth of Christian acens myself, it will appear there is no betterment1 betwixt him and myself. It is 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.

GOOD-WILL. Oh! did he light upon you? What! he would have had you a sought 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

No betterment' is an admirable expression of the Christian's humility-he set out in company, but reached the gate alone; still it is not unto me, but unto thy name be all the glory.-(ED.)

2 Carnal arguments' is altered to carnal agreement,' in several of Mr. Bunyan's editions; sce third to the ninth.(ED.)

VOL. IIL

my head; wherefore, there I was forced to stop. GOOD-WILL. That mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more; it is 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, O! what a favour is this to me, that yet I am admitted entrance here!

GOOD-WILL. We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they have done before they come hither. They are in no Christian comwise cast out,' Ja. vi. 37; and therefore, forted again. 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.3

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

Christian directed yet on his way.

Christian afraid of losing his way.

GOOD-WILL. 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 straight and narrow. Mat. vii. 14.

Then I saw in my dream, that Christian asked him further if he could not help him Christian weary off with his burden that was upon his of his burden. back; for as yet he had not got rid thereof, nor could he by any mens 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.

There is no deli

verance

from the guilt and

burden of sin. but by the death and blood of Christ.

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 at the house of the Interpreter; at whose door he should knock, and he would show him excellent

3 Christian, when admitted at the strait gate, is directed in the narrow way; not in the broad fashionable religion. In the broad road, every man may choose a path suited to his inclinations, shift about to avoid difficulties, or accommodate himself to circumstances; and he may be sure of company agreeable to his taste. But Christians must follow one another in the narrow way on the same track, facing enemies, and bearing hardships, without attempting to evade them; nor is any indulgence given to different tastes, habits, or propensi ties.-(Scott.)

N-O

things. Then Christian took his leave of his friend, and he again bid him God-speed.

Then he went on till he came at the house of Christian comes the Interpreter, where he knocked of the Inter- over and over; at last one came to

to the house

preter.

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 He is enter things, such as would be a help to me in my journey.2

tained.

Illumination.

3

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 sees a Christian saw the picture of a very grave picture. grave person hang up against the wall; The fashion of and this was the fashion of it. It had the picture. 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.*

1 With great propriety Bunyan places the house of the Interpreter beyond the strait gate; for the knowledge of Divine things, that precedes conversion to God by faith in Christ, is very scanty, compared with the diligent Christian's subsequent attainments.-(Scott.)

It would be difficult to find twelve consecutive pages in the English language, that contain such volumes of meaning, in such beautiful and instructive lessons, with such heavenly imagery, in so pure and sweet a style, and with so thrilling an appeal to the best affections of the heart, as these pages descriptive of Christian's sojourning in the house of the Interpreter. This good-man of the house, the Interpreter, we are, without doubt, to take as the representative of the Holy Spirit, with his enlightening and sanctifying influences on the heart. -(Cheever.) The order in which these heavenly lessons are taught, is worthy our admiration.-(ED.)

As in creation, so in conversion, God's command is, 'Let there be light; it comes by the Word; no Bible, no light. God divided the light from the darkness; a blessed mystery to prove the Christian indeed-light in his mind at variance with his native darkness.-(Bunyan, on Genesis.)

The FIRST object presented by the Holy Spirit to the mind of a young believer, is the choice of his minister; not to be submissive to human orders, but to choose for himself. The leading features are, that he be grave, devotional, a lover of his Bible, one who rejects error and preaches the truth; uninfluenced by paltry pelf or worldly honours; pleading patiently to win souls; seeking only his Master's approbation; souls, and not money, for his hire; an immortal crown for his reward. With the laws of men and friendship to mislead us, how essential is the guidance of the Holy Spirit in this important choice!

the picture.

CHR. Then said Christian, What meaneth this? INTER. The man whose picture this is, is one of a thousand; he can beget children, 1 Co. iv. 15, travail in birth with children, Ga. iv. 19, and nurse them himself when they are born. And whereas thou seest him with his 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 The meaning of behind him, and that a crown hangs over his head, that is to show thee that slighting and despising the things that are present, for the love that he hath to his Master's service, he is sure in the world that comes next to have glory for his reward. Now, said the Interpreter, I have showed thee this picture first, because the man Why he showed whose picture this is, is the only man him the p.c ture first. whom the Lord of the place whither thou art going, hath authorized to be thy guide in all difficult places thou mayest meet with in the way; wherefore, take good heed to what I have showed thee, and bear well in thy mind what thou hast seen, lest in thy journey thou meet with some that pretend to lead thee right, but their way goes down to death.

Then he took him by the hand, and led him into a very large parlour that was full of dust, because never swept; the which, after he had reviewed a little while, the Interpreter called for a man to sweep. Now, when he began to sweep, the dust began so abundantly to fly about, that Christian had almost therewith been choked. Then said the Interpreter to a damsel that stood by, Bring hither the water, and sprinkle the room; the which, when she had done, it was swept and cleansed with pleasure.

is

CHR. Then said Christian, What means this? the heart of a man that was never sanctified by INTER. The Interpreter answered, This parlour the sweet grace of the gospel; the dust is his original sin and inward corruptions, that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first, is the Law; but she that brought water, and did sprinkle it, is the Gospel. Now, whereas thou sawest, that so soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did so fly about that the room by him could not be cleansed, but that thou wast almost choked therewith; this is to show thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart (by its working) from sin, doth revive, put strength into, and increase

(ED.) And whose portrait is Bunyan describing here? We think he had only Mr. Gifford in his eye as a faithful minister of Christ; but Bunyan too had been the pleader with men, and over his own head the crown of gold was shining; and while he wrote these words, you may be sure that his spirit thrilled within him as he said, And I too am a minister of Jesus Christ.-(Cheever.)

1 Co. xv. 56. Ko. v. 20.

man for a bird in the hand.

Passion and

Again, as thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room with water, upon which it was cleansed with pleasure; this is to show thee, that when the gospel comes in the sweet and precious influences thereof to the heart, then, I say, even as thou sawest the damsel lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean, through the faith of it, and consequently fit for the King of glory to inhabit. Jn. xv. 3. Ep. v. 26. Ac. xv. 9. Ro. xvi. 25, 26. Jn. xv. 13. I saw, moreover, in my dream, that the InterHe showed him preter took him by the hand, and had him into a little room, where sat two Patience. little children, each one in his chair. The name of the eldest was Passion, and the name of the other Patience. Passion seemed to be much discontented; but Patience was very quiet. Then Christian asked, What is the reason of the disconPassion will tent of Passion? The Interpreter have all now. answered, The Governor of them waiting. would have him stay for his best things till the beginning of the next year; but he will have all now; but patience is willing to wait. Then I saw that one came to Passion, and Passion has his brought him a bag of treasure, and desire. poured it down at his feet, the which he took up and rejoiced therein, and withal laughed Patience to scorn. But I beheld but And quickly lavishes all a while, and he had lavished all away, away. and had nothing left him but rags. CHR. Then said Christian to the Interpreter, Expound this matter more fully to me.

Patience is for

INTER. So he said, These two lads are figures: The matter ex- Passion, of the men of this world; and pounded. Patience, of the men of that which is to come; for, as here thou seest, Passion will have all now this year, that is to say, in this world; so are the men of this world: they must

1 Christian well knew this in his own deep experience; for the burden of sin was on him still, and sorely did he feel it

while the Interpreter was making this explanation; and had

it not been for his remembrance of the warning of the man at the gate, he would certainly have besought the Interpreter to take off his burden. The law could not take it off; he had tried that; and grace had not yet removed it; so he was forced to be quiet, and to wait patiently. But when the damsel came and sprinkled the floor, and laid the dust, and then the parlour was swept so easily, there were the sweet influences of the gospel imaged; there was Divine grace distilling as the dew; there was the gentle voice of Christ hushing the storm; there were the corruptions of the heart, which the law had but roused into action, yielding under the power of Christ; and there was the soul made clean, and fit for the King of glory to inhabit. Indeed, this was a most instructive emblem. O that my heart might be thus cleansed, thought Christian, and then I verily believe I could bear my burden with great ease to the end of my pilgrimage; but I have had enough of that fierce sweeper, the Law. The Lord deliver me from his besom!—(Cheever.)

Things that are first must give place; but

INTER. Nay, you may add another, to wit, the glory of the next world will never wear out; but these are suddenly gone. Therefore Passion had not so much reason to laugh at Patience, because he had his good things first, as Patience will have to laugh at Passion, because he had his best things last; for first must give place to last, because last must have his time to come; but last gives place to nothing; for there is not 'another to succeed. He, therefore, that hath his portion needs have a time to spend it; but he that hath his portion last, must have it lastingly; therefore it is said of Dives, Thou in thy life- Dives had his good time receivedst thy good things, and things first. likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.' Lu. xvi. 25.

things that are

last are lasting.

first, must

CHR. Then I perceive it is not best to covet things that are now, but to wait for things to come.

The first things are but temporal.

INTER. You say the truth: For the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.' 2 Co. iv. 18. But though this be so, yet since things present, and our fleshly appetite, are such near neighbours one to another; and again, because things to come, and carnal sense, are such strangers one to another; therefore it is that the first of these so suddenly fall into amity, and that distance is so continued between the second.

Then I saw in my dream that the Interpreter took Christian by the hand, and led him into a

2 This was a vivid and striking emblem, and one which, in its general meaning, a child could understand. Passion stands for the men of this world, Patience of that which is to come; Passion for those who will have all their good things now, Patience for those who are willing, with self-denial, to wait for something better; Passion for those who are absorbed in temporal trifles, Patience for those whose hearts are fixed upon eternal realitics; Passion the things which are seen, and the impatient eagerness with which they are followed, Patience the things which are unseen, and the faith, humility, and deadness to the world exercised in order to enjoy them. It is a good commentary upon Ps. lxxiii.-(Cheever.)