Then did Christian begin to go back to the right road; 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 give 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 in the way which he had left to
follow Mr. Worldly Wiseman's counsel: so after a time, Christian got up
to the gate. Now, over the gate there was written, "Knock, and it shall
be opened unto you."
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."
[Sidenote: GOODWILL OPENS THE GATE]
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?
CHRIS. Here is a poor burdened sinner. I come from the City of
Destruction, but am going to Mount Zion, that I may be set free from the
wrath to come; I would therefore, sir, since I am told that by this
gate is the way thither, know, if you are willing to let me in.
GOOD. "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 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, the
Evil One, is the captain; from whence both he and they 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.
CHRIS. Evangelist bid me come hither and knock, as I did; and he said
that you, sir, would tell me what I must do.
GOOD. An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it.
CHRIS. Now I begin to reap the benefit of the trouble which I have
taken.
GOOD. But how is it that you came alone?
CHRIS. Because none of my neighbors saw their danger, as I saw mine.
GOOD. Did any of them know you were coming?
CHRIS. Yes, my wife and children saw me at the first, and called after
me to turn again; also some of my neighbors stood crying and calling
after me to return; but I put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my
way.
GOOD. But did none of them follow you, to persuade you to go back?
CHRIS. 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.
GOOD. But why did he not come through?
CHRIS. We indeed came both together until we came to the Slough of
Despond, into the which we also suddenly fell. And then was my neighbor
Pliable discouraged, and would not venture farther. Wherefore, getting
out again on the side next his own house, he told me I should win the
brave country alone for him: so he went his way, and I came mine; he
after Obstinate, and I to this gate.
GOOD. Then said Goodwill, "Alas, poor man! is the heavenly glory of so
little worth with him, that he counteth it not worth running the risk of
a few difficulties to obtain it?"
CHRIS. "Truly," said Christian, "I have said the truth of Pliable; and
if I should also say the truth of myself, it will appear there is not
betterment betwixt him and myself. 'Tis true, he went on back to his own
house; but I also turned aside to go into the way of death, being
persuaded thereto by the words of one Mr. Worldly Wiseman."
GOOD. 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?
CHRIS. 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.
GOOD. 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.
CHRIS. 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 favor this is to me, that yet I am to enter here!
GOOD. We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they
have done before they come hither; they in no wise are cast out. And
therefore, good Christian, come a little 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 men of old,
prophets, Christ and His apostles, and it is as straight as a rule can
make it: this is the way thou must go.
CHRIS. "But," said Christian, "are there no turnings nor windings by
which a stranger may lose his way?"
GOOD. "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."
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 turn again to his
journey.
So the other told him that as soon as 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 things. Then Christian
took his leave of his friend, and he again bid him God speed.
[Sidenote: House of the Interpreter]
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.
CHRIS. Sir, here is a traveler who was bid by a friend of the good man
of this house to call here for his benefit; 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.
CHRIS. "Sir," said Christian, "I am a man that am come from the City of
Destruction, and am going to 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 helpful to me on 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 led 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 hung up against the wall; and this
was the fashion of it: it had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of
books in its hand, the law of truth was written upon its lips, the world
was behind its back; it stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of
gold did hang over its head.
CHRIS. Then said Christian, "What meaneth this?"
INTER. The man whose picture this is, is one of a thousand. He can say,
in the words of the apostle Paul, "Though ye have ten thousand teachers
in Christ, yet have you not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have
been your father through the Gospel." And whereas thou seest him with
his eyes lifted 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 is cast behind
him, and that a crown hangs over his head; that is to show thee that,
slighting and despising the things that are in the world, 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 whose picture this is,
is the only man whom the Lord of the place whither thou art going hath
chosen to be thy guide, in all difficult places thou mayest meet with in
thy 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 parlor, that
was full of dust, because never swept; the which after he had looked at
it 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 girl that stood by, "Bring hither water, and sprinkle the room;" the
which when she had done, it was swept and cleansed with ease.
CHRIS. Then said Christian, "What means this?"
INTER. The Interpreter answered, "This parlor is the heart of a man
that was never made pure by the sweet grace of the Gospel. The dust is
his sin, and inward evils 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, as soon as
the first began to sweep, the dust did fly so about that the room could
not by him 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 it in
the soul, even as it doth discover and forbid it, for it doth not give
power to overcome. Again, as thou sawest the girl sprinkle the room with
water, upon which it was cleansed with ease; this is to show thee, that
when the Gospel comes, in the sweet and gracious power thereof, to the
heart, then, I say, even as thou sawest the maiden 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 dwell in."
I saw moreover in my dream, that the Interpreter took him by the hand,
and led him into a little room where sat two little children, each one
in his own 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. The Christian asked, "What is the reason of the
discontent of Passion?" The Interpreter answered, "The governor of them
would have him stay for his best things till the beginning of next year;
but he will have all now. Patience is willing to wait."
Then I saw that one came to Passion, and brought him a bag of treasure,
and poured it down at his feet; the which he took up, and rejoiced
therein, and withal laughed Patience to scorn. But I beheld but awhile,
and he had wasted all away, and had nothing left him but rags.
CHRIS. Then said Christian to the Interpreter, "Explain this matter more
fully to me."
INTER. So he said, "These two lads are pictures: Passion, of the men of
this world; and 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 have all their good
things now; they cannot stay till the next year, that is, until the next
world, for their portion of good. That proverb, 'A bird in the hand is
worth two in the bush,' is of more weight with them than all the words
in the Bible of the good of the world to come. But, as thou sawest that
he had quickly wasted all away, and had presently left him nothing but
rags, so will it be with all such men at the end of this world."
CHRIS. Then said Christian, "Now I see that Patience has the best
wisdom, and that upon many accounts. 1. Because he stays for the best
things. 2. And also because he will have the glory of his when the
other has nothing but rags."
INTER. Nay, you may add another; this, 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 at
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 first, must
needs have a time to spend it; but he that hath his portion last, must
have it lastingly.
CHRIS. Then I see it is not best to covet things that are now, but to
wait for things to come.
INTER. You say truth; "for the things that are seen soon pass away, but
the things that are not seen endure forever."
Then I saw in my dream, that the Interpreter took Christian by the hand
and led him into a place where was a fire burning against a wall, and
one standing by it, always casting much water upon it, to quench it; yet
did the fire burn higher and hotter.
CHRIS. Then said Christian, "What means this?"
INTER. The Interpreter answered, "This fire is the work of God that is
wrought in the heart: he that casts water upon it to extinguish and put
it out, is the devil; but, in that thou seest the fire notwithstanding
burn higher and hotter, thou shalt also see the reason of that." So
then he led him about to the other side of the wall, where he saw a man
with a vessel of oil in his hand, of the which he did also continually
cast, but secretly, into the fire.
CHRIS. Then said Christian, "What means this?"
INTER. The Interpreter answered, "This is Christ, who continually, with
the oil of His grace, helps the work already begun in the heart; by the
means of which notwithstanding what the devil can do, the souls of His
people prove gracious still. And in that thou sawest that the man stood
behind the wall to keep up the fire; this is to teach thee, that it is
hard for the tempted to see how this work of grace is kept alive in the
soul."
I saw also that the Interpreter took him again by the hand, and led him
into a pleasant place, where was built a stately palace, beautiful to
behold, at the sight of which Christian was greatly delighted. He saw
also upon the top thereof certain persons walking, who were clothed all
in gold.
Then said Christian, "May we go in thither?"
Then the Interpreter took him and led him up toward the door of the
palace; and behold, at the door stood a great company of men, as
desirous to go in, but durst not. There also sat a man at a little
distance from the door, at a table-side, with a book and his ink-horn
before him, to take the name of him that should enter therein; he saw
also that in the doorway stood many men in armor to keep it, being
resolved to do to the men that would enter what hurt and mischief they
could. Now was Christian somewhat in amaze. At last, when every man
started back for fear of the armed men, Christian saw a man of a very
stout countenance come up to the man that sat there to write, saying,
"Set down my name, sir:" the which when he had done, he saw the man draw
his sword, and put a helmet upon his head, and rush toward the door upon
the armed men, who laid upon him with deadly force; but the man, not at
all discouraged, fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. So that,
after he had received and given many wounds to those that attempted to
keep him out, he cut his way through them all and pressed forward into
the palace; at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that
were within, even of those that walked upon the top of the palace,
saying:
"Come in, come in;
Eternal glory thou shalt win."
So he went in, and was clothed in such garments as they. Then Christian
smiled, and said, "I think verily I know the meaning of this."
"Now," said Christian, "let me go hence." "Nay, stay," said the
Interpreter, "until I have showed thee a little more; and after that
thou shalt go on thy way." So he took him by the hand again, and led him
into a very dark room, where there sat a man in an iron cage.
Now, the man, to look on, seemed very sad. He sat with his eyes looking
down to the ground, his hands folded together; and he sighed as if he
would break his heart. Then said Christian, "What means this?" At which
the Interpreter bid him talk with the man.
Then said Christian to the man, "What art thou?" The man answered, "I am
what I was not once."
CHRIS. What wast thou once?
MAN. The man said, "I was once a fair and flourishing Christian, both in
mine own eyes, and also in the eyes of others; I was once, as I thought,
fair for the Celestial City, and had even joy at the thoughts that I
should get thither."
CHRIS. Well, but what art thou now?
MAN. I am now a man of despair, and am shut up in it, as in this iron
cage. I cannot get out. Oh, _now_ I cannot!
CHRIS. But how camest thou in this condition?
MAN. I left off to watch and be sober. I gave free reins to sin; I
sinned against the light of the Word and the goodness of God; I have
grieved the Spirit, and He is gone; I tempted the devil, and he has come
to me; I have provoked God to anger, and He has left me; I have so
hardened my heart that I _cannot_ turn.
Then said Christian to the Interpreter, "But are there no hopes for such
a man as this?" "Ask him," said the Interpreter.
CHRIS. Then said Christian, "Is there no hope, but you must be kept in
the iron cage of despair?"
MAN. No, none at all.
CHRIS. Why? the Son of the Blessed is very pitiful.
MAN. I have crucified Him to myself afresh. I have despised His person.
I have despised His holiness; I have counted His blood an unholy thing;
I have shown contempt to the Spirit of mercy. Therefore I have shut
myself out of all the promises of God, and there now remains to me
nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings, fearful threatenings of
certain judgment and fiery anger, which shall devour me as an enemy.
CHRIS. For what did you bring yourself into this condition?
MAN. For the desires, pleasures, and gains of this world; in the
enjoyment of which I did then promise myself much delight; but now every
one of those things also bite me, and gnaw me, like a burning worm.
CHRIS. But canst thou not now turn again to God?
MAN. God no longer invites me to come to Him. His Word gives me no
encouragement to believe; yea, Himself hath shut me up in this iron
cage; nor can all the men in the world let me out. O eternity! eternity!
how shall I grapple with the misery that I must meet with in eternity?
INTER. Then said the Interpreter to Christian, "Let this man's misery be
remembered by thee, and be an everlasting caution to thee."
[Sidenote: THE DREAM OF THE JUDGMENT]
CHRIS. "Well," said Christian, "this is fearful! God help me to watch
and be sober, and to pray, that I may shun the cause of this man's
misery. Sir, is it not time for me to go on my way now?"
INTER. Tarry till I show thee one thing more, and then thou shalt go on
thy way.
So he took Christian by the hand again, and led him into a chamber,
where there was one rising out of bed; and, as he put on his clothing,
he shook and trembled. Then said Christian, "Why doth this man thus
tremble?" The Interpreter then bid him tell to Christian the reason of
his so doing. So he began, and said, "This night, as I was in my sleep,
I dreamed, and behold, the heavens grew exceeding black; also it
thundered and lightened in most fearful manner, that it put me into an
agony. So I looked up in my dream, and saw the clouds rack at an unusual
rate; upon which I heard a great sound of a trumpet, and saw also a Man
sitting upon a cloud, attended with the thousands of heaven; they were
all in flaming fire; also the heavens were in a burning flame. I heard
then a great voice saying, 'Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment.' And
with that the rocks rent, the graves opened, and the dead that were
therein came forth: some of them were exceeding glad, and looked upward;
and some thought to hide themselves under the mountains. Then I saw the
Man that sat upon the cloud open the book and bid the world draw near.
Yet there was, by reason of a fierce flame that issued out and came
before Him, a certain distance betwixt Him and them, as betwixt the
judge and the prisoners at the bar. I heard it also called out to them
that stood around on the Man that sat on the cloud, 'Gather together the
tares, the chaff, and stubble, and cast them into the burning lake. And,
with that, the bottomless pit opened, just whereabout I stood; out of
the mouth of which there came, in an abundant manner, smoke and coals of
fire, with hideous noises. It was also said to the same persons, 'Gather
my wheat into the garner.' And, with that, I saw many catched up and
carried away into the clouds; but I was left behind. I also sought to
hide myself, but I could not; for the Man that sat upon the cloud still
kept His eye upon me; my sins also came into my mind, and my conscience
did accuse me on every side. Upon this I awakened from my sleep."
CHRIS. But what was it that made you so afraid of this sight?
MAN. Why I thought that the day of judgment was come, and that I was not
ready for it. But this affrighted me most, that the angels gathered up
several, and left me behind; also the pit of hell opened her mouth just
where I stood. My conscience, too, troubled me; and, as I thought, the
judge had always His eye upon me, showing anger in His countenance.
INTER. Then said the Interpreter to Christian, "Hast thou considered
these things?"
CHRIS. Yes; and they put me in hope and fear.
INTER. Well, keep all things so in thy mind, that they may be as a goad
in thy sides, to prick thee forward in the way thou must go.
Then Christian began to gird up his loins, and to address himself to his
journey. Then said the Interpreter, "The Comforter be always with thee,
good Christian, to guide thee into the way that leads to the city."
So Christian went on his way, saying:
"Here have I seen things rare and profitable;
Things pleasant, dreadful; things to make me stable
In what I have begun to take in hand:
Then let me think on them, and understand
Wherefore they showed me where; and let me be
Thankful, O good Interpreter, to thee."