Then the Interpreter took him, and led him up towards 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 a maze; 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
towards the door upon the armed men, who laid upon him with deadly
force; but the man was not at all discouraged, but fell to cutting
and hacking most fiercely. So 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 with such garments as they. Then
Christian smiled and said, "I think verily I know the meaning of
this."
In the description of the Christian armor, we have no provision for
the back.