第7章

[Isa。62:4,SongofSolomon2:10—12]Inthiscountrythesunshinethnightandday;whereforethiswasbeyondtheValleyoftheShadowofDeath,andalsooutofthereachofGiantDespair,neithercouldtheyfromthisplacesomuchasseeDoubtingCastle。Heretheywerewithinsightofthecitytheyweregoingto,alsoheremetthemsomeoftheinhabitantsthereof;

forinthislandtheShiningOnescommonlywalked,becauseitwasuponthebordersofheaven。Inthislandalso,thecontractbetweenthebrideandthebridegroomwasrenewed;yea,here,\"Asthebridegroomrejoicethoverthebride,sodidtheirGodrejoiceoverthem。\"

[Isa。62:5]Heretheyhadnowantofcornandwine;forinthisplacetheymetwithabundanceofwhattheyhadsoughtforinalltheirpilgrimage。[Isa。62:8]Heretheyheardvoicesfromoutofthecity,loudvoices,saying,\"`SayyetothedaughterofZion,Behold,thysalvationcometh!Behold,hisrewardiswithhim!’

Herealltheinhabitantsofthecountrycalledthem,`Theholypeople,TheredeemedoftheLord,Soughtout’\",etc。[Isa。62:11,12]

{383}

Nowastheywalkedinthisland,theyhadmorerejoicingthaninpartsmoreremotefromthekingdomtowhichtheywerebound;anddrawingneartothecity,theyhadyetamoreperfectviewthereof。Itwasbuildedofpearlsandpreciousstones,alsothestreetthereofwaspavedwithgold;sothatbyreasonofthenaturalgloryofthecity,andthereflectionofthesunbeamsuponit,Christianwithdesirefellsick;Hopefulalsohadafitortwoofthesamedisease。

Wherefore,heretheylaybyitawhile,cryingout,becauseoftheirpangs,Ifyefindmybeloved,tellhimthatIamsickoflove。

{384}

But,beingalittlestrengthened,andbetterabletobeartheirsickness,theywalkedontheirway,andcameyetnearerandnearer,wherewereorchards,vineyards,andgardens,andtheirgatesopenedintothehighway。Now,astheycameuptotheseplaces,beholdthegardenerstoodintheway,towhomthePilgrimssaid,Whosegoodlyvineyardsandgardensarethese?

Heanswered,TheyaretheKing’s,andareplantedhereforhisowndelight,andalsoforthesolaceofpilgrims。

Sothegardenerhadthemintothevineyards,andbidthemrefreshthemselveswiththedainties。[Deut。23:24]

HealsoshowedthemtheretheKing’swalks,andthearbourswherehedelightedtobe;andheretheytarriedandslept。

{385}

NowIbeheldinmydreamthattheytalkedmoreintheirsleepatthistimethanevertheydidinalltheirjourney;

andbeinginamusethereabout,thegardenersaideventome,Whereforemusestthouatthematter?Itisthenatureofthefruitofthegrapesofthesevineyardstogodownsosweetlyastocausethelipsofthemthatareasleeptospeak。

{386}

SoIsawthatwhentheyawoke,theyaddressedthemselvestogouptothecity;but,asIsaid,thereflectionofthesunuponthecity(forthecitywaspuregold)wassoextremelygloriousthattheycouldnot,asyet,withopenfacebeholdit,butthroughaninstrumentmadeforthatpurpose。SoIsaw,thatasIwenton,theremetthemtwomen,inraimentthatshonelikegold;

lsotheirfacesshoneasthelight。[Rev。21:18,2Cor。3:18]

{387}

ThesemenaskedthePilgrimswhencetheycame;andtheytoldthem。

Theyalsoaskedthemwheretheyhadlodged,whatdifficultiesanddangers,whatcomfortsandpleasurestheyhadmetintheway;

andtheytoldthem。Thensaidthementhatmetthem,Youhavebuttwodifficultiesmoretomeetwith,andthenyouareinthecity。

{388}

Christianthen,andhiscompanion,askedthementogoalongwiththem;

sotheytoldthemtheywould。But,saidthey,youmustobtainitbyyourownfaith。SoIsawinmydreamthattheywentontogether,untiltheycameinsightofthegate。

{389}



Now,Ifurthersaw,thatbetwixtthemandthegatewasariver,buttherewasnobridgetogoover:theriverwasverydeep。

Atthesight,therefore,ofthisriver,thePilgrimsweremuchstunned;

butthementhatwentinwiththemsaid,Youmustgothrough,oryoucannotcomeatthegate。

{390}



ThePilgrimsthenbegantoinquireiftherewasnootherwaytothegate;towhichtheyanswered,Yes;buttherehathnotany,savetwo,towit,EnochandElijah,beenpermittedtotreadthatpathsincethefoundationoftheworld,norshall,untilthelasttrumpetshallsound。[1Cor。15:51,52]ThePilgrimsthen,especiallyChristian,begantodespondintheirminds,andlookedthiswayandthat,butnowaycouldbefoundbythembywhichtheymightescapetheriver。Thentheyaskedthemenifthewaterswereallofadepth。Theysaid:No;yettheycouldnothelptheminthatcase;for,saidthey,youshallfinditdeeperorshallowerasyoubelieveintheKingoftheplace。

*IntheResurrectionoftheRighteous。[Rev。20:4—6]

{391}

Theythenaddressedthemselvestothewaterand,entering,Christianbegantosink,andcryingouttohisgoodfriendHopeful,hesaid,Isinkindeepwaters;thebillowsgoovermyhead,allhiswavesgooverme!Selah。

{392}



Thensaidtheother,Beofgoodcheer,mybrother,Ifeelthebottom,anditisgood。ThensaidChristian,Ah!myfriend,thesorrowsofdeathhathcompassedmeabout;Ishallnotseethelandthatflowswithmilkandhoney;andwiththatagreatdarknessandhorrorfelluponChristian,sothathecouldnotseebeforehim。

Alsohereheingreatmeasurelosthissenses,sothathecouldneitherremembernororderlytalkofanyofthosesweetrefreshmentsthathehadmetwithinthewayofhispilgrimage。Butallthewordsthathespakestilltendedtodiscoverthathehadhorrorofmind,andheartfearsthatheshoulddieinthatriver,andneverobtainentranceinatthegate。Herealso,astheythatstoodbyperceived,hewasmuchinthetroublesomethoughtsofthesinsthathehadcommitted,bothsinceandbeforehebegantobeapilgrim。

Itwasalsoobservedthathewastroubledwithapparitionsofhobgoblinsandevilspirits,foreverandanonhewouldintimatesomuchbywords。Hopeful,therefore,herehadmuchadotokeephisbrother’sheadabovewater;yea,sometimeshewouldbequitegonedown,andthen,ereawhile,hewouldriseupagainhalfdead。Hopefulalsowouldendeavourtocomforthim,saying,Brother,Iseethegate,andmenstandingbytoreceiveus:

butChristianwouldanswer,Itisyou,itisyoutheywaitfor;

youhavebeenHopefuleversinceIknewyou。Andsohaveyou,saidhetoChristian。Ah!brother!saidhe,surelyifIwasrighthewouldnowarisetohelpme;butformysinshehathbroughtmeintothesnare,andhathleftme。ThensaidHopeful,Mybrother,youhavequiteforgotthetext,whereitissaidofthewicked,\"Therearenobandsintheirdeath,buttheirstrengthisfirm。

Theyarenotintroubleasothermen,neitheraretheyplaguedlikeothermen。[Ps。73:4,5]ThesetroublesanddistressesthatyougothroughinthesewatersarenosignthatGodhathforsakenyou;

butaresenttotryyou,whetheryouwillcalltomindthatwhichheretoforeyouhavereceivedofhisgoodness,andliveuponhiminyourdistresses。

{393}



ThenIsawinmydream,thatChristianwasasinamuseawhile。

TowhomalsoHopefuladdedthisword,Beofgoodcheer,JesusChristmakeththeewhole;andwiththatChristianbrakeoutwithaloudvoice,Oh,Iseehimagain!andhetellsme,\"Whenthoupassestthroughthewaters,Iwillbewiththee,andthroughtherivers,theyshallnotoverflowthee。\"[Isa。43:2]

Thentheybothtookcourage,andtheenemywasafterthatasstillasastone,untiltheyweregoneover。Christianthereforepresentlyfoundgroundtostandupon,andsoitfollowedthattherestoftheriverwasbutshallow。Thustheygotover。

Now,uponthebankoftheriver,ontheotherside,theysawthetwoshiningmenagain,whotherewaitedforthem;

wherefore,beingcomeoutoftheriver,theysalutedthem,saying,Weareministeringspirits,sentforthtoministerforthosethatshallbeheirsofsalvation。Thustheywentalongtowardsthegate。

{394}

Nowyoumustnotethatthecitystooduponamightyhill,butthePilgrimswentupthathillwithease,becausetheyhadthesetwomentoleadthemupbythearms;

also,theyhadlefttheirmortalgarmentsbehindthemintheriver,forthoughtheywentinwiththem,theycameoutwithoutthem。

They,therefore,wentupherewithmuchagilityandspeed,thoughthefoundationuponwhichthecitywasframedwashigherthantheclouds。Theythereforewentupthroughtheregionsoftheair,sweetlytalkingastheywent,beingcomforted,becausetheysafelygotovertheriver,andhadsuchgloriouscompanionstoattendthem。

Now,now,lookhowtheholypilgrimsride,Cloudsaretheirchariots,angelsaretheirguide:

Whowouldnothereforhimallhazardsrun,Thatthusprovidesforhiswhenthisworld’sdone?

{395}

ThetalktheyhadwiththeShiningOneswasaboutthegloryoftheplace;whotoldthemthatthebeautyandgloryofitwasinexpressible。There,saidthey,istheMountZion,theheavenlyJerusalem,theinnumerablecompanyofangels,andthespiritsofjustmenmadeperfect。[Heb。12:22—24]

Youaregoingnow,saidthey,totheparadiseofGod,whereinyoushallseethetreeoflife,andeatofthenever—fadingfruitsthereof;

andwhenyoucomethere,youshallhavewhiterobesgivenyou,andyourwalkandtalkshallbeeverydaywiththeKing,evenallthedaysofeternity。[Rev。2:7,3:4,21:4,5]

Thereyoushallnotseeagainsuchthingsasyousawwhenyouwereinthelowerregionupontheearth,towit,sorrow,sickness,affliction,anddeath,fortheformerthingsarepassedaway。YouarenowgoingtoAbraham,toIsaac,andJacob,andtotheprophets——menthatGodhathtakenawayfromtheeviltocome,andthatarenowrestingupontheirbeds,eachonewalkinginhisrighteousness。[Isa。

57:1,2,65:17]Thementhenasked,Whatmustwedointheholyplace?

Towhomitwasanswered,Youmusttherereceivethecomfortsofallyourtoil,andhavejoyforallyoursorrow;youmustreapwhatyouhavesown,eventhefruitofallyourprayers,andtears,andsufferingsfortheKingbytheway。[Gal。6:7]Inthatplaceyoumustwearcrownsofgold,andenjoytheperpetualsightandvisionoftheHolyOne,forthereyoushallseehimasheis。[1John3:2]

Therealsoyoushallservehimcontinuallywithpraise,withshouting,andthanksgiving,whomyoudesiredtoserveintheworld,thoughwithmuchdifficulty,becauseoftheinfirmityofyourflesh。

Thereyoureyesshallbedelightedwithseeing,andyourearswithhearingthepleasantvoiceoftheMightyOne。Thereyoushallenjoyyourfriendsagainthataregonethitherbeforeyou;

andthereyoushallwithjoyreceive,eveneveryonethatfollowsintotheholyplaceafteryou。Therealsoshallyoubeclothedwithgloryandmajesty,andputintoanequipagefittorideoutwiththeKingofGlory。Whenheshallcomewithsoundoftrumpetintheclouds,asuponthewingsofthewind,youshallcomewithhim;

andwhenheshallsituponthethroneofjudgment;youshallsitbyhim;

yea,andwhenheshallpasssentenceuponalltheworkersofiniquity,letthembeangelsormen,youalsoshallhaveavoiceinthatjudgment,becausetheywerehisandyourenemies。[1Thes。4:13—16,Jude1:14,Dan。7:9,10,1Cor。6:2,3]Also,whenheshallagainreturntothecity,youshallgotoo,withsoundoftrumpet,andbeeverwithhim。

{396}

Nowwhiletheywerethusdrawingtowardsthegate,beholdacompanyoftheheavenlyhostcameouttomeetthem;towhomitwassaid,bytheothertwoShiningOnes,ThesearethementhathavelovedourLordwhentheywereintheworld,andthathaveleftallforhisholyname;andhehathsentustofetchthem,andwehavebroughtthemthusfarontheirdesiredjourney,thattheymaygoinandlooktheirRedeemerinthefacewithjoy。Thentheheavenlyhostgaveagreatshout,saying,\"BlessedaretheywhicharecalleduntothemarriagesupperoftheLamb。\"[Rev。19:9]Therecameoutalsoatthistimetomeetthem,severaloftheKing’strumpeters,clothedinwhiteandshiningraiment,who,withmelodiousnoises,andloud,madeeventheheavenstoechowiththeirsound。

ThesetrumpeterssalutedChristianandhisfellowwithtenthousandwelcomesfromtheworld;andthistheydidwithshouting,andsoundoftrumpet。

{397}

Thisdone,theycompassedthemroundoneveryside;somewentbefore,somebehind,andsomeontherighthand,someontheleft,(asitweretoguardthemthroughtheupperregions),continuallysoundingastheywent,withmelodiousnoise,innotesonhigh:sothattheverysightwas,tothemthatcouldbeholdit,asifheavenitselfwascomedowntomeetthem。Thus,therefore,theywalkedontogether;andastheywalked,everandanonthesetrumpeters,evenwithjoyfulsound,would,bymixingtheirmusicwithlooksandgestures,stillsignifytoChristianandhisbrother,howwelcometheywereintotheircompany,andwithwhatgladnesstheycametomeetthem;

andnowwerethesetwomen,asitwere,inheaven,beforetheycameatit,beingswallowedupwiththesightofangels,andwithhearingoftheirmelodiousnotes。Herealsotheyhadthecityitselfinview,andtheythoughttheyheardallthebellsthereintoring,towelcomethemthereto。Butaboveall,thewarmandjoyfulthoughtsthattheyhadabouttheirowndwellingthere,withsuchcompany,andthatforeverandever。Oh,bywhattongueorpencantheirgloriousjoybeexpressed!Andthustheycameuptothegate。

{398}

Now,whentheywerecomeuptothegate,therewaswrittenoveritinlettersofgold,\"Blessedaretheythatdohiscommandments,thattheymayhaverighttothetreeoflife,andmayenterinthroughthegatesintothecity。\"[Rev。22:14]

{399}

ThenIsawinmydreamthattheShiningMenbidthemcallatthegate;

thewhich,whentheydid,somelookedfromaboveoverthegate,towit,Enoch,Moses,andElijah,&c。,towhomitwassaid,ThesepilgrimsarecomefromtheCityofDestruction,forthelovethattheybeartotheKingofthisplace;andthenthePilgrimsgaveinuntothemeachmanhiscertificate,whichtheyhadreceivedinthebeginning;

those,therefore,werecarriedintotheKing,who,whenhehadreadthem,said,Wherearethemen?Towhomitwasanswered,Theyarestandingwithoutthegate。TheKingthencommandedtoopenthegate,\"Thattherighteousnation,\"saidhe,\"whichkeepeththetruth,mayenterin。\"[Isa。26:2]

{400}

NowIsawinmydreamthatthesetwomenwentinatthegate:andlo,astheyentered,theyweretransfigured,andtheyhadraimentputonthatshonelikegold。Therewasalsothatmetthemwithharpsandcrowns,andgavethemtothem——theharpstopraisewithal,andthecrownsintokenofhonour。ThenIheardinmydreamthatallthebellsinthecityrangagainforjoy,andthatitwassaiduntothem,\"ENTERYEINTOTHEJOYOFYOURLORD。\"

Ialsoheardthementhemselves,thattheysangwithaloudvoice,saying,\"BLESSINGANDHONOUR,ANDGLORY,ANDPOWER,BEUNTOHIM

THATSITTETHUPONTHETHRONE,ANDUNTOTHELAMB,FOREVERANDEVER。\"

[Rev。5:13]

{401}

Now,justasthegateswereopenedtoletinthemen,Ilookedinafterthem,and,behold,theCityshonelikethesun;

thestreetsalsowerepavedwithgold,andinthemwalkedmanymen,withcrownsontheirheads,palmsintheirhands,andgoldenharpstosingpraiseswithal。

{402}

Therewerealsoofthemthathadwings,andtheyansweredoneanotherwithoutintermission,saying,\"Holy,holy,holyistheLord。\"

[Rev。4:8]Andafterthattheyshutupthegates;which,whenIhadseen,Iwishedmyselfamongthem。

{403}



NowwhileIwasgazinguponallthesethings,Iturnedmyheadtolookback,andsawIgnorancecomeuptotheriverside;

buthesoongotover,andthatwithouthalfthatdifficultywhichtheothertwomenmetwith。

Forithappenedthattherewastheninthatplace,oneVain—hope,aferryman,thatwithhisboathelpedhimover;sohe,astheotherIsaw,didascendthehill,tocomeuptothegate,onlyhecamealone;neitherdidanymanmeethimwiththeleastencouragement。Whenhewascomeuptothegate,helookeduptothewritingthatwasabove,andthenbegantoknock,supposingthatentranceshouldhavebeenquicklyadministeredtohim;

buthewasaskedbythementhatlookedoverthetopofthegate,Whencecameyou,andwhatwouldyouhave?Heanswered,IhaveeatanddrankinthepresenceoftheKing,andhehastaughtinourstreets。Thentheyaskedhimforhiscertificate,thattheymightgoinandshowittotheKing;sohefumbledinhisbosomforone,andfoundnone。Thensaidthey,Haveyounone?

Butthemanansweredneveraword。SotheytoldtheKing,buthewouldnotcomedowntoseehim,butcommandedthetwoShiningOnesthatconductedChristianandHopefultotheCity,togooutandtakeIgnorance,andbindhimhandandfoot,andhavehimaway。Thentheytookhimup,andcarriedhimthroughtheairtothedoorthatIsawinthesideofthehill,andputhiminthere。ThenIsawthattherewasawaytohell,evenfromthegatesofheaven,aswellasfromtheCityofDestruction。

SoIawoke,andbeholditwasadream。

p51—p100

Page51——Page100

{51}



EVAN。Then,saidEvangelist,standstillalittle,thatImayshowtheethewordsofGod。Sohestoodtrembling。ThensaidEvangelist,\"Seethatyerefusenothimthatspeaketh。Foriftheyescapednotwhorefusedhimthatspakeonearth,muchmoreshallnotweescape,ifweturnawayfromhimthatspeakethfromheaven。\"[Heb。12:25]

Hesaid,moreover,\"Nowthejustshalllivebyfaith:butifanymandrawback,mysoulshallhavenopleasureinhim。\"[Heb。10:38]

Healsodidthusapplythem:Thouartthemanthatartrunningintothismisery;thouhastbeguntorejectthecounseloftheMostHigh,andtodrawbackthyfootfromthewayofpeace,evenalmosttothehazardingofthyperdition。

{52}

ThenChristianfelldownathisfeetasdead,crying,\"Woeisme,forIamundone!\"AtthesightofwhichEvangelistcaughthimbytherighthand,saying,\"Allmannerofsinandblasphemiesshallbeforgivenuntomen。\"[Matt。12:31,Mark3:28]

\"Benotfaithless,butbelieving。\"[John20:27]ThendidChristianagainalittlerevive,andstooduptrembling,asatfirst,beforeEvangelist。

{53}



ThenEvangelistproceeded,saying,GivemoreearnestheedtothethingsthatIshalltelltheeof。Iwillnowshowtheewhoitwasthatdeludedthee,andwhoitwasalsotowhomhesentthee。

——ThemanthatmettheeisoneWorldlyWiseman,andrightlyishesocalled;partly,becausehesavourethonlythedoctrineofthisworld,[1John4:5](thereforehealwaysgoestothetownofMoralitytochurch):andpartlybecauseheloveththatdoctrinebest,foritsavethhimbestfromthecross。[Gal6:12]Andbecauseheisofthiscarnaltemper,thereforeheseekethtopervertmyways,thoughright。Nowtherearethreethingsinthisman’scounsel,thatthoumustutterlyabhor。



1。Histurningtheeoutoftheway。

2。Hislabouringtorenderthecrossodioustothee。And,3。Hissettingthyfeetinthatwaythatleadethuntotheadministrationofdeath。

{54}

First,Thoumustabhorhisturningtheeoutoftheway;

andthineownconsentingthereunto:becausethisistorejectthecounselofGodforthesakeofthecounselofaWorldlyWiseman。

TheLordsays,\"Strivetoenterinatthestraitgate\"[Luke13:24],thegatetowhichIsentthee;for\"straitisthegatethatleadethuntolife,andfewtherebethatfindit。\"[Matt。7:14]

Fromthislittlewicket—gate,andfromthewaythereto,haththiswickedmanturnedthee,tothebringingoftheealmosttodestruction;hate,therefore,histurningtheeoutoftheway,andabhorthyselfforhearkeningtohim。

{55}

Secondly,Thoumustabhorhislabouringtorenderthecrossodiousuntothee;forthouarttopreferit\"beforethetreasuresinEgypt。\"[Heb。11:25,26]BesidestheKingofgloryhathtoldthee,thathethat\"willsavehislifeshallloseit。\"[Mark8:35;

John12:25;Matt。10:39]And,\"Hethatcomethafterme,andhatethnothisfather,andmother,andwife,andchildren,andbrethren,andsisters,yea,andhisownlifealso,hecannotbemydisciple。\"[Luke14:26]Isay,therefore,formantolabourtopersuadethee,thatthatshallbethydeath,withoutwhich,THETRUTHhathsaid,thoucanstnothaveeternallife;

thisdoctrinethoumustabhor。

{56}

Thirdly,Thoumusthatehissettingofthyfeetinthewaythatleadethtotheministrationofdeath。Andforthisthoumustconsidertowhomhesentthee,andalsohowunablethatpersonwastodelivertheefromthyburden。

{57}



Hetowhomthouwastsentforease,beingbynameLegality,isthesonofthebond—womanwhichnowis,andisinbondagewithherchildren[Gal4:21—27];andis,inamystery,thisMountSinai,whichthouhastfearedwillfallonthyhead。Now,ifshe,withherchildren,areinbondage,howcanstthouexpectbythemtobemadefree?ThisLegality,therefore,isnotabletosettheefreefromthyburden。Nomanwasasyeteverridofhisburdenbyhim;

no,noreverisliketobe:yecannotbejustifiedbytheworksofthelaw;

forbythedeedsofthelawnomanlivingcanberidofhisburden:

therefore,Mr。WorldlyWisemanisanalien,andMr。Legalityisacheat;

andforhissonCivility,notwithstandinghissimperinglooks,heisbutahypocriteandcannothelpthee。Believeme,thereisnothinginallthisnoise,thatthouhastheardofthesesottishmen,butadesigntobeguiletheeofthysalvation,byturningtheefromthewayinwhichIhadsetthee。Afterthis,Evangelistcalledaloudtotheheavensforconfirmationofwhathehadsaid:andwiththattherecamewordsandfireoutofthemountainunderwhichpoorChristianstood,thatmadethehairofhisfleshstandup。Thewordswerethuspronounced:

`Asmanyasareoftheworksofthelawareunderthecurse;

foritiswritten,Cursediseveryonethatcontinuethnotinallthingswhicharewritteninthebookofthelawtodothem。’[Gal。3:10]

{58}

NowChristianlookedfornothingbutdeath,andbegantocryoutlamentably;evencursingthetimeinwhichhemetwithMr。WorldlyWiseman;stillcallinghimselfathousandfoolsforhearkeningtohiscounsel;healsowasgreatlyashamedtothinkthatthisgentleman’sarguments,flowingonlyfromtheflesh,shouldhavetheprevalencywithhimastocausehimtoforsaketherightway。Thisdone,heappliedhimselfagaintoEvangelistinwordsandsenseasfollow:

{59}



CHR。Sir,whatthinkyou?Istherehope?MayInowgobackandgouptothewicket—gate?ShallInotbeabandonedforthis,andsentbackfromthenceashamed?IamsorryIhavehearkenedtothisman’scounsel。Butmaymysinbeforgiven?



EVAN。ThensaidEvangelisttohim,Thysinisverygreat,forbyitthouhastcommittedtwoevils:thouhastforsakenthewaythatisgood,totreadinforbiddenpaths;yetwillthemanatthegatereceivethee,forhehasgoodwillformen;only,saidhe,takeheedthatthouturnnotasideagain,`lestthouperishfromtheway,whenhiswrathiskindledbutalittle。’[Ps。2:12]

ThendidChristianaddresshimselftogoback;andEvangelist,afterhehadkissedhim,gavehimonesmile,andbidhimGod—speed。

Sohewentonwithhaste,neitherspakehetoanymanbytheway;

nor,ifanyaskedhim,wouldhevouchsafethemananswer。

Hewentlikeonethatwasallthewhiletreadingonforbiddenground,andcouldbynomeansthinkhimselfsafe,tillagainhewasgotintothewaywhichheleft,tofollowMr。WorldlyWiseman’scounsel。

So,inprocessoftime,Christiangotuptothegate。

Now,overthegatetherewaswritten,`Knock,anditshallbeopeneduntoyou。’[Matt7:8]

{60}

\"HethatwillenterinmustfirstwithoutStandknockingattheGate,norneedhedoubtThatisAKNOCKERbuttoenterin;

ForGodcanlovehim,andforgivehissin。\"

Heknocked,therefore,morethanonceortwice,saying——

\"MayInowenterhere?WillhewithinOpentosorryme,thoughIhavebeenAnundeservingrebel?ThenshallI

Notfailtosinghislastingpraiseonhigh。\"

Atlasttherecameagravepersontothegate,namedGood—will,whoaskedwhowasthere?andwhencehecame?andwhathewouldhave?

{61}

CHR。Hereisapoorburdenedsinner。IcomefromtheCityofDestruction,butamgoingtoMountZion,thatImaybedeliveredfromthewrathtocome。Iwouldtherefore,Sir,sinceIaminformedthatbythisgateisthewaythither,knowifyouarewillingtoletmein?



GOOD—WILL。Iamwillingwithallmyheart,saidhe;andwiththatheopenedthegate。

{62}

SowhenChristianwassteppingin,theothergavehimapull。

ThensaidChristian,Whatmeansthat?Theothertoldhim。

Alittledistancefromthisgate,thereiserectedastrongcastle,ofwhichBeelzebubisthecaptain;fromthence,bothheandthemthatarewithhimshootarrowsatthosethatcomeuptothisgate,ifhaplytheymaydiebeforetheycanenterin。



ThensaidChristian,Irejoiceandtremble。Sowhenhewasgotin,themanofthegateaskedhimwhodirectedhimthither?

{63}



CHR。Evangelistbidmecomehither,andknock,(asIdid);

andhesaidthatyou,Sir,wouldtellmewhatImustdo。

GOOD—WILL。Anopendoorissetbeforethee,andnomancanshutit。

CHR。NowIbegintoreapthebenefitsofmyhazards。

GOOD—WILL。Buthowisitthatyoucamealone?

CHR。Becausenoneofmyneighbourssawtheirdanger,asIsawmine。

GOOD—WILL。Didanyofthemknowofyourcoming?

CHR。Yes;mywifeandchildrensawmeatthefirst,andcalledaftermetoturnagain;also,someofmyneighboursstoodcryingandcallingaftermetoreturn;butIputmyfingersinmyears,andsocameonmyway。

GOOD—WILL。Butdidnoneofthemfollowyou,topersuadeyoutogoback?

CHR。Yes,bothObstinateandPliable;butwhentheysawthattheycouldnotprevail,Obstinatewentrailingback,butPliablecamewithmealittleway。

GOOD—WILL。Butwhydidhenotcomethrough?

{64}



CHR。We,indeed,camebothtogether,untilwecameattheSloughofDespond,intothewhichwealsosuddenlyfell。

Andthenwasmyneighbour,Pliable,discouraged,andwouldnotventurefurther。Wherefore,gettingoutagainonthatsidenexttohisownhouse,hetoldmeIshouldpossessthebravecountryaloneforhim;sohewenthisway,andIcamemine——

heafterObstinate,andItothisgate。

GOOD—WILL。ThensaidGood—will,Alas,poorman!isthecelestialgloryofsosmallesteemwithhim,thathecountethitnotworthrunningthehazardsofafewdifficultiestoobtainit?

{65}



CHR。Truly,saidChristian,IhavesaidthetruthofPliable,andifIshouldalsosayallthetruthofmyself,itwillappearthereisnobettermentbetwixthimandmyself。Itistrue,hewentbacktohisownhouse,butIalsoturnedasidetogointhewayofdeath,beingpersuadedtheretobythecarnalargumentsofoneMr。WorldlyWiseman。

GOOD—WILL。Oh,didhelightuponyou?What!hewouldhavehadyouasoughtforeaseatthehandsofMr。Legality。Theyare,bothofthem,averycheat。Butdidyoutakehiscounsel?

CHR。Yes,asfarasIdurst;IwenttofindoutMr。Legality,untilIthoughtthatthemountainthatstandsbyhishousewouldhavefallenuponmyhead;whereforethereIwasforcedtostop。

GOOD—WILL。Thatmountainhasbeenthedeathofmany,andwillbethedeathofmanymore;itiswellyouescapedbeingbyitdashedinpieces。

CHR。Why,truly,Idonotknowwhathadbecomeofmethere,hadnotEvangelisthappilymetmeagain,asIwasmusinginthemidstofmydumps;butitwasGod’smercythathecametomeagain,forelseIhadnevercomehither。ButnowIamcome,suchaoneasIam,morefit,indeed,fordeath,bythatmountain,thanthustostandtalkingwithmylord;but,oh,whatafavouristhistome,thatyetIamadmittedentrancehere!

{66}



GOOD—WILL。Wemakenoobjectionsagainstany,notwithstandingallthattheyhavedonebeforetheycamehither。Theyareinnowisecastout[Johnvi。37];andtherefore,goodChristian,comealittlewaywithme,andIwillteachtheeaboutthewaythoumustgo。

Lookbeforethee;

dostthouseethisnarrowway?THATisthewaythoumustgo;

itwascastupbythepatriarchs,prophets,Christ,andhisapostles;

anditisasstraightasarulecanmakeit。Thisisthewaythoumustgo。

{67}



CHR。But,saidChristian,aretherenoturningsorwindingsbywhichastrangermaylosehisway?

GOOD—WILL。Yes,therearemanywaysbuttdownuponthis,andtheyarecrookedandwide。Butthusthoumayestdistinguishtherightfromthewrong,therightonlybeingstraightandnarrow。

[Matt7:14]

{68}



ThenIsawinmydreamthatChristianaskedhimfurtherifhecouldnothelphimoffwithhisburdenthatwasuponhisback;

forasyethehadnotgotridthereof,norcouldhebyanymeansgetitoffwithouthelp。



Hetoldhim,Astothyburden,becontenttobearit,untilthoucomesttotheplaceofdeliverance;forthereitwillfallfromthybackofitself。

{69}

ThenChristianbegantogirduphisloins,andtoaddresshimselftohisjourney。Sotheothertoldhim,Thatbythathewasgonesomedistancefromthegate,hewouldcomeatthehouseoftheInterpreter,atwhosedoorheshouldknock,andhewouldshowhimexcellentthings。ThenChristiantookhisleaveofhisfriend,andheagainbidhimGod—speed。

{70}



ThenhewentontillhecametothehouseoftheInterpreter,whereheknockedoverandover;atlastonecametothedoor,andaskedwhowasthere。

{71}

CHR。Sir,hereisatraveller,whowasbidbyanacquaintanceofthegood—manofthishousetocallhereformyprofit;

Iwouldthereforespeakwiththemasterofthehouse。

Sohecalledforthemasterofthehouse,who,afteralittletime,cametoChristian,andaskedhimwhathewouldhave。



CHR。Sir,saidChristian,IamamanthatamcomefromtheCityofDestruction,andamgoingtotheMountZion;

andIwastoldbythemanthatstandsatthegate,attheheadofthisway,thatifIcalledhere,youwouldshowmeexcellentthings,suchaswouldbeahelptomeinmyjourney。

{72}



INTER。ThensaidtheInterpreter,Comein;Iwillshowthatwhichwillbeprofitabletothee。Sohecommandedhismantolightthecandle,andbidChristianfollowhim:sohehadhimintoaprivateroom,andbidhismanopenadoor;thewhichwhenhehaddone,Christiansawthepictureofaverygravepersonhangupagainstthewall;andthiswasthefashionofit。Ithadeyeslifteduptoheaven,thebestofbooksinhishand,thelawoftruthwaswrittenuponhislips,theworldwasbehindhisback。

Itstoodasifitpleadedwithmen,andacrownofgolddidhangoverhishead。

CHR。ThensaidChristian,Whatmeaneththis?

{73}



INTER。Themanwhosepicturethisis,isoneofathousand;

hecanbegetchildren[1Cor。4:15],travailinbirthwithchildren[Gal。4:19],andnursethemhimselfwhentheyareborn。

Andwhereasthouseesthimwithhiseyesliftuptoheaven,thebestofbooksinhishand,andthelawoftruthwritonhislips,itistoshowtheethathisworkistoknowandunfolddarkthingstosinners;evenasalsothouseesthimstandasifhepleadedwithmen:

andwhereasthouseesttheworldascastbehindhim,andthatacrownhangsoverhishead,thatistoshowtheethatslightinganddespisingthethingsthatarepresent,forthelovethathehathtohisMaster’sservice,heissureintheworldthatcomesnexttohavegloryforhisreward。

Now,saidtheInterpreter,Ihaveshowedtheethispicturefirst,becausethemanwhosepicturethisis,istheonlymanwhomtheLordoftheplacewhitherthouartgoing,hathauthorisedtobethyguideinalldifficultplacesthoumayestmeetwithintheway;

wherefore,takegoodheedtowhatIhaveshewedthee,andbearwellinthymindwhatthouhastseen,lestinthyjourneythoumeetwithsomethatpretendtoleadtheeright,buttheirwaygoesdowntodeath。

{74}

Thenhetookhimbythehand,andledhimintoaverylargeparlourthatwasfullofdust,becauseneverswept;thewhichafterhehadreviewedalittlewhile,theInterpretercalledforamantosweep。

Now,whenhebegantosweep,thedustbegansoabundantlytoflyabout,thatChristianhadalmosttherewithbeenchoked。ThensaidtheInterpretertoadamselthatstoodby,Bringhitherthewater,andsprinkletheroom;thewhich,whenshehaddone,itwassweptandcleansedwithpleasure。

{75}

CHR。ThensaidChristian,Whatmeansthis?

INTER。TheInterpreteranswered,Thisparlouristheheartofamanthatwasneversanctifiedbythesweetgraceofthegospel;

thedustishisoriginalsinandinwardcorruptions,thathavedefiledthewholeman。Hethatbegantosweepatfirst,istheLaw;

butshethatbroughtwater,anddidsprinkleit,istheGospel。

Now,whereasthousawest,thatsosoonasthefirstbegantosweep,thedustdidsoflyaboutthattheroombyhimcouldnotbecleansed,butthatthouwastalmostchokedtherewith;thisistoshewthee,thatthelaw,insteadofcleansingtheheart(byitsworking)fromsin,dothrevive,putstrengthinto,andincreaseitinthesoul,evenasitdothdiscoverandforbidit,foritdothnotgivepowertosubdue。[Rom。7:6;1Cor。15:56;Rom。5:20]

{76}

Again,asthousawestthedamselsprinkletheroomwithwater,uponwhichitwascleansedwithpleasure;thisistoshowthee,thatwhenthegospelcomesinthesweetandpreciousinfluencesthereoftotheheart,then,Isay,evenasthousawestthedamsellaythedustbysprinklingthefloorwithwater,soissinvanquishedandsubdued,andthesoulmadecleanthroughthefaithofit,andconsequentlyfitfortheKingofglorytoinhabit。[John15:3;Eph。5:26;Acts15:9;

Rom。16:25,26;John15:13]

{77}

Isaw,moreover,inmydream,thattheInterpretertookhimbythehand,andhadhimintoalittleroom,wheresattwolittlechildren,eachoneinhischair。

ThenameoftheeldestwasPassion,andthenameoftheotherPatience。

Passionseemedtobemuchdiscontented;butPatiencewasveryquiet。

ThenChristianasked,WhatisthereasonofthediscontentofPassion?



TheInterpreteranswered,TheGovernorofthemwouldhavehimstayforhisbestthingstillthebeginningofthenextyear;

buthewillhaveallnow:butPatienceiswillingtowait。



ThenIsawthatonecametoPassion,andbroughthimabagoftreasure,andpoureditdownathisfeet,thewhichhetookupandrejoicedtherein,andwithallaughedPatiencetoscorn。

ButIbeheldbutawhile,andhehadlavishedallaway,andhadnothinglefthimbutrags。

{78}

CHR。ThensaidChristiantotheInterpreter,Expoundthismattermorefullytome。



INTER。Sohesaid,Thesetwoladsarefigures:Passion,ofthemenofthisworld;andPatience,ofthemenofthatwhichistocome;

forasherethouseest,Passionwillhaveallnowthisyear,thatistosay,inthisworld;soarethemenofthisworld,theymusthavealltheirgoodthingsnow,theycannotstaytillnextyear,thatisuntilthenextworld,fortheirportionofgood。

Thatproverb,`Abirdinthehandisworthtwointhebush’,isofmoreauthoritywiththemthanarealltheDivinetestimoniesofthegoodoftheworldtocome。Butasthousawestthathehadquicklylavishedallaway,andhadpresentlylefthimnothingbutrags;sowillitbewithallsuchmenattheendofthisworld。



CHR。ThensaidChristian,NowIseethatPatiencehasthebestwisdom,andthatuponmanyaccounts。First,becausehestaysforthebestthings。Second,andalsobecausehewillhavethegloryofhis,whentheotherhasnothingbutrags。

{79}



INTER。Nay,youmayaddanother,towit,thegloryofthenextworldwillneverwearout;butthesearesuddenlygone。ThereforePassionhadnotsomuchreasontolaughatPatience,becausehehadhisgoodthingsfirst,asPatiencewillhavetolaughatPassion,becausehehadhisbestthingslast;forfirstmustgiveplacetolast,becauselastmusthavehistimetocome;butlastgivesplacetonothing;forthereisnotanothertosucceed。He,therefore,thathathhisportionfirst,mustneedshaveatimetospendit;

buthethathathhisportionlast,musthaveitlastingly;

thereforeitissaidofDives,\"Thouinthylife—timereceivedstthygoodthings,andlikewiseLazarusevilthings;butnowheiscomforted,andthouarttormented。\"

[Luke16:25]

CHR。ThenIperceiveitisnotbesttocovetthingsthatarenow,buttowaitforthingstocome。



INTER。Yousaythetruth:\"Forthethingswhichareseenaretemporal;

butthethingswhicharenotseenareeternal。\"[2Cor。4:18]

Butthoughthisbeso,yetsincethingspresentandourfleshlyappetitearesuchnearneighboursonetoanother;andagain,becausethingstocome,andcarnalsense,aresuchstrangersonetoanother;thereforeitis,thatthefirstofthesesosuddenlyfallintoamity,andthatdistanceissocontinuedbetweenthesecond。

{80}

ThenIsawinmydreamthattheInterpretertookChristianbythehand,andledhimintoaplacewherewasafireburningagainstawall,andonestandingbyit,alwayscastingmuchwateruponit,toquenchit;

yetdidthefireburnhigherandhotter。

ThensaidChristian,Whatmeansthis?

{81}

TheInterpreteranswered,Thisfireistheworkofgracethatiswroughtintheheart;hethatcastswateruponit,toextinguishandputitout,istheDevil;butinthatthouseestthefirenotwithstandingburnhigherandhotter,thoushaltalsoseethereasonofthat。Sohehadhimabouttothebacksideofthewall,wherehesawamanwithavesselofoilinhishand,ofthewhichhedidalsocontinuallycast,butsecretly,intothefire。

ThensaidChristian,Whatmeansthis?

{82}

TheInterpreteranswered,ThisisChrist,whocontinually,withtheoilofhisgrace,maintainstheworkalreadybegunintheheart:bythemeansofwhich,notwithstandingwhatthedevilcando,thesoulsofhispeopleprovegraciousstill。[2Cor。

12:9]

Andinthatthousawestthatthemanstoodbehindthewalltomaintainthefire,thatistoteachtheethatitishardforthetemptedtoseehowthisworkofgraceismaintainedinthesoul。

Isawalso,thattheInterpretertookhimagainbythehand,andledhimintoapleasantplace,wherewasbuildedastatelypalace,beautifultobehold;atthesightofwhichChristianwasgreatlydelighted。Hesawalso,uponthetopthereof,certainpersonswalking,whowereclothedallingold。

ThensaidChristian,Maywegointhither?

{83}



ThentheInterpretertookhim,andledhimuptowardsthedoorofthepalace;andbehold,atthedoorstoodagreatcompanyofmen,asdesiroustogoin;butdurstnot。Therealsosatamanatalittledistancefromthedoor,atatable—side,withabookandhisinkhornbeforehim,totakethenameofhimthatshouldentertherein;hesawalso,thatinthedoorwaystoodmanymeninarmourtokeepit,beingresolvedtodothementhatwouldenterwhathurtandmischieftheycould。NowwasChristiansomewhatinamaze。

Atlast,wheneverymanstartedbackforfearofthearmedmen,Christiansawamanofaverystoutcountenancecomeuptothemanthatsattheretowrite,saying,Setdownmyname,Sir:thewhichwhenhehaddone,hesawthemandrawhissword,andputahelmetuponhishead,andrushtowardthedooruponthearmedmen,wholaiduponhimwithdeadlyforce;buttheman,notatalldiscouraged,felltocuttingandhackingmostfiercely。Soafterhehadreceivedandgivenmanywoundstothosethatattemptedtokeephimout,hecuthiswaythroughthemall[Acts14:。22],andpressedforwardintothepalace,atwhichtherewasapleasantvoiceheardfromthosethatwerewithin,evenofthosethatwalkeduponthetopofthepalace,saying——

\"Comein,comein;

Eternalglorythoushaltwin。\"

Sohewentin,andwasclothedwithsuchgarmentsasthey。

ThenChristiansmiledandsaid;IthinkverilyIknowthemeaningofthis。

{84}



Now,saidChristian,letmegohence。Nay,stay,saidtheInterpreter,tillIhaveshewedtheealittlemore,andafterthatthoushaltgoonthyway。Sohetookhimbythehandagain,andledhimintoaverydarkroom,wheretheresatamaninanironcage。

Nowtheman,tolookon,seemedverysad;hesatwithhiseyeslookingdowntotheground,hishandsfoldedtogether,andhesighedasifhewouldbreakhisheart。ThensaidChristian,Whatmeansthis?AtwhichtheInterpreterbidhimtalkwiththeman。

ThensaidChristiantotheman,Whatartthou?Themananswered,IamwhatIwasnotonce。

{85}

CHR。Whatwastthouonce?

MAN。Themansaid,Iwasonceafairandflourishingprofessor,bothinmineowneyes,andalsointheeyesofothers;Ioncewas,asIthought,fairfortheCelestialCity,andhadthenevenjoyatthethoughtsthatIshouldgetthither。[Luke8:13]

CHR。Well,butwhatartthounow?

MAN。Iamnowamanofdespair,andamshutupinit,asinthisironcage。Icannotgetout。Oh,nowIcannot!

CHR。Buthowcamestthouinthiscondition?

MAN。Ileftofftowatchandbesober。Ilaidthereins,upontheneckofmylusts;IsinnedagainstthelightoftheWordandthegoodnessofGod;IhavegrievedtheSpirit,andheisgone;

Itemptedthedevil,andheiscometome;IhaveprovokedGodtoanger,andhehasleftme:Ihavesohardenedmyheart,thatIcannotrepent。

{86}

ThensaidChristiantotheInterpreter,Butistherenohopeforsuchamanasthis?Askhim,saidtheInterpreter。Nay,saidChristian,pray,Sir,doyou。

INTER。ThensaidtheInterpreter,Istherenohope,butyoumustbekeptintheironcageofdespair?

MAN。No,noneatall。

INTER。Why,theSonoftheBlessedisverypitiful。

MAN。Ihavecrucifiedhimtomyselfafresh[Heb。6:6];

Ihavedespisedhisperson[Luke19:14];Ihavedespisedhisrighteousness;Ihave\"countedhisbloodanunholything\";

Ihave\"donedespitetotheSpiritofgrace\"。[Heb。10:28—29]

ThereforeIhaveshutmyselfoutofallthepromises,andtherenowremainstomenothingbutthreatenings,dreadfulthreatenings,fearfulthreatenings,ofcertainjudgementandfieryindignation,whichshalldevourmeasanadversary。

{87}

INTER。Forwhatdidyoubringyourselfintothiscondition?

MAN。Forthelusts,pleasures,andprofitsofthisworld;

intheenjoymentofwhichIdidthenpromisemyselfmuchdelight;

butnoweveryoneofthosethingsalsobiteme,andgnawmelikeaburningworm。

INTER。Butcanstthounotnowrepentandturn?

{88}

MAN。Godhathdeniedmerepentance。HisWordgivesmenoencouragementtobelieve;yea,himselfhathshutmeupinthisironcage;

norcanallthemenintheworldletmeout。Oeternity,eternity!

howshallIgrapplewiththemiserythatImustmeetwithineternity!

INTER。ThensaidtheInterpretertoChristian,Letthisman’smiseryberememberedbythee,andbeaneverlastingcautiontothee。

CHR。Well,saidChristian,thisisfearful!Godhelpmetowatchandbesober,andtopraythatImayshunthecauseofthisman’smisery!

Sir,isitnottimeformetogoonmywaynow?

INTER。TarrytillIshallshowtheeonethingmore,andthenthoushaltgoonthyway。

{89}

SohetookChristianbythehandagain,andledhimintoachamber,wheretherewasonerisingoutofbed;andasheputonhisraiment,heshookandtrembled。ThensaidChristian,Whydoththismanthustremble?TheInterpreterthenbidhimtelltoChristianthereasonofhissodoing。Sohebeganandsaid,Thisnight,asIwasinmysleep,Idreamed,andbeholdtheheavensgrewexceedingblack;alsoitthunderedandlightenedinmostfearfulwise,thatitputmeintoanagony;soIlookedupinmydream,andsawthecloudsrackatanunusualrate,uponwhichIheardagreatsoundofatrumpet,andsawalsoamansituponacloud,attendedwiththethousandsofheaven;theywereallinflamingfire:

alsotheheavenswereinaburningflame。Iheardthenavoicesaying,\"Arise,yedead,andcometojudgement\";andwiththattherocksrent,thegravesopened,andthedeadthatwerethereincameforth。

Someofthemwereexceedingglad,andlookedupward;andsomesoughttohidethemselvesunderthemountains。[1Cor。15:52;1Thes。

4:16;

Jude14;John5:28,29;2Thes。1:7,8;Rev。20:11—14;Isa。26:21;

Micah7:16,17;Ps。95:1—3;Dan。7:10]ThenIsawthemanthatsatuponthecloudopenthebook,andbidtheworlddrawnear。

Yettherewas,byreasonofafierceflamewhichissuedoutandcamefrombeforehim,aconvenientdistancebetwixthimandthem,asbetwixtthejudgeandtheprisonersatthebar。[Mal。3:2,3;

Dan。7:9,10]Ihearditalsoproclaimedtothemthatattendedonthemanthatsatonthecloud,Gathertogetherthetares,thechaff,andstubble,andcastthemintotheburninglake。[Matt。3:12;

13:30;

Mal。4:1]Andwiththat,thebottomlesspitopened,justwhereaboutIstood;outofthemouthofwhichtherecame,inanabundantmanner,smokeandcoalsoffire,withhideousnoises。Itwasalsosaidtothesamepersons,\"Gathermywheatintothegarner。\"[Luke3:17]

AndwiththatIsawmanycatchedupandcarriedawayintotheclouds,butIwasleftbehind。[1Thes。4:16,17]Ialsosoughttohidemyself,butIcouldnot,forthemanthatsatuponthecloudstillkepthiseyeuponme;mysinsalsocameintomymind;andmyconsciencedidaccusemeoneveryside。[Rom。3:14,15]UponthisIawakedfrommysleep。

{90}

CHR。Butwhatisitthatmadeyousoafraidofthissight?

MAN。Why,Ithoughtthatthedayofjudgementwascome,andthatIwasnotreadyforit:butthisfrightedmemost,thattheangelsgatheredupseveral,andleftmebehind;

alsothepitofhellopenedhermouthjustwhereIstood。

Myconscience,too,afflictedme;and,asIthought,theJudgehadalwayshiseyeuponme,shewingindignationinhiscountenance。

{91}

ThensaidtheInterpretertoChristian,Hastthouconsideredallthesethings?

CHR。Yes,andtheyputmeinhopeandfear。

INTER。Well,keepallthingssointhymindthattheymaybeasagoadinthysides,topricktheeforwardinthewaythoumustgo。

ThenChristianbegantogirduphisloins,andtoaddresshimselftohisjourney。ThensaidtheInterpreter,TheComforterbealwayswiththee,goodChristian,toguidetheeinthewaythatleadstotheCity。SoChristianwentonhisway,saying——

\"HereIhaveseenthingsrareandprofitable;

Thingspleasant,dreadful,thingstomakemestableInwhatIhavebeguntotakeinhand;

Thenletmethinkonthem,andunderstandWhereforetheyshowedmewere,andletmebeThankful,OgoodInterpreter,tothee。\"

{92}

NowIsawinmydream,thatthehighwayupwhichChristianwastogo,wasfencedoneithersidewithawall,andthatwallwascalledSalvation。[Isa。26:1]Upthisway,therefore,didburdenedChristianrun,butnotwithoutgreatdifficulty,becauseoftheloadonhisback。

{93}

Heranthustillhecameataplacesomewhatascending,anduponthatplacestoodacross,andalittlebelow,inthebottom,asepulchre。SoIsawinmydream,thatjustasChristiancameupwiththecross,hisburdenloosedfromoffhisshoulders,andfellfromoffhisback,andbegantotumble,andsocontinuedtodo,tillitcametothemouthofthesepulchre,whereitfellin,andIsawitnomore。

{94}



ThenwasChristiangladandlightsome,andsaid,withamerryheart,\"Hehathgivenmerestbyhissorrow,andlifebyhisdeath。\"

Thenhestoodstillawhiletolookandwonder;foritwasverysurprisingtohim,thatthesightofthecrossshouldthuseasehimofhisburden。Helookedtherefore,andlookedagain,eventillthespringsthatwereinhisheadsentthewatersdownhischeeks。[Zech。12:10]Now,ashestoodlookingandweeping,beholdthreeShiningOnescametohimandsalutedhimwith\"Peacebeuntothee\"。Sothefirstsaidtohim,\"Thysinsbeforgiventhee\"[Mark2:5];thesecondstrippedhimofhisrags,andclothedhimwithchangeofraiment[Zech。3:4];thethirdalsosetamarkonhisforehead,andgavehimarollwithasealuponit,whichhebadehimlookonasheran,andthatheshouldgiveitinattheCelestialGate。[Eph。1:13]Sotheywenttheirway。

\"Who’sthis?thePilgrim。How!’tisverytrue,Oldthingsarepastaway,all’sbecomenew。

Strange!he’sanotherman,uponmyword,Theybefinefeathersthatmakeafinebird。



ThenChristiangavethreeleapsforjoy,andwentonsinging——

\"ThusfarIdidcomeladenwithmysin;

NorcouldaughteasethegriefthatIwasinTillIcamehither:Whataplaceisthis!

Mustherebethebeginningofmybliss?

Mustheretheburdenfallfromoffmyback?

Mustherethestringsthatboundittomecrack?

Blestcross!blestsepulchre!blestratherbeTheManthattherewasputtoshameforme!\"

{95}



Isawtheninmydream,thathewentonthus,evenuntilhecameatabottom,wherehesaw,alittleoutoftheway,threemenfastasleep,withfettersupontheirheels。ThenameoftheonewasSimple,anotherSloth,andthethirdPresumption。

{96}

Christianthenseeingthemlieinthiscasewenttothem,ifperadventurehemightawakethem,andcried,Youarelikethemthatsleeponthetopofamast,fortheDeadSeaisunderyou——

agulfthathathnobottom。[Prov。23:34]Awake,therefore,andcomeaway;bewillingalso,andIwillhelpyouoffwithyourirons。

Healsotoldthem,Ifhethat\"goethaboutlikearoaringlion\"

comesby,youwillcertainlybecomeapreytohisteeth。[1Pet。

5:8]



Withthattheylookeduponhim,andbegantoreplyinthissort:

Simplesaid,\"Iseenodanger\";Slothsaid,\"Yetalittlemoresleep\";

andPresumptionsaid,\"Everyfatmuststanduponitsownbottom;

whatistheanswerelsethatIshouldgivethee?\"Andsotheylaydowntosleepagain,andChristianwentonhisway。

{97}

Yetwashetroubledtothinkthatmeninthatdangershouldsolittleesteemthekindnessofhimthatsofreelyofferedtohelpthem,bothbyawakeningofthem,counsellingofthem,andprofferingtohelpthemoffwiththeirirons。Andashewastroubledthereabout,heespiedtwomencometumblingoverthewallonthelefthandofthenarrowway;andtheymadeupapacetohim。ThenameoftheonewasFormalist,andthenameoftheotherHypocrisy。So,asIsaid,theydrewupuntohim,whothusenteredwiththemintodiscourse。

{98}



CHR。Gentlemen,whencecameyou,andwhithergoyou?

FORM。andHYP。WewereborninthelandofVain—glory,andaregoingforpraisetoMountZion。

CHR。Whycameyounotinatthegatewhichstandethatthebeginningoftheway?Knowyounotthatitiswritten,thathethatcomethnotinbythedoor,\"butclimbethupsomeotherway,thesameisathiefandarobber?\"[John10:1]

FORM。andHYP。Theysaid,Thattogotothegateforentrancewas,byalltheircountrymen,countedtoofarabout;andthat,therefore,theirusualwaywastomakeashortcutofit,andtoclimboverthewall,astheyhaddone。

CHR。ButwillitnotbecountedatrespassagainsttheLordofthecitywhitherwearebound,thustoviolatehisrevealedwill?

{99}



FORM。andHYP。Theytoldhim,that,asforthat,heneedednottotroublehisheadthereabout;forwhattheydidtheyhadcustomfor;

andcouldproduce,ifneedwere,testimonythatwouldwitnessitformorethanathousandyears。

CHR。But,saidChristian,willyourpracticestandatrialatlaw?

FORM。andHYP。Theytoldhim,Thatcustom,itbeingofsolongastandingasaboveathousandyears,would,doubtless,nowbeadmittedasathinglegalbyanyimpartialjudge;andbesides,saidthey,ifwegetintotheway,what’smatterwhichwaywegetin?

ifwearein,wearein;thouartbutintheway,who,asweperceive,cameinatthegate;andwearealsointheway,thatcametumblingoverthewall;wherein,now,isthyconditionbetterthanours?

CHR。IwalkbytheruleofmyMaster;youwalkbytherudeworkingofyourfancies。Youarecountedthievesalready,bytheLordoftheway;therefore,Idoubtyouwillnotbefoundtruemenattheendoftheway。Youcomeinbyyourselves,withouthisdirection;

andshallgooutbyyourselves,withouthismercy。

{100}

Tothistheymadehimbutlittleanswer;onlytheybidhimlooktohimself。ThenIsawthattheywentoneverymaninhiswaywithoutmuchconferenceonewithanother,savethatthesetwomentoldChristian,thatastolawsandordinances,theydoubtednotbuttheyshouldasconscientiouslydothemashe;therefore,saidthey,weseenotwhereinthoudifferestfromusbutbythecoatthatisonthyback,whichwas,aswetrow,giventheebysomeofthyneighbours,tohidetheshameofthynakedness。

theconclusionTheConclusionNow,Reader,Ihavetoldmydreamtothee;

Seeifthoucanstinterpretittome,Ortothyself,orneighbour;buttakeheedOfmisinterpreting;forthat,insteadOfdoinggood,willbutthyselfabuse:

Bymisinterpreting,evilensues。

Takeheed,also,thatthoubenotextreme,Inplayingwiththeoutsideofmydream:

NorletmyfigureorsimilitudePuttheeintoalaughterorafeud。

Leavethisforboysandfools;butasforthee,Dothouthesubstanceofmymattersee。

Putbythecurtains,lookwithinmyveil,Turnupmymetaphors,anddonotfail,There,ifthouseekestthem,suchthingstofind,Aswillbehelpfultoanhonestmind。

Whatofmydrossthoufindestthere,beboldTothrowaway,butyetpreservethegold;

Whatifmygoldbewrappedupinore?——

Nonethrowsawaytheappleforthecore。

Butifthoushaltcastallawayasvain,Iknownotbut’twillmakemedreamagain。