第7章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Pilgrim’s Progress",免费读到尾

  [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。

点击下载App,搜索"The Pilgrim’s Progress",免费读到尾