Christian knocks at the Wicket-Gate.

treading on forbidden ground, and could by no means think himself safe till again he was got in the way which he left to follow Mr. Worldly-Wiseman's counsel. So in process of time Christian got up to the gate. Now over the gate there was written, Knock, and it shall be opened unto you".

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He knocked therefore more than once or twice3,

saying,

May I now enter here? Will he within
Open to sorry me, though I have been

An undeserving rebel? Then shall I

Not fail to sing his lasting praise on high."

At last there came a grave person to the gate, named Good-will, who asked who was there? and whence he came? and what he would have?

CHR. Here is a poor burdened sinner. I come from the City of Destruction, but am going to the Mount Zion, that I may be delivered from the wrath to come. I would therefore, Sir, since I am informed that by this gate is the way thither, know if you are willing to let me in.

GOOD. 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 pulls. Then said Christian, What means

that? The other told him, A little distance from

3 This is praying and pleading in faith with God for mercy and forgiveness of sin through the blood of Jesus Christ.

The gate will be open to broken-hearted sinners. Here behold the love of Jesus, in freely and heartily receiving every poor sinner who comes unto him. However vile they have been, or whatever sins they have committed, he loves them freely, and receives them graciously. For he has nothing but good-will to them. Hence the heavenly host sang at his birth, "Good-will towards men," Luke ii. 14.

5 Every saved sinner is a brand plucked out of the fire by the almighty power of Christ, Zech. iii. 2.

"Matt. ii. 7, 8.

Christian's Reception

this gate there is erected a strong castle, of which Beelzebub 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?

CHR. 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 before thee, and no man can shut it."

CHR. Now I begin to reap the benefit of all my hazards.

GOOD. But how is it that you come alone?

CHR. Because none of my neighbours saw their danger as I saw mine.

GOOD. Did any of them know of your coming? CHR. Yes, my wife and children saw me at the first, and called after me to turn again; also some of my neighbours stood crying and calling after me to return; but I put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my way.

GOOD. But did none of them follow you, to persuade you to go back?

CHR. Yes, both Obstinate and Pliable but when they saw that they could not prevail, Obstinate went railing back, but Pliable came with me a little way.

GOOD. But why did he not come through?

CHR. We indeed came both together until we came to the Slough of Despond, into the which we also suddenly fell. And then was my neighbour Pliable discouraged, and would not adventure further". Wherefore getting out again on that side

A man may have company when he sets out for heaven, and yet go thither alone.

at the Wicket-Gate.

next to his own house, he told me I should possess the brave country alone for him: so he went his way, and I came mine; he after Obstinate, and I to this gate.

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

CHR. Truly, said Christian, I have said truth of Pliable; and if I should also say all the truth of myself, it will appear there is no difference betwixt him and myself. It is true he went back to his own house, but I also turned aside to go into the way of death, being persuaded thereto by the carnal arguments of one Mr. Worldly-Wiseman".

GOOD. Oh! did he light upon you? What, he would have had you have sought for ease at the hands of Mr. Legality; they are both of them very cheats. But did you take his counsel ?

CHR. Yes, as far as I durst. I went to find out Mr. Legality, until I thought that the mountain that stands by his house would have fallen upon my head; wherefore there I was forced to stop.

It is

GOOD. That mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more. well you escaped being dashed in pieces by it.

CHR. Why, truly, I do not know what had become of me there, had not Evangelist, happily met me

7 If we have grace in our hearts, it will make us take shame to ourselves, and give all the glory to God's mercy for any difference there is between us and others. Free grace destroys pride and selfwill, and lays the sinner low; while it exalts Christ, and causes sinners to triumph in his strength and salvation.

• Though Jesus knows what is in man and all his ways, yet he will bring the soul to confess its sins to him. See the loving heart of Christ to sinners, and the free communications he admits them to have with himself. Oh! if ye be his people, pour out your hearts before him; God is a refuge for us, Psa. lxii. 8. a very present help in trouble.

Christian directed by Good-will

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 an one as I am, more fit indeed for death by that mountain, than thus to stand talking with my Lord. But, oh! what a favour is this to me, that yet I am admitted entrance here'.

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GOOD. We make no objection 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 way with me, and I will teach thee about the way thou must go. Look before thee: dost thou see this narrow way? that is the way thou must go. It was cast up by the patriarchs, prophets, Christ, and his apostles, and it is as straight as a rule can make it: this is the way thou must go.

CHR. 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 must 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 the 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.

9 Whoever has found redemption through the blood of Christ, is heartily disposed to ascribe all his salvation to the grace of God. Boasting is excluded, not by works, but by the law of faith, and Christ is ALL in ALL. Past mercies are recollected with humble gratitude, and a holy confidence is reposed in the promises of God. The privileges of the gospel are highly prized, and the treasure of grace is guarded by a holy fear.

1 Christian, afraid of losing his way, represents a gracious person possessed of a godly jealousy.

to the House of the Interpreter.

He told him, As to thy burden, be content to bear it until thou comest to the place of deliverance2; for there it will fall from thy back of itself.

Then Christian began to gird up his loins, and to address himself to his journey. So the other told him, that by that he was gone some distance from the gate, he would come to the house of the Interpreter, at whose door he should knock, and he would shew him excellent things. Then Christian took his leave of his friend, and he again bid him God speed.

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?

CHR. Sir, here is a traveller, who was bid by an acquaintance of the good man of this house to call here for my profit; I would therefore speak with the master of the house. So he called for the master of the house; who after a little time came to Christian, and asked him what he would have?

CHR. Sir, said Christian, I am a man that am come from the City of Destruction, and am going to the Mount Zion; and I was told by the man that stands at the gate at the head of this way, that if I called here you would shew me excellent things, such as would be a help to me on my journey.

2 There is no deliverance from the guilt and burden of sin, but by the death of Jesus Christ. Here observe, that though a sinner, at his first coming to Christ, finds comfort and encouragement, yet he may not always retain his sense of forgiveness, without some doubts as to the reality of his conversion; he may hold his confidence with fear and trembling.

› Christian comes to the house of the Interpreter; which means the Lord the Spirit, the teacher of his people.

Christians too often depend on the counsel of men, without taking the apostle's advice: "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God," &c.