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Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.""*

Now Christian looked for nothing but death, and began to cry out lamentably; even cursing the time in which he met with Mr. Worldly Wiseman; still calling himself a thousand fools for hearkening to his counsel. He also was greatly ashamed to think that this gentleman's arguments, flowing only from the flesh, should have the prevalency with him so far as to cause him to forsake the right way. This done, he applied himself again to Evangelist in words and sense as follows.

CHRISTIAN INQUIRES IF HE MAY

CHR. Sir, what think you,† is there any hope? May I now go back, and go up to the wicket-gate? Shall I not be abandoned for this, and sent back YET BE HAPPY. from thence ashamed? I am sorry I have hearkened to this man's counsel: but may my sin be forgiven?

EVAN. Then said Evangelist to him, Thy sin is very great, for by it thou hast committed two evils; thou hast forsaken the way that is good, to tread in forbidden paths. Yet will the man at the gate receive thee, for he has good-will for men ; only, said he, take heed that thou turn not aside again," lest thou perish from the when his wrath is kindled but a little."

EVANGELIST COMFORTS HIM.

way,

*

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Legality is as great an enemy to the cross of Christ as licentiousness, for it keeps the soul from coming to, believing in, and trusting wholly to the blood of Christ for pardon, and the righteousness of Christ for justification; so that it keeps the soul in bondage, and swells the mind with pride, while licentiousness brings a scandal on the cross.

+ Christian inquires if he may yet he happy. Legal hopes will bring on distress of soul, and despondency of spirit, as well as outward sins: there is no hope of a sinner's being comforted by the cross of Christ, till he is made sensible of this.

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Then did Christian address himself to go back; and Evangelist, after he had kissed him, gave him one smile, and bid him God speed. So he went on with haste, neither spake he to any man by the way; nor if any man asked him, would he vouchsafe them an answer. He went like one that was all the while treading on forbidden ground, and could by no means think himself safe till again he was got into the way which he had 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." He knocked, therefore, more than once or twice,t 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 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.

p Matt. vii. 8.

THE GATE WILL BE OPENED TO BROKENHEARTED SINNERS,

Nothing but the Gospel of Christ can direct our steps in the right way, and bring peace and comfort to our souls. It salutes us with a cheering smile, a kiss of peace, and a blessing of consolation; and hence it wings our speed to Christ and holiness.

+ 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 opened to broken-hearted sinners. Here behold the love of Jesus, in freely and heartily receiving every poor sinner

So when Christian was stepping in, the other gave him a pull.* Then said Christian, What means that? The other told him, A little distance from this gate there is erected a strong castle, of which Beelzebub is the captain: from thence both he, and them that are with him, shoot arrows at those that come up to this gate, if haply they may die before they can enter in.

SATAN ENVIES THOSE THAT ENTER THE STRAIT GATE.

CHRISTIAN ENTERS

Then said Christian, I rejoice and tremble. So when he was got in, the man at the gate asked him, who directed him thither?

THE GATE WITH JOY

AND TREMBLING.

TAIK

CHR. Evangelist bid me come hither and knock, as I did; and he said, that you, sir, would tell me what I must do.

BETWEEN

GOODWILL AND

CHRISTIAN.

GOOD. An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it.

CHR. Now I begin to reap the benefit of my hazards. GOOD. But how is it that you came 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

who comes unto him. No matter how vile they have been, nor what 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.

* Every saved sinner is as a brand plucked out of the fire by the loving arm of Christ, Zech. iii. 2.

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