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CHRISTIAN IN-
QUIRES IF HE
MAY YET BE
HAPPY.

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 from thence ashamed? I am sorry I have hearkened to this man's counsel: But may my sin be forgiven?

COMFORTS HIM.

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 EVANGELIST 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 way, when his wrath is kindled but a little."4 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 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."5 He knocked, therefore, more than once or twice, saying,

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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.

I am willing with all my heart, said he and with that he opened the gate.

THE GATE WILl be
OPENED TO BROKEN

HEARTED SINNERS.

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

D

SATAN ENVIES
THOSE THAT

ENTER THE

STRAIT GATE.

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.

CHRISTIAN EN-
TERED THE GATE
WITH JOY AND

TREMBLING.

TALK BETWEEN

CHRISTIAN.

Then said Christian, I rejoice and tremble. So, when he was got in, the Man at the Gate asked him, Who directed him thither?

Chr. Evangelist bid me come hither GOOD-WILL AND and knock (as I did): and he said that you, Sir, would tell me what I must do. 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 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

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