A MAN MAY

and would HAVE COMPANY

WHEN HE SETS

OUT FOR HEA

suddenly fell; and then was my neighbour Pliable discouraged, and would not adventure farther. Wherefore, getting out again, on the side 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.

VEN, AND YET
GO THITHER

ALONE.

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

CHRISTIAN
ACCUSETH HIM-

SELF BEFORE
THE MAN AT
THE GATE.

Truly, said Christian, I have said the truth of Pliable; and if I should also say the truth of myself, it will appear there is no betterment 'twixt him and myself. 'Tis 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 argument of one Mr. Worldly Wiseman.

Good. Oh, did he light upon you? what, he would have had you seek for ease at the hands of Mr. Legality? they are both of them a very cheat. 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.

Good. That Mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more; 'tis well you escaped being by it dashed in pieces.

Chr. Why, truly, I do not know what had become

of me there, had not Evangelist happily met me again, as I was musing in the midst of my dumps; but 'twas God's mercy that he came to me again, for else I had never come hither. But now I am come, such a 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!

CHRISTIAN IS COM-
FORTED AGAIN,
AND DIRECTED
YET ON HIS WAY.

Good. We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they have done before they come hither, they "in no wise are cast out;"6 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.

CHRISTIAN AFRAID

But, said Christian, are there no OF LOSING HIS WAY. 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 mayest distinguish the right from the wrong the right only being straight and narrow.7

CHRISTIAN
WEARY OF HIS
BURDEN.

Then I saw, in my dream, that Christian asked him further, if he could not help him off with his 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.

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

THERE IS NO DELIVER-
ANCE FROM THE GUILT
AND BURDEN OF SIN
BUT BY THE DEATH AND
BLOOD OF CHRIST.

up his loins, and to

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

CHRISTIAN COMES

Then he went on till he came at the house of the Interpreter, where TO THE HOUSE OF he knocked over and over; at last one came to the door, and asked, Who was there?

THE INTERPRETER.

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?

Sir, said Christian, I am a man that am come from the city of Destruction, and am going to 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 helpful to me on my journey.

Then said the Interpreter, Come in; I will shew thee that which will be profitable to thee. So he commanded his man to light the Candle, and bid Christian follow him; so he

ILLUMINATION.