The Gate - conversation with Good-Will - the Interpreter's House - Christian entertained - The Dusty Parlor - Passion and Patience - The Fire of Grace - The Palace of the Kingdom - The Backslider - The Dream of Judgment
Goodwill: The Keeper of the Wicket Gate
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he went on with haste, speaking to no one by the way; nor, if any asked
him, would he give an answer. He went like one that was all the while walking
on forbidden ground, and could not think himself safe, untill he had returned
to the way which he left to follow Mr. WORLDLY WISEMAN'S advice. So, in time,
CHRISTIAN arrived at the gate. Now, over the gate was written, "Knock; and it
will be opened to you".
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
So he knocked, several times, 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 dignified man to the gate, named GOODWILL, who asked who was there? and from where he had come? and what he wanted?
Chr. Here is a poor burdened sinner. I come from the city of Destruction; but I am going to Mount Zion, so that I may be delivered from the wrath to come. Therefore, sir, I desire to know if you are willing to let me in, since I am informed that this gate is the way by which I must go.
Goodwill. "I am willing, with all my heart," he said. And with that he opened the gate.
So while CHRISTIAN was stepping in, the other gave him a pull. Then said CHRISTIAN, "What does that mean?" The other told him, "A little distance from this gate there stands a strong castle, of which Beelzebub is the captain; from there both he and those that are with him shoot arrows at those that come up to this gate, hoping they may die before they can enter in." Then CHRISTIAN said, "I rejoice and tremble." So when he was in, the man of the gate asked him who directed him there.
Chr. EVANGELIST told me come here and knock, as I did; and he said that you, sir, would tell me what I must do.
Goodw. An open door is before you; and no man can shut it.
Chr. Now I begin to reap the benefits of my hazards.
Goodw. But how is it that you came alone?
Chr. Because none of my neighbours saw their danger as I saw mine.
Goodw. Did any of them know you were coming?
Chr. Yes, my wife and children saw me at the beginning, and called after me to turn back; some of my neighbours also stood crying and calling after me to return; but I put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my way.
Goodw. 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 back complaining bitterly; but PLIABLE came with me a little way.
Goodw. But why did he not come through?
Chr. Indeed we both came together until we came to the Slough of Despond, both of us suddenly falling into it. Then my neighbour PLIABLE was discouraged, and would not adventure further. So, getting out again on that 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.
Goodw. Then GOODWILL said, "Alas, poor man! Is the celestial glory of so small esteem with him, that he counts it not worth running the hazard of a few difficulties to obtain it?"
Chr. "Truly," said CHRISTIAN, "I have said the truth of PLIABLE; and if I should also say all the truth of myself, it will appear there is no difference between him and myself. 'Tis true he went back to his own house; but I also turned aside to go in the way of death, being persuaded to do it by the carnal arguments of one Mr. WORLDLY WISEMAN."
Goodw. Oh, did he light upon you? What! he would have had you seek for ease at the hands of Mr. LEGALITY. Both of them are cheats. But did you take his counsel?
Chr. Yes, as far as I dared. I went to find out Mr. LEGALITY, until I thought that the mountain that stands by his house would have fallen upon my head; so I was forced to stop there.
Goodw. That mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more: 'tis 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 again as I was musing in the midst of my dumps; but it was God's mercy that he came to me again, otherwise I would have never arrived here. But now I have come, such a one as I am, more fit indeed for death by that mountain, than to be standing talking with you. But oh, what a favour this is to me, that I am still admitted entrance here!
Goodw. We make no objections against any; regardless of all that they have done before they come here, they are in no way cast out.
"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out." John 6:37
Therefore, good CHRISTIAN, come a little way with me, and I will teach you about the way you must go. Look before you: do you see this narrow way? that is the way you must go. It was mapped out by the patriarchs, prophets, Christ, and his apostles; and it is as straight as a rule can make it: this is the way you must go.
Chr. "But," said CHRISTIAN, "are there no turnings nor windings, by which a stranger may lose his way?"
Goodw. Yes, there are many ways that join onto this, and they are crooked and wide: but you may distinguish the right from the wrong, the right only being straight and narrow.
"Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." Matthew 7:14
Then I saw in my dream that CHRISTIAN also asked him if he could not help him off with his burden that was upon his back; for as yet he had not got rid of it, nor could he by any means get it off without help.
He told him, "As to your burden, be content to bear it until you come to the place of deliverance; for there it will fall from your back by itself."
Then CHRISTIAN began to tighten his belt, and to address himself to his journey. So the other told him that when 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 show him excellent things. Then CHRISTIAN took his leave of his friend; and he again prayed God would go with him.
The Interpreter
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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 told by an acquaintance of the Head of this house to call here for my profit: Therefore, I desire to speak with the master of the house. So he called for the master of the house; who, after a little while, came to CHRISTIAN, and asked him what he wanted?
Chr. "Sir," said CHRISTIAN, "I am a man that has 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 show me excellent things, such as would be helpful to me in my journey."
Interpreter. Then the INTERPRETER said, "Come in; I will show you that which will be profitable to you." So he commanded his man to light the candle, and told CHRISTIAN follow him: so he led him into a private room, and commanded his man to open a door; and there CHRISTIAN saw the picture of a very grave person hung up against the wall; and this was the way it looked: he had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the law of truth was written upon his lips, the world was behind his back; he stood as if he pleaded with men, and a crown of gold hung over his head.
Chr. Then CHRISTIAN asked, "What does this mean?"
Inter. The man whose picture this is, is one of a thousand: he can beget children;
"For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel." 1 Corinthians 4:15
travail in birth with children;
"My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you," Galatians 4:19
and nurse them himself when they are born.
"I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able" 1 Corinthians 3:2
And where you see him with his eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, and the law of truth written upon his lips; it is to show you that his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners; even as also you see him standing as if he pleaded with men: and where you see the world as put behind him, and that a crown hangs over his head; that is to show you, that, slighting and despising the things that are present, for the love that he has for his Master's service, he is sure in the world that comes next to have glory for his reward. Now, said the INTERPRETER, I have shown you this picture first, because the man whose picture this is, is the only man whom the Lord of the place where you are going has authorized to be your guide in all difficult places you may meet with in the way: so, take good heed to what I have shown you; and bear well in your mind what you have seen, lest in your journey you meet with some that pretend to lead you in the right way, but their way goes down to death.
Then he took him by the hand, and led him into a very large parlour that was full of dust, because it was never swept; then, after he had looked at it a little while, the INTERPRETER called for a man to sweep it. Now, when he began to sweep, the dust began to fly about so abundantly that it almost choked CHRISTIAN. Then the INTERPRETER said to a girl that stood by, "Bring some water and sprinkle the room;" and when she had so done it, it was swept and cleansed with pleasure.
Chr. Then CHRISTIAN asked, "What does this mean?"
Inter. The INTERPRETER answered, "This parlour is the heart of a man that has never been sanctified by the sweet grace of the gospel: the dust is his original sin and inward corruptions, that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first is the law; but she that brought water, and sprinkled it, is the gospel. Now you saw that, as soon as the first began to sweep, the dust flew about so much that the room could not be cleansed by him, because you were almost choked by it: this is to show you that the law, instead of cleansing the heart, (by its working), from sin, will in fact revive and put strength into it, and increase it in the soul, even as it discovers and forbids it. For the law does not give power to subdue.
"Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more," Romans 5:20
"I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died." Romans 7:9
"The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law." 1 Corinthians 15:56
"Again, as you saw the girl sprinkle the room with water, by which it was cleansed with pleasure (ease)--this is to show you that when the gospel comes, in the sweet and precious influences of it, to the heart, then I say, even as you saw the girl lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued; and the soul made clean through believing the gospel. Consequently the heart is fit for the King of Glory to inhabit.
"You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you." John 15:3
"and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith." Acts 5:9
"Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith:" Romans 16:25,26
"that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word" Ephesians 5:26
Then I saw in my dream, that the INTERPRETER took him by the hand, and had him go into a little room, where two little children sat, each one in his chair. The name of the eldest was PASSION, and the name of the other PATIENCE. PASSION seemed to be very discontented; but PATIENCE was very quiet. Then CHRISTIAN asked, "Why is PASSION so discontented?" The INTERPRETER answered, "Their governor would have him wait for his best things till the beginning of the next year; but he wants to have all now. But PATIENCE is willing to wait."
Then I saw that one came to PASSION and brought him a bag of treasure, and poured it down at his feet. He took it up and rejoiced in it while laughing scornfully at PATIENCE. But I watched only a little while, and he had wasted it all away, and had nothing left but rags.
Chr. Then CHRISTIAN said to the INTERPRETER, "Explain this matter more fully to me."
Inter. So he said, "These two lads are figures: PASSION, of the men of this world; and PATIENCE, of the men of that which is to come. For as you see here, PASSION will have everything now, this year, that is to say, in this world; so are the men of this world: they must have all their good things now; they cannot wait till next year, that is, until the next world, for their portion of good. That proverb, 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,' is of more authority with them than are all the divine testimonies of the good of the world to come. But as you saw, he had quickly wasted all away, and had left for himself nothing but rags--so will it be with all such men at the end of this world."
Chr. Then CHRISTIAN said, "Now I see that PATIENCE has the best wisdom, and that in many ways:
- because he waits for the best things;
- and also because he will have his glory, when the other has nothing but rags."
Inter. No, you must add another, that the glory of the next world will never wear out; whereas these are suddenly gone. Therefore PASSION had not so much reason to laugh at PATIENCE, because he had his good things first, as PATIENCE will have to laugh at PASSION, because he had his best things last; for first must give place to last, because last must have his time to come: but last gives place to nothing, for there is not another to succeed. He, therefore, that has his portion first must have a time to spend it: but he that has his portion last must have it lastingly. Therefore it is said of the rich man, "In your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and you are tormented".
"But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented." Luke 16:25
Chr. Then I perceive it is not best to covet things that are now, but wait for things to come.
Inter. You speak the truth: "For the things that are seen are temporal; but the things that are not seen are eternal".
"while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18
But, though this is so, yet since things present and our fleshly appetite are such near neighbours to one another; and also, because things to come and carnal sense are such strangers to one another: therefore it is true that the first of these may suddenly be friends, so continuing that distance between the second.
Then I saw in my dream that the INTERPRETER took CHRISTIAN by the hand, and led him to a place where a fire was burning against a wall, and one standing by it was always pouring much water on it to quench it; yet the fire burned higher and hotter.
Chr. Then CHRISTIAN asked, "What does this mean?"
Inter. The INTERPRETER answered, "This fire is the work of grace that is worked in the heart; he that pours water upon it to extinguish and put it out, is the devil: but in that you see the fire burn higher and hotter in spite of the water, you shall also see the reason of that." So he took him around to the backside of the wall, where he saw a man with a vessel of oil in his hand, which he also continually threw into the fire, but secretly.
Chr. Then CHRISTIAN asked, "What does this mean?"
Inter. The INTERPRETER answered, "This is Christ, who continually with the oil of his grace maintains the work already begun in the heart: by the means of which the souls of his people prove gracious still, in spite of what the devil can do.
"And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
And the man you saw standing behind the wall to maintain the fire; this is to teach you, that it is hard for the tempted to see how this work of grace is maintained in the soul."
I also saw that the INTERPRETER took him again by the hand, and led him into a pleasant place, where a stately palace stood, beautiful to behold. CHRISTIAN was greatly delighted at the sight of it: he saw certain persons walking on the top of it, who were clothed all in gold.
Chr. Then CHRISTIAN asked, "May we go in there?"
Then the INTERPRETER took him and led him up toward the door of the palace; and behold, a great company of men stood at the door, desiring to go in, but dared not. A man also sat at a little distance from the door, at a table side, with a book and his ink bottle in front of him, to take the names of those that should come in: he also saw that in the doorway stood many men in armour, to prevent anyone entering, being resolved to do to any that would enter what hurt and mischief they could.
Now CHRISTIAN was somewhat amazed: at last, when every man started back, for fear of the armed men, CHRISTIAN saw a man of a very stout appearance come up to the man that sat there to write, saying, "Write down my name, sir"; When he had done this, he saw the man draw his sword, and put a helmet upon his head, and rush toward the door and the armed men, who laid upon him with deadly force; but the man not at all discouraged, fought on, cutting and hacking most fiercely. So, after he had received and given many wounds to those that attempted to keep him out, he cut his way through them all, and pressed forward into the palace;
"strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, 'We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.'" Acts 14:22
at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that were within even of those that walked on the top of the palace, saying,
"Come in! Come in!
Eternal glory you shall win."
So he went in, and was clothed with garments like theirs. Then CHRISTIAN smiled and said, "I think, truly, I know the meaning of this."
"Now," said CHRISTIAN, "let me go away from here."
"No, stay," said the INTERPRETER, "till I have shown you a little more; and after that you shall go on your way." So he took him by the hand again, and led him into a very dark room, where there sat a man in an iron cage.
Now, the man seemed very sad to look on. He sat with his eyes looking down to the ground; his hands folded together; and he sighed as if he would break his heart. Then CHRISTIAN asked, "What does this mean?" At which the INTERPRETER bid him talk with the man.
Chr. Then CHRISTIAN said to the man, "What are you?"
Backslider. The man answered, "I am what I was not once."
Chr. What were you once?
Back. The man said, "I was once a fair and flourishing professor, both in my own eyes and also in the eyes of others: I once was, as I thought, right for the Celestial City, and even had joy at the thought that I should get there."
"But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away." Luke 8:13
Chr. Well, but what are you now?
Back. I am now a man of despair, and am shut up in it, as in this iron cage. I cannot get out; oh now, I cannot!
Chr. But how did you come to be in this condition?
Back. I stopped watching over my soul; I laid the reins upon the neck of my lusts; I sinned against the Light of the World, and the goodness of God. I have grieved the Spirit, and he is gone. I tempted the devil, and he has come to me. I have provoked God to anger, and he has left me. I have so hardened my heart, that I cannot repent.
Then CHRISTIAN asked the INTERPRETER, "But is there no hope for such a man as this?" "Ask him," said the INTERPRETER.
Chr. Then said CHRISTIAN, "Is there no hope. Must you be kept in the iron cage of despair?"
Back. No, none at all!
Chr. Why? The Son of the Blessed is very pitiful.
Back. I have crucified him to myself afresh;
"if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame." Hebrews 6:6
I have despised his person;
"But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’" Luke 19:14
I have despised his righteousness; I have counted his blood an unholy thing; I have done despite to the Spirit of grace:
"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace?" Hebrews 10:26-29
therefore I have shut myself out of all the promises, and there now remains for me nothing but threatenings--dreadful threatenings --fearful threatenings, of certain judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour me as an adversary.
Chr. For what did you bring yourself into this condition?
Back. For the lusts, pleasures, and profits of this world; in the enjoyment of which I promised myself much delight; but now everyone of those things bites me and gnaws me like a burning worm.
Chr. But can't you not now repent and turn?
Back. God has denied me repentance. His Word gives me no encouragement to believe: yes, he himself has shut me up in this iron cage; nor can all the men in the world let me out. Oh, eternity! eternity! how shall I grapple with the misery that I must meet with in eternity?
Inter. Then the INTERPRETER said to CHRISTIAN, "Let this man's misery be remembered by you, and be an everlasting caution to you."
Chr. "Well," said CHRISTIAN, "this is fearful! God help me to watch and be sober, and to pray that I may shun the cause of this man's misery. Sir, is it not time for me to go on my way now?"
Inter. Stay till I show you one more thing, and then you may go on your way.
So he took CHRISTIAN by the hand again, and led him into a chamber where there was one rising out of bed; and as he put on his clothing, he shook and trembled. Then CHRISTIAN asked, "Why does this man tremble?" The INTERPRETER told him to tell CHRISTIAN the reason for doing so. So he began and said, "Tonight, as I was sleeping, I dreamed: and behold, the heavens grew exceedingly black; also it thundered and lightened in a most fearful way, that I was put into agony. So I looked up in my dream, and saw the clouds gathering at an unusual rate; upon which I heard a great sound of a trumpet, and saw also a Man sitting upon a cloud, attended with the thousands of heaven; they were all in flaming fire, also the heavens were on a burning flame. I heard then a voice, saying, 'Arise, you dead, and come to Judgment!' and with that the rocks split, the graves opened, and the dead that were there came forth:
"Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice" John 5:28
"Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable." 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
"For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything." 1 Thessalonians 1:8
"to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him." Jude 15
"Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." Revelation 20:11-14
some of them were exceedingly glad, and looked upward; and some sought to hide themselves under the mountains: then I saw the Man that sat on the cloud open the book and bid the world draw near.
"The Mighty One, God the Lord, Has spoken and called the earth From the rising of the sun to its going down.Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth.Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him." Psalm 50:1-3
"For behold, the Lord comes out of His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; The earth will also disclose her blood, And will no more cover her slain." Isaiah 26:21
"The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might; They shall put their hand over their mouth; Their ears shall be deaf.They shall lick the dust like a serpent; They shall crawl from their holes like snakes of the earth. They shall be afraid of the Lord our God, And shall fear because of You." Micah 7:16,17
Yet because of a fierce flame that issued out and came from before him, there was a convenient distance between him and them, as between the judge and the prisoners at the bar.
"I watched till thrones were put in place, And the Ancient of Days was seated; His garment was white as snow, And the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was a fiery flame, Its wheels a burning fire; A fiery stream issued And came forth from before Him. A thousand thousands ministered to Him; Ten thousand times ten thousand stood before Him. The court was seated, And the books were opened." Daniel 7:9, 10
"But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderer’s soap.He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the Lord An offering in righteousness." Malachi 3:2, 3
I also heard it proclaimed to them that attended the Man that sat on the cloud, 'Gather together the tares, the chaff and stubble, and throw them into the burning lake:
"His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Matthew 3:12
"Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, 'First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.'" Matthew 13:30
"For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up, Says the Lord of hosts, That will leave them neither root nor branch." Malachi 4:1
and with that the bottomless pit opened just where I stood; out of its mouth came an abundance of smoke, and coals of fire, with hideous noises. It was also said to the same persons, 'Gather my wheat into the barn'.
"His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire." Luke 3:17
And with that I saw many caught up and carried away into the clouds;
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
but I was left behind. I also sought to hide myself, but I could not, for the Man that sat upon the cloud kept his eye on me: my sins also came into my mind, and my conscience accused me on every side.
"for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them)" Romans 2:14-15
Upon this I awoke from my sleep."
Chr. But what was it that made you so afraid of this sight?
Unready. Why, I thought that the Day of Judgment had come, and that I was not ready for it: but the thing that frightened me most was that the angels gathered up several, and left me behind; also the pit of hell opened her mouth just where I stood. My conscience also afflicted me; and, as I thought, the Judge always had his eye upon me, showing indignation in his face.
Then the INTERPRETER asked CHRISTIAN, "Have you considered all these things?"
Chr. Yes: and they put me in hope and fear.
Inter. Well, keep all things so in your mind that they may be as a goad in your sides, to urge you forward in the way you must go. Then CHRISTIAN began to tighten his belt, and to prepare himself for his journey. Then the INTERPRETER said, "The Comforter be always with you, good CHRISTIAN, to guide you in the way that leads to the city."
So CHRISTIAN went on his way, saying:
"Here I have seen things rare and profitable:
Things pleasant; dreadful things--to make me stable
In what I have begun to take in hand:
Then let me think on them, and understand
Why they were shown to me; and let me be
Thankful, O good INTERPRETER, to you."
