Now _Christian_ looked for nothing but death, and cried out with a bitter cry: nevertheless, turning to _Evangelist_, he said, “Sir, Is there any hope? May my sin be forgiven? May I yet go back, and enter in at that gate? Shall I not be sent away with shame?”
Then _Evangelist_ said, “Thy sin is great; yet it may be forgiven; the man at the gate will let thee in: but take heed thou turn not aside again, _lest if his wrath be kindled, yea, but a little, thou perish from the way_.”
So he went on with haste; neither spoke he to any by the way. He went as one treading on forbidden ground; and could not think himself safe, till he got into the way, out of which he had turned before. He then went on with all his might till he came to the gate; over which was written, _Knock, and it shall be opened unto you_. He knocked therefore more than once or twice. At last there came a grave person to the gate, named _Goodwill_, who asked, “Who was there?”
_Christian._ Here is a poor burthened sinner. I come from the city of _destruction_, and am going to Mount _Zion_; and I understand I am to go thro’ this gate, if you are willing to let me in.
I am willing with all my heart, said he, and with that he opened the gate.
When _Christian_ was stepping in, the other pulled him suddenly. Then said _Christian_, What means that? He replied, a little way off is a strong castle, of which _Beelzebub_ is the captain; from whence he continually shoots at those who come to this gate, if haply they may die before they can enter in. Then said _Christian_, “I rejoice and tremble.”
_Goodwill._ But who directed you hither?
_Christian._ One named _Evangelist_, who said, that you would tell me what I must do.
_Goodwill._ _An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it._ But how is it thou art come alone?
_Christian._ One of my neighbours came with me a little way; but then he was discouraged, and went back; and I also soon after turned aside, to go in the way of death. So that, had not _Evangelist_ met me again, I had never come hither. And O! what a favour is this to me, that I am suffered to enter here!
_Goodwill._ We make no objections against any. Whatever they have done before they came, if they knock, the gate is opened to them. Him that cometh, we in no wise cast out.
But come with me, and I will teach thee concerning the road. 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.
_Christian._ But are there no ways that turn out of this?
_Goodwill._ Yes, many; but they are crooked and wide. The right way only is strait and narrow. Go on therein, till thou comest to the house of the _interpreter_, and he will shew thee excellent things.
So _Christian_ went on till he came to the house; where he knocked, and asked for the master of the house. To whom, when he came, he spoke thus.
Sir, I am a man that am come from the city of _Destruction_, and am going to mount _Zion_. And I was informed by him at the gate, that if I called here, you would shew me excellent things.
Then said the _Interpreter_, “Come in, and I will shew thee that which will be profitable to thee.” So he took him by the hand, and led him into a large parlour that was full of dust. After a while he called for a man to sweep; which he had no sooner begun to do, than the dust so abundantly flew about, that _Christian_ was almost choaked. Then the _Interpreter_ said to a damsel, “Bring hither water, and sprinkle the room.” After which it was easily swept and cleansed.
This parlour, said the _Interpreter_ to _Christian_, is the heart of a natural man. The dust is his original sin, and inward corruptions, of every kind. He that first began to sweep is the _law_; she that sprinkled it, is the _gospel_. Now whereas thou sawest, that by his sweeping, the dust was only raised, and the room not cleansed at all; this is to shew thee, _that the law_, instead of cleansing the heart from sin, doth revive and increase it in the soul. For, by _the law_ is only the _knowledge of sin_; but not deliverance from it.
Again, Thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room; after which it was cleansed with pleasure: this is to shew thee, that when _the gospel_ comes into the heart, sin is easily subdued; and the soul made clean thro’ faith, and fit for the king of glory to inhabit.
He then led me into a place, where was a fire burning against a wall, and one continually casting water upon it, yet could he not quench it, but the flame rose higher than before.
This fire, said he, is the work of grace that is wrought in a believing heart. He that casts water upon it is the devil. Yet can he not quench it, for the reason thou shalt now see. So he carried him to the other side of the wall, where was a man with a vessel of oil in his hand, out of which he continually cast into the fire, Then said _Christian_, What means this?