The _Interpreter_ answered, This is Christ, who continually, with the oil of his grace, maintains the work already begun in the heart, so that the devil cannot quench it. And he stands behind the wall, to shew it is hard for the tempted to see how this work is maintained in his soul.
He then took him by the hand, and led him into a pleasant place, where was a stately palace: on the top of which were certain persons walking, who were cloathed all in gold. At the door below stood a great company of men, desirous to go in, but yet afraid. For in the door-way stood many armed men, to keep it, and drive all back. At last a man of a stout countenance came up, drew his sword, put a helmet on his head, and rushed into the midst of the armed men, who fell upon him with all their force. But after receiving and giving many wounds, he cut his way through them all, and went in. Then was heard a pleasant voice from within saying,
Come in, soldier of Christ, come in: Eternal glory thou shalt win!
I verily think, said _Christian_, I know the meaning of this; now then let me go hence.
Stay, said the _Interpreter_, till I have shewed thee a little more. Then he took him by the hand again, and led him into a dark room, where sat a man in an iron cage; his eyes were fixed on the ground, his hands folded together, and he sighed as if he would break his heart.
Then said _Christian_, “What art thou?” He replied, I am a man of _despair: I am so fast in prison that I cannot get forth_.
_Christian._ But how camest thou there?
_Man._ I left off to watch and pray; I sinned against light and love; I grieved the Spirit, ♦and he is gone from me; I tempted the devil, and he is come into me; I defied God, and he hath forsaken me.
♦ duplicate word “and” removed
_Christian._ But have you no hope? The Son of the Blessed is of tender mercy.
_Man._ But I have crucified him to myself afresh, I have counted his blood an unholy thing, I have done despite to the spirit of grace: and _there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin; but a certain fearful looking for of fiery indignation, which shall devour me as an adversary_.
_Christian._ But can’st thou not repent?
_Man._ No, never; for I have quenched the Spirit. O eternity, eternity! Who can tell the length of eternity?
_Christian._ Well, God help me to watch and pray.――Sir, is it not time for me to go on my way?
_Interpreter._ I will shew thee one thing more, and thou shalt go. So he led him into a chamber where was one rising out of bed, who shook and trembled exceedingly: then said _Christian_, “Why dost thou tremble thus?” This night, said he, as I was in my sleep, I dreamed, and behold the heavens were exceeding black: also it thundered and lightened on every side. So I looked up and saw the skies divide: and I heard a great sound of a trumpet: and I saw one descend, sitting on a cloud, attended with the thousands of heaven; they were all arrayed with flaming fire: also the heavens were in a burning flame. I then heard a voice out of the fire saying, “Arise ye dead and come to judgment;” and behold the rocks rent, the graves were opened, and the dead that were therein came forth: some of those looked up, and were exceeding glad, and some sought to hide themselves under the mountains. Then I saw him who sat upon the cloud open a book, and bid the world draw near; yet was there a distance, by reason of a fierce flame which issued out, and came before him. I heard it also proclaimed to them that attended on him who sat upon the cloud, “Gather together the tares and chaff, and cast them into the lake that burneth with brimstone;” and the bottomless pit opened her mouth, and there came forth smoak and coals of fire. It was also proclaimed, “Gather the wheat into my garner;” and I saw many caught up in the clouds, but I was left. I then called to the mountains to fall upon me, and the rocks to cover me, but in vain: for the man that sat upon the cloud still kept his eye upon me. Then came all my sins to my remembrance, and fear was on every side; so I awoke.
Then said the _Interpreter_ to _Christian_, “Keep these things in thy mind, that they may be as a goad in thy side wherever thou goest; and the comforter be always with thee, and guide thee in the way that leads to the city.”
Now I saw in my dream, that the highway up which I was to go, was fenced on every side with a wall, called _salvation_. Up this way he ran, till he came at a place where stood a cross, and somewhat below, a sepulchre. Just as _Christian_ came to the cross, his burthen loosed, fell off, and rolled down, till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, where it fell in; and I saw it no more.
Then was _Christian_ glad, and said with a merry heart, _The life that I now ♦live, I live by faith in the Son of God; who loved me, and gave himself for me_.
♦ “life” replaced with “live”