[Isa。62:4,SongofSolomon2:10—12]Inthiscountrythesunshinethnightandday;whereforethiswasbeyondtheValleyoftheShadowofDeath,andalsooutofthereachofGiantDespair,neithercouldtheyfromthisplacesomuchasseeDoubtingCastle。Heretheywerewithinsightofthecitytheyweregoingto,alsoheremetthemsomeoftheinhabitantsthereof;
forinthislandtheShiningOnescommonlywalked,becauseitwasuponthebordersofheaven。Inthislandalso,thecontractbetweenthebrideandthebridegroomwasrenewed;yea,here,"Asthebridegroomrejoicethoverthebride,sodidtheirGodrejoiceoverthem。"
[Isa。62:5]Heretheyhadnowantofcornandwine;forinthisplacetheymetwithabundanceofwhattheyhadsoughtforinalltheirpilgrimage。[Isa。62:8]Heretheyheardvoicesfromoutofthecity,loudvoices,saying,"`SayyetothedaughterofZion,Behold,thysalvationcometh!Behold,hisrewardiswithhim!’
Herealltheinhabitantsofthecountrycalledthem,`Theholypeople,TheredeemedoftheLord,Soughtout’",etc。[Isa。62:11,12]
{383}
Nowastheywalkedinthisland,theyhadmorerejoicingthaninpartsmoreremotefromthekingdomtowhichtheywerebound;anddrawingneartothecity,theyhadyetamoreperfectviewthereof。Itwasbuildedofpearlsandpreciousstones,alsothestreetthereofwaspavedwithgold;sothatbyreasonofthenaturalgloryofthecity,andthereflectionofthesunbeamsuponit,Christianwithdesirefellsick;Hopefulalsohadafitortwoofthesamedisease。
Wherefore,heretheylaybyitawhile,cryingout,becauseoftheirpangs,Ifyefindmybeloved,tellhimthatIamsickoflove。
{384}
But,beingalittlestrengthened,andbetterabletobeartheirsickness,theywalkedontheirway,andcameyetnearerandnearer,wherewereorchards,vineyards,andgardens,andtheirgatesopenedintothehighway。Now,astheycameuptotheseplaces,beholdthegardenerstoodintheway,towhomthePilgrimssaid,Whosegoodlyvineyardsandgardensarethese?
Heanswered,TheyaretheKing’s,andareplantedhereforhisowndelight,andalsoforthesolaceofpilgrims。
Sothegardenerhadthemintothevineyards,andbidthemrefreshthemselveswiththedainties。[Deut。23:24]
HealsoshowedthemtheretheKing’swalks,andthearbourswherehedelightedtobe;andheretheytarriedandslept。
{385}
NowIbeheldinmydreamthattheytalkedmoreintheirsleepatthistimethanevertheydidinalltheirjourney;
andbeinginamusethereabout,thegardenersaideventome,Whereforemusestthouatthematter?Itisthenatureofthefruitofthegrapesofthesevineyardstogodownsosweetlyastocausethelipsofthemthatareasleeptospeak。
{386}
SoIsawthatwhentheyawoke,theyaddressedthemselvestogouptothecity;but,asIsaid,thereflectionofthesunuponthecity(forthecitywaspuregold)wassoextremelygloriousthattheycouldnot,asyet,withopenfacebeholdit,butthroughaninstrumentmadeforthatpurpose。SoIsaw,thatasIwenton,theremetthemtwomen,inraimentthatshonelikegold;
lsotheirfacesshoneasthelight。[Rev。21:18,2Cor。3:18]
{387}
ThesemenaskedthePilgrimswhencetheycame;andtheytoldthem。
Theyalsoaskedthemwheretheyhadlodged,whatdifficultiesanddangers,whatcomfortsandpleasurestheyhadmetintheway;
andtheytoldthem。Thensaidthementhatmetthem,Youhavebuttwodifficultiesmoretomeetwith,andthenyouareinthecity。
{388}
Christianthen,andhiscompanion,askedthementogoalongwiththem;
sotheytoldthemtheywould。But,saidthey,youmustobtainitbyyourownfaith。SoIsawinmydreamthattheywentontogether,untiltheycameinsightofthegate。
{389}
Now,Ifurthersaw,thatbetwixtthemandthegatewasariver,buttherewasnobridgetogoover:theriverwasverydeep。
Atthesight,therefore,ofthisriver,thePilgrimsweremuchstunned;
butthementhatwentinwiththemsaid,Youmustgothrough,oryoucannotcomeatthegate。
{390}
ThePilgrimsthenbegantoinquireiftherewasnootherwaytothegate;towhichtheyanswered,Yes;buttherehathnotany,savetwo,towit,EnochandElijah,beenpermittedtotreadthatpathsincethefoundationoftheworld,norshall,untilthelasttrumpetshallsound。[1Cor。15:51,52]ThePilgrimsthen,especiallyChristian,begantodespondintheirminds,andlookedthiswayandthat,butnowaycouldbefoundbythembywhichtheymightescapetheriver。Thentheyaskedthemenifthewaterswereallofadepth。Theysaid:No;yettheycouldnothelptheminthatcase;for,saidthey,youshallfinditdeeperorshallowerasyoubelieveintheKingoftheplace。
*IntheResurrectionoftheRighteous。[Rev。20:4—6]
{391}
Theythenaddressedthemselvestothewaterand,entering,Christianbegantosink,andcryingouttohisgoodfriendHopeful,hesaid,Isinkindeepwaters;thebillowsgoovermyhead,allhiswavesgooverme!Selah。
{392}
Thensaidtheother,Beofgoodcheer,mybrother,Ifeelthebottom,anditisgood。ThensaidChristian,Ah!myfriend,thesorrowsofdeathhathcompassedmeabout;Ishallnotseethelandthatflowswithmilkandhoney;andwiththatagreatdarknessandhorrorfelluponChristian,sothathecouldnotseebeforehim。
Alsohereheingreatmeasurelosthissenses,sothathecouldneitherremembernororderlytalkofanyofthosesweetrefreshmentsthathehadmetwithinthewayofhispilgrimage。Butallthewordsthathespakestilltendedtodiscoverthathehadhorrorofmind,andheartfearsthatheshoulddieinthatriver,andneverobtainentranceinatthegate。Herealso,astheythatstoodbyperceived,hewasmuchinthetroublesomethoughtsofthesinsthathehadcommitted,bothsinceandbeforehebegantobeapilgrim。
Itwasalsoobservedthathewastroubledwithapparitionsofhobgoblinsandevilspirits,foreverandanonhewouldintimatesomuchbywords。Hopeful,therefore,herehadmuchadotokeephisbrother’sheadabovewater;yea,sometimeshewouldbequitegonedown,andthen,ereawhile,hewouldriseupagainhalfdead。Hopefulalsowouldendeavourtocomforthim,saying,Brother,Iseethegate,andmenstandingbytoreceiveus:
butChristianwouldanswer,Itisyou,itisyoutheywaitfor;
youhavebeenHopefuleversinceIknewyou。Andsohaveyou,saidhetoChristian。Ah!brother!saidhe,surelyifIwasrighthewouldnowarisetohelpme;butformysinshehathbroughtmeintothesnare,andhathleftme。ThensaidHopeful,Mybrother,youhavequiteforgotthetext,whereitissaidofthewicked,"Therearenobandsintheirdeath,buttheirstrengthisfirm。
Theyarenotintroubleasothermen,neitheraretheyplaguedlikeothermen。[Ps。73:4,5]ThesetroublesanddistressesthatyougothroughinthesewatersarenosignthatGodhathforsakenyou;
butaresenttotryyou,whetheryouwillcalltomindthatwhichheretoforeyouhavereceivedofhisgoodness,andliveuponhiminyourdistresses。
{393}
ThenIsawinmydream,thatChristianwasasinamuseawhile。
TowhomalsoHopefuladdedthisword,Beofgoodcheer,JesusChristmakeththeewhole;andwiththatChristianbrakeoutwithaloudvoice,Oh,Iseehimagain!andhetellsme,"Whenthoupassestthroughthewaters,Iwillbewiththee,andthroughtherivers,theyshallnotoverflowthee。"[Isa。43:2]
Thentheybothtookcourage,andtheenemywasafterthatasstillasastone,untiltheyweregoneover。Christianthereforepresentlyfoundgroundtostandupon,andsoitfollowedthattherestoftheriverwasbutshallow。Thustheygotover。
Now,uponthebankoftheriver,ontheotherside,theysawthetwoshiningmenagain,whotherewaitedforthem;
wherefore,beingcomeoutoftheriver,theysalutedthem,saying,Weareministeringspirits,sentforthtoministerforthosethatshallbeheirsofsalvation。Thustheywentalongtowardsthegate。
{394}
Nowyoumustnotethatthecitystooduponamightyhill,butthePilgrimswentupthathillwithease,becausetheyhadthesetwomentoleadthemupbythearms;
also,theyhadlefttheirmortalgarmentsbehindthemintheriver,forthoughtheywentinwiththem,theycameoutwithoutthem。
They,therefore,wentupherewithmuchagilityandspeed,thoughthefoundationuponwhichthecitywasframedwashigherthantheclouds。Theythereforewentupthroughtheregionsoftheair,sweetlytalkingastheywent,beingcomforted,becausetheysafelygotovertheriver,andhadsuchgloriouscompanionstoattendthem。
Now,now,lookhowtheholypilgrimsride,Cloudsaretheirchariots,angelsaretheirguide:
Whowouldnothereforhimallhazardsrun,Thatthusprovidesforhiswhenthisworld’sdone?
{395}
ThetalktheyhadwiththeShiningOneswasaboutthegloryoftheplace;whotoldthemthatthebeautyandgloryofitwasinexpressible。There,saidthey,istheMountZion,theheavenlyJerusalem,theinnumerablecompanyofangels,andthespiritsofjustmenmadeperfect。[Heb。12:22—24]
Youaregoingnow,saidthey,totheparadiseofGod,whereinyoushallseethetreeoflife,andeatofthenever—fadingfruitsthereof;
andwhenyoucomethere,youshallhavewhiterobesgivenyou,andyourwalkandtalkshallbeeverydaywiththeKing,evenallthedaysofeternity。[Rev。2:7,3:4,21:4,5]
Thereyoushallnotseeagainsuchthingsasyousawwhenyouwereinthelowerregionupontheearth,towit,sorrow,sickness,affliction,anddeath,fortheformerthingsarepassedaway。YouarenowgoingtoAbraham,toIsaac,andJacob,andtotheprophets——menthatGodhathtakenawayfromtheeviltocome,andthatarenowrestingupontheirbeds,eachonewalkinginhisrighteousness。[Isa。
57:1,2,65:17]Thementhenasked,Whatmustwedointheholyplace?
Towhomitwasanswered,Youmusttherereceivethecomfortsofallyourtoil,andhavejoyforallyoursorrow;youmustreapwhatyouhavesown,eventhefruitofallyourprayers,andtears,andsufferingsfortheKingbytheway。[Gal。6:7]Inthatplaceyoumustwearcrownsofgold,andenjoytheperpetualsightandvisionoftheHolyOne,forthereyoushallseehimasheis。[1John3:2]
Therealsoyoushallservehimcontinuallywithpraise,withshouting,andthanksgiving,whomyoudesiredtoserveintheworld,thoughwithmuchdifficulty,becauseoftheinfirmityofyourflesh。
Thereyoureyesshallbedelightedwithseeing,andyourearswithhearingthepleasantvoiceoftheMightyOne。Thereyoushallenjoyyourfriendsagainthataregonethitherbeforeyou;
andthereyoushallwithjoyreceive,eveneveryonethatfollowsintotheholyplaceafteryou。Therealsoshallyoubeclothedwithgloryandmajesty,andputintoanequipagefittorideoutwiththeKingofGlory。Whenheshallcomewithsoundoftrumpetintheclouds,asuponthewingsofthewind,youshallcomewithhim;
andwhenheshallsituponthethroneofjudgment;youshallsitbyhim;
yea,andwhenheshallpasssentenceuponalltheworkersofiniquity,letthembeangelsormen,youalsoshallhaveavoiceinthatjudgment,becausetheywerehisandyourenemies。[1Thes。4:13—16,Jude1:14,Dan。7:9,10,1Cor。6:2,3]Also,whenheshallagainreturntothecity,youshallgotoo,withsoundoftrumpet,andbeeverwithhim。
{396}
Nowwhiletheywerethusdrawingtowardsthegate,beholdacompanyoftheheavenlyhostcameouttomeetthem;towhomitwassaid,bytheothertwoShiningOnes,ThesearethementhathavelovedourLordwhentheywereintheworld,andthathaveleftallforhisholyname;andhehathsentustofetchthem,andwehavebroughtthemthusfarontheirdesiredjourney,thattheymaygoinandlooktheirRedeemerinthefacewithjoy。Thentheheavenlyhostgaveagreatshout,saying,"BlessedaretheywhicharecalleduntothemarriagesupperoftheLamb。"[Rev。19:9]Therecameoutalsoatthistimetomeetthem,severaloftheKing’strumpeters,clothedinwhiteandshiningraiment,who,withmelodiousnoises,andloud,madeeventheheavenstoechowiththeirsound。
ThesetrumpeterssalutedChristianandhisfellowwithtenthousandwelcomesfromtheworld;andthistheydidwithshouting,andsoundoftrumpet。
{397}
Thisdone,theycompassedthemroundoneveryside;somewentbefore,somebehind,andsomeontherighthand,someontheleft,(asitweretoguardthemthroughtheupperregions),continuallysoundingastheywent,withmelodiousnoise,innotesonhigh:sothattheverysightwas,tothemthatcouldbeholdit,asifheavenitselfwascomedowntomeetthem。Thus,therefore,theywalkedontogether;andastheywalked,everandanonthesetrumpeters,evenwithjoyfulsound,would,bymixingtheirmusicwithlooksandgestures,stillsignifytoChristianandhisbrother,howwelcometheywereintotheircompany,andwithwhatgladnesstheycametomeetthem;
andnowwerethesetwomen,asitwere,inheaven,beforetheycameatit,beingswallowedupwiththesightofangels,andwithhearingoftheirmelodiousnotes。Herealsotheyhadthecityitselfinview,andtheythoughttheyheardallthebellsthereintoring,towelcomethemthereto。Butaboveall,thewarmandjoyfulthoughtsthattheyhadabouttheirowndwellingthere,withsuchcompany,andthatforeverandever。Oh,bywhattongueorpencantheirgloriousjoybeexpressed!Andthustheycameuptothegate。
{398}
Now,whentheywerecomeuptothegate,therewaswrittenoveritinlettersofgold,"Blessedaretheythatdohiscommandments,thattheymayhaverighttothetreeoflife,andmayenterinthroughthegatesintothecity。"[Rev。22:14]
{399}
ThenIsawinmydreamthattheShiningMenbidthemcallatthegate;
thewhich,whentheydid,somelookedfromaboveoverthegate,towit,Enoch,Moses,andElijah,&c。,towhomitwassaid,ThesepilgrimsarecomefromtheCityofDestruction,forthelovethattheybeartotheKingofthisplace;andthenthePilgrimsgaveinuntothemeachmanhiscertificate,whichtheyhadreceivedinthebeginning;
those,therefore,werecarriedintotheKing,who,whenhehadreadthem,said,Wherearethemen?Towhomitwasanswered,Theyarestandingwithoutthegate。TheKingthencommandedtoopenthegate,"Thattherighteousnation,"saidhe,"whichkeepeththetruth,mayenterin。"[Isa。26:2]
{400}
NowIsawinmydreamthatthesetwomenwentinatthegate:andlo,astheyentered,theyweretransfigured,andtheyhadraimentputonthatshonelikegold。Therewasalsothatmetthemwithharpsandcrowns,andgavethemtothem——theharpstopraisewithal,andthecrownsintokenofhonour。ThenIheardinmydreamthatallthebellsinthecityrangagainforjoy,andthatitwassaiduntothem,"ENTERYEINTOTHEJOYOFYOURLORD。"
Ialsoheardthementhemselves,thattheysangwithaloudvoice,saying,"BLESSINGANDHONOUR,ANDGLORY,ANDPOWER,BEUNTOHIM
THATSITTETHUPONTHETHRONE,ANDUNTOTHELAMB,FOREVERANDEVER。"
[Rev。5:13]
{401}
Now,justasthegateswereopenedtoletinthemen,Ilookedinafterthem,and,behold,theCityshonelikethesun;
thestreetsalsowerepavedwithgold,andinthemwalkedmanymen,withcrownsontheirheads,palmsintheirhands,andgoldenharpstosingpraiseswithal。
{402}
Therewerealsoofthemthathadwings,andtheyansweredoneanotherwithoutintermission,saying,"Holy,holy,holyistheLord。"
[Rev。4:8]Andafterthattheyshutupthegates;which,whenIhadseen,Iwishedmyselfamongthem。
{403}
NowwhileIwasgazinguponallthesethings,Iturnedmyheadtolookback,andsawIgnorancecomeuptotheriverside;
buthesoongotover,andthatwithouthalfthatdifficultywhichtheothertwomenmetwith。
Forithappenedthattherewastheninthatplace,oneVain—hope,aferryman,thatwithhisboathelpedhimover;sohe,astheotherIsaw,didascendthehill,tocomeuptothegate,onlyhecamealone;neitherdidanymanmeethimwiththeleastencouragement。Whenhewascomeuptothegate,helookeduptothewritingthatwasabove,andthenbegantoknock,supposingthatentranceshouldhavebeenquicklyadministeredtohim;
buthewasaskedbythementhatlookedoverthetopofthegate,Whencecameyou,andwhatwouldyouhave?Heanswered,IhaveeatanddrankinthepresenceoftheKing,andhehastaughtinourstreets。Thentheyaskedhimforhiscertificate,thattheymightgoinandshowittotheKing;sohefumbledinhisbosomforone,andfoundnone。Thensaidthey,Haveyounone?
Butthemanansweredneveraword。SotheytoldtheKing,buthewouldnotcomedowntoseehim,butcommandedthetwoShiningOnesthatconductedChristianandHopefultotheCity,togooutandtakeIgnorance,andbindhimhandandfoot,andhavehimaway。Thentheytookhimup,andcarriedhimthroughtheairtothedoorthatIsawinthesideofthehill,andputhiminthere。ThenIsawthattherewasawaytohell,evenfromthegatesofheaven,aswellasfromtheCityofDestruction。
SoIawoke,andbeholditwasadream。
p51—p100
Page51——Page100
{51}
EVAN。Then,saidEvangelist,standstillalittle,thatImayshowtheethewordsofGod。Sohestoodtrembling。ThensaidEvangelist,"Seethatyerefusenothimthatspeaketh。Foriftheyescapednotwhorefusedhimthatspakeonearth,muchmoreshallnotweescape,ifweturnawayfromhimthatspeakethfromheaven。"[Heb。12:25]
Hesaid,moreover,"Nowthejustshalllivebyfaith:butifanymandrawback,mysoulshallhavenopleasureinhim。"[Heb。10:38]
Healsodidthusapplythem:Thouartthemanthatartrunningintothismisery;thouhastbeguntorejectthecounseloftheMostHigh,andtodrawbackthyfootfromthewayofpeace,evenalmosttothehazardingofthyperdition。
{52}
ThenChristianfelldownathisfeetasdead,crying,"Woeisme,forIamundone!"AtthesightofwhichEvangelistcaughthimbytherighthand,saying,"Allmannerofsinandblasphemiesshallbeforgivenuntomen。"[Matt。12:31,Mark3:28]
"Benotfaithless,butbelieving。"[John20:27]ThendidChristianagainalittlerevive,andstooduptrembling,asatfirst,beforeEvangelist。
{53}
ThenEvangelistproceeded,saying,GivemoreearnestheedtothethingsthatIshalltelltheeof。Iwillnowshowtheewhoitwasthatdeludedthee,andwhoitwasalsotowhomhesentthee。
——ThemanthatmettheeisoneWorldlyWiseman,andrightlyishesocalled;partly,becausehesavourethonlythedoctrineofthisworld,[1John4:5](thereforehealwaysgoestothetownofMoralitytochurch):andpartlybecauseheloveththatdoctrinebest,foritsavethhimbestfromthecross。[Gal6:12]Andbecauseheisofthiscarnaltemper,thereforeheseekethtopervertmyways,thoughright。Nowtherearethreethingsinthisman’scounsel,thatthoumustutterlyabhor。
1。Histurningtheeoutoftheway。
2。Hislabouringtorenderthecrossodioustothee。And,3。Hissettingthyfeetinthatwaythatleadethuntotheadministrationofdeath。
{54}
First,Thoumustabhorhisturningtheeoutoftheway;
andthineownconsentingthereunto:becausethisistorejectthecounselofGodforthesakeofthecounselofaWorldlyWiseman。
TheLordsays,"Strivetoenterinatthestraitgate"[Luke13:24],thegatetowhichIsentthee;for"straitisthegatethatleadethuntolife,andfewtherebethatfindit。"[Matt。7:14]
Fromthislittlewicket—gate,andfromthewaythereto,haththiswickedmanturnedthee,tothebringingoftheealmosttodestruction;hate,therefore,histurningtheeoutoftheway,andabhorthyselfforhearkeningtohim。
{55}
Secondly,Thoumustabhorhislabouringtorenderthecrossodiousuntothee;forthouarttopreferit"beforethetreasuresinEgypt。"[Heb。11:25,26]BesidestheKingofgloryhathtoldthee,thathethat"willsavehislifeshallloseit。"[Mark8:35;
John12:25;Matt。10:39]And,"Hethatcomethafterme,andhatethnothisfather,andmother,andwife,andchildren,andbrethren,andsisters,yea,andhisownlifealso,hecannotbemydisciple。"[Luke14:26]Isay,therefore,formantolabourtopersuadethee,thatthatshallbethydeath,withoutwhich,THETRUTHhathsaid,thoucanstnothaveeternallife;
thisdoctrinethoumustabhor。
{56}
Thirdly,Thoumusthatehissettingofthyfeetinthewaythatleadethtotheministrationofdeath。Andforthisthoumustconsidertowhomhesentthee,andalsohowunablethatpersonwastodelivertheefromthyburden。
{57}
Hetowhomthouwastsentforease,beingbynameLegality,isthesonofthebond—womanwhichnowis,andisinbondagewithherchildren[Gal4:21—27];andis,inamystery,thisMountSinai,whichthouhastfearedwillfallonthyhead。Now,ifshe,withherchildren,areinbondage,howcanstthouexpectbythemtobemadefree?ThisLegality,therefore,isnotabletosettheefreefromthyburden。Nomanwasasyeteverridofhisburdenbyhim;
no,noreverisliketobe:yecannotbejustifiedbytheworksofthelaw;
forbythedeedsofthelawnomanlivingcanberidofhisburden:
therefore,Mr。WorldlyWisemanisanalien,andMr。Legalityisacheat;
andforhissonCivility,notwithstandinghissimperinglooks,heisbutahypocriteandcannothelpthee。Believeme,thereisnothinginallthisnoise,thatthouhastheardofthesesottishmen,butadesigntobeguiletheeofthysalvation,byturningtheefromthewayinwhichIhadsetthee。Afterthis,Evangelistcalledaloudtotheheavensforconfirmationofwhathehadsaid:andwiththattherecamewordsandfireoutofthemountainunderwhichpoorChristianstood,thatmadethehairofhisfleshstandup。Thewordswerethuspronounced:
`Asmanyasareoftheworksofthelawareunderthecurse;
foritiswritten,Cursediseveryonethatcontinuethnotinallthingswhicharewritteninthebookofthelawtodothem。’[Gal。3:10]
{58}
NowChristianlookedfornothingbutdeath,andbegantocryoutlamentably;evencursingthetimeinwhichhemetwithMr。WorldlyWiseman;stillcallinghimselfathousandfoolsforhearkeningtohiscounsel;healsowasgreatlyashamedtothinkthatthisgentleman’sarguments,flowingonlyfromtheflesh,shouldhavetheprevalencywithhimastocausehimtoforsaketherightway。Thisdone,heappliedhimselfagaintoEvangelistinwordsandsenseasfollow:
{59}
CHR。Sir,whatthinkyou?Istherehope?MayInowgobackandgouptothewicket—gate?ShallInotbeabandonedforthis,andsentbackfromthenceashamed?IamsorryIhavehearkenedtothisman’scounsel。Butmaymysinbeforgiven?
EVAN。ThensaidEvangelisttohim,Thysinisverygreat,forbyitthouhastcommittedtwoevils:thouhastforsakenthewaythatisgood,totreadinforbiddenpaths;yetwillthemanatthegatereceivethee,forhehasgoodwillformen;only,saidhe,takeheedthatthouturnnotasideagain,`lestthouperishfromtheway,whenhiswrathiskindledbutalittle。’[Ps。2:12]
ThendidChristianaddresshimselftogoback;andEvangelist,afterhehadkissedhim,gavehimonesmile,andbidhimGod—speed。
Sohewentonwithhaste,neitherspakehetoanymanbytheway;
nor,ifanyaskedhim,wouldhevouchsafethemananswer。
Hewentlikeonethatwasallthewhiletreadingonforbiddenground,andcouldbynomeansthinkhimselfsafe,tillagainhewasgotintothewaywhichheleft,tofollowMr。WorldlyWiseman’scounsel。
So,inprocessoftime,Christiangotuptothegate。
Now,overthegatetherewaswritten,`Knock,anditshallbeopeneduntoyou。’[Matt7:8]
{60}
"HethatwillenterinmustfirstwithoutStandknockingattheGate,norneedhedoubtThatisAKNOCKERbuttoenterin;
ForGodcanlovehim,andforgivehissin。"
Heknocked,therefore,morethanonceortwice,saying——
"MayInowenterhere?WillhewithinOpentosorryme,thoughIhavebeenAnundeservingrebel?ThenshallI
Notfailtosinghislastingpraiseonhigh。"
Atlasttherecameagravepersontothegate,namedGood—will,whoaskedwhowasthere?andwhencehecame?andwhathewouldhave?
{61}
CHR。Hereisapoorburdenedsinner。IcomefromtheCityofDestruction,butamgoingtoMountZion,thatImaybedeliveredfromthewrathtocome。Iwouldtherefore,Sir,sinceIaminformedthatbythisgateisthewaythither,knowifyouarewillingtoletmein?
GOOD—WILL。Iamwillingwithallmyheart,saidhe;andwiththatheopenedthegate。
{62}
SowhenChristianwassteppingin,theothergavehimapull。
ThensaidChristian,Whatmeansthat?Theothertoldhim。
Alittledistancefromthisgate,thereiserectedastrongcastle,ofwhichBeelzebubisthecaptain;fromthence,bothheandthemthatarewithhimshootarrowsatthosethatcomeuptothisgate,ifhaplytheymaydiebeforetheycanenterin。
ThensaidChristian,Irejoiceandtremble。Sowhenhewasgotin,themanofthegateaskedhimwhodirectedhimthither?
{63}
CHR。Evangelistbidmecomehither,andknock,(asIdid);
andhesaidthatyou,Sir,wouldtellmewhatImustdo。
GOOD—WILL。Anopendoorissetbeforethee,andnomancanshutit。
CHR。NowIbegintoreapthebenefitsofmyhazards。
GOOD—WILL。Buthowisitthatyoucamealone?
CHR。Becausenoneofmyneighbourssawtheirdanger,asIsawmine。
GOOD—WILL。Didanyofthemknowofyourcoming?
CHR。Yes;mywifeandchildrensawmeatthefirst,andcalledaftermetoturnagain;also,someofmyneighboursstoodcryingandcallingaftermetoreturn;butIputmyfingersinmyears,andsocameonmyway。
GOOD—WILL。Butdidnoneofthemfollowyou,topersuadeyoutogoback?
CHR。Yes,bothObstinateandPliable;butwhentheysawthattheycouldnotprevail,Obstinatewentrailingback,butPliablecamewithmealittleway。
GOOD—WILL。Butwhydidhenotcomethrough?
{64}
CHR。We,indeed,camebothtogether,untilwecameattheSloughofDespond,intothewhichwealsosuddenlyfell。
Andthenwasmyneighbour,Pliable,discouraged,andwouldnotventurefurther。Wherefore,gettingoutagainonthatsidenexttohisownhouse,hetoldmeIshouldpossessthebravecountryaloneforhim;sohewenthisway,andIcamemine——
heafterObstinate,andItothisgate。
GOOD—WILL。ThensaidGood—will,Alas,poorman!isthecelestialgloryofsosmallesteemwithhim,thathecountethitnotworthrunningthehazardsofafewdifficultiestoobtainit?
{65}
CHR。Truly,saidChristian,IhavesaidthetruthofPliable,andifIshouldalsosayallthetruthofmyself,itwillappearthereisnobettermentbetwixthimandmyself。Itistrue,hewentbacktohisownhouse,butIalsoturnedasidetogointhewayofdeath,beingpersuadedtheretobythecarnalargumentsofoneMr。WorldlyWiseman。
GOOD—WILL。Oh,didhelightuponyou?What!hewouldhavehadyouasoughtforeaseatthehandsofMr。Legality。Theyare,bothofthem,averycheat。Butdidyoutakehiscounsel?
CHR。Yes,asfarasIdurst;IwenttofindoutMr。Legality,untilIthoughtthatthemountainthatstandsbyhishousewouldhavefallenuponmyhead;whereforethereIwasforcedtostop。
GOOD—WILL。Thatmountainhasbeenthedeathofmany,andwillbethedeathofmanymore;itiswellyouescapedbeingbyitdashedinpieces。
CHR。Why,truly,Idonotknowwhathadbecomeofmethere,hadnotEvangelisthappilymetmeagain,asIwasmusinginthemidstofmydumps;butitwasGod’smercythathecametomeagain,forelseIhadnevercomehither。ButnowIamcome,suchaoneasIam,morefit,indeed,fordeath,bythatmountain,thanthustostandtalkingwithmylord;but,oh,whatafavouristhistome,thatyetIamadmittedentrancehere!
{66}
GOOD—WILL。Wemakenoobjectionsagainstany,notwithstandingallthattheyhavedonebeforetheycamehither。Theyareinnowisecastout[Johnvi。37];andtherefore,goodChristian,comealittlewaywithme,andIwillteachtheeaboutthewaythoumustgo。
Lookbeforethee;
dostthouseethisnarrowway?THATisthewaythoumustgo;
itwascastupbythepatriarchs,prophets,Christ,andhisapostles;
anditisasstraightasarulecanmakeit。Thisisthewaythoumustgo。
{67}
CHR。But,saidChristian,aretherenoturningsorwindingsbywhichastrangermaylosehisway?
GOOD—WILL。Yes,therearemanywaysbuttdownuponthis,andtheyarecrookedandwide。Butthusthoumayestdistinguishtherightfromthewrong,therightonlybeingstraightandnarrow。
[Matt7:14]
{68}
ThenIsawinmydreamthatChristianaskedhimfurtherifhecouldnothelphimoffwithhisburdenthatwasuponhisback;
forasyethehadnotgotridthereof,norcouldhebyanymeansgetitoffwithouthelp。
Hetoldhim,Astothyburden,becontenttobearit,untilthoucomesttotheplaceofdeliverance;forthereitwillfallfromthybackofitself。
{69}
ThenChristianbegantogirduphisloins,andtoaddresshimselftohisjourney。Sotheothertoldhim,Thatbythathewasgonesomedistancefromthegate,hewouldcomeatthehouseoftheInterpreter,atwhosedoorheshouldknock,andhewouldshowhimexcellentthings。ThenChristiantookhisleaveofhisfriend,andheagainbidhimGod—speed。
{70}
ThenhewentontillhecametothehouseoftheInterpreter,whereheknockedoverandover;atlastonecametothedoor,andaskedwhowasthere。
{71}
CHR。Sir,hereisatraveller,whowasbidbyanacquaintanceofthegood—manofthishousetocallhereformyprofit;
Iwouldthereforespeakwiththemasterofthehouse。
Sohecalledforthemasterofthehouse,who,afteralittletime,cametoChristian,andaskedhimwhathewouldhave。
CHR。Sir,saidChristian,IamamanthatamcomefromtheCityofDestruction,andamgoingtotheMountZion;
andIwastoldbythemanthatstandsatthegate,attheheadofthisway,thatifIcalledhere,youwouldshowmeexcellentthings,suchaswouldbeahelptomeinmyjourney。
{72}
INTER。ThensaidtheInterpreter,Comein;Iwillshowthatwhichwillbeprofitabletothee。Sohecommandedhismantolightthecandle,andbidChristianfollowhim:sohehadhimintoaprivateroom,andbidhismanopenadoor;thewhichwhenhehaddone,Christiansawthepictureofaverygravepersonhangupagainstthewall;andthiswasthefashionofit。Ithadeyeslifteduptoheaven,thebestofbooksinhishand,thelawoftruthwaswrittenuponhislips,theworldwasbehindhisback。
Itstoodasifitpleadedwithmen,andacrownofgolddidhangoverhishead。
CHR。ThensaidChristian,Whatmeaneththis?
{73}
INTER。Themanwhosepicturethisis,isoneofathousand;
hecanbegetchildren[1Cor。4:15],travailinbirthwithchildren[Gal。4:19],andnursethemhimselfwhentheyareborn。
Andwhereasthouseesthimwithhiseyesliftuptoheaven,thebestofbooksinhishand,andthelawoftruthwritonhislips,itistoshowtheethathisworkistoknowandunfolddarkthingstosinners;evenasalsothouseesthimstandasifhepleadedwithmen:
andwhereasthouseesttheworldascastbehindhim,andthatacrownhangsoverhishead,thatistoshowtheethatslightinganddespisingthethingsthatarepresent,forthelovethathehathtohisMaster’sservice,heissureintheworldthatcomesnexttohavegloryforhisreward。
Now,saidtheInterpreter,Ihaveshowedtheethispicturefirst,becausethemanwhosepicturethisis,istheonlymanwhomtheLordoftheplacewhitherthouartgoing,hathauthorisedtobethyguideinalldifficultplacesthoumayestmeetwithintheway;
wherefore,takegoodheedtowhatIhaveshewedthee,andbearwellinthymindwhatthouhastseen,lestinthyjourneythoumeetwithsomethatpretendtoleadtheeright,buttheirwaygoesdowntodeath。
{74}
Thenhetookhimbythehand,andledhimintoaverylargeparlourthatwasfullofdust,becauseneverswept;thewhichafterhehadreviewedalittlewhile,theInterpretercalledforamantosweep。
Now,whenhebegantosweep,thedustbegansoabundantlytoflyabout,thatChristianhadalmosttherewithbeenchoked。ThensaidtheInterpretertoadamselthatstoodby,Bringhitherthewater,andsprinkletheroom;thewhich,whenshehaddone,itwassweptandcleansedwithpleasure。
{75}
CHR。ThensaidChristian,Whatmeansthis?
INTER。TheInterpreteranswered,Thisparlouristheheartofamanthatwasneversanctifiedbythesweetgraceofthegospel;
thedustishisoriginalsinandinwardcorruptions,thathavedefiledthewholeman。Hethatbegantosweepatfirst,istheLaw;
butshethatbroughtwater,anddidsprinkleit,istheGospel。
Now,whereasthousawest,thatsosoonasthefirstbegantosweep,thedustdidsoflyaboutthattheroombyhimcouldnotbecleansed,butthatthouwastalmostchokedtherewith;thisistoshewthee,thatthelaw,insteadofcleansingtheheart(byitsworking)fromsin,dothrevive,putstrengthinto,andincreaseitinthesoul,evenasitdothdiscoverandforbidit,foritdothnotgivepowertosubdue。[Rom。7:6;1Cor。15:56;Rom。5:20]
{76}
Again,asthousawestthedamselsprinkletheroomwithwater,uponwhichitwascleansedwithpleasure;thisistoshowthee,thatwhenthegospelcomesinthesweetandpreciousinfluencesthereoftotheheart,then,Isay,evenasthousawestthedamsellaythedustbysprinklingthefloorwithwater,soissinvanquishedandsubdued,andthesoulmadecleanthroughthefaithofit,andconsequentlyfitfortheKingofglorytoinhabit。[John15:3;Eph。5:26;Acts15:9;
Rom。16:25,26;John15:13]
{77}
Isaw,moreover,inmydream,thattheInterpretertookhimbythehand,andhadhimintoalittleroom,wheresattwolittlechildren,eachoneinhischair。
ThenameoftheeldestwasPassion,andthenameoftheotherPatience。
Passionseemedtobemuchdiscontented;butPatiencewasveryquiet。
ThenChristianasked,WhatisthereasonofthediscontentofPassion?
TheInterpreteranswered,TheGovernorofthemwouldhavehimstayforhisbestthingstillthebeginningofthenextyear;
buthewillhaveallnow:butPatienceiswillingtowait。
ThenIsawthatonecametoPassion,andbroughthimabagoftreasure,andpoureditdownathisfeet,thewhichhetookupandrejoicedtherein,andwithallaughedPatiencetoscorn。
ButIbeheldbutawhile,andhehadlavishedallaway,andhadnothinglefthimbutrags。
{78}
CHR。ThensaidChristiantotheInterpreter,Expoundthismattermorefullytome。
INTER。Sohesaid,Thesetwoladsarefigures:Passion,ofthemenofthisworld;andPatience,ofthemenofthatwhichistocome;
forasherethouseest,Passionwillhaveallnowthisyear,thatistosay,inthisworld;soarethemenofthisworld,theymusthavealltheirgoodthingsnow,theycannotstaytillnextyear,thatisuntilthenextworld,fortheirportionofgood。
Thatproverb,`Abirdinthehandisworthtwointhebush’,isofmoreauthoritywiththemthanarealltheDivinetestimoniesofthegoodoftheworldtocome。Butasthousawestthathehadquicklylavishedallaway,andhadpresentlylefthimnothingbutrags;sowillitbewithallsuchmenattheendofthisworld。
CHR。ThensaidChristian,NowIseethatPatiencehasthebestwisdom,andthatuponmanyaccounts。First,becausehestaysforthebestthings。Second,andalsobecausehewillhavethegloryofhis,whentheotherhasnothingbutrags。
{79}
INTER。Nay,youmayaddanother,towit,thegloryofthenextworldwillneverwearout;butthesearesuddenlygone。ThereforePassionhadnotsomuchreasontolaughatPatience,becausehehadhisgoodthingsfirst,asPatiencewillhavetolaughatPassion,becausehehadhisbestthingslast;forfirstmustgiveplacetolast,becauselastmusthavehistimetocome;butlastgivesplacetonothing;forthereisnotanothertosucceed。He,therefore,thathathhisportionfirst,mustneedshaveatimetospendit;
buthethathathhisportionlast,musthaveitlastingly;
thereforeitissaidofDives,"Thouinthylife—timereceivedstthygoodthings,andlikewiseLazarusevilthings;butnowheiscomforted,andthouarttormented。"
[Luke16:25]
CHR。ThenIperceiveitisnotbesttocovetthingsthatarenow,buttowaitforthingstocome。
INTER。Yousaythetruth:"Forthethingswhichareseenaretemporal;
butthethingswhicharenotseenareeternal。"[2Cor。4:18]
Butthoughthisbeso,yetsincethingspresentandourfleshlyappetitearesuchnearneighboursonetoanother;andagain,becausethingstocome,andcarnalsense,aresuchstrangersonetoanother;thereforeitis,thatthefirstofthesesosuddenlyfallintoamity,andthatdistanceissocontinuedbetweenthesecond。
{80}
ThenIsawinmydreamthattheInterpretertookChristianbythehand,andledhimintoaplacewherewasafireburningagainstawall,andonestandingbyit,alwayscastingmuchwateruponit,toquenchit;
yetdidthefireburnhigherandhotter。
ThensaidChristian,Whatmeansthis?
{81}
TheInterpreteranswered,Thisfireistheworkofgracethatiswroughtintheheart;hethatcastswateruponit,toextinguishandputitout,istheDevil;butinthatthouseestthefirenotwithstandingburnhigherandhotter,thoushaltalsoseethereasonofthat。Sohehadhimabouttothebacksideofthewall,wherehesawamanwithavesselofoilinhishand,ofthewhichhedidalsocontinuallycast,butsecretly,intothefire。
ThensaidChristian,Whatmeansthis?
{82}
TheInterpreteranswered,ThisisChrist,whocontinually,withtheoilofhisgrace,maintainstheworkalreadybegunintheheart:bythemeansofwhich,notwithstandingwhatthedevilcando,thesoulsofhispeopleprovegraciousstill。[2Cor。
12:9]
Andinthatthousawestthatthemanstoodbehindthewalltomaintainthefire,thatistoteachtheethatitishardforthetemptedtoseehowthisworkofgraceismaintainedinthesoul。
Isawalso,thattheInterpretertookhimagainbythehand,andledhimintoapleasantplace,wherewasbuildedastatelypalace,beautifultobehold;atthesightofwhichChristianwasgreatlydelighted。Hesawalso,uponthetopthereof,certainpersonswalking,whowereclothedallingold。
ThensaidChristian,Maywegointhither?
{83}
ThentheInterpretertookhim,andledhimuptowardsthedoorofthepalace;andbehold,atthedoorstoodagreatcompanyofmen,asdesiroustogoin;butdurstnot。Therealsosatamanatalittledistancefromthedoor,atatable—side,withabookandhisinkhornbeforehim,totakethenameofhimthatshouldentertherein;hesawalso,thatinthedoorwaystoodmanymeninarmourtokeepit,beingresolvedtodothementhatwouldenterwhathurtandmischieftheycould。NowwasChristiansomewhatinamaze。
Atlast,wheneverymanstartedbackforfearofthearmedmen,Christiansawamanofaverystoutcountenancecomeuptothemanthatsattheretowrite,saying,Setdownmyname,Sir:thewhichwhenhehaddone,hesawthemandrawhissword,andputahelmetuponhishead,andrushtowardthedooruponthearmedmen,wholaiduponhimwithdeadlyforce;buttheman,notatalldiscouraged,felltocuttingandhackingmostfiercely。Soafterhehadreceivedandgivenmanywoundstothosethatattemptedtokeephimout,hecuthiswaythroughthemall[Acts14:。22],andpressedforwardintothepalace,atwhichtherewasapleasantvoiceheardfromthosethatwerewithin,evenofthosethatwalkeduponthetopofthepalace,saying——
"Comein,comein;
Eternalglorythoushaltwin。"
Sohewentin,andwasclothedwithsuchgarmentsasthey。
ThenChristiansmiledandsaid;IthinkverilyIknowthemeaningofthis。
{84}
Now,saidChristian,letmegohence。Nay,stay,saidtheInterpreter,tillIhaveshewedtheealittlemore,andafterthatthoushaltgoonthyway。Sohetookhimbythehandagain,andledhimintoaverydarkroom,wheretheresatamaninanironcage。
Nowtheman,tolookon,seemedverysad;hesatwithhiseyeslookingdowntotheground,hishandsfoldedtogether,andhesighedasifhewouldbreakhisheart。ThensaidChristian,Whatmeansthis?AtwhichtheInterpreterbidhimtalkwiththeman。
ThensaidChristiantotheman,Whatartthou?Themananswered,IamwhatIwasnotonce。
{85}
CHR。Whatwastthouonce?
MAN。Themansaid,Iwasonceafairandflourishingprofessor,bothinmineowneyes,andalsointheeyesofothers;Ioncewas,asIthought,fairfortheCelestialCity,andhadthenevenjoyatthethoughtsthatIshouldgetthither。[Luke8:13]
CHR。Well,butwhatartthounow?
MAN。Iamnowamanofdespair,andamshutupinit,asinthisironcage。Icannotgetout。Oh,nowIcannot!
CHR。Buthowcamestthouinthiscondition?
MAN。Ileftofftowatchandbesober。Ilaidthereins,upontheneckofmylusts;IsinnedagainstthelightoftheWordandthegoodnessofGod;IhavegrievedtheSpirit,andheisgone;
Itemptedthedevil,andheiscometome;IhaveprovokedGodtoanger,andhehasleftme:Ihavesohardenedmyheart,thatIcannotrepent。
{86}
ThensaidChristiantotheInterpreter,Butistherenohopeforsuchamanasthis?Askhim,saidtheInterpreter。Nay,saidChristian,pray,Sir,doyou。
INTER。ThensaidtheInterpreter,Istherenohope,butyoumustbekeptintheironcageofdespair?
MAN。No,noneatall。
INTER。Why,theSonoftheBlessedisverypitiful。
MAN。Ihavecrucifiedhimtomyselfafresh[Heb。6:6];
Ihavedespisedhisperson[Luke19:14];Ihavedespisedhisrighteousness;Ihave"countedhisbloodanunholything";
Ihave"donedespitetotheSpiritofgrace"。[Heb。10:28—29]
ThereforeIhaveshutmyselfoutofallthepromises,andtherenowremainstomenothingbutthreatenings,dreadfulthreatenings,fearfulthreatenings,ofcertainjudgementandfieryindignation,whichshalldevourmeasanadversary。
{87}
INTER。Forwhatdidyoubringyourselfintothiscondition?
MAN。Forthelusts,pleasures,andprofitsofthisworld;
intheenjoymentofwhichIdidthenpromisemyselfmuchdelight;
butnoweveryoneofthosethingsalsobiteme,andgnawmelikeaburningworm。
INTER。Butcanstthounotnowrepentandturn?
{88}
MAN。Godhathdeniedmerepentance。HisWordgivesmenoencouragementtobelieve;yea,himselfhathshutmeupinthisironcage;
norcanallthemenintheworldletmeout。Oeternity,eternity!
howshallIgrapplewiththemiserythatImustmeetwithineternity!
INTER。ThensaidtheInterpretertoChristian,Letthisman’smiseryberememberedbythee,andbeaneverlastingcautiontothee。
CHR。Well,saidChristian,thisisfearful!Godhelpmetowatchandbesober,andtopraythatImayshunthecauseofthisman’smisery!
Sir,isitnottimeformetogoonmywaynow?
INTER。TarrytillIshallshowtheeonethingmore,andthenthoushaltgoonthyway。
{89}
SohetookChristianbythehandagain,andledhimintoachamber,wheretherewasonerisingoutofbed;andasheputonhisraiment,heshookandtrembled。ThensaidChristian,Whydoththismanthustremble?TheInterpreterthenbidhimtelltoChristianthereasonofhissodoing。Sohebeganandsaid,Thisnight,asIwasinmysleep,Idreamed,andbeholdtheheavensgrewexceedingblack;alsoitthunderedandlightenedinmostfearfulwise,thatitputmeintoanagony;soIlookedupinmydream,andsawthecloudsrackatanunusualrate,uponwhichIheardagreatsoundofatrumpet,andsawalsoamansituponacloud,attendedwiththethousandsofheaven;theywereallinflamingfire:
alsotheheavenswereinaburningflame。Iheardthenavoicesaying,"Arise,yedead,andcometojudgement";andwiththattherocksrent,thegravesopened,andthedeadthatwerethereincameforth。
Someofthemwereexceedingglad,andlookedupward;andsomesoughttohidethemselvesunderthemountains。[1Cor。15:52;1Thes。
4:16;
Jude14;John5:28,29;2Thes。1:7,8;Rev。20:11—14;Isa。26:21;
Micah7:16,17;Ps。95:1—3;Dan。7:10]ThenIsawthemanthatsatuponthecloudopenthebook,andbidtheworlddrawnear。
Yettherewas,byreasonofafierceflamewhichissuedoutandcamefrombeforehim,aconvenientdistancebetwixthimandthem,asbetwixtthejudgeandtheprisonersatthebar。[Mal。3:2,3;
Dan。7:9,10]Ihearditalsoproclaimedtothemthatattendedonthemanthatsatonthecloud,Gathertogetherthetares,thechaff,andstubble,andcastthemintotheburninglake。[Matt。3:12;
13:30;
Mal。4:1]Andwiththat,thebottomlesspitopened,justwhereaboutIstood;outofthemouthofwhichtherecame,inanabundantmanner,smokeandcoalsoffire,withhideousnoises。Itwasalsosaidtothesamepersons,"Gathermywheatintothegarner。"[Luke3:17]
AndwiththatIsawmanycatchedupandcarriedawayintotheclouds,butIwasleftbehind。[1Thes。4:16,17]Ialsosoughttohidemyself,butIcouldnot,forthemanthatsatuponthecloudstillkepthiseyeuponme;mysinsalsocameintomymind;andmyconsciencedidaccusemeoneveryside。[Rom。3:14,15]UponthisIawakedfrommysleep。
{90}
CHR。Butwhatisitthatmadeyousoafraidofthissight?
MAN。Why,Ithoughtthatthedayofjudgementwascome,andthatIwasnotreadyforit:butthisfrightedmemost,thattheangelsgatheredupseveral,andleftmebehind;
alsothepitofhellopenedhermouthjustwhereIstood。
Myconscience,too,afflictedme;and,asIthought,theJudgehadalwayshiseyeuponme,shewingindignationinhiscountenance。
{91}
ThensaidtheInterpretertoChristian,Hastthouconsideredallthesethings?
CHR。Yes,andtheyputmeinhopeandfear。
INTER。Well,keepallthingssointhymindthattheymaybeasagoadinthysides,topricktheeforwardinthewaythoumustgo。
ThenChristianbegantogirduphisloins,andtoaddresshimselftohisjourney。ThensaidtheInterpreter,TheComforterbealwayswiththee,goodChristian,toguidetheeinthewaythatleadstotheCity。SoChristianwentonhisway,saying——
"HereIhaveseenthingsrareandprofitable;
Thingspleasant,dreadful,thingstomakemestableInwhatIhavebeguntotakeinhand;
Thenletmethinkonthem,andunderstandWhereforetheyshowedmewere,andletmebeThankful,OgoodInterpreter,tothee。"
{92}
NowIsawinmydream,thatthehighwayupwhichChristianwastogo,wasfencedoneithersidewithawall,andthatwallwascalledSalvation。[Isa。26:1]Upthisway,therefore,didburdenedChristianrun,butnotwithoutgreatdifficulty,becauseoftheloadonhisback。
{93}
Heranthustillhecameataplacesomewhatascending,anduponthatplacestoodacross,andalittlebelow,inthebottom,asepulchre。SoIsawinmydream,thatjustasChristiancameupwiththecross,hisburdenloosedfromoffhisshoulders,andfellfromoffhisback,andbegantotumble,andsocontinuedtodo,tillitcametothemouthofthesepulchre,whereitfellin,andIsawitnomore。
{94}
ThenwasChristiangladandlightsome,andsaid,withamerryheart,"Hehathgivenmerestbyhissorrow,andlifebyhisdeath。"
Thenhestoodstillawhiletolookandwonder;foritwasverysurprisingtohim,thatthesightofthecrossshouldthuseasehimofhisburden。Helookedtherefore,andlookedagain,eventillthespringsthatwereinhisheadsentthewatersdownhischeeks。[Zech。12:10]Now,ashestoodlookingandweeping,beholdthreeShiningOnescametohimandsalutedhimwith"Peacebeuntothee"。Sothefirstsaidtohim,"Thysinsbeforgiventhee"[Mark2:5];thesecondstrippedhimofhisrags,andclothedhimwithchangeofraiment[Zech。3:4];thethirdalsosetamarkonhisforehead,andgavehimarollwithasealuponit,whichhebadehimlookonasheran,andthatheshouldgiveitinattheCelestialGate。[Eph。1:13]Sotheywenttheirway。
"Who’sthis?thePilgrim。How!’tisverytrue,Oldthingsarepastaway,all’sbecomenew。
Strange!he’sanotherman,uponmyword,Theybefinefeathersthatmakeafinebird。
ThenChristiangavethreeleapsforjoy,andwentonsinging——
"ThusfarIdidcomeladenwithmysin;
NorcouldaughteasethegriefthatIwasinTillIcamehither:Whataplaceisthis!
Mustherebethebeginningofmybliss?
Mustheretheburdenfallfromoffmyback?
Mustherethestringsthatboundittomecrack?
Blestcross!blestsepulchre!blestratherbeTheManthattherewasputtoshameforme!"
{95}
Isawtheninmydream,thathewentonthus,evenuntilhecameatabottom,wherehesaw,alittleoutoftheway,threemenfastasleep,withfettersupontheirheels。ThenameoftheonewasSimple,anotherSloth,andthethirdPresumption。
{96}
Christianthenseeingthemlieinthiscasewenttothem,ifperadventurehemightawakethem,andcried,Youarelikethemthatsleeponthetopofamast,fortheDeadSeaisunderyou——
agulfthathathnobottom。[Prov。23:34]Awake,therefore,andcomeaway;bewillingalso,andIwillhelpyouoffwithyourirons。
Healsotoldthem,Ifhethat"goethaboutlikearoaringlion"
comesby,youwillcertainlybecomeapreytohisteeth。[1Pet。
5:8]
Withthattheylookeduponhim,andbegantoreplyinthissort:
Simplesaid,"Iseenodanger";Slothsaid,"Yetalittlemoresleep";
andPresumptionsaid,"Everyfatmuststanduponitsownbottom;
whatistheanswerelsethatIshouldgivethee?"Andsotheylaydowntosleepagain,andChristianwentonhisway。
{97}
Yetwashetroubledtothinkthatmeninthatdangershouldsolittleesteemthekindnessofhimthatsofreelyofferedtohelpthem,bothbyawakeningofthem,counsellingofthem,andprofferingtohelpthemoffwiththeirirons。Andashewastroubledthereabout,heespiedtwomencometumblingoverthewallonthelefthandofthenarrowway;andtheymadeupapacetohim。ThenameoftheonewasFormalist,andthenameoftheotherHypocrisy。So,asIsaid,theydrewupuntohim,whothusenteredwiththemintodiscourse。
{98}
CHR。Gentlemen,whencecameyou,andwhithergoyou?
FORM。andHYP。WewereborninthelandofVain—glory,andaregoingforpraisetoMountZion。
CHR。Whycameyounotinatthegatewhichstandethatthebeginningoftheway?Knowyounotthatitiswritten,thathethatcomethnotinbythedoor,"butclimbethupsomeotherway,thesameisathiefandarobber?"[John10:1]
FORM。andHYP。Theysaid,Thattogotothegateforentrancewas,byalltheircountrymen,countedtoofarabout;andthat,therefore,theirusualwaywastomakeashortcutofit,andtoclimboverthewall,astheyhaddone。
CHR。ButwillitnotbecountedatrespassagainsttheLordofthecitywhitherwearebound,thustoviolatehisrevealedwill?
{99}
FORM。andHYP。Theytoldhim,that,asforthat,heneedednottotroublehisheadthereabout;forwhattheydidtheyhadcustomfor;
andcouldproduce,ifneedwere,testimonythatwouldwitnessitformorethanathousandyears。
CHR。But,saidChristian,willyourpracticestandatrialatlaw?
FORM。andHYP。Theytoldhim,Thatcustom,itbeingofsolongastandingasaboveathousandyears,would,doubtless,nowbeadmittedasathinglegalbyanyimpartialjudge;andbesides,saidthey,ifwegetintotheway,what’smatterwhichwaywegetin?
ifwearein,wearein;thouartbutintheway,who,asweperceive,cameinatthegate;andwearealsointheway,thatcametumblingoverthewall;wherein,now,isthyconditionbetterthanours?
CHR。IwalkbytheruleofmyMaster;youwalkbytherudeworkingofyourfancies。Youarecountedthievesalready,bytheLordoftheway;therefore,Idoubtyouwillnotbefoundtruemenattheendoftheway。Youcomeinbyyourselves,withouthisdirection;
andshallgooutbyyourselves,withouthismercy。
{100}
Tothistheymadehimbutlittleanswer;onlytheybidhimlooktohimself。ThenIsawthattheywentoneverymaninhiswaywithoutmuchconferenceonewithanother,savethatthesetwomentoldChristian,thatastolawsandordinances,theydoubtednotbuttheyshouldasconscientiouslydothemashe;therefore,saidthey,weseenotwhereinthoudifferestfromusbutbythecoatthatisonthyback,whichwas,aswetrow,giventheebysomeofthyneighbours,tohidetheshameofthynakedness。
theconclusionTheConclusionNow,Reader,Ihavetoldmydreamtothee;
Seeifthoucanstinterpretittome,Ortothyself,orneighbour;buttakeheedOfmisinterpreting;forthat,insteadOfdoinggood,willbutthyselfabuse:
Bymisinterpreting,evilensues。
Takeheed,also,thatthoubenotextreme,Inplayingwiththeoutsideofmydream:
NorletmyfigureorsimilitudePuttheeintoalaughterorafeud。
Leavethisforboysandfools;butasforthee,Dothouthesubstanceofmymattersee。
Putbythecurtains,lookwithinmyveil,Turnupmymetaphors,anddonotfail,There,ifthouseekestthem,suchthingstofind,Aswillbehelpfultoanhonestmind。
Whatofmydrossthoufindestthere,beboldTothrowaway,butyetpreservethegold;
Whatifmygoldbewrappedupinore?——
Nonethrowsawaytheappleforthecore。
Butifthoushaltcastallawayasvain,Iknownotbut’twillmakemedreamagain。