The Childrens Hour, v 5 | Page 4

from this Gate, there is erected a strong Castle, of which Beelzebub is the Captain; from thence both he and they that are with him shoot arrows at those that come up to this Gate, if haply they may dye before they can enter in. Then said Christian, I rejoyce and tremble. So when he was got in, the Man of the Gate asked him, Who directed him thither?
_Chr._ Evangelist bid me come hither and knock (as I did); and he said that you, Sir, would tell me what I must do.
_Good-Will._ An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it.
_Chr._ Now I begin to reap the benefits of my hazards.
_Good-Will._ But how is it that you came alone?
_Chr._ Because none of my Neighbours saw their danger, as I saw mine.
_Good-Will._ Did any of them know of your coming?
_Chr._ Yes, my Wife and Children saw me at the first, and called after me to turn again; also some of my Neighbours stood crying and calling after me to return; but I put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my way.
_Good-Will._ 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 railing back, but Pliable came with me a little way.
_Good-Will._ But why did he not come through?
_Chr._ We indeed came both together, until we came at the Slow of Dispond, into the which we also suddenly fell. And then was my Neighbour Pliable discouraged, and would not adventure further. Wherefore getting out again on that side next to his own house, he told me I should possess the brave countrey alone for him; so he went his way, and I came _mine_: he after Obstinate, and I to this Gate.
_Good-Will._ Then said _Good-Will_, Alas, poor man, is the Coelestial Glory of so small esteem with him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazards 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 betterment 'twixt him and myself. 'T is true, he went back to his own house, but I also turned aside to go in the way of death, being persuaded thereto by the carnal arguments of one Mr. Worldly Wiseman.
_Good-Will._ O, did he light upon you? What! he would have had you a sought 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-Will._ That Mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more; 't is 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 't was 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 O, what a favor is this to me, that yet I am admitted entrance here!
_Good-Will._ We make no objections against any; notwithstanding all that they have done before they come hither, they in no wise are cast out; 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, his Apostles; and it is as straight as a rule can make it: This is the way thou must go.
_Chr._ But said Christian, Is there no turnings nor windings, by which a Stranger may lose the way?
_Good-Will._ 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, that only being straight and narrow.
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 the Burden, be content to bear it, until thou comest to the place of _Deliverance_; for there it will fall