The Pilgrim's Progress in Words of One SyllableBunyan, John
Religion
The Pilgrim's Progress in Words of One Syllable
Bunyan, John
Christian fiction; Christian pilgrims and pilgrimages -- Fiction
At last there came a great man to the gate, whose name was Good-will,
and he said: Who is there; whence come you, and what would you have?
Christian.--I come from The City of Destruction with a load of Sins on
my back; but I am on my way to Mount Zion, that I may be free from the
wrath to come; and as I have been told that my way is through this gate,
I would know, Sir, if you will let me in?
Good-will.--With all my heart.
So he flung back the gate. But just as Christian went in, he gave him a
pull.
Then said Christian: What means that? Good-will told him that a short
way from this gate there was a strong fort, of which Beelzebub was the
chief, and that from thence he and the rest that dwelt there shot darts
at those that came up to the gate to try if they could kill them ere
they got in.
Then said Christian: I come in with joy and with fear. So when he had
gone in, the man at the gate said: Who sent you here?
Christian.--Evangelist bade me come and knock (as I did); and he said
that you, Sir, would tell me what I must do.
Good-will.--The door is thrown back wide for you to come in, and no man
can shut it.
Christian.--Now I seem to reap the good of all the risks I have met with
on the way.
Good-will.--But how is it that no one comes with you?
Christian.--None of my friends saw that there was cause of fear, as I
did.
Good-will.--Did they know of your flight?
Christian.--Yes, my wife and young ones saw me go, and I heard their
cries as they ran out to try and stop me. Some of my friends, too, would
have had me come home, but I put my hands to my ears, and so came on my
way.
Good-will.--But did none of them come out to beg of you to go back?
Christian.--Yes, both Obstinate and Pliable came, but when they found
that I would not yield, Obstinate went home, but Pliable came with me as
far as the Slough of Despond.
Good-will.--Why did he not come through it?
When Christian told him the rest, he said: Ah, poor man! Is a world of
bliss such a small thing to him, that he did not think it worth while to
run a few risks to gain it?
Sir, said Christian, there is not much to choose twixt him and me. Then
he told Good-will how he had been led from the straight path by Mr.
Worldly Wiseman.
Good-will.--Oh, did he light on you? What! He would have had you seek
for ease at the hands of Mr. Legality. They are, in truth, both of them
cheats. And did you take heed of what he said?
Christian then told him all. But now that I am come, said he, I am more
fit for death, than to stand and talk to my Lord. But oh, the joy it is
to me to be here!
Good-will.--We keep none out that knock at this gate, let them have done
what they may ere they came here; for they are 'in no wise cast out.'
So, good Christian, come with me, and I will teach you the way you must
go. Look in front. That is the way which was laid down by Christ and the
wise men of old, and it is as straight as a rule can make it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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