The Childrens Hour, v 5 | Page 4

may be delivered from the wrath to come. I would therefore,
Sir, since I am informed that by this Gate is the way thither, know if you are willing to let
me in.
_Good-Will._ I am willing with all my heart, said he; and with that he opened the Gate.

So when Christian was stepping in, the other gave him a pull. Then said Christian, What
means that? The other told him, A little distance 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