THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME
CHAPTER 4
WEEK 1 – SATURDAY
Read and pray: “Enter through the narrow gate (for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it). But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matt. 7:13–14)
Before long, Christian happily arrived at the longed-for narrow gate, above which was written this inscription: “Knock, and it shall be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
He knocked repeatedly, saying: May I now be allowed to enter? Will He who is inside be willing to receive me, a miserable sinner, though I have been rebellious and have no merit at all? Oh! If I succeed in entering, I will sing His praises forever in the heights.
At last, a person named Good-Will came to the gate and asked: Who are you? Where do you come from? What do you want?
Christian – Sir, I am a poor, burdened sinner. I come from the City of Destruction, and I am heading toward Mount Zion to escape the coming wrath. I was told, good sir, that to proceed on my journey I must enter through this gate, and I wish to know if you will allow me to enter.
Good-Will – Indeed! With all my heart. – And saying this, he opened the gate. As Christian was entering, Good-Will pulled him in forcefully.
Christian – What does this mean?
Good-Will – Near here is a castle, whose governor is Beelzebub, who with his soldiers constantly shoots arrows at those approaching this gate, trying to kill them before they enter.
Christian – I rejoice as much as I tremble, knowing I was in such danger.
Good-Will – Now that you are safe and at peace, answer me: Who sent you here?
Christian – The man Evangelist, who told me: Go there and knock at the gate; there they will tell you what you ought to do.
Good-Will – You now have an open door that no one can shut.
Christian – How blessed I am! I begin to reap the reward of my boldness.
Good-Will – So, did you come alone?
Christian – Yes; for none of my neighbors realized, as I did, the danger they were in.
Good-Will – But did anyone know about your departure?
Christian – First, my wife and children, who did not want me to leave; and to their voices were added several neighbors who also called out loudly for me to return; but I stopped my ears and kept on my way.
Good-Will – And did no one follow you to persuade you to return home?
Christian – Obstinate and Pliable followed me, but when they realized their efforts were useless, they gave up – the first showering me with insults, and the second shortly after.
Good-Will – Why didn’t the second come with you?
Christian – When we came to the Slough of Despond, we both fell into the mud, and my neighbor was so frightened that he dared not face any further danger. He got out of the bog on the side closest to his house and told me he was leaving me with full possession of the blessed country. Then he followed in Obstinate’s footsteps, and I continued toward this gate.
Good-Will – How pitiful is your neighbor! The celestial glory is of such little value to him that he thinks it not worth facing a few dangers to obtain it.
Christian – Sir, what I said about Pliable is true; but if we compare his actions to mine… I don’t know which of the two is worse. I too turned aside from this path to follow the way of death, for I listened to the carnal arguments of a man named Worldly-Wiseman.
Good-Will – What! You met him? And then? No doubt he advised you to seek relief and rest in the hands of Mr. Legality? What a pair of deceivers they are! And did you follow his advice?
Christian – I did, as far as I could. I was on my way to Mr. Legality’s house, but when I reached the hill near his house, I feared it might fall on me, and I stopped.
Good-Will – Ah! Countless are the deaths that hill is responsible for! And how many more it will cause! Blessed are you for escaping being crushed by it.
Christian – Indeed, who knows what would have happened to me, had Evangelist not appeared at that moment of doubt and fear? Without him, I never would have reached this place. But by mercy, here I am as I am, and surely more deserving to have been crushed by the hill than to be talking with you. You have done me a great favor in opening the gate after all I’ve told you.
Good-Will – We raise no difficulties for anyone, whatever their former life may have been. We cast none out (John 6:37). Now I will give you some instructions about the way you must go. Look ahead. Do you see a narrow path? That is the way you must go. The Patriarchs, Prophets, Christ, and the Apostles have walked that way: it is as straight as a line.
Christian – Then there are no twists and turns where a stranger might get lost?
Good-Will – Oh yes, there are many crossroads, and many broad shortcuts; but the rule to identify the true path is this: always straight and narrow (Matthew 7:14).
As I saw in my dream, he then asked him:
Christian – Can I not be relieved of this burden I carry on my back? If no one helps me, I shall not be able to go on.
Good-Will – Do not be discouraged. Continue to carry your burden cheerfully, until you reach the place where you will be freed from it, for it will fall off your shoulders on its own.
Christian began to gird himself, preparing for the journey. Good-Will warned him that he would soon come to the Interpreter’s house, where he should knock and listen to many useful and excellent things; then he kindly bid Christian farewell, wishing him a prosperous journey and the Lord’s company.
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