Arrival At the Gate (2:1)

Then did Christian begin to go back to the right road, and Evangelist, after he had kissed him, gave him one smile and bid him Godspeed. So he went on with haste, neither did he speak to any man by the way; nor, if any asked him, would he give them an answer. He went like one that was all the while treading on forbidden ground, and could by no means think himself safe, till again he was got in the way which he had left to follow Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s counsel. So after a time, Christian arrived at the gate. Now, over the gate, it was written, “Knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

He knocked, therefore, more than once or twice, saying:

“May I now enter here? Will he who is within open? Be sorry for me, though I have been an undeserving rebel? Then shall I not fail to sing His lasting praise on high.”

Goodwill At the Gate (2:2)

At last, there came a serious looking man to the gate named Goodwill, who asked who was there, and whence he came, and what he would have?

Christian: Here is a poor burdened sinner. I come from the City of Destruction, but am going to Mount Zion, that I may be set free from the wrath to come; I would therefore, sir, since I am told that by this gate is the way thither, know, if you are willing to let me in.

Goodwill: “I am willing with all my heart,” said he, and with that, he opened the gate.

The Sudden Pull (2:3)

So, when Christian was stepping in, the other gave him a pull. Then said Christian, “What did you do that for?” The other told him, “A little distance from this gate there is erected a strong castle, of which Beelzebub, the Evil One, is the captain; from whence both he and they that are with him shoot arrows at those that come up to this gate, in hopes they some may die before they can enter in.” Then said Christian, “I rejoice and tremble.” So when he was in, the man of the gate asked him who led him this way.

Christian: Evangelist bid me to come here and knock, as I did. He said that you, sir, would tell me what I must do.

Goodwill: An open door is set before you, and no man can shut it.

Christian: Now I begin to reap the benefit of the trouble which I have taken.

Goodwill: But how is it that you came alone?

Christian: Because none of my neighbors saw their danger, as I saw mine.

Goodwill: Did any of them know you were coming?

Christian: Yes, my wife and children saw me at first and called after me to come back. Also, some of my neighbors stood crying and calling after me to return, but I put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my way.

Goodwill: But did none of them follow you to persuade you to go back?

Christian: 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.

Goodwill: But why did he not come through?

Christian: We indeed came both together until we came to the Slough of Despond, into the which we also suddenly fell. And then was my neighbor Pliable discouraged, and would not venture farther. Wherefore, getting out again on the side next his own house, he told me I should win the brave country alone for him: so he went his way, and I came mine; he after Obstinate, and I to this gate.

Goodwill: Then said Goodwill, “Alas, poor man! Is the heavenly glory of so little worth with him, that he did not count it worth running the risk of a few difficulties to obtain it?”

Christian: “Truly,” said Christian, “I have said the truth of Pliable; and if I should also say the truth of myself, it will appear I am not better than him. It is true, he went on back to his own house; but I also turned aside to go into the way of death, being persuaded down that course by the words of one Mr. Worldly Wiseman.”

Goodwill: Oh! Did he light upon you? What! He would have had you seek for ease at the hands of Mr. Legality! They are both of them a very cheat. But did you take his counsel?

Christian: Yes, as far as I dared. I went to find out Mr. Legality, until I thought that the mountain that stands by his house would have fallen upon my head. Therefore, I was forced to stop.

Goodwill: That mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more. It is well you escaped being dashed in pieces by it.

Christian: Why, truly, I do not know what would have become of me there, had not Evangelist happily met me again as I was musing in the midst of my dumps. It was God’s mercy that he came to me again, or else I would never have come here. But now I am come, such a one as I am, more fit indeed for death by that mountain, than to stand talking with my Lord. But, oh, what a favor this is to me, that yet I am to enter here!

The Narrow Way (2:4)

Goodwill: We make no objections against any, notwithstanding all that they have done before they came here. They are in no wise cast out. And therefore, good Christian, come a little with me, and I will teach you about the way you must go. Look ahead: do you see this narrow way? That is the way thou must go. It was cast up by the men of old, prophets, Christ, and His apostles, and it is as straight as a rule can make it. This is the way you must go.

Christian: “But,” said Christian, “are there no turnings nor windings by which a stranger may lose his way?”

Goodwill: “Yes, there are many ways intersecting upon this road, and they are crooked and wide. This is how you may distinguish the right from the wrong, the right way 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 of it, nor could he by any means get it off without help.

He told him, “As to your burden, be content to bear it until you come to the place of deliverance. There it will fall from your back on its own.”

Then Christian began to fortify himself and to turn again to his journey.

Direction To the Interpreter (2:5)

So the other told him that as soon as he was gone some distance from the gate, he would come to the house of the Interpreter. At his door, Christian should knock, and the Interpreter would show him excellent things. Then Christian took his leave of his friend, and he again bid him God speed.

Then he went on till he came to the house of the Interpreter, where he knocked over and over. At last, one came to the door and asked who was there.

Christian: Sir, here is a traveler who was bid by a friend of the good man of this house to call here for his benefit. I would therefore speak with the master of the house.

So he called for the master of the house, who, after a little time, came to Christian and asked him what he would have.

Christian:  “Sir,” said Christian, “I am a man that am come from the City of Destruction, and am going to Mount Zion; and I was told by the man that stands at the gate at the head of this way, that, if I called here, you would show me excellent things, such as would be helpful to me on my journey.”

The Picture (2:6)

Interpreter: Then said the Interpreter, “Come in; I will show you that which will be profitable to you.” So he commanded his man to light the candle and bid Christian follow him. He led Christian into a private room and bid his man open a door. When he had done so, Christian saw the picture of a very serious person hung up against the wall. This was the fashion of it: the man had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in its hand, the law of truth was written upon its lips, the world was behind its back. He stood as if he pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over his head.

Christian: Then said Christian, “What does this mean?”

Interpreter: The man whose picture this is is one in a thousand. He can say, in the words of the apostle Paul, “Though you have ten thousand teachers in Christ, yet have you not many fathers. In Christ Jesus, I have been your father through the Gospel.” And where you see him with his eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, and the law of truth writ on his lips, it is to show thee that his work is to know and unfold dark things to sinners. Also, as you see him stand as if he pleaded with men, and where you see the world is cast behind him, and that a crown hangs over his head, that is to show you that, slighting and despising the things that are in the world, for the love that he has for his Master’s service. He is sure in the world that comes next to have glory for his reward. The Interpreter said, Now I have shown you this picture first, because the man whose picture this is, is the only man whom the Lord of the place where you are going has chosen to be your guide. In all the difficult places you might encounter on your way, therefore, take good heed to what I have shown you. Bear well in your mind what you have seen, lest in your journey you meet with some that pretend to lead you right, but their way goes down to death.

The Dusty Room (2:7)

Then he took Christian by the hand and led him into a very large parlor that was full of dust, because it was never swept. After he had looked at it a little while, the Interpreter called for a man to sweep. Now, when he began to sweep, the dust began so abundantly to fly about that Christian had almost been choked. Then said the Interpreter to a girl that stood by, “Bring some water here, and sprinkle the room.” When she had done so, the room was swept and cleansed with ease.

Christian: Then said Christian, “What does this mean?”

Interpreter: The Interpreter answered, “This parlor is the heart of a man that was never made pure by the sweet grace of the Gospel. The dust is his sin, and inward evils that have defiled the whole man. He that began to sweep at first is the law. She that brought water, and did sprinkle it, is the Gospel. Now, where you saw that, as soon as the first began to sweep, the dust did fly about the room and could not by him be cleansed, and that you were almost choked by it. This is to show you that the law, instead of cleansing the heart by its working from sin, does revive, put strength into, and increase sin in the soul, even as it discovers and forbids it, for it does not give you power to overcome it. Again, when you saw the girl sprinkle the room with water, it was cleansed with ease. This is to show you that when the Gospel comes, it is a sweet and gracious power to your heart. Then, even as thou saw the maiden lay the dust by sprinkling the floor with water, so is sin vanquished and subdued, and the soul made clean through the faith of it, and, consequently, fit for the King of Glory to dwell in.”

Passion and Patience (2:8)

I saw moreover in my dream that the Interpreter took him by the hand, and led him into a little room where sat two little children, each one in his own chair. The name of the older was Passion, and the name of the younger child Patience. Passion seemed to be much discontented, but Patience was very quiet. The Christian asked, “What is the reason for the discontent of Passion?” The Interpreter answered, “The governor of them would have him wait for his best things till the beginning of next year. But Passion wants it all now. Patience is willing to wait.”

Then I saw that one came to Passion, and brought him a bag of treasure, and poured it down at his feet. He took it up, and rejoiced in it, and then he laughed Patience to scorn. But I kept watching a while longer, and he had wasted all away, and had nothing left to him but rags.

Christian: Then said Christian to the Interpreter, “Explain this matter more fully to me.”

Interpreter: So he said, “These two children are pictures: Passion, of the men of this world, and Patience, of them which are to come. For as you have seen, Passion will have all now, this year, that is to say in this world. So are the men of this world. They must have all their good things now, and they cannot stay till the next year, that is, until the next world, for their portion of good. That proverb, ‘A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,’ is of more weight with them than all the words in the Bible of the good of the world to come. But, as you saw that he had quickly wasted it all away, and had presently left him nothing but rags, so will it be with all such men at the end of this world.”

Christian: Then said Christian, “Now I see that Patience has the best wisdom, and that upon many accounts. First, because she stays for the best things, and also because she will have the glory of his when the other has nothing but rags.”

Interpreter: Nay, you may add another to this, the glory of the next world will never wear out; but these worldly things are suddenly gone. Therefore, Passion had not so much reason to laugh at Patience because he had his good things at first, as Patience will have to laugh at Passion, because she had the best things last. For the first must give place to the last, because the last must have his time to come. The latter gives place to nothing, for there is not another to succeed. He, therefore, that has his portion first, must needs have a time to spend it, but the one that has their portion last, must have it lastingly.

Christian: Then I see it is not best to covet things that are now, but to wait for things to come.

Interpreter: You say truth; “for the things that are seen soon pass away, but the things that are not seen endure forever.”

The Fire (2:9)

Then I saw in my dream that the Interpreter took Christian by the hand and led him into a place where there was a fire burning against a wall, and one standing by it, always casting much water upon it, to quench it. Yet did the fire burn higher and hotter.

Christian: Then said Christian, “What means this?”

Interpreter: The Interpreter answered, “This fire is the work of God that is wrought in the heart: he that casts water upon it to extinguish and put it out, is the devil; but, in that thou seest the fire notwithstanding burn higher and hotter, thou shalt also see the reason of that.” So then he led him about to the other side of the wall, where he saw a man with a vessel of oil in his hand, of the which he did also continually cast, but secretly, into the fire.

Christian: Then said Christian, “What means this?”

Interpreter: The Interpreter answered, “This is Christ, who continually, with the oil of His grace, helps the work already begun in the heart. He does this by means of which, no matter what the devil can do, the souls of His people prove gracious still. And in that you saw that the man stood behind the wall to keep up the fire; this is to teach you, that it is hard for the tempted to see how this work of grace is kept alive in the soul.”

The Stately Palace (2:10)

I also saw that the Interpreter took him again by the hand, and led him into a pleasant place, where was built a stately palace, beautiful to behold, at the sight of which Christian was greatly delighted. He also saw upon the top thereof certain persons walking, who were clothed all in gold.

Then said Christian, “May we go in there?”

Then the Interpreter took him and led him up toward the door of the palace; and behold, at the door stood a great company of men, as desirous to go in, but dared not. There also sat a man at a little distance from the door, at a table-side, with a book and his ink-horn before him, to take the name of him that should enter in. He saw also that in the doorway stood many men in armor to guard it. They were resolved to do to the men that would enter what hurt and mischief they could. Now, Christian was somewhat amazed. At last, when every man started back for fear of the armed men, Christian saw a man of a very stout countenance come up to the man that sat there to write, saying, “Set down my name, sir.” When he had done so, he saw this man draw his sword, put a helmet upon his head, and rush toward the door guarded by the armed men. They laid upon him with deadly force, but the man, not at all discouraged, fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. So that, after he had received and given many wounds to those that attempted to keep him out, he cut his way through them all and pressed forward into the palace, at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that were within, even of those that walked upon the top of the palace, saying:

“Come in, come in. Eternal glory you shall win.”

So he went in and was clothed in such garments as they. Then Christian smiled and said, “I think verily I know the meaning of this.”

The Iron Cage (2:11)

“Now,” said Christian, “let me go hence.” “No, stay,” said the Interpreter, “until I have shown you a little more; and after that you shall go on your way.” So he took him by the hand again and led him into a very dark room, where there sat a man in an iron cage.

Now, the man, to look on, seemed very sad. He sat with his eyes looking down to the ground, his hands folded together, and he sighed as if his heart would break. Then said Christian, “What means this?” At which the Interpreter bid him talk with the man.

Then said Christian to the man, “What are you?” The man answered, “I am not what I was once.”

Christian: What once were you?

Man: The man said, “I was once a fair and flourishing Christian, both in my own eyes, and also in the eyes of others. I was once, as I thought, on my way to the Celestial City, and had even joy at the thoughts that I should get there.”

Christian: Well, but what are you now?

Man: I am now a man of despair, and am shut up in it, as in this iron cage. I cannot get out. Oh, now I cannot!

Christian: But how did you come to this condition?

Man: I left off to watch and be sober. I gave free rein to sin. I sinned against the light of the Word and the goodness of God. I have grieved the Spirit, and He is gone. I tempted the devil, and he has come to me. I have provoked God to anger, and He has left me. I have so hardened my heart that I cannot turn.

Then said Christian to the Interpreter, “But are there no hopes for such a man as this?” “Ask him,” said the Interpreter.

Christian: Then said Christian, “Is there no hope, but you must be kept in the iron cage of despair?”

Man: No, none at all.

Christian: Why? The Son of the Blessed is very merciful.

Man: I have crucified Him to myself afresh. I have despised His person. I have despised His holiness. I have counted His blood an unholy thing. I have shown contempt for the Spirit of mercy. Therefore, I have shut myself out of all the promises of God, and there now remains to me nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings, fearful threatenings of certain judgment and fiery anger, which shall devour me as an enemy.

Christian: For what did you bring yourself into this condition?

Man: For the desires, pleasures, and gains of this world, in the enjoyment of which I did then promise myself much delight. Now every one of those things also bites me, and gnaws me, like a burning worm.

Christian: But canst thou not now turn again to God?

Man: God no longer invites me to come to Him. His Word gives me no encouragement to believe. He Himself has shut me up in this iron cage; nor can all the men in the world let me out. O eternity! eternity! How shall I grapple with the misery that I must meet with in eternity?

Interpreter: Then said the Interpreter to Christian, “Let this man’s misery be remembered by you, and be an everlasting caution to you.”

The Dreamer’s Vision (2:12)

Christian: “Well,” said Christian, “this is fearful! God help me to watch and be sober, and to pray, that I may shun the cause of this man’s misery. Sir, is it not time for me to go on my way now?”

Interpreter: Tarry till I show you one thing more, and then you shall go on your way.

So he took Christian by the hand again and led him into a chamber, where there was one rising out of bed; and, as he put on his clothing, he shook and trembled. Then said Christian, “Why does this man thus tremble?” The Interpreter then bid him tell Christian the reason for his so doing. So he began, and said, “This night, as I was in my sleep, I dreamed, and behold, the heavens grew exceeding black. Also, it thundered and lightened in the most fearful manner, that it put me into an agony. So I looked up in my dream, and saw the clouds rack at an unusual rate; upon which I heard a great sound of a trumpet, and saw also a Man sitting upon a cloud, attended with the thousands of heaven. They were all in flaming fire. Also, the heavens were in a burning flame. I heard then a great voice saying, ‘Arise, you dead, and come to judgment.’ And with that, the rocks rent, the graves opened, and the dead that were therein came forth. Some of them were exceeding glad and looked upward. Some thought to hide themselves under the mountains. Then I saw the Man that sat upon the cloud open the book and bid the world draw near. Yet there was, by reason of a fierce flame that issued out and came before Him, a certain distance between Him and them, as between the judge and the prisoners at the bar. I heard it also called out to them that stood around on the Man that sat on the cloud, ‘Gather together the tares, the chaff, and stubble, and cast them into the burning lake. And, with that, the bottomless pit opened, just whereabout I stood; out of the mouth of which there came, in an abundant manner, smoke and coals of fire, with hideous noises. It was also said to the same persons, ‘Gather my wheat into the garner.’ And, with that, I saw many caught up and carried away into the clouds, but I was left behind. I also sought to hide myself, but I could not; for the Man that sat upon the cloud still kept His eye upon me; my sins also came into my mind, and my conscience did accuse me on every side. Upon this, I awakened from my sleep.”

Christian: But what was it that made you so afraid of this sight?

Man: Why, I thought that the day of judgment had come, and that I was not ready for it. But this affrighted me most, that the angels gathered up several, and left me behind. Also, the pit of hell opened its mouth just where I stood. My conscience, too, troubled me; and, as I thought, the judge had always His eye upon me, showing anger in His countenance.

Final Encouragement (2:13)

Interpreter: Then said the Interpreter to Christian, “Have you considered these things?”

Christian: Yes, and they put me in hope and fear.

Interpreter: Well, keep all things so in your mind, that they may be as a goad in your sides, to prick you forward in the way you must go.

Then Christian began to gird up his loins and to address himself to his journey. Then said the Interpreter, “The Comforter be always with you, good Christian, to guide you into the way that leads to the city.”

So Christian went on his way, saying:

“Here have I seen things rare and profitable, things pleasant and dreadful, things to make me stable in what I have begun to take in hand. So let me think on them, and understand all that they showed me. And let me be thankful, O good Interpreter, to you.”