named Goodwill, who asked
who was there, and whence he came, and what he would have.

_Chr._ Here is a poor burdened sinner. I come from the City of
Destruction, but am going to Mount Zion, that I 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._ 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 who come up to this gate, if haply they may die before they can
enter it. Then said Christian, I rejoice and tremble.

Now I saw in my dream, that the highway which Christian was to go was
fenced on either side with a wall, and that wall was called Salvation.
Up this way therefore did burdened Christian run, but not without great
difficulty, because of the load on his back.

He ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending; and upon that
place stood a cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulchre. So
I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the cross, his
burden loosed from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and
began to tumble, and so continued to do till it came to the mouth of the
sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more.

Then was Christian glad and lightsome, and said with a merry heart, "He
hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death." Then he stood
still awhile to look and wonder; for it was very surprising to him that
the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden. He looked
therefore, and looked again, even till the springs that were in his head
sent the waters down his cheeks. Now as he stood looking and weeping,
behold, three Shining Ones came to him, and saluted him with "Peace be
to thee." So the first said to him, "Thy sins be forgiven thee;" the
second stripped him of his rags, and clothed him with change of raiment;
the third also set a mark on his forehead, and gave him a roll with a
seal upon it, which he bid him look on as he ran, and that he should
give it in at the celestial gate; so they went their way.

Then Christian gave three leaps for joy, and went on singing:

Thus far did I come laden with