?

Christian.--Yes, you did, Sir.

Evangelist.--How is it, then, that thou hast so soon gone out of the
way?

Christian.--When I had got out of the Slough of Despond I met a man
who told me that in a town near, I might find one who could take off my
load.

Evangelist.--What was he?

Christian.--He had fair looks, and said much to me, and got me at last
to yield; so I came here. But when I saw this hill, and how steep it
was, I made a stand, lest it should fall on my head.

Evangelist.--What said the man to thee?

When Evangelist had heard from Christian all that took place, he said:
Stand still a while, that I may show thee the words of God.

So Evangelist went on to read, 'Now the just shall live by faith, but if
a man draw back, my soul shall have no joy in him.' Is not this the case
with thee? said he: Hast not thou drawn back thy feet from the way of
peace, to thine own cost; and dost thou not spurn the most high God?

Then Christian fell down at his feet as dead, and said: Woe is me! Woe
is me!

At the sight of which, Evangelist caught him by the right hand, and
said: Faith hopes all things.

Then did Christian find some peace, and stood up.

Evangelist.--I pray thee give more heed to the things that I shall tell
thee of. The Lord says, 'Strive to go in at the strait gate, the gate
to which I send thee, for strait is the gate that leads to life, and few
there be that find it.' Why didst thou set at nought the words of God,
for the sake of Mr. Worldly Wiseman? That is, in truth, the right name
for such as he. The Lord hath told thee that he who will save his life
shall lose it.' He to whom thou wast sent for ease, Legality by name,
could not set thee free; no man yet has got rid of his load through him;
he could but show thee the way to woe, for by the deeds of the law no
man can be rid of his load. So that Mr. Worldly Wiseman and his friend
Mr. Legality are false guides; and as for his son Civility, he could not
help thee.

Now Christian, in great dread, could think of nought but death, and sent
forth a sad cry in grief that he had gone from the right way. Then he
spoke once more to Evangelist in these words:--Sir, what think you? Is
there hope? May I now go back, and strive to reach The Wicket Gate? I
grieve that I gave ear to this man's voice; but may my sin find grace?

Evangelist.--Thy sin is great, for thou hast gone from the way that is
good, to tread in false paths, yet will the man at the