“True, there are, by the direction of the Lawgiver, certain good and substantial steps, placed even through the very midst of this slough; but at such time as this place doth much spew out its filth, as it doth against change of weather, these steps are hardly seen; or if they be, men, through the dizziness of their heads, step beside, and then they are bemired to purpose, notwithstanding the steps be there; but the ground is good when they are once in at the gate.”

Now I saw in my dream, that by this time Pliable was got home to his house.  So his neighbors came to visit him; and some of them called him wise man for coming back, and some called him fool for hazarding himself with Christian; others again did mock at his cowardliness; saying, “Surely, since you began to venture, I would not have been so base to have given out for a few difficulties:”  so Pliable sat sneaking among them.  But at last he got more confidence, and then they all turned their tales, and began to deride poor Christian behind his back.  And thus much concerning Pliable.

So, in the process of time, Christian got up to the gate.  Now, over the gate there 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 within
  Open to sorry me, though I have been
  An undeserving rebel?  Then shall I
  Not fail to sing his lasting praise on high.

At last there came a grave person to the gate, 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.