World. I counsel thee then, get rid of that burthen with all speed, else thou wilt never be settled in thy mind.

Christian. That is what I seek; but get it off myself I cannot: nor is there any man in our country can take it off.

World. Who bid you go this way to be rid of it?

Christian. One that appeared to me, a great and honourable person. His name I think, is Evangelist.

World. Beshrew him for his counsel. There is not a more dangerous or troublesome way in the world than this. Hear me; I am older than thou. Thou art like to meet in the way thou now goest, weariness, painfulness, nakedness, hunger, peril, sword; death itself, and what not?

Christian. Sir, this burden is worse than all these. I care not what I meet with, so I get rid of this.

World. How camest thou by it at first?

Christian. By reading this book.

World. I thought so. So it has fared with other weak men; who, meddling with things too high for them, suddenly fall into distraction, and run desperate ventures to obtain they know not what.

Christian. I know what I would obtain. It is ease from my burthen.