Christian. One of my neighbours came with me a little way; but then he was discouraged, and went back; and I also soon after turned aside, to go in the way of death. So that, had not Evangelist met me again, I had never come hither. And O! what a favour is this to me, that I am suffered to enter here!
Goodwill. We make no objections against any. Whatever they have done before they came, if they knock, the gate is opened to them. Him that cometh, we in no wise cast out.
But come with me, and I will teach thee concerning the road. Dost thou see this narrow way? That is the way thou must go. It was cast up by the patriarchs, prophets, Christ and his apostles.
Christian. But are there no ways that turn out of this?
Goodwill. Yes, many; but they are crooked and wide. The right way only is strait and narrow. Go on therein, till thou comest to the house of the interpreter, and he will shew thee excellent things.
So Christian went on till he came to the house; where he knocked, and asked for the master of the house. To whom, when he came, he spoke thus.
Sir, I am a man that am come from the city of Destruction, and am going to mount Zion. And I was informed by him at the gate, that if I called here, you would shew me excellent things.
Then said the Interpreter, “Come in, and I will shew thee that which will be profitable to thee.” So he took him by the hand, and led him into a large parlour that was full of dust. After a while he called for a man to sweep; which he had no sooner begun to do, than the dust so abundantly flew about, that Christian was almost choaked. Then the Interpreter said to a damsel, “Bring hither water, and sprinkle the room.” After which it was easily swept and cleansed.
This parlour, said the Interpreter to Christian, is the heart of a natural man. The dust is his original sin, and inward corruptions, of every kind. He that first began to sweep is the law; she that sprinkled it, is the gospel. Now whereas thou sawest, that by his sweeping, the dust was only raised, and the room not cleansed at all; this is to shew thee, that the law, instead of cleansing the heart from sin, doth revive and increase it in the soul. For, by the law is only the knowledge of sin; but not deliverance from it.
Again, Thou sawest the damsel sprinkle the room; after which it was cleansed with pleasure: this is to shew thee, that when the gospel comes into the heart, sin is easily subdued; and the soul made clean thro’ faith, and fit for the king of glory to inhabit.