Then was Christian glad, and said with a merry heart, The life that I now [♦]live, I live by faith in the Son of God; who loved me, and gave himself for me.
[♦] “life” replaced with “live”
Then he stood awhile to look and wonder, even till the tears ran down his cheeks; and as he stood, three shining ones came and saluted him with, Peace be unto thee. Then the first said unto him, thy sins are forgiven thee; the second striped him of his rags, and cloathed him with change of raiment; and the third 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 give it at the gate of the city.
I beheld then that he went on rejoicing, till he came to the foot of the hill difficulty. At the bottom of this was a spring, of which he drank, and was refreshed, and then he began to go up the hill. Sometimes he ran; then walked; then climbed on his hands and knees, because of the steepness of the place. Now, about the midway to the top of the hill, was a pleasant arbour, planted by the Lord of the hill, for the relief of weary travellers. Here therefore he sat down to rest, and pulled his roll out of his bosom, to read therein, and comfort himself. He also began to survey his new raiment, till he fell into a slumber, and thence into a fast sleep, which held him till it was almost night: and, in his sleep, his roll fell out of his hand. Then came one to him and said, Go to the Ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. On this he started up, and went apace till he came to the top of the hill.
He now felt in his bosom for his roll, that he might read therein, and be comforted: but he found it not. Then was he much perplexed, and knew not what to do. At last he bethought himself, that he had slept in the arbour on the side of the hill; and falling down, he asked God forgiveness for his folly, and then went back to look for his roll. But all the way he went, who can tell the sorrow of his heart? Sometimes he sighed, sometimes he wept; mean while, looking carefully on each side, if in any wise he might find it. He went thus till he came in sight of the arbour, where he had sat and slept. But that sight renewed his grief, till he broke out, “O wretched man that I am! That I should sleep in the midst of difficulty! That I should use that rest for ease to my flesh, which was intended only for the relief of the spirits of weary pilgrims! How far might I have been on my way by this! And now also the day is far spent.” By this time he was come to the arbour again; where, looking under the seat he espied his roll; with trembling and haste he caught it up. But who can tell how joyful he was? For this roll was the assurance of his life and acceptance at the desired haven. He laid it up in his bosom, gave God thanks, and with tears of joy betook himself again to his journey. He got up the hill just as the sun went down; when, lifting up his eyes, he beheld a stately palace before him, which stood by the high-way side.
So he made haste and went forward, that if possible he might get lodging there. But before he had gone far, he entered into a narrow passage, about a furlong from the porter’s lodge: when, looking carefully before him as he went, he espied two lions in the way. Then he was afraid, and thought to go back; but the porter perceiving him to make a halt, cried out, “Is thy strength so small? Fear them not. They are chained; and are placed there for the trial of thy faith, keep in the midst of the path, and no hurt shall come unto thee.”
Then I saw that he went on, though trembling, till he came to the gate, and asked, if he might lodge there?
Porter. I will call one of the house. So he rung a bell, and there came out a damsel, named Discretion; who, after asking him several questions, said, “I will call out one or two more of the family;” so she ran to the door, and called Piety, and Charity; who, after a little more discourse with him, brought him in; and many meeting him at the entrance, said, “Come in thou blessed of the Lord; this house was built to entertain travellers to Zion.”
They sat talking together till supper was ready. And at the table also, all their talk was about the Lord of the hill, what he had done; how great a warrior he was; and how he had fought with and slain him that had the power of death; though not without great danger to himself, and the loss of much blood.
Thus they discoursed till late at night; and then Christian was laid in a large upper chamber, the name of which was Peace. In the morning they shewed him the records of the greatest antiquity: in which was the pedigree of the Lord of the hill, the son of the Ancient of days. Here also were fully shewn the acts he had done, and the worthy deeds of many of his servants, who had subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, stopt the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire; escaped the edge of the sword, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens.