Ignorance. Sir, I was born in the country that lies on the left-hand, and am going to mount Zion.
Christian. And how do you think to get there?
Ignorance. As other good people do.
Christian. But what have you to shew at the gate, that it may be opened to you?
Ignorance. Why, I do no harm. I pay every man his own. I work hard for an honest living. I say my prayers, and keep my church, and go to the sacrament, and do what good I can.
Christian. But you came not in at the strait gate. You came in through that crooked lane; and therefore I fear, whatever you think of yourself, you will at that day be judged a thief and a robber.
Ignorance. Gentlemen, you are strangers to me; be content to follow the religion of your country, and I will follow that in which I was born and bred. I won’t leave the church. As for the gate you talk of, all the world knows, it is a great way off our country. I cannot think that any men in all our parts do so much as know the way to it; nor need they matter, since we have a fine green lane, as you see, that comes straight down into the way.
Christian. This man is wise in his own conceit. There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Hopeful. Perhaps we should not say all to him at once, let us pass on, and speak to him again by and by.
So they went on, and Ignorance came after. When they had past him a little way, they came into a very dark lane, where they met a man whom seven devils had bound with seven strong cords, and were carrying back to the door on the side of the hill. On his back was a paper with this inscription, The just shall live by faith; but if he draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.