The Pilgrim's Progress: IV. The Way

Goodwill: Who is there? Whence come ye? What would ye have?

Christian: Here is a poor burdened sinner, journeying towards Mount Zion, that I may be delivered from the wrath to come. I am informed that by this gate is the way thither, and I am emboldened by your grave demeanour, sir, to ask if you are willing to let me in?

Goodwill: An open door is set before thee, and no man can shut it. Come a little way with me, good Christian, and I will teach thee about the way thou must go. Look before thee; dost thou see this narrow way?

Goodwill: That is the way thou must go. It was cast up by the patriarchs, prophets, Christ, and his apostles; and it is as straight as a rule can make it. This is the way thou must go.

Narrator: Up this way therefore did burdened Christian run, till he came to a place somewhat ascending. And upon that place stood a Cross, and a little below in the bottom, a Sepulchre.

Christian: He hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death. I will kneel here and give thanks to God.

Thus far did I come loden with my sin;

Nor could aught ease the grief that I was in,

Till I came hither. What a place is this!

Must here be the beginning of my bliss?

Must here the burden fall from off my back?

Must here the strings that bound it to me crack?

Blest Cross! Blest Sepulchre! Blest rather be

The Man that there was put to shame for me!