The Pilgrim's Progress: III. The Gate

Evangelist: What dost thou here, Christian? Art not thou the man that I found crying without the walls of the City of Destruction?

Christian: Yes, dear sir, I am the man.

Evangelist: Thou art the man that art running into misery; thou hast begun to reject the counsel of the most High, and to draw back thy foot from the way of peace, even almost to the hazarding of thy perdition.

Christian: Woe is me, for I am undone!

Evangelist: Thy sin is very great, for thou hast forsaken the way that is good, to tread in forbidden paths. Yet will the Man at the Gate receive thee, for he has good-will for men. Only take heed that thou turn not aside again, lest thou perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little [Psalm 2: 12]. God speed.

Christian: He that will enter in must first without

Stand knocking at the gate; nor need he doubt

There is a knocker but to enter in;

For God can love him, and forgive his sin.

May I now enter here? Will he within

Open to sorry me, though I have been

An undeserving rebel? Then shall I

Not fail to sing his lasting praise on high.