Christian: Here is a poor burdened sinner. I come from the city of Destruction, but am going to Mount Zion, that I may be delivered from the wrath to come; I would therefore, sir, since I am informed that by this gate is the way thither, know if you are willing to let me in.
Goodwill: I am willing with all my heart, said he; and with that he opened the gate.
So when Christian was stepping in, the other gave him a pull. Then said Christian, What means that? The other told him, A little distance from this gate there is erected a strong castle, of which Beelzebub is the captain: from thence both he and they that are with him, shoot arrows at those that come up to this gate, if haply they may die before they can enter in. Then said Christian, I rejoice and tremble. So when he was got in, the man of the Gate asked him who directed him thither.
Christian: Evangelist bid me come hither and knock, as I did: and he said, that you, sir, would tell me what I must do.
Goodwill: An open
door is set before thee, and no man can shut it.
Christian: Now I
begin to reap the benefits of my hazards.
Goodwill: But how is it that you came alone?
Goodwill: But how is it that you came alone?
Christian:
Because none of my neighbors saw their danger as I saw mine.
Goodwill: Did any
of them know of your coming?
Christian: Yes,
my wife and children saw me at the first, and called after me to turn again:
also, some of my neighbors stood crying and calling after me to return; but I
put my fingers in my ears, and so came on my way.
Goodwill: But did
none of them follow you, to persuade you to go back?
Christian: Yes,
both Obstinate and Pliable; but when they saw that they could not prevail,
Obstinate went railing back; but Pliable came with me a little way.
Goodwill: But why
did he not come through?
Christian: We
indeed came both together until we came to the Slough of Despond, into the
which we also suddenly fell. And then was my neighbor Pliable discouraged, and
would not venture farther. Wherefore, getting out again on the side next to his
own house, he told me I should possess the brave country alone for him: so he
went his way, and I came mine; he after Obstinate, and I to this gate.
Goodwill: Then
said Goodwill, Alas, poor man; is the celestial glory of so little esteem with
him, that he counteth it not worth running the hazard of a few difficulties to
obtain it?
Christian: Truly,
said Christian, I have said the truth of Pliable; and if I should also say all
the truth of myself, it will appear there is no betterment betwixt him and
myself. It is true, he went back to his own house, but I also turned aside to
go in the way of death, being persuaded thereto by the carnal arguments of one
Mr. Worldly Wiseman.
Goodwill: Oh, did
he light upon you? What, he would have had you seek for ease at the hands of
Mr. Legality! They are both of them a very cheat. But did you take his counsel?
Christian: Yes,
as far as I durst. I went to find out Mr. Legality, until I thought that the
mountain that stands by his house would have fallen upon my head; wherefore
there I was forced to stop.
Goodwill: That
mountain has been the death of many, and will be the death of many more: it is
well you escaped being by it dashed in pieces.
Christian: Why
truly I do not know what had become of me there, had not Evangelist happily met
me again as I was musing in the midst of my dumps; but it was God’s mercy that
he came to me again, for else I had never come hither. But now I am come, such
a one as I am, more fit indeed for death by that mountain, than thus to stand
talking with my Lord. But O, what a favor is this to me, that yet I am admitted
entrance here! 
