Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/26

26 or passage by which I might enter therein; but none could I find for some time. At the last I saw as it were a narrow gap, like a little doorway in the wall, through which I attempted to pass. Now, the passage being very strait and narrow, I made many offers to get in, but all in vain. At last, with great striving, methought I at ﬁrst did get in my head, and after that, by a sideling striving, my shoulders and my whole body. Then I was exceeding glad, and went and sat down in the midst of them, and so was comforted with the light and heat of their sun.

55. Now this mountain and wall were thus made out to me: The mountain signified the church of the living God; the sun that shone thereon, the shining of his merciful face on them that were therein; the wall I thought was the Word, that did make separation between the Christians and the world; a and the gap which was in the wall I thought was Jesus Christ, who is the way to God the Father. (John xiv. 6; Matt. vii. 14.) But as the passage was wonderful narrow, even so narrow that I could not but with great difficulty enter in thereat, it showed me that none could enter into life but those that were in downright earnest and left the wicked world behind them; for here was only room for body and soul, but not for body and soul and sin.

56. This resemblance abode upon my spirit many days, all which time I saw myself in a forlorn and sad condition. but yet was provoked to vehement hunger and desire to be one of that number that did sit in the sunshine. Now also would I pray wherever I was, whether at home or abroad, in house or field; and would also often, with lifting up of heart, sing that of I the Fifty-first Psalm, O Lord, consider my distress; for as yet, I knew not where I was.

57. Neither as yet could I attain to any comfortable persuasion that I had faith in Christ, but instead I began to find my soul to be assaulted with fresh doubts about my future happiness—especially with such as these, Whether I