Page 5

Then Christian would have set off on the road; but Goodwill said: "Stop a while and let me tell you that when you have gone through he gate you will see the house of Mr. Interpreter, at whose door you must knock, and he will show you good things Then Christian took leave of his friend, who bade him God speed. 

He then went on till he came to the house of Mr. Interpreter. 

Christian: Sir, I am come here from The City of Destruction, and am on my way to Mount Zion. I was told by the man that stands at the gate, that if I came here you  would show me good things that would help me.

Then Interpreter took Christian to a room...   There he saw on the wall the print of one who had a grace face, whose eyes were cast up to the sky, and the best of books was in His hand, the law of truth was on His lips, and the world was at His back. He stood as if He would plead for men, and a crown of gold hung near His head.

Christian: What does this mean?

Interpreter: I have shown you this print first, for this is He who is to be your sole guide when you can not find your way to the land to which you go; so take heed to what I have shown you, lest you meet with some who would lead you wrong; but their way goes down to death.

Then he took him to a large room that was full of dust, for it had not been swept; and Interpreter told his man to sweep it. Now when he did so, such clouds of dust flew up, that it made Christian choke.

Then said Interpreter to a maid that stood by: "Make the floor moist that the dust may no rise; and when she had done this, it was swept with ease."

Christian: What does this mean?

Interpreter: This room is the heart of that man who knows not the grace of God. The dust is his first sin and the vice that is in him. He that swept first is the Law, but she who made the floor moist is The Book which tells Good News to all men. 

The I saw in my dream that Interpreter took Christian by the hand and led him to a small room where two boys sat, each in his chair. Their names were Passion and Patience. Passion seemed quite glum, but Patience was very quiet and full of peace.

Christian: Why is Passion so sad?

Interpreter: The head of the house would have him wait for his best things till the start of the next year, but he wants to have them all now. While Patience is pleased to wait.

Christian: now I see Patience chose the best way, for he waits for the best things to come.

Interpreter: The light of the next world will never wear out, but these are soon gone.

Christian: I see it is not right to yearn for things that are now, but wait for things to come.

Interpreter: You speak the truth.

So he took Christian by the hand, and led him to a dark room, where there sat a man in a cage.

Now the man looked quite sad. He sat with eyes down, hands clasped; and his sighs were such as would break his heart.

Man: I was once on who taught, both in my own eyes, and also in the of man. I was once, as I thought, fair for the Celestial City, and had then even joy at the the thoughts that I should get there.

Christian: Well, but what are you now?

Man: I am now a man of lost hope, and am shut up in this cage and I can not get out!
I have grieved the Spirit and have hung Him on His cross daily. I have left Him and caused pain to the Spirit of Grace...

Interpreter: Christian, do not forget what you see here.

 

Table Of Contents  Dream begins, A Man with a Burden Evangelist & the Slough of Despond Worldly Wiseman & Entering the Wicket-Gate The House of Interpreter  The Burden meets the Cross, The Shining Ones  Formalist, Hypocrisy, The Hill Difficulty, Arbor, Mistrust&Timorous The Palace Beautiful, Chained Lions,  Lessons from Discretion, Piety, Charity, and Prudence Valley of Humiliation Battle with Apollyon, Valley of Shadow of Death, Faithful  Vanity Fair, The Trial, Burned at the Stake  Hopeful, Pillar of Salt, River of God, Vain-confidence Doubting Castle, Giant Despair, Delectable Mountains   Atheist, Enchanted Ground Passing Through The Waters Of Death Entering the Gates of Heaven 

The Dream