CHRISTIAN ADMONISHED BY EVANGELIST. 41

ture farther, test the hill should fall on his head; wherefore there he stood still, and
wotted not what to do. Also his burden now seemed heavier to him than while he was
in his way. There came also flashes of fire out of the hill, that made Christian afraid
that he should be burnt: here, therefore, he sweat and did quake for fear.” And
now he began to be sorry that he had taken Mr. Worldly Wiseman’s counsel ; and with
that, he saw Evangelist coming to meet him, at the sight also of whom he began to
blush for shame. So Evangelist drew nearer and nearer; and, coming up to him, he
looked upon him with a severe and dreadful countenance, and thus began to reason
with Christian :

Evan. “What dost thou here, Christian?” said he; at which words Christian knew
not what to answer; wherefore at present he stood speechless before him. Then said
Evangelist further, “Art thou not the man that I found crying without the walls of the
City of Destruction ?”

Curis. Yes, dear sir, I am the man.

Evan. Did not I direct thee the way to the little wicket-gate ?

Curis. “ Yes, dear sir,” said Christian.

Evan. How is it, then, that thou art so quickly turned aside? Tor thou art now
out of the way.

Curis. I met with a gentleman as soon as I had got over the Slough of Despond,
who persuaded me that 1 might, in the village before me, find a man that could take
off my burden.

Evan. What was he?

Curis. He looked like a gentleman, and talked much to me, and got me at last to
yield: so I came hither, but when I beheld this hill, and how it hangs over the way, I
suddenly made a stand, lest it should fall on my head.

Evan. What said that gentleman to you?

Curis. Why, he asked me whither I was going, and I told him.

Evan. And what said he then?

Curis. He asked me if I had a family, and I told him. But, said I, T am so laden
with the burden that is on my back, that I cannot take pleasure in them as formerly.
Evan. And what said he then ? .

Chris. He bid me with speed get rid of my burden; and I told him it was case
that I sought. And, said I, I am therefore going to yonder gate to receive further
direction how I may get to the place of deliverance. So he said that he would show
me a better way, and short, not so attended with difficulties as the way, sir, that you
sent me in; which way, said he, will direct you to a gentleman’s house that hath skill

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