So after
he had received and given many wounds to those that attempted to
keep him out, he cut his way through them all [Acts 14:.22], and
pressed forward into the palace, at which there was a pleasant voice
heard from those that were within, even of those that walked upon
the top of the palace, saying --
"Come in, come in; Eternal glory thou shalt win."
So he went in, and was clothed with such garments as they. Then
Christian smiled and said; I think verily I know the meaning of
this.
{84} Now, said Christian, let me go hence. Nay, stay, said the
Interpreter, till I have shewed thee a little more, and after that
thou shalt go on thy way. So he took him by the hand again, and
led him into a very dark room, where there sat a man in an iron
cage.
Now the man, to look on, seemed very sad; he sat with his eyes looking
down to the ground, his hands folded together, and he sighed as if
he would break his heart. Then said Christian, What means this?
At which the Interpreter bid him talk with the man.
Then said Christian to the man, What art thou? The man answered,
I am what I was not once.
{85} CHR. What wast thou once?
MAN. The man said, I was once a fair and flourishing professor,
both in mine own eyes, and also in the eyes of others; I once was,
as I thought, fair for the Celestial City, and had then even joy
at the thoughts that I should get thither.
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