they heard words that said unto them, "Blessed is she that believeth, for there shall he a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord." (Luke i. 45.)
Then they went on again; and said Mercy to Christiana. Had I as good ground to hope for a loving reception at the Wicket-gate as you, I. think no Slough of Despond would discourage me.
Well, said the other, you know your sore, and I know mine; and, good friend, we shall all have enough evil before we come to our journey's end. For can it be imagined, that the people that design to attain such excellent glories as we do, and that are so envied that happiness as we are, but that we shall meet with what fears and snares, with what troubles and afflictions they can possibly assault us with that hate us?
And now Mr. Sagacity left me to dream out my dream by myself. Wherefore methought I saw Christiana and Mercy. and the boys, go all of them up to the gate; to which when they were come, they betook themselves to a short debate about how they must manage their calling at the gate, and what should he said unto him that did open to them. So it was concluded, since Christiana was the eldest, that she should knock for entrance, and that she should speak to him that did open, for the rest. So Christiana began to knock; and, as her poor husband did, she knocked and knocked again. But, instead of any that answered, they all thought that they heard as if a dog came barking upon them—a dog, and a great one too; and this made the women and children afraid. Nor durst they for a while to knock any more, for fear the mastiff should fly upon them. Now, therefore, they were greatly tumbled up and down in their minds, and knew not what to do: knock they durst not, for fear of the dog; go back they durst not, for fear the Keeper of the gate should espy them as they so went, and should be offended with them. At last they thought of knocking again, and knocked more vehemently than they did at first. Then
