{80} Then I saw in my dream that the Interpreter took Christian by
the hand, and led him into a place where was a fire burning against
a wall, and one standing by it, always casting much water upon it,
to quench it; yet did the fire burn higher and hotter.
Then said Christian, What means this?
{81} The Interpreter answered, This fire is the work of grace that
is wrought in the heart; he that casts water upon it, to extinguish
and put it out, is the Devil; but in that thou seest the fire
notwithstanding burn higher and hotter, thou shalt also see the
reason of that. So he had him about to the backside of the wall,
where he saw a man with a vessel of oil in his hand, of the which
he did also continually cast, but secretly, into the fire.
Then said Christian, What means this?
{82} The Interpreter answered, This is Christ, who continually,
with the oil of his grace, maintains the work already begun in the
heart: by the means of which, notwithstanding what the devil can
do, the souls of his people prove gracious still. [2 Cor. 12:9]
And in that thou sawest that the man stood behind the wall to
maintain the fire, that is to teach thee that it is hard for the
tempted to see how this work of grace is maintained in the soul.
I saw also, that the Interpreter took him again by the hand, and
led him into a pleasant place, where was builded a stately palace,
beautiful to behold; at the sight of which Christian was greatly
delighted. He saw also, upon the top thereof, certain persons
walking, who were clothed all in gold.
Then said Christian, May we go in thither?
{83} Then the Interpreter took him, and led him up towards the
door of the palace; and behold, at the door stood a great company
of men, as desirous to go in; but durst not. There also sat a man
at a little distance from the door, at a table-side, with a book
and his inkhorn before him, to take the name of him that should
enter therein; he saw also, that in the doorway stood many men in
armour to keep it, being resolved to do the men that would enter
what hurt and mischief they could. Now was Christian somewhat in
amaze. At last, when every man started back for fear of the armed
men, Christian saw a man of a very stout countenance come up to the
man that sat there to write, saying, Set down my name, Sir: the
which when he had done, he saw the man draw his sword, and put
a helmet upon his head, and rush toward the door upon the armed
men, who laid upon him with deadly force; but the man, not at all
discouraged, fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. 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.
