Piety asked Christian how he was first led to become a pilgrim. His answer was, "I was driven out of my native land by a terrible sound that seemed always ringing in my ears. Sleeping or waking I heard it. Sometimes it said, 'Escape for thy life,' at others, 'Flee from the wrath to come,' but it never ceased to remind me that the judgments of God were about to fall upon the guilty city and I knew not how soon they might fall. One thing I saw clearly, that if I remained there I should perish with my race."
"But how was it," asked Piety, "that you came this way?"
"It was as God would have it, for as I stood trembling, fearing sudden destruction, a man came to me whose name was Evangelist. He was truly unto me a messenger of glad tidings. He showed me the way to the Wicket-Gate, which had I been left to myself, I might not have found. But it was not until by a look of faith I saw the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ that the burden which I had borne so long, and of which I was so weary, fell from my back and rolled into an open grave and I saw it no more."
"But," asked Prudence, "did you not call at the house of the Interpreter?"
"Yes," replied Christian, "and there many things which I hope never to forget were shown and explained to me."
"But do you not often think of the land of your birth, and of the home and friends you left there?" asked Prudence.
"Yes, and truly I can say, as the Apostle Paul wrote of the Hebrew believers, 'And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He bath prepared for them a city' (Heb. 11:15-1615And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:15‑16))."
"Will you tell us," asked Piety, "why it is that you are so anxious to reach Mount Zion?"
"It is," said Christian, "because there I shall see the Lord, who in His love and pity died for me, whose precious blood has washed away my sins, the One who in His grace has eased me of my burden. He loved me and saved me. He now lives and pleads for me, and when I reach my home I shall neither fear nor meet sin, sorrow, temptation or death. There I shall spend eternity in the great company of the redeemed and find a happy and blessed occupation in praising Him whose grace and patience bore with all my waywardness and self-will and brought me there at last."
"But," asked Charity, "did you not leave any who were dear to you in the land of your birth?"
"Ah, yes, for I have a wife and four small children," Christian answered with a sigh.
"But why did you not bring them with you?" asked Charity.
"Most gladly would I have done so, but they refused to leave the City of Destruction. In vain I endeavored to persuade them, telling them not only of the terrible judgments that were about to fall on the city, but seeking to encourage them by telling them what little I knew of the joys and glories of the Celestial City. But all was in vain. They not only refused to join me, but did all they could to prevent me becoming a pilgrim."
Supper now being ready, the whole party took their places at the well-spread table, and as they partook of the good things that had been provided for their refreshment, they spoke together of the Lord, who in His loving-kindness had built that house and furnished it. Christian also learned that the Lord had been a great warrior, that He had fought with and overcome him that had the power of death, the devil, but that in doing so He had suffered more than words could tell. As he listened his heart glowed with a deeper love to that Savior who had not only suffered but died and risen again for him.
And so they talked until late at night, and after they had committed themselves to God, they went to their rest. Christian's room was a large one, with the window facing towards the sunrising, the name of which was Peace.
Before Christian was allowed to proceed on his journey, he was taken into the Armory. There he saw with wonder and delight how the thoughtful love of his Lord, who knew beforehand how many dangers and trials pilgrims might meet with by the way, had provided all needful armor and had said to each: "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Eph. 6:13-1613Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Ephesians 6:13‑16)).
The shoes provided for the journey would not wear out, he was told, even though he might have to travel by rough roads or climb steep hills. After being again taken to the Armory and clothed with suitable armor, he was, with many a fervent Godspeed and friendly good-bye, allowed to depart.