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“Oh, Apollyon, how have I been unfaithful to Him?”
“You weakened in your resolve when you first set out and were nearly choked
in the Slough of Despond. You tried to go wrong ways to get rid of your
Burden when you should have stayed on course until your Prince had taken it
off. You sinfully slept and lost your treasured things. You were almost
persuaded to go back at the sight of the Lions. And when you talk of your
journey and of what you have heard and seen, you inwardly desire recognition
for all you say or do.”
“All this is true,” answered Christian, “and much more that you have left
out. But the Prince whom I serve and honor is merciful and ready to forgive.
Besides, these shortcomings possessed me in your country, where I
participated in them and groaned under their weight. I have been sorry for
these things and have now received pardon by my Prince.”
The Inevitable Conflict
Suddenly, Apollyon erupted into a fierce rage, shrieking, “I am an enemy of
this Prince! I hate His Person, His laws, and His people! I have come out
with this purpose – to stop you!”
“Apollyon, beware of what you do,” warned Christian, “for I am in the King’s
Highway, the way of holiness. Therefore you had better watch yourself.”
Then Apollyon spread himself out in such a way as to cover the entire width
of the way, and challenged, “I am without fear in this matter. Prepare to
die! For I swear by my infernal dwelling that you shall go no farther. I
will destroy your soul right here.”
And at that he hurled a flaming arrow at Christian’s heart, but Christian
had a shield in his . .
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I could be walking in complete liberty! I have a Key in my pocket called
Promise that I am sure will open any lock in Doubting Castle.”
“That’s great news, my brother!” cried Hopeful. “Get it out right now and
try it!”
Escape from Doubting Castle
So Christian pulled it out and went to the prison door. He put the Key in
the lock and turned it, and the door flew open easily. Christian and Hopeful
both stumbled out. Next, they went to the outer door that leads into the
castleyard and Christian used his Key to open that door also. Finally, they
went to the iron gate and put the Key in that lock, and although it was
extremely stubborn, it too opened. As they thrust open the gate, it made
such a loud noise that it awakened Giant Despair, who hastily arose to
pursue his prisoners. He was struck by one of his seizures, however, and his
limbs failed so that there was no way he could go after them. Then they went
on until they got to the King’s Highway, and so being out of the Giant’s
jurisdiction, they were safe once again.
Now after they had gone back over the steps they had originally come in on,
they began to plan what they should do to prevent those who would come after
them from falling into the hands of Giant Despair. So they agreed to build a
Monument and engrave this sentence upon it: “Take these steps over the wall,
and you will be on your way to Doubting Castle, which is kept by Giant
Despair, who despises the King of the Celestial Country and seeks to destroy
holy pilgrims.”
Many, therefore, following after, read . . . .
.