Now, , therefore, didburdenedChristianrun, butnotwithoutgreatdifficulty, becauseoftheloadonhisback.
Heranthustillhecametoaplacesomewhatascending; anduponthatplacestoodaCross, andalittlebelow, inthebottom, , thatjustasChristiancameupwiththecross, hisburdenloosedfromoffhisshoulders, andfellfromoffhisback, andbegantotumble, andsocontinuedtodotillitcametothemouthofthetomb, whereitfellin, andIsawitnomore.
ThenwasChristiangladandlightsome, andsaidwithamerryheart, "HehathgivenmerestbyHissorrow, andlifebyHisdeath." Thenhestoodstillawhiletolookandwonder; , therefore, andlookedagain, , ashestoodlookingandweeping, behold, threeShiningOnescametohim, andsalutedhimwith "Peacebetothee." Sothefirstsaidtohim, "Thysinsbeforgiventhee;" thesecondstrippedhimofhisrags, andclothedhimwithachangeofgarments; thethirdalsosetamarkonhisforehead, andgavehimarollwithasealuponit, whichhebadehimlookonasheran, andthatheshouldgiveitinattheheavenlygate; , andwenton, singing:
ChristianBeforetheCross
"ThusfardidIcomeladenwithmysin;
NorcouldaughteasethegriefthatIwasin, TillIcamehither; whataplaceisthis!
Mustherebethebeginningofmybliss?
Mustheretheburdenfallfromoffmyback?
Mustherethestringsthatboundittomecrack?
Blestcross! blestsepulchre! blestratherbe
TheManthatwasthereputtoshameforme!"
