"Who are those in black up
yonder?" I asked. "They are the watchmen of King Emmanuel," answered he,
"who in their sovereign's name invite men hither and help them through
the gate."
By this we were at the gate: it was very low and narrow, and mean,
compared with the lower gates; around the door the Ten Commandments were
graven--the first table on the right hand and above it, "Thou shalt love
God with all thy heart," and above the other table on the left, "Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," and above the whole "Love not the
world neither the things that are in the world." I had not been looking
on long before the watchmen began calling in a loud voice upon the
condemned men: "Flee, flee for your lives!" But it was few that gave
any heed at all to them, though some enquired, "What are we to flee
from?" "From the prince of this world, who ruleth in the children of
disobedience; from the corruption that is in the world through the lust
of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; from the
wrath that is coming upon you." "What is your beloved city? " cried a
watchman, "but a huge charred roof over the mouth of hell, and were ye
here ye should see the conflagration beyond your walls ready to burst in
and consume you even unto the bottomless pit.
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