He hiked briskly on in this manner till he came to a place where the path began to ascend a gentle slope. At the top thereof was a skull-shaped hill where stood a cross. A little below the cross in the valley there lay an open sepulchre. So I saw in my dream that Christian, with great effort, struggled to the foot of said cross and gazed with wonder upon One suffering there. And it came to pass that, as soon as he came up even with the cross, the ropes which secured his burden turned to ashes and released the accursed burden from off his shoulders. Striking the ground behind him the hideous mass began to roll, slowly at first but with ever increasing speed. Soon it was tumbling end over end, bouncing and bounding higher and farther at each leap. I watched in amazement until I saw it smash into an outcropping of stone and tumble harmlessly into the mouth of a yawning sepulchre. I am not entirely certain, but I believe that I heard a great splash. Be that as it may, into that bottomless pit his burden fell and I saw it no more.
Then was Christian glad and light of heart and said in a voice choked with joyful emotion, “He has given me rest by His sorrow and life by His death! The Innocent has suffered for the guilty and by His stripes I am healed! Oh, praise Him!”
Then he stood still awhile to look and wonder, for it was very amazing to him that the mere sight of the cross should so effectively release him from his great burden. He looked with love upon His suffering Lord until the springs of his head overflowed and sent rivulets of salty water coursing down his cheeks. Then said he, “Oh, my Lord! Is it truly for love of me that you suffer so? Is it truly my sins that have broken your heart? Oh, then shall I praise you as long as you give me breath.”
Now as he stood gazing and weeping at the foot of the cross, behold, three Shining Ones appeared to him, and saluted him. Said the first, “Peace be unto you. Your sins have been forgiven you.”
“Is it truly so?” asked Christian hopefully. “Can it truly be?”
“Did not your burden roll down into yon sepulcher?”
“Aye. But it’s like . . . well, like when I take off my hat and yet feel it still upon my head. I indeed saw my burden tumble away, but it still seems to be there.”
Then answered the Shining One, “’Tis the way of dumb, brute beasts to live life guided by their feelings. But if you wish to understand reality, you must not consult with yours.”
“How then?”
“Truth can only be known by believing.”
“Believing what?”
“The Words of He who has cast your sins into the depths of the sea!”
“Then, based upon His pledged Word, they are truly gone!” exclaimed Christian joyfully. “Gone! Whether I feel like it or no!”
“Aye, now you understand. And no one can bring them back again, except you.”