Around the City - thoughts on Exeter’s Past 2

The Gates to the City - North Gate by Rev’d Paul Collings

Around the City - thoughts on Exeter’s past.

Ezekiel 42:9 But when the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed feasts, he who enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate. And he who enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. No one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered but shall go straight out.

The North Gate of the city was not on the same scale as the great East and South Gates, but it was the entrance for goods and travellers from North Devon. The gate had two guard-rooms with orillons for the defenders to fire their arrows when the gate was under attack. The interior was used as a public house which was named Hell due to its darkness. It was demolished in June 1769.

There stands the north gate to defend

The city from it’s foes, yet friends

Can enter through its dark archway

And in the streets their wares display.

To come and go, be safe, be sound.

Within the walls, a solace found.

Yet long ago in ancient days

The Lord commanded, ‘change your ways’

When entering that holy place 

There worshippers should turn their face

To leave by different journey-way,

New life pursue without delay.

Oh that I too when worshipping 

Would live new life determining

Along the path you have for me,

Change my direction and there see

Your footprints on the sand ahead,

And there might follow in your stead.

Jesus is not a figure from the past: He continues now and always to light the way for us. Pope Francis