第3章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"The Pilgrim’s Progress",免费读到尾

  NowIsawinmydream,thatattheendofthisvalleylayblood,bones,ashes,andmangledbodiesofmen,evenofpilgrimsthathadgonethiswayformerly;andwhileIwasmusingwhatshouldbethereason,Iespiedalittlebeforemeacave,wheretwogiants,POPEandPAGAN,dweltinoldtime;

  bywhosepowerandtyrannythemenwhosebones,blood,andashes,&c。,laythere,werecruellyputtodeath。ButbythisplaceChristianwentwithoutmuchdanger,whereatIsomewhatwondered;

  butIhavelearntsince,thatPAGANhasbeendeadmanyaday;

  andasfortheother,thoughhebeyetalive,heis,byreasonofage,andalsoofthemanyshrewdbrushesthathemetwithinhisyoungerdays,grownsocrazyandstiffinhisjoints,thathecannowdolittlemorethansitinhiscave’smouth,grinningatpilgrimsastheygoby,andbitinghisnailsbecausehecannotcomeatthem。

  {168}

  SoIsawthatChristianwentonhisway;yet,atthesightoftheOldManthatsatinthemouthofthecave,hecouldnottellwhattothink,especiallybecausehespaketohim,thoughhecouldnotgoafterhim,saying,\"Youwillnevermendtillmoreofyoubeburned。\"

  Butheheldhispeace,andsetagoodfaceonit,andsowentbyandcatchednohurt。ThensangChristian:

  Oworldofwonders!(Icansaynoless),ThatIshouldbepreservedinthatdistressThatIhavemetwithhere!OblessedbeThathandthatfromithathdeliver’dme!

  Dangersindarkness,devils,hell,andsinDidcompassme,whileIthisvalewasin:

  Yea,snares,andpits,andtraps,andnets,didlieMypathabout,thatworthless,sillyI

  Mighthavebeencatch’d,entangled,andcastdown;

  ButsinceIlive,letJESUSwearthecrown。

  {169}

  Now,asChristianwentonhisway,hecametoalittleascent,whichwascastuponpurposethatpilgrimsmightseebeforethem。

  Upthere,therefore,Christianwent,andlookingforward,hesawFaithfulbeforehim,uponhisjourney。ThensaidChristianaloud,\"Ho!ho!So—ho!stay,andIwillbeyourcompanion!\"Atthat,Faithfullookedbehindhim;towhomChristiancriedagain,\"Stay,stay,tillIcomeuptoyou!\"ButFaithfulanswered,\"No,Iamuponmylife,andtheavengerofbloodisbehindme。\"

  {170}

  Atthis,Christianwassomewhatmoved,andputtingtoallhisstrength,hequicklygotupwithFaithful,anddidalsooverrunhim;

  sothelastwasfirst。ThendidChristianvain—gloriouslysmile,becausehehadgottenthestartofhisbrother;butnottakinggoodheedtohisfeet,hesuddenlystumbledandfell,andcouldnotriseagainuntilFaithfulcameuptohelphim。

  ThenIsawinmydreamtheywentverylovinglyontogether,andhadsweetdiscourseofallthingsthathadhappenedtothemintheirpilgrimage;andthusChristianbegan:

  {171}

  CHR。Myhonouredandwell—belovedbrother,Faithful,IamgladthatIhaveovertakenyou;andthatGodhassotemperedourspirits,thatwecanwalkascompanionsinthissopleasantapath。

  FAITH。Ihadthought,dearfriend,tohavehadyourcompanyquitefromourtown;butyoudidgetthestartofme,whereforeIwasforcedtocomethusmuchofthewayalone。

  CHR。HowlongdidyoustayintheCityofDestructionbeforeyousetoutaftermeonyourpilgrimage?

  FAITH。TillIcouldstaynolonger;fortherewasgreattalkpresentlyafteryouweregoneoutthatourcitywould,inshorttime,withfirefromheaven,beburneddowntotheground。

  CHR。What!didyourneighbourstalkso?

  FAITH。Yes,itwasforawhileineverybody’smouth。

  CHR。What!anddidnomoreofthembutyoucomeouttoescapethedanger?

  FAITH。Thoughtherewas,asIsaid,agreattalkthereabout,yetIdonotthinktheydidfirmlybelieveit。Forintheheatofthediscourse,Iheardsomeofthemderidinglyspeakofyouandofyourdesperatejourney,(forsotheycalledthisyourpilgrimage),butIdidbelieve,anddostill,thattheendofourcitywillbewithfireandandbrimstonefromabove;andthereforeIhavemademyescape。

  {172}

  CHR。DidyouhearnotalkofneighbourPliable?

  FAITH。Yes,Christian,IheardthathefollowedyoutillhecameattheSloughofDespond,where,assomesaid,hefellin;

  buthewouldnotbeknowntohavesodone;butIamsurehewassoundlybedabbledwiththatkindofdirt。

  CHR。Andwhatsaidtheneighbourstohim?

  FAITH。Hehath,sincehisgoingback,beenhadgreatlyinderision,andthatamongallsortsofpeople;somedomockanddespisehim;

  andscarcewillanysethimonwork。Heisnowseventimesworsethanifhehadnevergoneoutofthecity。

  CHR。Butwhyshouldtheybesosetagainsthim,sincetheyalsodespisethewaythatheforsook?

  FAITH。Oh,theysay,hanghim,heisaturncoat!hewasnottruetohisprofession。IthinkGodhasstirredupevenhisenemiestohissathim,andmakehimaproverb,becausehehathforsakentheway。

  [Jer。29:18,19]

  CHR。Hadyounotalkwithhimbeforeyoucameout?

  FAITH。Imethimonceinthestreets,butheleeredawayontheotherside,asoneashamedofwhathehaddone;

  soIspakenottohim。

  {173}

  CHR。Well,atmyfirstsettingout,Ihadhopesofthatman;

  butnowIfearhewillperishintheoverthrowofthecity;

  foritishappenedtohimaccordingtothetrueproverb,\"Thedogisturnedtohisownvomitagain;andthesowthatwaswashed,toherwallowinginthemire。\"[2Pet。2:22]

  FAITH。Thesearemyfearsofhimtoo;butwhocanhinderthatwhichwillbe?

  CHR。Well,neighbourFaithful,saidChristian,letusleavehim,andtalkofthingsthatmoreimmediatelyconcernourselves。

  Tellmenow,whatyouhavemetwithinthewayasyoucame;

  forIknowyouhavemetwithsomethings,orelseitmaybewritforawonder。

  {174}

  FAITH。IescapedtheSloughthatIperceivedyoufellinto,andgotuptothegatewithoutthatdanger;onlyImetwithonewhosenamewasWanton,whohadliketohavedonemeamischief。

  CHR。Itwaswellyouescapedhernet;Josephwashardputtoitbyher,andheescapedherasyoudid;butithadliketohavecosthimhislife。[Gen。39:11—13]Butwhatdidshedotoyou?

  FAITH。Youcannotthink,butthatyouknowsomething,whataflatteringtongueshehad;shelayatmehardtoturnasidewithher,promisingmeallmannerofcontent。

  CHR。Nay,shedidnotpromiseyouthecontentofagoodconscience。

  FAITH。YouknowwhatImean;allcarnalandfleshlycontent。

  CHR。ThankGodyouhaveescapedher:\"TheabhorredoftheLordshallfallintoherditch。\"[Ps。22:14]

  FAITH。Nay,IknownotwhetherIdidwhollyescapeherorno。

  CHR。Why,Itrow,youdidnotconsenttoherdesires?

  FAITH。No,nottodefilemyself;forIrememberedanoldwritingthatIhadseen,whichsaid,\"Herstepstakeholdonhell。\"[Prov。

  5:5]

  SoIshutmineeyes,becauseIwouldnotbebewitchedwithherlooks。

  [Job31:1]Thensherailedonme,andIwentmyway。

  CHR。Didyoumeetwithnootherassaultasyoucame?

  {175}

  FAITH。WhenIcametothefootofthehillcalledDifficulty,Imetwithaveryagedman,whoaskedmewhatIwas,andwhitherbound。

  ItoldhimthatIamapilgrim,goingtotheCelestialCity。

  Thensaidtheoldman,Thoulookestlikeanhonestfellow;

  wiltthoubecontenttodwellwithmeforthewagesthatIshallgivethee?ThenIaskedhimhisname,andwherehedwelt。

  HesaidhisnamewasAdamtheFirst,andthathedweltinthetownofDeceit。[Eph。4:22]Iaskedhimthenwhatwashiswork,andwhatthewageshewouldgive。Hetoldmethathisworkwasmanydelights;andhiswagesthatIshouldbehisheiratlast。

  Ifurtheraskedhimwhathousehekept,andwhatotherservantshehad。

  Sohetoldmethathishousewasmaintainedwithallthedaintiesintheworld;andthathisservantswerethoseofhisownbegetting。

  ThenIaskedifhehadanychildren。Hesaidthathehadbutthreedaughters:TheLustoftheFlesh,TheLustoftheEyes,andThePrideofLife,andthatIshouldmarrythemallifIwould。

  [1John2:16]ThenIaskedhowlongtimehewouldhavemelivewithhim?Andhetoldme,Aslongashelivedhimself。

  CHR。Well,andwhatconclusioncametheoldmanandyoutoatlast?

  FAITH。Why,atfirst,Ifoundmyselfsomewhatinclinabletogowiththeman,forIthoughthespakeveryfair;

  butlookinginhisforehead,asItalkedwithhim,Isawtherewritten,\"Putofftheoldmanwithhisdeeds。\"

  CHR。Andhowthen?

  {176}

  FAITH。Thenitcameburninghotintomymind,whateverhesaid,andhoweverheflattered,whenhegotmehometohishouse,hewouldsellmeforaslave。SoIbidhimforbeartotalk,forIwouldnotcomenearthedoorofhishouse。Thenhereviledme,andtoldmethathewouldsendsuchaoneafterme,thatshouldmakemywaybittertomysoul。SoIturnedtogoawayfromhim;

  butjustasIturnedmyselftogothence,Ifelthimtakeholdofmyflesh,andgivemesuchadeadlytwitchback,thatIthoughthehadpulledpartofmeafterhimself。Thismademecry,\"Owretchedman!\"[Rom。7:24]SoIwentonmywayupthehill。

  NowwhenIhadgotabouthalf—wayup,Ilookedbehind,andsawonecomingafterme,swiftasthewind;soheovertookmejustabouttheplacewherethesettlestands。

  CHR。Justthere,saidChristian,didIsitdowntorestme;

  butbeingovercomewithsleep,Itherelostthisrolloutofmybosom。

  {177}

  FAITH。But,goodbrother,hearmeout。Sosoonasthemanovertookme,hewasbutawordandablow,fordownheknockedme,andlaidmefordead。ButwhenIwasalittlecometomyselfagain,Iaskedhimwhereforeheservedmeso。Hesaid,becauseofmysecretincliningtoAdamtheFirst;andwiththathestruckmeanotherdeadlyblowonthebreast,andbeatmedownbackward;soIlayathisfootasdeadasbefore。So,whenIcametomyselfagain,Icriedhimmercy;buthesaid,Iknownothowtoshowmercy;

  andwiththatheknockedmedownagain。Hehaddoubtlessmadeanendofme,butthatonecameby,andbidhimforbear。

  CHR。Whowasthatthatbidhimforbear?

  FAITH。Ididnotknowhimatfirst,butashewentby,Iperceivedtheholesinhishandsandinhisside;

  thenIconcludedthathewasourLord。SoIwentupthehill。

  {178}

  CHR。ThatmanthatovertookyouwasMoses。Hesparethnone,neitherknowethhehowtoshowmercytothosethattransgresshislaw。

  FAITH。Iknowitverywell;itwasnotthefirsttimethathehasmetwithme。ItwashethatcametomewhenIdweltsecurelyathome,andthattoldmehewouldburnmyhouseovermyheadifIstayedthere。

  CHR。Butdidyounotseethehousethatstoodthereonthetopofthehill,onthesideofwhichMosesmetyou?

  FAITH。Yes,andthelionstoo,beforeIcameatit:

  butforthelions,Ithinktheywereasleep,foritwasaboutnoon;

  andbecauseIhadsomuchofthedaybeforeme,Ipassedbytheporter,andcamedownthehill。

  CHR。Hetoldme,indeed,thathesawyougoby,butIwishyouhadcalledatthehouse,fortheywouldhaveshowedyousomanyrarities,thatyouwouldscarcehaveforgotthemtothedayofyourdeath。Butpraytellme,DidyoumeetnobodyintheValleyofHumility?

  {179}

  FAITH。Yes,ImetwithoneDiscontent,whowouldwillinglyhavepersuadedmetogobackagainwithhim;hisreasonwas,forthatthevalleywasaltogetherwithouthonour。Hetoldme,moreover,thattheretogowasthewaytodisobeyallmyfriends,asPride,Arrogancy,Self—conceit,Worldly—glory,withothers,whoheknew,ashesaid,wouldbeverymuchoffended,ifImadesuchafoolofmyselfastowadethroughthisvalley。

  CHR。Well,andhowdidyouanswerhim?

  {180}

  FAITH。Itoldhim,thatalthoughallthesethathenamedmightclaimkindredofme,andthatrightly,forindeedtheyweremyrelationsaccordingtotheflesh;yetsinceIbecameapilgrim,theyhavedisownedme,asIalsohaverejectedthem;andthereforetheyweretomenownomorethaniftheyhadneverbeenofmylineage。

  Itoldhim,moreover,thatastothisvalley,hehadquitemisrepresentedthething;forbeforehonourishumility,andahaughtyspiritbeforeafall。Therefore,saidI,Ihadrathergothroughthisvalleytothehonourthatwassoaccountedbythewisest,thanchoosethatwhichheesteemedmostworthyouraffections。

  CHR。Metyouwithnothingelseinthatvalley?

  {181}

  FAITH。Yes,ImetwithShame;butofallthementhatImetwithinmypilgrimage,he,Ithink,bearsthewrongname。

  Theotherswouldbesaidnay,afteralittleargumentation,andsomewhatelse;butthisbold—facedShamewouldneverhavedone。

  CHR。Why,whatdidhesaytoyou?

  FAITH。What!why,heobjectedagainstreligionitself;

  hesaiditwasapitiful,low,sneakingbusinessforamantomindreligion;hesaidthatatenderconsciencewasanunmanlything;

  andthatforamantowatchoverhiswordsandways,soastotieuphimselffromthathectoringlibertythatthebravespiritsofthetimesaccustomthemselvesunto,wouldmakehimtheridiculeofthetimes。Heobjectedalso,thatbutfewofthemighty,rich,orwise,wereeverofmyopinion[1Cor。1:26;3:18;Phil。3:7,8];

  noranyofthemneither[John7:48],beforetheywerepersuadedtobefools,andtobeofavoluntaryfondness,toventurethelossofall,fornobodyknowswhat。He,moreover,objectedthebaseandlowestateandconditionofthosethatwerechieflythepilgrimsofthetimesinwhichtheylived:

  alsotheirignoranceandwantofunderstandinginallnaturalscience。

  Yea,hedidholdmetoitatthatratealso,aboutagreatmanymorethingsthanhereIrelate;as,thatitwasashametositwhiningandmourningunderasermon,andashametocomesighingandgroaninghome:thatitwasashametoaskmyneighbourforgivenessforpettyfaults,ortomakerestitutionwhereIhavetakenfromany。Hesaid,also,thatreligionmadeamangrowstrangetothegreat,becauseofafewvices,whichhecalledbyfinernames;andmadehimownandrespectthebase,becauseofthesamereligiousfraternity。Andisnotthis,saidhe,ashame?

  {182}

  CHR。Andwhatdidyousaytohim?

  FAITH。Say!Icouldnottellwhattosayatthefirst。

  Yea,heputmesotoit,thatmybloodcameupinmyface;

  eventhisShamefetcheditup,andhadalmostbeatmequiteoff。

  ButatlastIbegantoconsider,that\"thatwhichishighlyesteemedamongmen,ishadinabominationwithGod。\"[Luke16:15]

  AndIthoughtagain,thisShametellsmewhatmenare;

  butittellsmenothingwhatGodortheWordofGodis。

  AndIthought,moreover,thatatthedayofdoom,weshallnotbedoomedtodeathorlifeaccordingtothehectoringspiritsoftheworld,butaccordingtothewisdomandlawoftheHighest。Therefore,thoughtI,whatGodsaysisbest,indeedisbest,thoughallthemenintheworldareagainstit。Seeing,then,thatGodprefershisreligion;seeingGodprefersatenderconscience;

  seeingtheythatmakethemselvesfoolsforthekingdomofheavenarewisest;andthatthepoormanthatlovethChristisricherthanthegreatestmanintheworldthathateshim;Shame,depart,thouartanenemytomysalvation!ShallIentertaintheeagainstmysovereignLord?HowthenshallIlookhiminthefaceathiscoming?ShouldInowbeashamedofhiswaysandservants,howcanIexpecttheblessing?[Mark8:38]But,indeed,thisShamewasaboldvillain;Icouldscarceshakehimoutofmycompany;yea,hewouldbehauntingofme,andcontinuallywhisperingmeintheear,withsomeoneorotheroftheinfirmitiesthatattendreligion;butatlastItoldhimitwasbutinvaintoattemptfurtherinthisbusiness;forthosethingsthathedisdained,inthosedidIseemostglory;andsoatlastIgotpastthisimportunateone。AndwhenIhadshakenhimoff,thenIbegantosing——

  Thetrialsthatthosemendomeetwithal,Thatareobedienttotheheavenlycall,Aremanifold,andsuitedtotheflesh,Andcome,andcome,andcomeagainafresh;

  Thatnow,orsometimeelse,webythemmayBetaken,overcome,andcastaway。

  Oh,letthepilgrims,letthepilgrims,thenBevigilant,andquitthemselveslikemen。

  {183}

  CHR。Iamglad,mybrother,thatthoudidstwithstandthisvillainsobravely;forofall,asthousayest,Ithinkhehasthewrongname;

  forheissoboldastofollowusinthestreets,andtoattempttoputustoshamebeforeallmen:thatis,tomakeusashamedofthatwhichisgood;butifhewasnothimselfaudacious,hewouldneverattempttodoashedoes。Butletusstillresisthim;

  fornotwithstandingallhisbravadoes,hepromoteththefoolandnoneelse。\"Thewiseshallinheritglory,saidSolomon,butshameshallbethepromotionoffools。\"[Prov。3:35]

  FAITH。IthinkwemustcrytoHimforhelpagainstShame,whowouldhaveustobevaliantforthetruthupontheearth。

  CHR。Yousaytrue;butdidyoumeetnobodyelseinthatvalley?

  FAITH。No,notI;forIhadsunshinealltherestofthewaythroughthat,andalsothroughtheValleyoftheShadowofDeath。

  {184}

  CHR。Itwaswellforyou。Iamsureitfaredfarotherwisewithme;

  Ihadforalongseason,assoonalmostasIenteredintothatvalley,adreadfulcombatwiththatfoulfiendApollyon;yea,Ithoughtverilyhewouldhavekilledme,especiallywhenhegotmedownandcrushedmeunderhim,asifhewouldhavecrushedmetopieces;

  forashethrewme,myswordflewoutofmyhand;nay,hetoldmehewassureofme:butIcriedtoGod,andheheardme,anddeliveredmeoutofallmytroubles。ThenIenteredintotheValleyoftheShadowofDeath,andhadnolightforalmosthalfthewaythroughit。IthoughtIshouldhavebeenkilledthere,overandover;butatlastdaybroke,andthesunrose,andIwentthroughthatwhichwasbehindwithfarmoreeaseandquiet。

  {185}

  Moreover,Isawinmydream,thatastheywenton,Faithful,ashechancedtolookononeside,sawamanwhosenameisTalkative,walkingatadistancebesidethem;forinthisplacetherewasroomenoughforthemalltowalk。Hewasatallman,andsomethingmorecomelyatadistancethanathand。

  TothismanFaithfuladdressedhimselfinthismanner:

  FAITH。Friend,whitheraway?Areyougoingtotheheavenlycountry?

  TALK。Iamgoingtothesameplace。

  FAITH。Thatiswell;thenIhopewemayhaveyourgoodcompany。

  TALK。WithaverygoodwillwillIbeyourcompanion。

  {186}

  FAITH。Comeon,then,andletusgotogether,andletusspendourtimeindiscoursingofthingsthatareprofitable。

  TALK。Totalkofthingsthataregood,tomeisveryacceptable,withyouorwithanyother;andIamgladthatIhavemetwiththosethatinclinetosogoodawork;for,tospeakthetruth,therearebutfewthatcarethustospendtheirtime,(astheyareintheirtravels),butchoosemuchrathertobespeakingofthingstonoprofit;andthishathbeenatroubleforme。

  FAITH。Thatisindeedathingtobelamented;forwhatthingssoworthyoftheuseofthetongueandmouthofmenonearthasarethethingsoftheGodofheaven?

  TALK。Ilikeyouwonderfulwell,foryoursayingsarefullofconviction;andIwilladd,whatthingissopleasant,andwhatsoprofitable,astotalkofthethingsofGod?

  Whatthingssopleasant(thatis,ifamanhathanydelightinthingsthatarewonderful)?Forinstance,ifamandothdelighttotalkofthehistoryorthemysteryofthings;orifamandothlovetotalkofmiracles,wonders,orsigns,whereshallhefindthingsrecordedsodelightful,andsosweetlypenned,asintheHolyScripture?

  {187}

  FAITH。Thatistrue;buttobeprofitedbysuchthingsinourtalkshouldbethatwhichwedesign。

  TALK。ThatisitthatIsaid;fortotalkofsuchthingsismostprofitable;forbysodoing,amanmaygetknowledgeofmanythings;asofthevanityofearthlythings,andthebenefitofthingsabove。Thus,ingeneral,butmoreparticularlybythis,amanmaylearnthenecessityofthenewbirth,theinsufficiencyofourworks,theneedofChrist’srighteousness,&c。Besides,bythisamanmaylearn,bytalk,whatitistorepent,tobelieve,topray,tosuffer,orthelike;bythisalsoamanmaylearnwhatarethegreatpromisesandconsolationsofthegospel,tohisowncomfort。Further,bythisamanmaylearntorefutefalseopinions,tovindicatethetruth,andalsotoinstructtheignorant。

  FAITH。Allthisistrue,andgladamItohearthesethingsfromyou。

  TALK。Alas!thewantofthisisthecausewhysofewunderstandtheneedoffaith,andthenecessityofaworkofgraceintheirsoul,inordertoeternallife;butignorantlyliveintheworksofthelaw,bywhichamancanbynomeansobtainthekingdomofheaven。

  {188}

  FAITH。But,byyourleave,heavenlyknowledgeoftheseisthegiftofGod;nomanattainethtothembyhumanindustry,oronlybythetalkofthem。

  TALK。AllthisIknowverywell;foramancanreceivenothing,exceptitbegivenhimfromHeaven;allisofgrace,notofworks。

  Icouldgiveyouahundredscripturesfortheconfirmationofthis。

  FAITH。Well,then,saidFaithful,whatisthatonethingthatweshallatthistimefoundourdiscourseupon?

  TALK。Whatyouwill。Iwilltalkofthingsheavenly,orthingsearthly;thingsmoral,orthingsevangelical;thingssacred,orthingsprofane;thingspast,orthingstocome;thingsforeign,orthingsathome;thingsmoreessential,orthingscircumstantial;

  providedthatallbedonetoourprofit。

  {189}

  FAITH。NowdidFaithfulbegintowonder;andsteppingtoChristian,(forhewalkedallthiswhilebyhimself),hesaidtohim,(butsoftly),Whatabravecompanionhavewegot!Surelythismanwillmakeaveryexcellentpilgrim。

  CHR。AtthisChristianmodestlysmiled,andsaid,Thisman,withwhomyouaresotaken,willbeguile,withthattongueofhis,twentyofthemthatknowhimnot。

  FAITH。Doyouknowhim,then?

  {190}

  CHR。Knowhim!Yes,betterthanheknowshimself。

  FAITH。Pray,whatishe?

  CHR。HisnameisTalkative;hedwellethinourtown。

  Iwonderthatyoushouldbeastrangertohim,onlyIconsiderthatourtownislarge。

  FAITH。Whosesonishe?Andwhereaboutdoeshedwell?

  CHR。HeisthesonofoneSay—well;hedweltinPratingRow;

  andisknownofallthatareacquaintedwithhim,bythenameofTalkativeinPratingRow;andnotwithstandinghisfinetongue,heisbutasorryfellow。

  {191}

  FAITH。Well,heseemstobeaveryprettyman。

  CHR。Thatis,tothemwhohavenotthoroughacquaintancewithhim;

  forheisbestabroad;nearhome,heisuglyenough。

  Yoursayingthatheisaprettyman,bringstomymindwhatIhaveobservedintheworkofthepainter,whosepicturesshowbestatadistance,but,verynear,moreunpleasing。

  {192}

  FAITH。ButIamreadytothinkyoudobutjest,becauseyousmiled。

  CHR。GodforbidthatIshouldjest(althoughIsmiled)inthismatter,orthatIshouldaccuseanyfalsely!Iwillgiveyouafurtherdiscoveryofhim。Thismanisforanycompany,andforanytalk;ashetalkethnowwithyou,sowillhetalkwhenheisontheale—bench;andthemoredrinkhehathinhiscrown,themoreofthesethingshehathinhismouth;religionhathnoplaceinhisheart,orhouse,orconversation;allhehathliethinhistongue,andhisreligionis,tomakeanoisetherewith。

  {193}

  FAITH。Sayyouso!thenamIinthismangreatlydeceived。

  CHR。Deceived!youmaybesureofit;remembertheproverb,\"Theysayanddonot。\"[Matt。23:3]ButthekingdomofGodisnotinword,butinPower。[1Cor4:20]Hetalkethofprayer,ofrepentance,offaith,andofthenewbirth;butheknowsbutonlytotalkofthem。Ihavebeeninhisfamily,andhaveobservedhimbothathomeandabroad;andIknowwhatIsayofhimisthetruth。

  Hishouseisasemptyofreligionasthewhiteofaneggisofsavour。Thereisthereneitherprayernorsignofrepentanceforsin;yea,thebruteinhiskindservesGodfarbetterthanhe。Heistheverystain,reproach,andshameofreligion,toallthatknowhim;itcanhardlyhaveagoodwordinallthatendofthetownwherehedwells,throughhim。[Rom。2:24,25]

  Thussaythecommonpeoplethatknowhim,Asaintabroad,andadevilathome。Hispoorfamilyfindsitso;heissuchachurl,sucharaileratandsounreasonablewithhisservants,thattheyneitherknowhowtodofororspeaktohim。

  MenthathaveanydealingswithhimsayitisbettertodealwithaTurkthanwithhim;forfairerdealingtheyshallhaveattheirhands。ThisTalkative(ifitbepossible)

  willgobeyondthem,defraud,beguile,andoverreachthem。Besides,hebringsuphissonstofollowhissteps;andifhefindethinanyofthemafoolishtimorousness,(forsohecallsthefirstappearanceofatenderconscience,)hecallsthemfoolsandblockheads,andbynomeanswillemploytheminmuch,orspeaktotheircommendationsbeforeothers。Formypart,Iamofopinion,thathehas,byhiswickedlife,causedmanytostumbleandfall;andwillbe,ifGodpreventnot,theruinofmanymore。

  {194}

  FAITH。Well,mybrother,Iamboundtobelieveyou;notonlybecauseyousayyouknowhim,butalsobecause,likeaChristian,youmakeyourreportsofmen。ForIcannotthinkthatyouspeakthesethingsofill—will,butbecauseitisevensoasyousay。

  CHR。HadIknownhimnomorethanyou,Imightperhapshavethoughtofhim,as,atthefirst,youdid;yea,hadhereceivedthisreportattheirhandsonlythatareenemiestoreligion,Ishouldhavethoughtithadbeenaslander,——alotthatoftenfallsfrombadmen’smouthsupongoodmen’snamesandprofessions;

  butallthesethings,yea,andagreatmanymoreasbad,ofmyownknowledge,Icanprovehimguiltyof。Besides,goodmenareashamedofhim;theycanneithercallhimbrother,norfriend;theverynamingofhimamongthemmakesthemblush,iftheyknowhim。

  {195}

  FAITH。Well,Iseethatsayinganddoingaretwothings,andhereafterIshallbetterobservethisdistinction。

  CHR。Theyaretwothings,indeed,andareasdiverseasarethesoulandthebody;forasthebodywithoutthesoulisbutadeadcarcass,sosaying,ifitbealone,isbutadeadcarcassalso。

  Thesoulofreligionisthepracticalpart:\"Purereligionandundefiled,beforeGodandtheFather,isthis,Tovisitthefatherlessandwidowsintheiraffliction,andtokeephimselfunspottedfromtheworld。\"[James1:27;seevv。22—26]

  ThisTalkativeisnotawareof;hethinksthathearingandsayingwillmakeagoodChristian,andthushedeceivethhisownsoul。

  Hearingisbutasthesowingoftheseed;talkingisnotsufficienttoprovethatfruitisindeedintheheartandlife;andletusassureourselves,thatatthedayofdoommenshallbejudgedaccordingtotheirfruits。[Matt。13,25]Itwillnotbesaidthen,Didyoubelieve?but,Wereyoudoers,ortalkersonly?

  andaccordinglyshalltheybejudged。Theendoftheworldiscomparedtoourharvest;andyouknowmenatharvestregardnothingbutfruit。Notthatanythingcanbeacceptedthatisnotoffaith,butIspeakthistoshowyouhowinsignificanttheprofessionofTalkativewillbeatthatday。

  {196}

  FAITH。ThisbringstomymindthatofMoses,bywhichhedescribeththebeastthatisclean。[Lev。11:3—7;Deut。14:6—8]Heissuchaonethatparteththehoofandcheweththecud;notthatparteththehoofonly,orthatcheweththecudonly。Theharecheweththecud,butyetisunclean,becausehepartethnotthehoof。

  AndthistrulyresemblethTalkative;hecheweththecud,heseekethknowledge,hechewethupontheword;buthedividethnotthehoof,hepartethnotwiththewayofsinners;but,asthehare,heretaineththefootofadogorbear,andthereforeheisunclean。

  CHR。Youhavespoken,foraughtIknow,thetruegospelsenseofthosetexts。AndIwilladdanotherthing:Paulcallethsomemen,yea,andthosegreattalkers,too,soundingbrassandtinklingcymbals;

  thatis,asheexpoundstheminanotherplace,thingswithoutlife,givingsound。[1Cor。13:1—3;14:7]Thingswithoutlife,thatis,withoutthetruefaithandgraceofthegospel;andconsequently,thingsthatshallneverbeplacedinthekingdomofheavenamongthosethatarethechildrenoflife;thoughtheirsound,bytheirtalk,beasifitwerethetongueorvoiceofanangel。

  FAITH。Well,Iwasnotsofondofhiscompanyatfirst,butIamassickofitnow。Whatshallwedotoberidofhim?

  CHR。Takemyadvice,anddoasIbidyou,andyoushallfindthathewillsoonbesickofyourcompanytoo,exceptGodshalltouchhisheart,andturnit。

  FAITH。Whatwouldyouhavemetodo?

  CHR。Why,gotohim,andenterintosomeseriousdiscourseaboutthepowerofreligion;andaskhimplainly(whenhehasapprovedofit,forthathewill)whetherthisthingbesetupinhisheart,house,orconversation。

  {197}

  FAITH。ThenFaithfulsteppedforwardagain,andsaidtoTalkative,Come,whatcheer?Howisitnow?

  TALK。Thankyou,well。Ithoughtweshouldhavehadagreatdealoftalkbythistime。

  {198}

  FAITH。Well,ifyouwill,wewillfalltoitnow;andsinceyouleftitwithmetostatethequestion,letitbethis:

  HowdoththesavinggraceofGoddiscoveritselfwhenitisintheheartofman?

  TALK。Iperceive,then,thatourtalkmustbeaboutthepowerofthings。Well,itisaverygoodquestion,andIshallbewillingtoansweryou。Andtakemyanswerinbrief,thus:First,WherethegraceofGodisintheheart,itcauseththereagreatoutcryagainstsin。Secondly————

  FAITH。Nay,hold,letusconsiderofoneatonce。Ithinkyoushouldrathersay,Itshowsitselfbyincliningthesoultoabhoritssin。

  TALK。Why,whatdifferenceistherebetweencryingoutagainst,andabhorringofsin?

  {199}

  FAITH。Oh,agreatdeal。Amanmaycryoutagainstsinofpolicy,buthecannotabhorit,butbyvirtueofagodlyantipathyagainstit。

  Ihaveheardmanycryoutagainstsininthepulpit,whoyetcanabideitwellenoughintheheart,house,andconversation。

  Joseph’smistresscriedoutwithaloudvoice,asifshehadbeenveryholy;butshewouldwillingly,notwithstandingthat,havecommitteduncleannesswithhim。Somecryoutagainstsinevenasthemothercriesoutagainstherchildinherlap,whenshecallethitslutandnaughtygirl,andthenfallstohuggingandkissingit。

  TALK。Youlieatthecatch,Iperceive。

  {200}

  FAITH。No,notI;Iamonlyforsettingthingsright。

  Butwhatisthesecondthingwherebyyouwouldproveadiscoveryofaworkofgraceintheheart?

  TALK。Greatknowledgeofgospelmysteries。

  FAITH。Thissignshouldhavebeenfirst;butfirstorlast,itisalsofalse;forknowledge,greatknowledge,maybeobtainedinthemysteriesofthegospel,andyetnoworkofgraceinthesoul。

  [1Cor。13]Yea,ifamanhaveallknowledge,hemayyetbenothing,andsoconsequentlybenochildofGod。WhenChristsaid,\"Doyouknowallthesethings?\"andthediscipleshadanswered,Yes;

  headdeth,\"Blessedareyeifyedothem。\"Hedothnotlaytheblessingintheknowingofthem,butinthedoingofthem。Forthereisaknowledgethatisnotattendedwithdoing:Hethatknowethhismasterswill,anddoethitnot。Amanmayknowlikeanangel,andyetbenoChristian,thereforeyoursignofitisnottrue。

  Indeed,toknowisathingthatpleasethtalkersandboasters,buttodoisthatwhichpleasethGod。Notthattheheartcanbegoodwithoutknowledge;forwithoutthat,theheartisnaught。

  Thereis,therefore,knowledgeandknowledge。

  Knowledgethatrestethinthebarespeculationofthings;

  andknowledgethatisaccompaniedwiththegraceoffaithandlove;

  whichputsamanupondoingeventhewillofGodfromtheheart:

  thefirstofthesewillservethetalker;butwithouttheotherthetrueChristianisnotcontent。\"Givemeunderstanding,andIshallkeepthylaw;

  yea,Ishallobserveitwithmywholeheart。\"[Ps。119:34]

  TALK。Youlieatthecatchagain;thisisnotforedification。

  FAITH。Well,ifyouplease,propoundanothersignhowthisworkofgracediscoverethitselfwhereitis。

  TALK。NotI,forIseeweshallnotagree。

  FAITH。Well,ifyouwillnot,willyougivemeleavetodoit?

  TALK。Youmayuseyourliberty。

  p201——p250

  Page201——Page250

  {201}

  FAITH。Aworkofgraceinthesouldiscoverethitself,eithertohimthathathit,ortostandersby。

  Tohimthathathitthus:Itgiveshimconvictionofsin,especiallyofthedefilementofhisnatureandthesinofunbelief,(forthesakeofwhichheissuretobedamned,ifhefindethnotmercyatGod’shand,byfaithinJesusChrist[John16:8,Rom。7:24,John16:9,Mark16:16])。Thissightandsenseofthingsworkethinhimsorrowandshameforsin;hefindeth,moreover,revealedinhimtheSaviouroftheworld,andtheabsolutenecessityofclosingwithhimforlife,atthewhichhefindethhungeringsandthirstingsafterhim;

  towhichhungerings,&c。,thepromiseismade。[Ps。38:18,Jer。31:19,Gal。2:16,Acts4:12,Matt。5:6,Rev。21:6]Now,accordingtothestrengthorweaknessofhisfaithinhisSaviour,soishisjoyandpeace,soishislovetoholiness,soarehisdesirestoknowhimmore,andalsotoservehiminthisworld。

  ButthoughIsayitdiscoverethitselfthusuntohim,yetitisbutseldomthatheisabletoconcludethatthisisaworkofgrace;becausehiscorruptionsnow,andhisabusedreason,makehismindtomisjudgeinthismatter;therefore,inhimthathaththiswork,thereisrequiredaverysoundjudgementbeforehecan,withsteadiness,concludethatthisisaworkofgrace。

  {202}

  Toothers,itisthusdiscovered:

  1。ByanexperimentalconfessionofhisfaithinChrist。

  [Rom。10:10,Phil。1:27,Matt。5:19]

  2。Byalifeanswerabletothatconfession;towit,alifeofholiness,heart—holiness,family—holiness,(ifhehathafamily),andbyconversation—holinessintheworldwhich,inthegeneral,teachethhim,inwardly,toabhorhissin,andhimselfforthat,insecret;tosuppressitinhisfamilyandtopromoteholinessintheworld;notbytalkonly,asahypocriteortalkativepersonmaydo,butbyapracticalsubjection,infaithandlove,tothepoweroftheWord。[John14:15,Ps。50:23,Job42:5—6,Eze。20:43]Andnow,Sir,astothisbriefdescriptionoftheworkofgrace,andalsothediscoveryofit,ifyouhaveaughttoobject,object;ifnot,thengivemeleavetopropoundtoyouasecondquestion。

  {203}

  TALK。Nay,mypartisnotnowtoobject,buttohear;

  letme,therefore,haveyoursecondquestion。

  FAITH。Itisthis:Doyouexperiencethisfirstpartofthisdescriptionofit?anddothyourlifeandconversationtestifythesame?orstandethyourreligioninwordorintongue,andnotindeedandtruth?Pray,ifyouinclinetoanswermeinthis,saynomorethanyouknowtheGodabovewillsayAmento;

  andalsonothingbutwhatyourconsciencecanjustifyyouin;

  fornothethatcommendethhimselfisapproved,butwhomtheLordcommendeth。Besides,tosayIamthusandthus,whenmyconversation,andallmyneighbours,tellmeIlie,isgreatwickedness。

  {204}

  TALK。ThenTalkativeatfirstbegantoblush;but,recoveringhimself,thushereplied:Youcomenowtoexperience,toconscience,andGod;

  andtoappealtohimforjustificationofwhatisspoken。

  ThiskindofdiscourseIdidnotexpect;noramIdisposedtogiveananswertosuchquestions,becauseIcountnotmyselfboundthereto,unlessyoutakeuponyoutobeacatechiser,and,thoughyoushouldsodo,yetImayrefusetomakeyoumyjudge。

  But,Ipray,willyoutellmewhyyouaskmesuchquestions?

  {205}

  FAITH。BecauseIsawyouforwardtotalk,andbecauseIknewnotthatyouhadaughtelsebutnotion。Besides,totellyouallthetruth,Ihaveheardofyou,thatyouareamanwhosereligionliesintalk,andthatyourconversationgivesthisyourmouth—professionthelie。

  Theysay,youareaspotamongChristians;andthatreligionfareththeworseforyourungodlyconversation;thatsomehavealreadystumbledatyourwickedways,andthatmoreareindangerofbeingdestroyedthereby;

  yourreligion,andanale—house,andcovetousness,anduncleanness,andswearing,andlying,andvain—companykeeping,&c。,willstandtogether。Theproverbistrueofyouwhichissaidofawhore,towit,thatsheisashametoallwomen;

  soareyouashametoallprofessors。

  TALK。Sinceyouarereadytotakeupreportsandtojudgesorashlyasyoudo,Icannotbutconcludeyouaresomepeevishormelancholyman,notfittobediscoursedwith;andsoadieu。

  {206}

  CHR。ThencameupChristian,andsaidtohisbrother,Itoldyouhowitwouldhappen:yourwordsandhislustscouldnotagree;hehadratherleaveyourcompanythanreformhislife。

  Butheisgone,asIsaid;lethimgo,thelossisnoman’sbuthisown;

  hehassavedusthetroubleofgoingfromhim;forhecontinuing(asIsupposehewilldo)asheis,hewouldhavebeenbutablotinourcompany:besides,theapostlesays,\"Fromsuchwithdrawthyself。\"

  FAITH。ButIamgladwehadthislittlediscoursewithhim;

  itmayhappenthathewillthinkofitagain:however,Ihavedealtplainlywithhim,andsoamclearofhisblood,ifheperisheth。

  {207}

  CHR。Youdidwelltotalksoplainlytohimasyoudid;

  thereisbutlittleofthisfaithfuldealingwithmennow—a—days,andthatmakesreligiontostinksointhenostrilsofmany,asitdoth;

  fortheyarethesetalkativefoolswhosereligionisonlyinword,andaredebauchedandvainintheirconversation,that(beingsomuchadmittedintothefellowshipofthegodly)

  dopuzzletheworld,blemishChristianity,andgrievethesincere。

  Iwishthatallmenwoulddealwithsuchasyouhavedone:

  thenshouldtheyeitherbemademoreconformabletoreligion,orthecompanyofsaintswouldbetoohotforthem。ThendidFaithfulsay,HowTalkativeatfirstliftsuphisplumes!

  Howbravelydothhespeak!HowhepresumesTodrivedownallbeforehim!ButsosoonAsFaithfultalksofheart—work,likethemoonThat’spastthefull,intothewanehegoes。

  Andsowillall,buthethatHEART—WORKknows。

  {208}

  Thustheywentontalkingofwhattheyhadseenbytheway,andsomadethatwayeasywhichwouldotherwise,nodoubt,havebeentedioustothem;fornowtheywentthroughawilderness。

  {209}

  Now,whentheyweregotalmostquiteoutofthiswilderness,Faithfulchancedtocasthiseyeback,andespiedonecomingafterthem,andheknewhim。Oh!saidFaithfultohisbrother,whocomesyonder?

  ThenChristianlooked,andsaid,ItismygoodfriendEvangelist。

  Ay,andmygoodfriendtoo,saidFaithful,foritwashethatsetmeinthewaytothegate。NowwasEvangelistcomeuptothem,andthussalutedthem:

  {210}

  EVAN。Peacebewithyou,dearlybeloved;andpeacebetoyourhelpers。

  CHR。Welcome,welcome,mygoodEvangelist,thesightofthycountenancebringstomyremembrancethyancientkindnessandunweariedlabouringformyeternalgood。

  FAITH。Andathousandtimeswelcome,saidgoodFaithful。

  Thycompany,OsweetEvangelist,howdesirableitistouspoorpilgrims!

  EVAN。ThensaidEvangelist,Howhathitfaredwithyou,myfriends,sincethetimeofourlastparting?Whathaveyoumetwith,andhowhaveyoubehavedyourselves?

  {211}

  ThenChristianandFaithfultoldhimofallthingsthathadhappenedtothemintheway;andhow,andwithwhatdifficulty,theyhadarrivedatthatplace。

  {212}

  EVAN。RightgladamI,saidEvangelist,notthatyouhavemetwithtrials,butthatyouhavebeenvictors;andforthatyouhave,notwithstandingmanyweaknesses,continuedinthewaytothisveryday。

  Isay,rightgladamIofthisthing,andthatformineownsakeandyours。Ihavesowed,andyouhavereaped:andthedayiscoming,whenbothhethatsowedandtheythatreapedshallrejoicetogether;

  thatis,ifyouholdout:\"forindueseasonyeshallreap,ifyefaintnot。\"[John4:36,Gal。6:9]Thecrownisbeforeyou,anditisanincorruptibleone;sorun,thatyoumayobtainit。

  [1Cor。9:24—27]Sometherebethatsetoutforthiscrown,and,aftertheyhavegonefarforit,anothercomesin,andtakesitfromthem:holdfast,therefore,thatyouhave;

  letnomantakeyourcrown。[Rev。3:11]Youarenotyetoutofthegun—shotofthedevil;youhavenotresisteduntoblood,strivingagainstsin;letthekingdombealwaysbeforeyou,andbelievesteadfastlyconcerningthingsthatareinvisible。

  Letnothingthatisonthissidetheotherworldgetwithinyou;

  and,aboveall,lookwelltoyourownhearts,andtotheluststhereof,\"fortheyaredeceitfulaboveallthings,anddesperatelywicked\";

  setyourfaceslikeaflint;youhaveallpowerinheavenandearthonyourside。

  {213}

  CHR。ThenChristianthankedhimforhisexhortation;buttoldhim,withal,thattheywouldhavehimspeakfurthertothemfortheirhelptherestoftheway,andtherather,forthattheywellknewthathewasaprophet,andcouldtellthemofthingsthatmighthappenuntothem,andalsohowtheymightresistandovercomethem。

  TowhichrequestFaithfulalsoconsented。SoEvangelistbeganasfolloweth:——

  EVAN。Mysons,youhaveheard,inthewordsofthetruthofthegospel,thatyoumust,throughmanytribulations,enterintothekingdomofheaven。And,again,thatineverycitybondsandafflictionsabideinyou;andthereforeyoucannotexpectthatyoushouldgolongonyourpilgrimagewithoutthem,insomesortorother。Youhavefoundsomethingofthetruthofthesetestimoniesuponyoualready,andmorewillimmediatelyfollow;

  fornow,asyousee,youarealmostoutofthiswilderness,andthereforeyouwillsooncomeintoatownthatyouwillbyandbyseebeforeyou;andinthattownyouwillbehardlybesetwithenemies,whowillstrainhardbuttheywillkillyou;andbeyousurethatoneorbothofyoumustsealthetestimonywhichyouhold,withblood;butbeyoufaithfuluntodeath,andtheKingwillgiveyouacrownoflife。

  {214}

  Hethatshalldiethere,althoughhisdeathwillbeunnatural,andhispainperhapsgreat,hewillyethavethebetterofhisfellow;

  notonlybecausehewillbearrivedattheCelestialCitysoonest,butbecausehewillescapemanymiseriesthattheotherwillmeetwithintherestofhisjourney。Butwhenyouarecometothetown,andshallfindfulfilledwhatIhavehererelated,thenrememberyourfriend,andquityourselveslikemen,andcommitthekeepingofyoursoulstoyourGodinwell—doing,asuntoafaithfulCreator。

  {215}

  ThenIsawinmydream,thatwhentheyweregotoutofthewilderness,theypresentlysawatownbeforethem,andthenameofthattownisVanity;andatthetownthereisafairkept,calledVanityFair:

  itiskeptalltheyearlong。ItbeareththenameofVanityFairbecausethetownwhereitiskeptislighterthanvanity;

  and,alsobecauseallthatistheresold,orthatcomeththither,isvanity。Asisthesayingofthewise,\"allthatcomethisvanity。\"

  [Eccl。1;2:11,17;11:8;Isa。11:17]

  {216}

  Thisfairisnonew—erectedbusiness,butathingofancientstanding;

  Iwillshowyoutheoriginalofit。

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