首页 >出版文学> The Pilgrim’s Progress>第3章
  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。