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18 - The Pilgrim's Progress - John Bunyan · Sacred Texts Archive

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Part one, the ninth stage. And I slept and dreamed again, and
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saw the same two pilgrims going down the mountains along the highway towards the city.
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Now a little below these mountains, on the left hand lieth the country
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of Conceit, from which country there comes into the way in which the pilgrims
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walked a little crooked lane. Here therefore they met with a very brisk lad
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that came out of that country. His name was Ignorance. So Christen asked
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him from what parts he came and whither he was going. Ignorance, sir,
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I was born in the country that lieth off there a little on the
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left hand, And I am going to the celestial city, Christian. But
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how do you think to get in at the gate? For you may find
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some difficulty there, Ignorance, as other good people do, said he Christian.
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But what have you to show at that gate that the gate should be
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open to you, Ignorance. I know my Lord's will and have been a
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good liver. I pay every man his own I pray fast, pay tides,
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and give alms, and have left my country for whither I am going,
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Christian. But thou camest not in at the wicket gate that is at
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the head of this way, Thou camest in hither through that same crooked lane.
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And therefore I fear, however thou mayst think of thyself, when the
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reckoning day shall come, thou wilt have laid to thy charge that thou art
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a thief and a robber instead of getting admittance into the city ignorance. Gentlemen,
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ye be utter strangers to me. I know you not be content to
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follow the religion of your country, and I will follow the religion of mine.
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I hope all will be well. And as for the gate that you
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talk of, all the world knows that it is a great way off of
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our country. I cannot think that any man in all our parts doth so
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much as know the way to it, Nor need they matter whether they do
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or no, since we have, as you see, a fine, pleasant,
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green lane that comes down from our country the next way into the way.
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When Christians saw that the man was wise in his own conceit, he
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said to hope, for whisperingly, there is more hope of a fool than
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of him Proverbs twenty six twelve. And said, moreover, when he that
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is a fool walketh by the way. His wisdom faileth him, and he
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saith to every one that he is a fool Ecclesiases ten three. What shall
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we talk farther with him, or outgo him at present? And so leave
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him to think of what he hath heard already, and then stop again for
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him afterwards, and see if by degrees we can do any good to him.
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Then said Hopeful, let ignorance a little while now muse on what is
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said, and let him not refuse good counsel to embrace, lest he remained
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still ignorant of what's the chiefest gain. God saith those that no understanding have,
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although he made them them, he will not save. Hopeful. He
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further added, it is not good, I think, to say so to
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him all at once. Let us pass him by, if you will,
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and talk to him anon, even as he is able to bear it.
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So they both went on in ignorance. He came after. Now, when
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they had passed him a little way, they entered into a very dark lane,
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where they met a man whom seven devils had bound with seven strong chords,
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and were carrying him back to the door that they saw on the side
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of the hill. Matthew twelve forty five Proverbs five twenty two. Now good
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Christian began to tremble, and so did hope for his companion. Yet as
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the devils led away, the man Christian looked to see if he knew him,
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and he thought it might be one turn away that dwelt in the town
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of Apostasy. But he did not perfectly see his face, for he did
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hang his head like a thief that is found. But being gone past Hopeful
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looked after him and spied on his back a paper with this inscription Wanton professor
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and damnable of Pastate. Then said Christian to his fellow. Now I call
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to remembrance that which was told me of a thing that happened to a good
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man hereabout the name of the man was little Faith, but a good man,
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and he dwelt in the town of Sincere. The thing was this at
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the entering at this passage they comes down from Broadway Gate, a lane called
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dead Man's Lane, so called because of the murders that are commonly done there.
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And this little Faith, going on pilgrimage as we do now, chanced
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to sit down there and sleep. Now they happened at that time to come
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down the lane from Broadway gate. Three sturdy rogues, and their names were
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faint Heart, Mistrust, and Guilt. Three brothers, and they a spying
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a little Faith where he was, came galloping up with speed. Now the
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good man was just awaked from his sleep and was getting up to go on
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his journey. So they came up all to him, and with threatening language
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bid him stand. At this Little Faith looked as white as a sheet,
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and had neither power to fight nor fly. Then said faint Heart, deliver
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thy purse. But he making no haste to do it, for he was
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loath to lose his money. Mistrust ran up to him, and, thrusting
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his hands into his pocket, pulled out thence a bag of silver. Then
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he cried out, thieves, thieves, with that Guilt, with a great
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club that was in his hand, struck Little Faith on the head, and
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with that blow felled him flat to the ground, where he lay, bleeding
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as one that would bleed to death. All this while the thieves stood by.
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But at last they, hearing that some were upon the road, and
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fearing lest it should be one great grace that dwells in the town of good
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Confidence, they betook themselves to their heels, and left this good man to
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shift for himself. Now, after a while little faith came to himself,
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and getting up, made shift to scramble on his way. This was the
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story, Hopeful. But did they take from him all that ever he had?
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Christian? No, the place where his jewels were they never ransacked,
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so those he kept still. But as I was told, the good man
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was much afflicted for his loss, for the thieves got most of his spending
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money. That which they got not, as I said, were jewels.
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Also, he had a little odd money left, but scarce enough to bring
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him to his journey's end. Nay, if I was not misinformed, he
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was forced to beg as he went to keep himself alive. For his jewels
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he might not sell, but bege and do what he could. He went,
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as we say, with many a hungry belly, the most part of
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the rest of the way First Peter four eighteen Hopeful. But is it not
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a wonder they got not from him his certificate by which he was to receive
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his admittance at the celestial gate Christian? It is a wonder, but they
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got not that though they missed it, not through any good cunning of his,
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for he, being dismayed by they coming upon him, had neither power
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nor skill to hide anything. So it was more by good providence than by
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his endeavor that they missed out on that good thing two Timothy one twelve to
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fourteen tewod Peter two nine hopeful, But it must needs be a comfort to
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him. They got not this jewel from him, Christian. It might have
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been a great comfort to him, had he used it as he should.
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But they that told me the story said that he made but little use of
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it all the rest of the way, and that because of the dismay that
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he had in their taking away his money, indeed he forgot it a great
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part of the rest of his journey. And besides, when at any time
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it came into his mind and he began to be comforted therewith, then would
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fresh thoughts of his loss come again upon him, and these thoughts would swallow
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up all hopeful las poor man. This could not but be a great grief
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to him, Christian grief I a grief. Indeed, would it not have
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been so to any of us had we been used as he to be robbed
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and wounded too? And that in a strange place as he was. It
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is a wonder he did not die with grief, poor heart. I was
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told that he scattered almost all the rest of the way with nothing but doleful
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and bitter complaints, telling also to all that overtook him, or that he
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overtook in the way as he went where he was robbed, and how who
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they were that did it, and what he had lost, how he was
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wounded, and that he hardly escaped with life hopeful. But it is a
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wonder that his necessity did not put him upon selling or pawning some of his
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jewels, that he might have wherewith to relieve himself in his journey. Christian
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talkest like one upon whose head is the shell, to this very day,
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for what should he pawn them? Or to whom should he sell them?
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In all that country where he was robbed, his jewels were not accounted of,
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nor did he want that relief which could from thence be administered to him.
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Besides, had his jewels been missing at the gate of the celestial city,
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he had, and that he knew well enough, been excluded from an
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inheritance there, and that would have been worse to him than the appearance and
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villainy of ten thousand thieves. Hopeful, why art thou so tart? My
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brother Esau sold his birthright, and that for a mess of pottage Hebrews twelve
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sixteen. And that birthright was his greatest jewel. And if he, why
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might not little Faith do so too? Christian Esau did sell his birthright indeed,
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and so do many besides, and by so doing exclude themselves from the
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chief blessing, as also that kitif did. But you must put a difference
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betwixt Esau and Little Faith, and also betwixt their estates. Esau's birthright was
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typical, but little Faith's jewels were not. So. Esau's belly was his
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god, but Little Faith's belly was not so. Esau's want lay in his
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fleshly appetite, little faiths did not. So. Besides, Esau could see
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no further than to the fulfilling of his lusts. For I am at the
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point to die, said he, And what good will this birthright do me?
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Genesis twenty five thirty two. But little Faith, though it was his
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lot to have. But a little Faith was by his little faith kept from
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such extravagances, and made to see and prize his jewels more than to sell
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them, as Esau did his birthright. You read not anywhere that Esau had
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faith, No, not so much as a little. Therefore, no marvel
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where the flesh only bears sway as it will in that man, where no
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faith is to resist if he sells his birthright and his soul and all,
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and that to the devil of hell. For it is with such as it
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is with the ass who, in her occasion cannot be turned away. Jeremiah
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too twenty four. When their minds are set upon their lusts, they will
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have them, whatever the cost. But little faith was of another temper.
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His mind was on things divine. His livelihood was upon things that were spiritual
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and from above. Therefore, to what end should he that is of such
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a temper sell his jewels had there been any that would have brought them to
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fill his mind with empty things? Will a man give a penny to fill
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his belly with hay? Or can you persuade the turtle dove to live upon
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carrion like the crow? Though faithless ones can for carn or lust, pawn
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or mortgage, or sell what they have and themselves outright to boot. Yet
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they that have faith saving faith, though but a little of it cannot do
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so here. Therefore, my brother, is thy mistake hopeful? I acknowledge
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it. But yet your severe reflection had almost made me angry Christian? Why
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I did but compare THEE to some of the birds that are of the brisker
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sort, who will run to and fro in untrodden paths with the shell upon
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their heads. But pass by that and consider the matter under debate, and
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all shall be well betwixt THEE and me Hopeful. But Christian, these three
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fellows, I am persuaded in my heart, are but a company of cowards?
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Would they have run else? Think you, as they did at the
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noise of one that was coming on the road. Why did not little faith
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pluck up a greater heart He might, methinks, have stood one brush with
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them, and have yielded when there had been no remedy. Christian, that
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they are cowards, many have said, but few have found it so in
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the time of trial. As for a great heart, little faith had none.
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And I perceive by THEE, my brother, hadst thou been the man
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concerned, Thou art but for a brush and then to yield, And verily,
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since this is the height of thy stomach. Now they are at a
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distance from us. Should they appear to THEE as they did to him,
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they might put THEE to second thoughts. But consider again that they are but
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journeymen thieves. They serve under the King of the bottomless Pit, who,
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if need be, will come to their aid himself and his voices as the
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roaring of a lion first Peter five eight. I myself have been engaged as
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this little faith was, and I found it a terrible thing. These three
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villains set upon me, and I beginning like a Christian to resist. They
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gave but a call, and in came their master. I would, as
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the saying is, have given my life for a penny, But that,
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as God would have it, I was clothed with armor of proof. Ay,
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and yet though I was so harnessed, I found it hard work to
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quit myself like a man. No man can tell what in that combat attends
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us, but he that hath been in the battle himself hopeful. Well,
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but they ran, you see when they did. But suppose that one great
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grace was in the way Christian. True, they have often fled, both
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they and their master, when great grace hath but appeared and no marvel,
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for he is the King's champion. But I trow you will put some difference
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between little Faith and the King's champion. All the king's subjects are not his
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champions, nor can they, when tried do such feats of war as he
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is. It meet to think that a little child should handle Goliath as David
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did, or that there should be the strength of an ox in a wren.
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Some are strong, some are weak, Some have great faith, some
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have little. This man was one of the weak, and therefore he went
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to the wall hopeful. I would it had been Great Grace for their sakes,
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Christian. If it had been he he might have had his hands full.
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For I must tell you that though Great Grace is excellent, good at
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his weapons, and has and can, so long as he keeps them at
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sword's point, do well enough with them. Yet if they get within him,
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even faintheart, mistrust or the other, it shall go hard. But
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they will throw up his heels. And when a man is down, you
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know what can he do. Whoso looks well upon Great Grace's face will see
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those scars and cuts them. That shall easily give demonstration of what I say.
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YEA once I heard that he should say, and that when he was
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in the combat, we despaired even of life. How did these sturdy rogues
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and their fellows make David groan, mourn and roar yea heman Psalms eighty eight.
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And Hezekiah too, though champions in their days were forced to bestir them
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when by these assaulted, And yet notwithstanding they had their coats soundly brushed by
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them. Peter upon a time would go try what he could do. But
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though some do say of him that he is the prince of the Apostles,
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they handled him so that they made him at last afraid of a sorry girl.
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Besides, their king is at their whistle. He is never out of
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hearing. And if at any time they be put to the worst, he,
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if possible, comes in to help them. And of him, it
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is said, the sword of him layeth at him, cannot hold the spear,
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the dart, nor the habitan. He esteemeth iron as straw, and
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brass as rotten wood. The arrow cannot make him fly. Sling stones are
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turned with him into stubble, darts are counted as stubble. He laugheth at
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the shaking of a spear. Job forty one, twenty six to twenty nine.
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What can a man do in this case? It is true if a
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man could, at every turn have job's horse, and had skill and courage
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to ride him, he might denotable things. For his neck is clothed with
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thunder, he will not be afraid as a grasshopper. The glory of his
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nostrils is terrible. He poureth in the valley and rejoiceth in his strength.
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He goeth on to meet the armed man. He mocketh at fear, and
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is not affrighted. Neither turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth
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against him, the glittering spear in the sheer. He swalloweth the ground with
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fierceness and rage. Neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet.
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He saith among the trumpets, ha ha, And he smelleth the battle
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afar off the thunder of the captains and the shoutings. Jove thirty nine,
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nineteen to twenty five. But for such footmen as THEE and I are,
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let us never desire to meet with an enemy, nor waunt as if we
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could do better, when we hear of others that have been foiled nor be
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tickled at the thoughts of our own manhood, for such commonly come by the
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worst when tried. Witness Peter, of whom I made mention before he would
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swagger, Aye, he would, he would, as his vain mind prompted
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him to say, do better and stand more for his master than all men.
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But whoso foiled and run down by those villains as he. When therefore
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we hear that such robberies are done on the King's highway, two things become
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us to do. One to go out harnessed, and be sure to take
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a shield with us. For it was for want of that that he who
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laid so lustily at Leviathan could not make him yield. For indeed, if
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that be wanting, he fears us not at all. Therefore he that had
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skill had said, above all, take the shield of faith, wherewith you
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shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked Ephesians six sixteen
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two. It is good also that we desire of the king a convoy,
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yea, that he will go with us himself. This made David rejoice when
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in the valley of the Shadow of Death, and Moses was rather for dying,
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where he stood than to go one step without his God. Exodus thirty
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three fifteen, O, my brother, if he will but go along with
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us, what need we be afraid of ten thousands that shall set themselves against
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us? Psalm three five to eight, twenty seven one to three. But
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without him, the proud helpers fall under the slain Isaiah ten four. I,
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for my part, have been in the fray before now. And though
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through the goodness of Him that is best, I am, as you see
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alive. Yet I cannot boast of any manhood. Glad shall I be if
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I meet with no more such brunts? Though I fear we are not got
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beyond all danger. However, since the lion and the bear have not as
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yet devoured me, I hope God will also deliver us from the next uncircumcised
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philistine. Then sang Christian, poor little faith has been among the thieves was
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robbed. Remember this who so believes? And get more faith than shall you
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victors be over ten thousand, else scarce over thee. So they went on,
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and ignorance followed. They went, then till they came at a place
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where they saw a way put itself into their way, and seemed withal to
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lie as straight as the way which they should go. And here they knew
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not which of the two to take, for both seemed straight before them.
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Therefore, here they stood still to consider. And as they were thinking about
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the way, behold a man, black of flesh, but covered with a
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very light rode come to them and ask them why they stood there. They
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answered they were going to the celestial city, but knew not which of these
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ways to take. Follow me, said the man. It is thither that
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I am going. So they followed him in the way that, but now
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came into the road, which by degrees turned and turned them so far from
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the city that they desired to go to, that in a little time their
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faces were turned away from it. Yet they follow him, But by and
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by, before they were aware, he led them both within the compass of
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a net, in which they were both so entangled that they knew not what
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to do. And with that the white robe fell off the black man's back.
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Then they saw where they were. Wherefore there they lay crying some time,
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for they could not get themselves out. Christian then said Christian to his
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fellow, Now do I see myself in an error? Did not the shepherds
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bid us beware of the flatterer, as is the saying of the wise man.
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So we have found it this day. A man that flattereth his neighbor
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spreadeth a net for his feet Proverbs twenty nine five. Hopeful. They also
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gave us a note of directions about the way, for our more sure finding
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thereof. But therein we have also forgotten to read, and have not kept
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ourselves from the paths of the destroyer. Here David was wiser than we forsaith
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he concerning the works of men. By the word of thy lips, I
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have kept me from the paths of the destroyer Psalm seventeen four. Thus they
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lay bewailing themselves in the net. At last they aspired a shining one come
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towards them with a whip of small cords in his hand. When he was
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come to the place where they were, he asked them whence they came,
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and what they did there. They told him that they were poor pilgrims going
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to Zion, but were led out of their way by a black man clothed
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in white, who bid us, said they follow him, for he was
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going thither too. Then said he with the whip. It is flatterer,
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a false apostle that hath transformed himself into an angel of light Daniel eleven thirty
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two, Second Corinthians eleven thirteen and fourteen. So he rented the net and
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let the men out. Then said he to them, follow me, that
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I may set you in your way again. So he led them back to
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the way which they had left to follow the flatterer. Then he asked them,
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saying, where did you lie the last night? They said, with
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the shepherds, upon the delectable mountains. He asked them, then, if
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they had not of the shepherds a note of direction for the way. They
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answered yes. But did you not, said he, when you were at
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a stand, pluck out and read your note? They answered no. He
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asked them why. They said they forgot. He asked moreover, if the
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shepherds did not bid them beware of the flatterer. They answered yes, But
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we did not imagine, said they that this fine spoken man had been he
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Erman sixteenth seventeen and eighteen. Then I saw in my dream that he commanded
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them to lie down, which when they did, he chastised them sore,
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to teach them the good way wherein they should walk. Deuteronomy twenty five two
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second Chronicles six twenty seven. And as he chast ties them, he said,
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as many as I love, I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore and
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repent Revelations three nineteen. This done, he bids them to go on their
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way and take good heed to the other directions of the shepherds. So they
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thanked him for all his kindness, and went softly along the right way,
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singing, come hither, you that walk along the way. See how the
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pilgrim's fare that go astray they catched are in an unentangling net because they good
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counsel lightly did forget. Tis true they rescued were, But yet you see
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they're scourged to boot. Let this your caution be now. After a while
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they perceived afar off one coming softly and alone, all along the highway to
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meet them. Then said Christian to his fellow, yonder is a man with
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his back towards Zion, and he is coming to meet us. Hopeful I
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see him. Let us take heed to ourselves now, lest he should prove
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a flatterer. Also, so he drew nearer and nearer, and at last
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came up to them. His name was Atheist, and he asked them whither
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they were going, Christian, we are going to Mount Zion. Then Atheist
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fell into a very great laughter. Christian. What's the meaning of your laughter,
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Atheist? I laugh to see what ignorant persons you are to take upon
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you so tedious a journey. And yet I like to have nothing but your
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travel for your pains. Christian, Why man, do you think we shall
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not be received? Atheist received? There is not such a place as you
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dream of in all this world, Christian, but there is in the world
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to come Atheist. When I was at home in mine own country, I
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heard as you now firm, and from that hearing went out to see and
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have been seeking this city these twenty years, but find no more of it
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than I did the first day I set out Ecclesiastes ten fifteen, Jeremiah seventeen
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fifteen. Christian, we have both heard and believe that there is such a
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place to be found, Atheist. Had not I, when at home,
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believed I had not come thus far to seek, but finding none? And
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yet I should had there been such a place to be found, For I
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have gone to seek it farther than you, and I'm going back again and
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will seek to refresh myself with the things that I then cast away for hopes
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of that which I now see is not Christian, then said Christian to hope
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for his companion. Is it true which this man hath said, hopeful?
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Take heed? He is one of the flatterers. Remember what it cost us
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once already for our hearkening to such kind of fellows? What no mount Zion
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did we not see from the delectable mountains the gate of the city. Also
29:10
are we not now to walk by faith? Second Corinthians five seven. Let
29:15
us go on, lest the man with the whip overtake us again. You
29:18
should have taught me that lesson which I will sound you in the ears withal.
29:23
Cease, my son to hear the instruction that causeth to earth from the
29:26
words of knowledge Proverbs nineteen twenty seven. I say, my brother, cease
29:33
to hear him, and let us believe to the saving of the soul.
29:38
Christian, my brother, I did not put the question to THEE, for
29:44
that I doubted of the truth of our belief myself, but to prove THEE
29:48
and to fetch from THEE a fruit of the honesty of thy heart. As
29:52
for this man, I know that he is blinded by the God of this
29:55
world. Let thee and me go on, knowing that we have belief the
30:00
truth and no lies of the truth. First John five twenty one. Hopeful,
30:08
now do I rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. So
30:11
they turned away from the man, and he, laughing at them, went
30:15
his way. I then saw on my dream that they went on until they
30:21
came into a certain country, whose air naturally tended to make one drowsy if
30:26
he came a stranger into it. And here, Hopeful began to be very
30:30
dull and heavy to sleep. Wherefore he said, unto Christian, I do
30:34
now begin to grow so drowsy that I can scarcely hold open my eyes.
30:40
Let us lie down here and take one nap, Christian, by no means
30:48
said the other. Lest sleeping we never awake more Hopeful, Why, my
30:53
brother, sleep is sweet to the laboring man. We may be refreshed if
30:59
we take a nap. Christian, do you not remember that one of the
31:03
shepherds bid us beware of the enchanted ground. He meant by that that we
31:08
should beware of sleeping. Wherefore, let us not sleep as do others,
31:15
but let us watch and be sober first Thessalonians five six. Hopeful, I
31:22
acknowledge myself in a fault, and had I been here alone, I had,
31:26
by sleeping run the danger of death. I see it is true that
31:30
the wise man saith two are better than one Ecclesiastes four nine. Hitherto hath
31:37
thy company been my mercy, and thou shalt have a good reward for thy
31:41
labor. Christian. Now, then, said Christian, to prevent drowsiness in
31:48
this place, let us fall into good discourse. Hopeful with all my heart,
31:55
said the other Christian. Where shall we begin, hopeful where God began
32:01
with us? But do you begin? If you please, Christian, I
32:07
will sing you first this song when saints do sleepy grow, Let them come
32:13
hither and hear how these two pilgrims talk together. Yea, let them learn
32:17
of them in any wise, thus to keep ope their drowsy slumbering eyes.
32:23
Saint's fellowship, if it be managed well, keeps them awake, and that
32:29
in spite of hell. Then Christian began and said, I will ask you
32:34
a question. How came you to think at first of doing what you do?
32:37
Now? Hopeful? Do you mean? How came I at first?
32:43
And look after the good of my soul. Christian. Yes, that is
32:47
my meaning. Hopeful. I continued a great while in the delight of those
32:53
things which were seen and sold at how fair, things which I believe now
32:58
would have had I continued in them, still drowned me in perdition and destruction.
33:04
Christian, What things were they, Hopeful, all the treasures and riches
33:09
of the world. Also I delighted much in writing, reveling, drinking,
33:15
swearing, lying, uncleanness, sabbath breaking, and what not that tended to
33:20
destroy the soul. But I found at last by hearing and considering of things
33:24
that are divine, which indeed I heard of you, as also of beloved
33:30
Faithful that was put to death for his faith and good living in vanity.
33:34
Fair, that the end of these things is death Romans six twenty one to
33:39
twenty three. And that for these things sake the wrath of God cometh upon
33:45
the children of disobedience Ephesians five six. Christian. And did you presently fall
33:52
under the power of this conviction? Hopeful? No, I was not willing
33:58
presently to know the evil of sin, nor the damnation that follows upon the
34:01
commission of it. But endeavored when my mind at first began to be shaken
34:06
with the word to shut mine eyes against the light thereof Christian. But what
34:13
was the cause of your carrying of it thus to the first workings of God's
34:15
blessed spirit upon you, Hopeful? The causes were one. I was ignorant
34:22
that this was the work of God upon me. I never thought that by
34:27
awakenings for sin, God at first begins the conversion of a sinner. Two.
34:32
Sin was yet very sweet to my flesh, and I was loath to
34:37
leave it. Three I could not tell how to part with mine old companions.
34:42
Their presence and actions were so desirable unto me. Four the hours in
34:47
which convictions were upon me were such troublesome and such heart affrighting hours that I
34:52
could not bear know not so much as the remembrance of them upon my heart.
34:59
Christian. Then, as it seems, sometimes you got rid of your
35:02
trouble Hopeful, yes, verily, But it would come into my mind again,
35:09
and then I should be as bad, nay worse than I was before.
35:15
Christian. Why what was it that brought your sins to mind again?
35:21
Hopeful? Many things as one. If I did but meet a good man
35:27
in the streets, or two if I have heard any read in the Bible,
35:31
or three if mine head did begin to ache, or four if I
35:37
were told that some of my neighbors were sick, or five if I heard
35:42
the bell toll for some that were dead, or six if I thought of
35:46
dying myself, or seven if I heard that sudden death happened to others.
35:53
Eight But especially when I thought of myself that I must quickly come to judgment
36:00
Christian. And could you, at any time with ease get off the guilt
36:05
of sin, when by any of these ways it came upon you, Hopeful,
36:10
No, not I, for then they got fast hold of my conscience.
36:15
And then if I did but think of going back to sin, though
36:19
my mind was turned against it, it would be double torment to me,
36:23
Christian. And how did you do then, Hopeful? I thought, I
36:30
must endeavor to mend my life, for else thought I I am sure to
36:34
be damned, Christian? And did you endeavor to mend? Hopeful? Yes,
36:42
and fled from not only my sins, but sinful company too, and
36:46
betook me to religious duties as praying, reading, weeping for sin, speaking
36:52
truth to my neighbors, et cetera. These things, did I, with
36:54
many others too much here to relate, Christian? And did you think yourself
37:00
well then, hopeful? Yes, for a while. But at the last
37:07
my trouble came tumbling upon me again, and that over the neck of all
37:12
my reformations, Christian? How came that about? Since you were now reformed,
37:20
Hopeful? There were several things brought it upon me, especially such sayings
37:24
as these all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags Isaiah sixty four six. By
37:31
the works of the law, shall no flesh be justified Galatians two sixteen.
37:38
When ye have done all these things, say we are unprofitable Luke seventeen ten,
37:45
with many more such like. From whence I began to reason with myself.
37:49
Thus, if all my righteousnesses are as filthy rags, if by the
37:52
deeds of the law, no man can be justified, And if when we
37:57
have done all, we are yet unprofitable, then is it but a folly
38:00
to think of heaven by the law? I father thought? Thus, if
38:06
a man runs a hundred pounds into the shopkeeper's debt, and after that shall
38:10
pay for all that he shall fetch, Yet if his old debt stand still
38:15
in the book uncrossed, the shop keeper may sue him for it and cast
38:19
him into prison till he shall pay the debt. Christian. Well, and
38:28
how did you apply this to yourself? Hopeful? Why I thought thus with
38:34
myself, I have, by my sins run a great way into God's book,
38:38
and my now reforming will not pay off that score. Therefore I should
38:44
think still under all my present amendments, But how shall I be freed from
38:49
that damnation that I brought myself in danger of by my former transgressions? Christian?
38:55
A very good application, But pray go on, Hopeful. Another thing
39:02
that has troubled me ever since my late amendments is that if I look narrowly
39:07
into the best of what I do now, I still see sin, new
39:10
sin mixing itself with the best of that I do, so that now I
39:15
am forced to conclude that, notwithstanding my former fond conceits of myself and duties,
39:22
I have committed sin enough in one day to send me to hell,
39:24
though my former life had been faultless. Christian. And what did you do,
39:30
then, Hopeful do I could not tell what to do until I broke
39:37
my mind to Faithful, For he and I were well acquainted and he told
39:43
me that unless I could obtain the righteousness of a man that never had sinned,
39:47
neither mine own nor all the righteousness of the world could save me.
39:52
Christian. And do you think he spake true? Hopeful? But he told
40:00
me so. When I was pleased and satisfied with mine own amendments, I
40:04
had called him full for his pains. But now since I see my own
40:07
infirmity and the sin which cleaves to my best performance, I have been forced
40:13
to be of his opinion. Christian. But did you think when at first
40:19
he suggested it to you that there was such a man to be found of
40:22
whom it might justly be said that he never committed sin? Hopeful, I
40:30
must confess the words at first sounded strangely. But after a little more talk
40:35
and company with him, I had full conviction about it. Christian. And
40:40
did you ask him what man this was, and how you must be justified
40:45
by him? Hopeful? Yes? And he told me it was the Lord
40:52
Jesus that dwelleth on the right hand of the Most High Hebrews. Ten twelve
40:57
to twenty one. And thus said he you must be justified by him,
41:02
even by trusting to what he had done by himself in the days of his
41:06
flesh, and suffered when he did hang on the tree Roments four five,
41:12
Colossians one fourteen, First Peter one nineteen. I asked him further how that
41:20
man's righteousness could be of that efficacy to justify another before God? And he
41:24
told me he was the mighty God and did what he did and died the
41:29
death, also not for himself, but for me, to whom his doings
41:34
and the worthiness of them should be imputed. If I believed on him,
41:38
Christian, And what did you do? Then, hopeful? I made my
41:45
objections against my believing, for that I thought he was not willing to save
41:49
me. Christian And what said faithful to you? Then? Hopeful? He
41:57
bid me go to him and see. Then, when I said it was
42:00
presumption, he said no, for I was invited to come Matthew eleven twenty
42:06
eight. Then he gave me a book of Jesus, inditing to encourage me
42:09
the more freely to come. And he said, concerning that book, that
42:15
every drop in tittle thereof stood firmer than heaven and earth. Matthew twenty four
42:20
thirty five. Then I asked him what I must do when I came,
42:24
and he told me, I must entreat upon my knees Psalm ninety five six
42:30
Daniel six ten with all my heart and soul Jeremiah twenty nine, twelve and
42:37
thirteen the Father to reveal him to me. Then I asked him further how
42:43
I must make my supplications to him? And he said, go and thou
42:46
shalt find him upon a mercy seat, where he sits all the year long,
42:51
to give pardon and forgiveness to them that come Exodus twenty five twenty two,
42:57
Leviticus sixteen two, Numbers seven eighty nine, Hebrews four sixteen. I
43:05
told him that I knew not what to say when I came, and he
43:08
bid say to this effect, God, be merciful to me, a sinner,
43:14
and make me to know and believe in Jesus Christ. For I see
43:17
that if his righteousness had not been or I have not faith in that righteousness,
43:22
I am utterly cast away. Lord. I have heard that thou art
43:28
a merciful God, and hast ordained that thy son, Jesus Christ, should
43:32
be the savior of the world, and moreover that thou art willing to bestow
43:37
him upon such a poor sinner as I am, and I am a sinner.
43:42
Indeed, Lord, take therefore this opportunity and magnify thy grace in the
43:46
salvation of my soul through thy son Jesus Christ Amen Christian. And did you
43:55
do as you were bidden? Hopeful? Yes? Over and over and over
44:02
Christian. And did the Father reveal the son to you, Hopeful? Not
44:10
at the first, nor second, nor third, nor fourth, nor fifth,
44:15
No, nor at the sixth time, neither, Christian? What did
44:21
you do then, Hopeful? What? Well? I could not tell what
44:27
to do? Christian? Had you not thoughts of leaving off praying? Hopeful?
44:35
Yes, an hundred times twice, told Christian? And what was the
44:39
reason you did not? Hopeful? I believe that it was true which he
44:45
hath been told me to wit, that without the righteousness of this Christ,
44:51
all the world could not save me. And therefore thought I with myself,
44:57
if I leave off, I die, and I can but die at the
45:00
throne of grace. And with all this came into my mind. If it
45:05
tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come and will not tarry
45:09
Hebaccuc two three. So I continued praying until the Father showed me his son
45:17
Christian, and how was he revealed unto you hopeful? I did not see
45:23
him with my bodily eyes, but with the eyes of my understanding Ephesians one,
45:30
eighteen and nineteen. And thus it was one day I was very sad,
45:36
I think sadder than at any one time in my life. And this
45:40
sadness was through a fresh sight of the greatness and vileness of my sins.
45:45
And as I was then looking for nothing but hell and the everlasting damnation of
45:50
my soul, suddenly, as I thought, I saw the Lord Jesus looking
45:54
down from heaven upon me, and saying, believe on the Lord Jesus crime,
46:00
and thou shalt be saved Acts sixteen thirty one. But I replied,
46:07
Lord, I am a great, a very great sinner, And he answered,
46:12
my grace is sufficient for thee second Corinthians twelve nine. Then I said,
46:19
but Lord, what is believing? And then I saw from that saying,
46:24
he that cometh to me shall never hunger, and he that believeth on
46:30
me shall never thirst. John six thirty five. That believing and coming was
46:36
all one, and that he that came, that is that ran out in
46:42
his heart and affections after salvation by Christ. He indeed believed in Christ.
46:50
Then the water stood in mine eyes. And I asked further, but Lord,
46:55
may such a great sinner as I am be indeed accepted of THEE and
47:00
be saved by THEE. And I heard him say, and him that cometh
47:06
to me, I will in no wise cast out John six thirty seven.
47:10
Then I said, but how Lord, must I consider of THEE in my
47:15
coming to THEE, that my faith may be placed a right upon THEE.
47:20
Then he said, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. First
47:24
Timothy one fifteen. He is the end of the law for righteousness to every
47:30
one that believes. Romans ten four and chapter four. He died for our
47:37
sins and rose again for our justification Romans four twenty five. He loved us
47:45
and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Revelations one five.
47:52
He is the mediator between God and us. First Timothy two five. He
47:58
ever liveth to make intercession for us Hebrews seven twenty five. From all which
48:04
I gathered, that I must look for righteousness in his person and for satisfaction
48:08
for my sins by his blood. That what he did in obedience to his
48:13
father's law and in submitting to the penalty thereof was not for himself, but
48:19
for him that will accept it for his salvation and be thankful. And now
48:24
was my heart full of joy, mine eyes full of tears, and mine
48:29
affections running over with love to the name, people, and ways of Jesus
48:34
Christ. Christian, this was a revelation of Christ to your soul and deed.
48:42
But tell me particularly what effect this had upon your spirit, Hopeful.
48:49
It made me see that all the world, notwithstanding all the righteousness thereof,
48:53
is in a state of condemnation. It made me see that God the Father,
48:59
though he be, can justly justify the coming sinner. It made me
49:04
greatly ashamed of the vileness of my former life, and confounded me with the
49:08
sense of mine own ignorance. For there never came a thought into my heart
49:13
before now that showed me so the beauty of Jesus Christ. It made me
49:17
love a holy life and longed to do something for the honor and glory of
49:22
the name of the Lord Jesus. Yea, I thought that had I now
49:27
a thousand gallons of blood in my body, I could spill it all for
49:30
the sake of the Lord Jesus I saw then in my dream that Hopeful looked
49:36
back and saw Ignorance, whom they had left behind, coming after. Look,
49:42
said he to Christian, how far yonder youngster loitereth behind? Christian?
49:49
Aye, aye, I see him. He careth not for our company,
49:53
Hopeful, But I trw it would not have hurt him had he kept pace
49:58
with us. Hitherto Christian, that is true, But I warrant you he
50:04
thinketh otherwise, Hopeful that I think ye doth. But however, let us
50:10
tarry for him. So they did. Then Christian said to him, come
50:16
away, man, why do you stand so behind Ignorance? I take my
50:22
pleasure in walking alone even more a great deal than in company, unless I
50:27
like it the better. Then said Christian to Hopeful, but softly, did
50:34
I not tell you he cared not for our company? But however, said
50:37
he come up and let us talk away the time in this solitary place.
50:44
Then, directing his speech to Ignorance, he said, come, how do
50:47
you do? How stands it between God and your soul? Now? Ignorance?
50:54
I hope well, for I am always full of good motions that come
50:59
into my mind to comfort me as I walk. Christian, what good motions
51:05
pray tell us ignorance. Why I think of God and Heaven Christian, So
51:14
do the devils and damned souls, Ignorance. But I think of them and
51:20
desire them Christian, So do many that I never like to come there.
51:27
The slow of the sluggard desireth and hath nothing Proverbs thirteen four ignorance. But
51:35
I think of them and leave all for them, Christian, that I doubt,
51:40
For to leave all is a very hard matter, yea a harder matter
51:45
than many are aware of. But why or by what art thou persuaded that
51:51
thou hast left all for God and heaven? Ignorance? My heart tells me
51:57
so Christian. The wise man says, he that trusteth in his own heart
52:04
is a fool Proverbs twenty eight, twenty six ignorance that is spoken of an
52:12
evil heart. But mine is a good one, Christian. But how dost
52:17
thou prove that ignorance? It comforts me in hopes of heaven? Christian?
52:28
That may be through its disfeitfulness, For a man's heart may minister comfort to
52:31
him in the hopes of that thing for which he has yet no ground to
52:36
hope. Ignorance, But my heart and life agree together, and therefore my
52:43
hope is well grounded. Christian, who told THEE that thy heart and life
52:49
agree together? Ignorance, My heart tells me so, Christian, Ask my
52:58
fellow if I be a thief? Thy heart tells THEE. So. Except
53:02
the Word of God beareth witness in this matter, other testimony is of no
53:07
value, Ignorance. But is it not a good heart that hath good thoughts?
53:13
And is not that a good life that is according to God's commandments?
53:17
Christian? Yes, that is a good heart that hath good thoughts, and
53:23
that is a good life that is according to God's commandments. But it is
53:28
one thing, indeed, to have these, and another thing only to think
53:31
so ignorance, pray, what count you good thoughts and a life according to
53:38
God's commandments? Christian? There are good thoughts of diverse kinds, some respecting
53:45
ourselves, some God, some christ and some other things. Ignorance. What
53:55
be good thoughts respecting ourselves? Christian? Such as agree with the word of
54:01
God? Ignorance? When do our thoughts of ourselves agree with the Word of
54:07
God? Christian? When we pass the same judgment upon ourselves which the Word
54:15
passes to explain myself. The Word of God saith of persons in a natural
54:20
condition, there is none righteous, there is none that doeth good. It
54:25
saith also that every imagination of the heart of man is only evil, and
54:31
that continually Genesis six five Romans three. And again the imagination of man's heart
54:39
is evil from his youth Genesis eight twenty one. Now, then, when
54:45
we think thus of ourselves, having sense thereof, then our thoughts good ones,
54:51
because according to the Word of God ignorance, I will never believe that
54:57
my heart is thus bad. Christian, Therefore thou never hadst one good thought
55:02
concerning thyself in thy life. But let me go on. As the Word
55:07
passeth a judgment upon our hearts, so it passeth a judgment upon our ways.
55:14
And when the thoughts of our hearts and ways agree with the judgment which
55:16
the Word giveth of both, then are both good, because agreeing thereto ignorance,
55:25
make out your meaning. Christian. Why the Word of God saith that
55:31
man's ways are crooked ways, not good, but perverse. It saith they
55:37
are naturally out of the good way, that they have not known it Pal
55:42
one hundred and twenty five five Proverbs two fifteen Romans three twelve. Now when
55:49
a man thus thinketh of his ways, I say, when he doth sensibly
55:53
and with heart humiliation. Thus think, then hath he good thoughts of his
55:59
own ways? Because his thoughts now agree with the judgment of the Word of
56:02
God. Ignorance, what are good thoughts concerning God, Christian, even as
56:13
I have said concerning ourselves, when our thoughts of God do agree with what
56:17
the Word saith of Him, And that is when we think of his being
56:22
and attributes, as the Word hath taught, of which I cannot now discourse
56:27
at large, but to speak of Him with reference to us? Then have
56:30
we right thoughts of God? When we think that He knows us better than
56:35
we know ourselves, and can see sin in us, when and where we
56:39
can see none in ourselves. When we think He knows our inmost thoughts,
56:44
and that our heart, with all its depths, is always open unto his
56:47
eyes. Also when we think that all our righteousness sinks in his nostrils,
56:53
and that therefore he cannot abide to see us stand before him in any confidence,
56:59
even in all our best performances. Ignorance, do you think that I
57:06
am such a fool as to think that God can see no further than I,
57:10
or that I would come to God in the best of my performances.
57:15
Christian? Why how dost thou think in this matter ignorance? Why? To
57:22
be short, I think I must believe in Christ for justification? Christian?
57:29
How think thou must believe in Christ? When thou seest not thy need of
57:34
Him, Thou neither seest thy original nor actual infirmities, which has such an
57:39
opinion of thyself and of what thou doest as plainly renders THEE to be one
57:45
that did never see the necessity of Christ's personal righteousness to justify THEE before God.
57:52
How then dost thou say I believe in Christ ignorance? I believe for
58:00
all that Christian? How dost thou believe ignorance? I believe that Christ died
58:08
for sinners, and that I shall be justified before God from the curse through
58:14
His gracious acceptance of my obedience to His laws. Or thus Christ makes my
58:20
duties that are religious acceptable to His Father by virtue of his merits, and
58:24
so shall I be justified? Christian? Let me give an answer to this
58:30
confession of thy faith. One thou believest with a fantastical faith. For this
58:37
faith is nowhere described in the word. Two, Thou believest with a false
58:43
faith, because it taketh justification from the person or righteousness of Christ, and
58:49
applies it to thy own. Three. This faith maketh not Christ a justifier
58:55
of thy person, but of thy actions, and of thy person for thy
59:00
action's sake, which is false. For therefore this faith is deceitful, even
59:08
such as will leave thee under wrath in the day of God Almighty. For
59:13
true justifying faith puts the soul as sensible of its lost condition by the law,
59:20
upon flying for refuge. Unto Christ's righteousness, which righteousness of his is
59:24
not an act of grace by which He maketh for justification thy obedience accepted with
59:30
God, but his personal obedience to the law in doing and suffering for us
59:36
what that required at our hands? This righteousness, I say, true faith
59:40
accepteth under the skirt of which the soul, being crowded, and by it
59:45
presented as spotless before God, it is accepted and acquitted from condemnation ignorance.
59:53
What would you have us trust to what Christ in his own person has done
59:59
without us this conceit would loosen the reins of our lust and tolerate us to
1:00:04
live as we list. For what matter how we live if we may be
1:00:08
justified by Christ's person of righteousness from all when we believe it. Christian ignorance
1:00:16
is thy name, And as thy name is thou art thou even this thy
1:00:22
answer demonstrateth what I say. Ignorant Thou art of what justifying righteousness is,
1:00:28
and as ignorant, how to secure thy soul through the faith of it from
1:00:31
the heavy wrath of God. Yea, thou also art ignorant of the true
1:00:37
effects of saving faith in this righteousness of Christ, which is to bow and
1:00:40
win over the heart to God in Christ, to love His name, his
1:00:45
word, ways, and people. And not as thou ignorantly imaginest hopeful ask
1:00:52
him, if ever he had Christ revealed to him from heaven ignorance, what
1:01:00
you are a man for revelations. I do believe that what both you and
1:01:05
all the rest of you say about that matter is but the fruit of distracted
1:01:08
brains. Hopeful Why man Christ is so hid in God from the natural apprehensions
1:01:16
of the flesh, that he cannot by any man be savingly known Unless God,
1:01:22
the Father reveals him to him ignorance. That is your faith, but
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not mine. Yet mine, I doubt not is as good as yours.
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Though I have not in my head so many whimsies as you, Christian,
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give me leave to put in a word you ought not so slightly speak of
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this matter. For this I will boldly affirm, even as my good companion
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hath done, that no man can know Jesus Christ, but by the revelation
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of the Father yea, and faith too, by which the soul layeth hold
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upon Christ, if it be right, must be wrought by the exceeding greatness
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of His mighty power. Matthew eleven twenty seven, First Corinthians twelve, three
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Ephesians one seventeen to nineteen, the working of which faith I perceive poor ignorance.
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Thou art, ignorant of be awakened. Then see thine own wretchedness,
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and fly to the Lord Jesus. And by His righteousness, which is the
1:02:28
righteousness of God, for he himself is God, thou shalt be delivered from
1:02:32
condemnation. Ignorance. You go so fast I cannot keep pace with you.
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Do you go on before? I must stay a while behind? Then they
1:02:45
said, well, ignorance. Wilt thou yet foolish be to slight good counsel?
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Ten times given THEE, And if thou yet refuse it, thou shalt
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know ere long the evil of thy doing. So remember man in time stoop,
1:03:01
do not fear. Good counsel taken well saves therefore here. But if
1:03:07
thou yet shalt slight it, thou wilt be the loser ignorance. I'll warrant
1:03:13
THEE end Part one, The ninth Stage