and all my neighbours tell me I lie, is great wickedness. Talk. Then Talkative at first began to blush; but, recovering himself, thus he replied: You come now to experience, to conscience, and God; and to appeal to him for justification of what is spoken; this kind of discourse I did not expect; nor am I disposed to give an auswer to such questions, because I count not myself bound thereto, unless you take upon you to be a catechizer; and though you should do so, yet I may refuse to make you my judge; but I pray, will you tell me why you ask me such questions? you, Faith. Because I saw you forward to talk, and because I knew not that you had ought else but notion. Besides, to tell you all the truth I have heard of that you are a man whose religion lies in talk, and that your conversation gives this your profession the lie. They say you are a spot among christians;. and that religion fareth the worse for your ungodly conversation; that some already have stumbled at your wicked ways, and that more are in danger of being destroyed thereby your religion and an alehouse, and covetousness, and uncleanness, and swearing, and lying, and vain company keeping, &c. will stand together. The proverb is true of you, which is said of a whore; to wit, "That she is a "shame to all-women;" so you are a shame to all professors. Talk. Since you are ready to take up report, and to judge so rashly as you do, I cannot but conclude you are some peevish or melancholy man, not fit to be discoursed with, and so adieu. Chr. Then came up Christian, and said to his brother, I told you how it would happen; your words and his lusts could not agree. He had rather leave your company than reform his life; but he is gone. as I said: let him go, the loss is no man's but his own; he has saved us the trouble of going from him; FZ for the continuing (as I suppose he will do) as he is, he would have been but a blot in our company; besides, the apostle says, "From such withdraw "thyself." Faith. But I am glad we had this little discourse with him; it may happen that he will think of it again; however I have dealt plainly with him, and so am clear of his blood, if he perisheth. Chr. You did well to talk so plainly to him, as you did; there is but little of this faithful dealing with men now a-days and that makes religion to stink so in the nostrils of many, as it doth; for they are these talkative fools, whose religion is only in word, and are debauched and vain in their conversation, that (being so much admitted into the fellowship of the godiy) do puzzle the world, blemish christianity, and grieve the sincere. I wish that all men would deal with such, as you have done; then should they either be made more conformable to religion, or the company of saints would be too hot for them. Then did Faithful say, How Talkative at first lifts up his plumes! Thus they went on talking of what they had seen by the way, and so made their way easy, which would otherwise, no doubt, have been tedious to them, for they went through a wilderness. EXPLANATORY Notes. IF this chapter was adapted to the days of Mr. Bunyan, when many were persecuted for righteousness' sake, how much more is it suited to this day of great profession, and perfect liberty?" A name to live," was never procured at a cheaper ate than now; and consists with many in prating about re ligion, as Talkative did. In his character, as in a glass, multitudes may behold themselves; and would to God, that every reader would examine himself, for "the kingdoin of God is "not in word, but in power. "" When the doctrines of the gospel are opposed and vilitied, as they have long been in this nation, it is certainly necessary to contend earnestly for them: but sad experience proves, how ready people are to value themselves upon a little superficial knowledge of them, and to think that they are thereby constituted christians. But it can never be too often repeated, that though we are justified alone by the righteousness of Christ, through faith, and not for our own works; yet, that good works are the ne cessary fruits of a lively faith. It is the grand evidence of true faith, that it works by love, and purifies the heart. The proof of an interest in Christ, and love to him, is obedience to his commandments; and this will be the evidence of it before assembled worlds, at the great day of Christ. "Let no man then deceive himself with vain words, for in "this the children of God are manifest, and the children of "the devil: he that doth righteousness is righteous, and he “that doeth not righteousness is not of God," 1 John iii. 7, 10. It was the wretched character of Talkative, that he was fond of displaying his knowledge in many words; but the humble christian is seldom a great-talker; he is so conscious of his own ignorance, so diffident of his own attainments, that he is more di po ed to hear, than to offer the sacrifice of fools. Talkative could suit himself to all companies, serious or profane; and what is a very bad ign, loved to prate about religion on the ale-bench. Chri tians have little to do with public-hou-es; and less still, with discourses of religion there. Talkative had no family religion; no appearance of it. His tempers were so vile and unsanctified, that none could live with him He was so di-honest in his trade that no man' could deal with him. In short, he was the grief of all good men, and the reproach of all his neighbours. Such a character as this, by fluency of speech, may deceive an honest-hearted stranger, whose love hopeth all things." But when Faithful, being apprised of his hypocricy, begin to talk of "the power of Tedgion," he was at a loss. Alas! he was a stranger to every thing out the form. He was ignorant of the true sigas, and genuine effects of grace; and therefore propos false ones, con istent with a state of nature. Close dealing about the power of godlines in the heart, and the holy fruits of it in the life, did not -uit him; he blushed and soon forsook the company of his faithful reprover: Happy would it be, if all mere talkers were thus dealt with, and the church of God fairly rid of them. CHAP. XIII. Persecution exhibited, in the treatment of Christian and Faithful, in Vanity- Fair. Now when Christian and Faithful were got almost quite out of this wilderness, Faithful chanced to Cast his eye back, and espied one coming after them, and he knew him. Oh! said Faithful to his brother, who comes yonder? Then Christian looked, and said, It is my good friend Evangelist: Ay, and my good friend too, said Faithful, for it was he that set me the way to the gate. Now was Evangelist come up unto them, and thus saluted them : Evan. Peace be with you, dearly beloved: and peace be to your helpers. Chr. Welcome, wecone, my good Evangelist; the sight of thy countenance brings to my remembrance thy ancient kindness and unwearied labours for my eternal good. Faith. And a thousand times welcome, said good Faithful; thy company, O sweet Evangelist, how desirable it is to us poor pilgrims! Evan. Then, said Evangelist, how hath it fared with you, my friends, since the time of our last parting? What have you met with, and how have you behaved yourselves? Then Christian and Faithful told him of all things that had happened to them in the way: and how, and with what difficulty they had arrived to that place. Evan. Right glad am I, said Evangelist, not that you have met with trials, but that you have been victors; and for that you have, notwithstanding many weaknesses, continued in the way to this very day. I say, right glad am I of this thing, and that for mine own sake and yours; I have sowed and you have reaped; and the day is coming, when both he that sowed, and they that reaped, shall rejoice together; that is, if you hold out; for in due time ye shall reap if you faint not. The crown is before you, and it is an incorruptible one; so run, that you may obtain it. Some there be that set out for this erown, and after they have gone far for it, another comes in and takes it from them: Hold fast therefore that you have, let no man take your crown: You are not yet out of the gun-shot of the devil: you have not resisted unto blood, striving against sin: Let the kingdom be always before you, and believe steadfastly concerning things that are invisible: Let nothing that is on this side the other world get within you: And above all, look well to your own hearts, and to the lusts thereof, for they are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicke!; set your faces like a flint; you have all power in heaven and earth on your side (a). Chr. Then Christian thanked him for his exhortation! but told him, withal, that they would have him speak farther to them for their help the rest of the way; and the rather, for that they well knew that be was a prophet, and could tell them of things that might happen unto them, and how they might resist and overcome them. To which request Faithful also consented. So Evangelist began as followetn: Evan. My sons, you have heard in the words of the truth of the gospel, that you must through many tribulations enter into the kingdom of eaven, And again, That in every city, bonds and ..fflictions avide you; and therefore you cannot expect that you should go long on your pilgrimage without them, in some sort or other: You have found something of the truth of these tesimonies upon you already, and more will immediately follow; for now, as you see, you are almost out of this wilderness, and therefore you (a) John iv. 36. Gal. vi. 9. 1 Cor. ix. 24—27. Rev ii. 11. |