Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/158

154 Ignorance by himself, and fall upon another profitable question.

Hope. With all my heart; but you shall still begin.

Chr. Well then, did you know, about ten years ago, one Temporary in your parts, who was a forward man in religion then?

Hope. Know him! yes; he dwelt in Graceless, a town about two miles of? Honesty, and he dwelt next door to one Turnback.

Chr. Right; he dwelt under the same roof with him. Well, that man was much awakened once: I believe that then he had some sight of his sins, and of the wages that were due thereto.

Hope. I am of your mind; for, my house not being above three miles from him, he would ofttimes come to me, and that with many tears. Truly l pitied the man, and was not altogether without hope of him; but one may see it is not every one that cries, "Lord, Lord."

Chr. He told me once that he was resolved to go on pilgrimage, as we go now; but all on a sudden he grew acquainted with one Save-self, and then he became a stranger to me.

Hope. Now, since we are talking about him, let us a little inquire into the reason of the sudden backsliding of him and such others.

Chr. It may be very proﬁtable; but do you begin.

Hope. Well then, there are, in my judgment, four reasons for it:—

1. Though the consciences of. such men are awakened, yet their minds are not changed: therefore, when the power of guilt weareth away, that which provoked them to be. religious ceaseth; wherefore they naturally turn to their old course again even as we see the dog that is sick of what he hath eaten, so long as his sickness prevails, he vomits and casts up all; no that he doseth this of a free mind (if