Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/266

262 Mr. Honest began to tell them of another, but his name was Mr. Self-will. He pretended himself to be a pilgrim, said Mr. Honest; but I persuade myself he never came in at the gate that stands at the head of the way.

Great. Had you ever any talk with him about it?

Hon. Yes, more than once or twice; but he would always be like himself, self-willed. He neither cared for man nor argument, nor yet example: what his mind prompted him to, that he would do, and nothing else could he be got to do.

Great. Pray, what principles did he hold? for I suppose you can tell.

Hon. He held, that a man might follow the vices as well as the virtues of pilgrims; and, that if he did both, he should be certainly saved,

Great. How? If he had said, it is possibleer the best to be guilty of, the vices as well as to partake of the virtues of pilgrims, he could not much have been blamed; for indeed we are exempted from no vice absolutely, but on condition that we watch and strive. But this, I perceive, is not the thing; but if I understand you right, your meaning is, that he was of opinion that it was allowable so to be.

Hon. Ay, ay, so I mean,- and so he believed and practised.

Great. But what grounds had the for, his so saying?

Hon. Why, he said he had the Scripture for his warrant.

Great. Pr'ythee, Mr. Honest, present us with a few particulars.

Hon. So I will. He said, to have to do with other men's wives had been practised by David, God's beloved; and therefore he could do it; He, said, to have more women than one was a thing that Solomon practised; and therefore he could do it. by He said, that Sarah and the godly midwives of Egypt lied, and so did sayed Rehab; and therefore he could do it. He said, that the disciples Went at the bidding of their Master, and took away the owner's ass; and therefore he could do so too. He said, that Jacob got the inheritance