Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/268

264 the bridle to lusts, while our Opinions are against such things, is had; yet to sin, and plead a toleration so to do, is worse: the one stumbles heholders accidentally, the other leads them into the snare.

Hon. There are many of this man's mind, that have not this man's mouth; and that makes going on pilgrimage of so little esteem it is.

Matt. You have said the truth, and it is to he lamented; but he that feareth the King of paradise shall come out of them all.

Hon. There are strange opinions in the world. I know one that said it was time enough to repent when we come to die.

Great. Such are not over-wise. That man would have been loath, might he have had a week to run twenty miles in his life, to have deferred that journey to the last hour of that week.

Hon. You say right; and yet the generality of them that count themselves pilgrims do indeed do thus. I am, as you see, an old man, and have been a traveller in this road many a day; and I have taken notice of many things.

I have seen some that have set out as if they would drive all the world before them, who yet have in a few days died as they in the wilderness, and so never got sight of the promised land.—I have seen some that have promised nothing at first setting out to be pilgrims, and who, one would have thought, could not have lived a day, that have yet proved very good pilgrims.—I have, seen some who have run hastily forward, that again have, after a little time, run just as fast back again—I have seen some who have spoken very well of a pilgrim's life at first, that after-a while have spoken as much against it.—I have heard some, when they first set out for paradise, say positively there is such a place, who, when they had been almost there, have come back again, and said there is none—I have heard some vaunt what they would do in