Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/59

Rh trembling under the apprehension of the judgment that did hang; over our heads; but all was not sufficient to prevail with them to come with me.

Cha. But what could they say for themselves why they came not?

Chr. Why, my wife was afraid of losing this world; and my children were given to the foolish delights of youth: so, what by one thing, and what by another, they left me to wander in this manner alone.

Cha. But did you not, With your vein life, damp all that you, words, used by way persuasion to bring them away with you?

Chr. Indeed, I cannot commend my life, for I am conscious to myself of many failings therein. I know also, that a, men by his conversation may soon overthrow whet, by argument or persuasion, he doth labour to fasten upon others for their good, Yet this I can say,I was very weary of giving; them occasion, by any unseemly action, to make them averse to going on pilgrimage; Yea, for this very thing they would tell me I wee too precise, and that I denied myself of things, for their sakes, in which they say no evil. Nay, I think I may say, that if what they saw in me did hinder them, it was my greet tenderness in sinning ageinat God, or of doing any wrong to my neighbour.

Cha. Indeed, Cain hated his brother, because his own works, were evil, and his brother's, righteous (1 John iii 12); and if thy wife and children, have been offended with thee for this, they thereby show themselves, to, be implacable to good: thou hast delivered thy soul from their blood. (Ezek. iii. 19.)

Now I saw in my dream, that time they sat talking together until supper was ready. So when they had made ready, they sat down to meat. Now the table was furnished with fat things, and wine that was well refined; and all their talk at the table was about the, Lord of the hilly; as, namely,