Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/91

Rh description of it? and doth your life and conversation testify the same? or standeth your religion in word or tongue, and not in deed and truth? Pray, if you incline to answer me in this, say no more than you know the God above will say Amen to; and also nothing but what your conscience can justify you in: "for not he that cominendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord connnendeth." Besides, to say I am thus and thus, when my conversation, and all my neighbours, tell me I lie, is great wickedness.

Talk. Then Talkative at first began to blush; but recovering himself, he thus 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 answer to such questions, because I count not myself bound thereto, unless you take upon you to be a catechiser; and though you should so do, yet I may refuse to make you my judge. But, I pray, will you tell me why you ask me such questions?

Faith. Because I saw you forward to talk, and because I knew not that you had aught else but notion. Besides, to tell you the truth, I have heard of you that you are a man whose religion lies in talk, and that your conversation gives this your mouth-profession the lie. They say you are a spot among Christians, and that religion fareth the worse for your ungodly conversation; that some have already stumbled at your Wicked ways, and that more are in danger of being destroyed thereby: your religion and an ale-house, and covetousness, and uncleanness, and swearing, and lying, and vain company-keeping, etc, 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 so ready to take up reports, and to judge so rashly as you do, I cannot but conclude you are some peevish or melancholic man, not fit to be discoursed with; and so adieu.