Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/109

Rh have answered that it was but a piece of civility, I have told them it is not a comely sight, Some, indeed, have urged the holy kiss; but then I have asked why they made balks—why they did salute the most handsome, and let the ill-favoured go. Thus, how laudable soever such things have been in the eyes of others, they have been unseemly in my sight.

316. And now for a wind-up in this matter, I called not only men but angels to prove me guilty of having carnally to do with any woman save my wife. Nor am I afraid to do it a second time; knowing that I cannot offend the Lord in such a case, to call God for a record upon my soul that in these things I am innocent. Not that I have been thus kept because of any goodness in me more than any other, but God has been merciful to me, and has kept me; to whom I pray that he will keep me still, not only from this, but every evil way and work, and preserve me to his heavenly kingdom. Amen.

317. Now, as Satan laboured by reproaches and slanders to make me vile among my countrymen, that, if possible, my preaching might be made of none effect, so there was added hereto a long and tedious imprisonment, that thereby I might be frightened from my service for Christ, and the world terrified, and made afraid to hear me preach; of which I shall in the next place give you a brief account.