Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/70

70, and never open their mouths any more because of their shame, when I am pacified towards them for all that they have done, saith the Lord God. (Ezek. xvi. 63.) Thus was my soul at this time—and, as I then did think, for ever—set at liberty from being afflicted with my former guilt and amazement.

195. But before many weeks were gone I began to despond again, fearing lest, notwithstanding all that I had enjoyed, that I might be deceived and destroyed at the last; for this consideration came strong into my mind, That whatever comfort and peace I thought I might have from the word of the promise of life, yet unless there could be found in my refreshment a concurrence and agreement in the Scriptures, let me think what I will thereof and hold it never so fast, I should find no such thing at the end, for "the scripture cannot be broken" (John x. 35).

196. Now began my heart again to ache, and fear I might meet with a disappointment at last. Wherefore I began with all seriousness to examine my former comfort, and to consider whether one that had sinned as I had done might with confidence trust upon the faithfulness of God, laid down in these words, by which I had been comforted, and on which I had leaned myself. But now were brought these sayings to my mind: "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, (and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away to renew them again unto repentance" (Heb. Vi. 4–6). "For if we wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation which shall devour the dversaries" (Heb. x. 26, 27), even "as Easu, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited blessing, he was rejected: for he found