Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/79

Rh from God through Christ?" The which after I had much considered I found the answer was, No, they could not; and that for these reasons:—

221. First, Because those that have sinned that sin, they are debarred a share in the blood of Christ; and being shut out of that, they must needs be void of the least ground of hope, and so in spiritual comfort: for to such "there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins" (Heb. x. 26). Secondly, Because they are denied a share in the promise of life: they shall never be forgiven, "neither in this world, neither in the world to come" (Matt. xii. 32). Thirdly, The Son of God excludes them also from a share in his blessed intercession, being for ever ashamed to own them, both before his holy Father and the blessed angels in heaven. (Mark viii. 38.)

222. When I had with much deliberation considered of this matter, and could not but conclude that the Lord had comforted me, and that too after this my wicked sin, then methought I durst venture to come nigh unto those most fearful and terrible scriptures with which all this while I had been so greatly affrighted, and on which, indeed, before I durst scarce cast mine eye, yea, had much ado an hundred times to forbear wishing them out of the Bible, for I thought they would destroy me; but now, I say, I began to take some measure of encouragement, to come close to them, to read them, and consider them, and to weigh their scope and tendency.

223. The which when I began to do I found my visage changed, for they looked not so grimly as before I thought they did. And fist I came to the sixth of the Hebrews, yet trembling for fear it should strike me; which, when I had considered, I found that the falling there intended was falling quite away—that is, as I conceived, a falling from and absolute denying of the gospel, of remission of sins by Jesus Christ, for from them the apostle begins his argument (ver. 1, 2, 3). Secondly, I found that this falling away must