Pilgrim's Progress (Volume 2)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1909. Excerpt: ... Then Christian addressed thus himself to his fellow. Chr. Well, come my good Hopeful, I perceive that thou and I must walk by ourselves again. So I saw in my Dream that they went on apace before, and Ignorance he came hobbling after. Then said Christian to his Companion, It pities me much for this poor man, it will certainly go ill with him at last. Hope. Alas, there are abundance in our Town in his condition, whole families, yea, whole Streets, and that of Pilgrims too; and if there be so many in our parts, how many think you, must there be in the place where he was born? Chr. Indeed the Word saith, He hath blinded their eyes, lest they should see, &c. But now we are by ourselves, what do you think of such men? Have they at no time, think you, convictions of sin, and so consequently fears that their state is dangerous? Hope. Nay, do you answer that question yourself, for you are the elder man. The good Chr. Then I say, sometimes (as I think) they use of fear may, DUt they being naturally ignorant, understand not that such convictions tend to their good; and therefore they do desperately seek to stifle them, and presumptuously continue to flatter themselves in the way of their own hearts. Hope. I do believe, as you say, that fear tends much to men's good, and to make them right at their beginning to go on Pilgrimage. Chr. Without all doubt it doth, if it be right; for so says the Word, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom. Right fear Hope. How will you describe right fear? Chr. True or right fear is discovered by three things: i. By its rise; it is caused by saving convictions for sin. 2. It driveth the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for salvation. 3. It begetteth and continueth in the soul a great reverence of God, his Word, and Ways, keeping it tender, and making it af...