Pilgrim’s Progress.
John Bunyan.
Characters:
- Faithful, }
- Talkative, } Pilgrims.
Faith. Friend, whither away? Are you going to the Heavenly Country?
Talk. I am going to the same place.
F. That is well. Then I hope we may have your good company.
T. With a very good will will I be your companion.
F. Come on then, and let us go together, and let us spend our time in discoursing of things that are profitable.
T. To talk of things that are good, to me is very acceptable, with you or with any other; for to speak the truth, there are but few who care thus to spend their time, but choose much rather to be speaking of things to no profit, and this hath been a trouble to me.
F. That is indeed a thing to be lamented; for what things so worthy of the use of the tongue and mouth of men on earth as are the things of the God of Heaven?
T. I like you wonderful well, for your saying is full of conviction. What things so pleasant?—that is, if a man hath any delight in things that are wonderful. If, for instance, a man doth delight to talk of the History or the Mystery of things.
F. That’s true; but to be profited by such things in our talk, should be that which we design.
T. That’s it that I said. Further, by this a man may learn to refute false opinions, to vindicate the truth, and also to instruct the ignorant.
F. All this is true, and glad am I to hear these things from you. Well then, what is that one thing that we shall at this time found our discourse upon?
T. What you will. I will talk of things Heavenly, or things Earthly; things Moral, or things Evangelical; things Sacred, or things Profane; things past, or things to come; things foreign, or things at home; things more Essential, or things Circumstantial; provided that all be done to our profit.
F. Doth your life and conversation testify to Faith, Love, and Grace? or standeth your Religion in Word or in 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.
T. This kind of talk I did not expect; nor am I inclined to give an answer to such questions, because I count not myself bound thereto, unless you take upon you to be a Catechizer; and though you should do so, yet I may refuse to make you my Judge. But, I pray, will you tell me why you ask me such questions?
F. Because I saw you forward to talk, and because I knew that you had naught else but notion.
T. Since you judge so rashly as you do, I cannot but conclude you are some peevish or melancholy man, not fit to be discoursed with; and so adieu.