Char. But you should have talked to them, and endeavored to have shown them the danger of staying behind.
Chris. So I did, and told them also what God had shown to me of the destruction of our city; but I seemed to them as one that mocked, and they believed me not.
Char. And did you pray to God that He would bless your words to them?
Chris. Yes, and that with much affection; for you must think that my wife and poor children are very dear unto me.
Char. But did you tell them of your own sorrow and fear of destruction? for I suppose that you could see your destruction before you.
Chris. Yes, over, and over, and over. They might also see my fears in my countenance, in my tears, and also in my trembling under the fear of the judgment that did hang over our heads: but all was not enough to prevail with them to come with me.
Char. But what could they say for themselves why they came not?
Chris. Why, my wife was afraid of losing this world, and my children were given to the foolish delights of youth; so, what by one thing, and what by another, they left me to wander in this manner alone.
Char. But did you not, with your vain life, hinder all that you by words used by way of persuasion to bring them away with you?
Chris. Indeed, I cannot commend my life, for I am conscious to myself of many failings therein. I know also, that a man, by his actions may soon overthrow what, by proofs or persuasion, he doth labor to fasten upon others for their good. Yet this I can say, I was very wary of giving them occasion, by any unseemly action, to make them averse to going on pilgrimage. Yea, for this very thing they would tell me I was too precise, and that I denied myself of things (for their sakes) in which they saw no evil. Nay, I think I may say that, if what they saw in me did hinder them, it was my great tenderness in sinning against God, or of doing any wrong to my neighbor.