HON. He held, that a man might follow the vices as well as the virtues of the pilgrims; and that if he did both, he should be certainly saved.
GREAT-HEART. How! if he had said, It is possible for the heart to be guilty of the vices, as well as to partake of the virtues of pilgrims, he could not much have been blamed; for indeed we are exempted from no vice absolutely, but on condition that we watch and strive.[222] But this, I perceive, is not the thing; but if I understand you right, your meaning is, that he was of that opinion, that it was allowable so to be.
HON. Aye, aye, so I mean; and so he believed and practised.
GREAT-HEART. But what ground had he for his so saying?
HON. Why, he said he had the Scripture for his warrant.
GREAT-HEART. Prithee, Mr. Honest, present us with a few particulars.
HON. So I will. He said, To have to do with other men's wives, had been practised by David, God's beloved; and therefore he could do it. He said, To have more women than one, was a thing that Solomon practised; and therefore he could do it. He said, That Sarah and the godly midwives of Egypt lied, and so did saved Rahab; and therefore he could do it. He said, That the disciples went at the bidding of their Master, and took away the owner's ass; and therefore he could do so too. He said, That Jacob got the inheritance of his father in a way of guile and dissimulation; and therefore he could do so too.[223]
GREAT-HEART. Highly base! indeed. And you are sure he was of this opinion?
HON. I have heard him plead for it, bring Scripture for it, bring argument for it, &c.
GREAT-HEART. An opinion that is not fit to be with any allowance in the world.