Man. What you will. I will talk of things heavenly or earthly, things moral or evangelical; things past or to come; provided that all be done to edifying.
Now did Faithful begin to wonder, and stepping to Christian, said softly, What a brave companion have we got? At this Christian smiled, and said, “This man’s tongue will beguile twenty of them that know him not.”
Faith. Do you know him then?
Christian. Yes, better than he knows himself. His name is Talkative; he comes from our town; his religion lies in his tongue, but has no place in his heart.
Faith. Then I am greatly deceived in him.
Christian. So you are. He is one of them that say and do not. He talks of faith, of prayer, and of the new birth. But he only talks of them. He is the stain and reproach of religion. It can scarce have a good word where he lives, thro’ him. “A saint abroad, (say his neighbours) and a devil at home.” His life has caused many to stumble and fall, and probably will cause many more.
Faith. Well, I see saying and doing are two things.
Christian. Indeed they are, but poor Talkative is not aware of this: he thinks hearing and saying will make a good Christian, and so deceives his own soul.
Faith. I am not so fond of his company now. But how shall we get rid of him?
Christian. Why, begin a serious discourse on the power of religion: and when he has approved of it, (for that he will) ask him plainly, whether it be set up in his heart, in his house, and in his conversation?