94 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

use of the tongue and mouth of men on earth, as are the things of the God of
heaven ?

Tax. I like you wonderfully well, for your saying is full of conviction ; and IJ will
add, What thing is so pleasant, and what so profitable, as to talk of the things of God?
What things so pleasant? that is, if a man hath any delight in things that are wonder-
ful. For instance, if a man doth delight to talk of the history or the mystery of things,
or if a man doth love to talk of miracles, wonders, or signs, where shall he find things
recorded so delightful, or so sweetly penned, as in the Holy Scripture ?

Farru. That’s true; but to be profited by such things in our talk should be that
which we design.

Tat. That is it that I said ; for to talk of such things is most profitable; for, by so
doing, aman may get knowledge of many things; as of the vanity of earthly things,
and the benefit of things above. Thus in general; but more particularly, by this a
man may learn the necessity of the new birth, the insufficiency of our works, the need
of Christ’s righteousness, etc. Besides, by this a man may learn what it is to repent,
to believe, to pray, to suffer, or the like; by this, also, a man may learn what are the
great promises and consolations of the Gospel, to his own comfort. Further, by this
a man may learn to refute false opinions, to vindicate the truth, and also to instruct
the ignorant.

Farr. All this is true; and glad am I to hear these things from you.

Tak. Alas! the want of this is the cause that so few understand the need of faith,
and the necessity of a work of grace in their soul, in order to eternal life; but igno-
rantly live in the works of the law, by which a man can by no means obtain the king-
dom of heaven.

Farru. But, by your leave, heavenly knowledge of these is the gift of God; no man
attaineth to them by human industry, or only by the talk of them.

Tar. All that I know very well, for a man can receive nothing except it be given
him from heaven ; all is of grace, not of works. I could give youa hundred scriptures
for the confirmation of this. 3 ;

Farry. “ Well, then,” said Faithful, “what is that one thing that we shall at this
time found our discourse upon?”

Tarx. 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 circumstan-
tial; provided that all be done to our profit.

Farru. Now did Faithful begin to wonder; and, stepping to Christian (for he