TALKATIVE PARTS COMPANY. 101

I disposed 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? ”

Farr. Because I saw you forward to talk, and because I knew not that you had
aught else but notion. Besides, to tell you all the truth, I have heard of you that you
are a man whose religion lies in talk, and that your conversation gives this your mouth-
profession the lie. They say you are a spot among Christians, and that religion farcth
the worse for your ungodly conversation; that some already have stumbled at your
wicked ways, and that more are in danger of being destroyed thereby : your religion,
and an alehouse, and covetousness, and uncleanness, and swearing, and lying, and vain
company-keeping, etc., will stand together. The proverb is true of you which is said
of a whore ; to wit, that “she is a shame to all women;” so you are a shame to all
professors.

Tax. Since you are ready to take up reports, and to 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.

Curis. Then came up Christian, and said to his brother, “I told you how it would
happen ; your words and his lusts could notagree. He had rather leave your company
than reform his life. But he is gone, as I said: let him go; the loss is no man’s but
his own: he has saved us the trouble of going from him ; for he continuing (as I sup-
pose he will do) as he is, he would have been but a blot in our company. Besides, the
Apostle says, ‘ From such withdraw thyself, ”

Fairn. But I am glad we had this little discourse with him ; it may happen that he
will think of it again: however, I have dealt plainly with him, and so am clear of hig
blood, if he perisheth.

Curis. You did well to talk so plainly to him as youdid. There is but little of this
faithful dealing with men now-a-days; and that makes religion to stink so in the
nostrils of many as it doth; for they are these talkative fools, whose religion is only in
word, and are debauched and vain in their conversation, that, being so much admitted
into the fellowship of the godly, do puzzle the world, blemish Christianity, and grieve
the sincere. I wish that all men would deal with such as you have done; then should
they either be made more comformable to religion, or the company of saints would be
too hot for them.

Fairx. Then did Faithful say,