152 THE PILGRIMS PROGRESS.

began to reason with myself thus: If a// my righteousness are filthy rags, if by the deeds
of the law no man can be justified, and if, when we have done ail, we are yet unprofit-
able, then it is but a folly to think of heaven by the law. I further thought thus:
If a man runs a hundred pounds into the shopkeeper’s debt, and after that shall pay
for all that he shall fetch; yet his old debt stands still in the book uncrossed ; for the
which the shopkeeper may sue him, and cast him into prison till he shall pay the debt.

Curis. Well, and how did you apply this to yourself?

Horr. Why, I thought thus with myself: I have by my sins run a great way into
God’s book, and my now reforming will not

 

pay off that score. Therefore I should think
still, under’ all my present amendments, But
how shall I be freed from that damnation that
Ihave brought myself in danger of by my
former transgressions ?

Curis. A very good application ; but pray
go on.

Horr. Another thing that hath troubled
me ever since my late amendment is, that if I

 

 

 

look narrowly into the best of what I do now,
I still see sin, new sin, mixing itself with the
best of that I do; so that now I am forced to
conclude that, notwithstanding my former
fond conceits of myself and duties, I have
committed sin enough in one duty to send me

 

to hell, though my former life had been
faultless.

 

 

Gare aaid aN Mor Teamsinvieednto came Curis. And what did you do then?
Hore. Do! I could not tell what to do, till
I brake my mind to Faithful; for he and I were well acquainted. And he told me,
that unless I could obtain the righteousness of a Man that never had sinned, neither
mine own nor all the righteousness of the world could save me.

Curis. And did you think he spake true?

Horr. Had he told me so when I was pleased and satisfied with mine own amend-
ment, I had called him fool for his pains; but now, since I see mine own infirmity,
and the sin which cleaves to my best performance, I have been forced to be of his
opinion.