160 - THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

So I saw in my dream that they went on apace before, and Ignorance he came
hobbling after, Then said Christian to his companion, “It pities me much for this
poor man: it will certainly go ill with him at last.”

Tlorr. Alas! there are abundance in our town in his condition, whole families, yea,
whole streets, and that of pilgrims, too; and if there be so many in our parts, how
many, think you, must there be in the place where he was born?

Curis. Indeed, the Word saith, ‘“ He hath blinded their eyes, lest they should see,”
ete. But now we are by ourselves, what do you think of such men? Have they at
no time, think you, convictions of sin, and so, consequently, fears that their state is
dangerous ?

Hopes. Nay, do you answer that question yourself, for you are the elder man.

Curis. Then, I say, sometimes, as I think, they may; but they being naturally
ignorant, understand not that such convictions tend to their good; and therefore they
do desperately seek to stifle them, and presumptuously continue to flatter themselves
in the way of their own hearts.

Hore. I do believe, as you say, that fear tends much to men’s good, and to make
them right at their beginning to go on pilgrimage.

Curis. Without all doubt it doth, if it be right; for so says the Word: “The fear
of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” **

Hope. How will you describe right fear ?

Curis. True or right fear is discovered by three things:

1. By its rise: it is caused by saving convictions for sin.

2. It driveth the soul to lay fast hold of Christ for salvation.

3. It begetteth and continueth in the soul a great. reverence of God, His Word and
ways; keeping it tender, and making it afraid to turn from them, to the right hand or
to the left, to anything that may dishonor God, break its peace, grieve the Spirit, or
cause the enemy to speak reproachfully.

Hope. Well said; I believe you have said the truth. Are we now almost got past
the Enchanted Ground ?

Curis. Why, art thou weary of this discourse ?

Hope. No, verily ; but that I would know where we are.

Curis. We have not now above two miles farther to go thereon. But let us return

-to our matter. Now, the ignorant know not that such convictions as tend to put them
in fear are for their good, and therefore they seek to stifle them.

Horr. How do they seek to stifle them ?

Curis. 1. They think that those fears are wrought by the devil (though indeed