264 THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS.

Hon. I have heard him plead for it, bring Scripture for it, bring argument for it, ete.

Great. An opinion that is not fit to be with any allowance in the world!

Hon. You must understand me rightly : he did not say that any man might do this;
but that they who had the virtues of those that did such things, might also do the same.

Great. But what more false than such a conclusion? For this is as much as to say
that, because good men heretofore have sinned of infirmity, therefore he had an allow-
ance to do it of a presumptuous mind; or if, because a child, by the blast of the wind,
or for that it stumbled at a stone, fell down and defiled itself in the mire, therefore he
might wilfully lie down and wallow like a boar therein. Who could have thought that
any one could so far have been blinded by the power of lust? But what is written
must be true: they “stumble at the Word, being disobedient; whereunto also they
were appointed.” ° His supposing that such may have the godly man’s virtues, who
addict themselves to their vices, is also a delusion as strong as the other. ‘To eat up
the sin of God’s people” as a dog licks up filth, is no sign of one that is possessed
with their virtues. Nor can I believe that one who is of this opinion can at present
have faith or love in him. But I know you have made strong objections against him:
prithee, what can he say for himself?

How. Why, he says, “To do this by way of opinion, seems abundantly more honest
than to do it and yet hold contrary to it in opinion.”

Great. A very wicked answer.. F or, though to let loose the bridle to lusts while
our opinions are against such things is bad; yet to sin, and plead a toleration so to do,
is worse. The one stumbles beholders accidentally, the other pleads them into the
snare.

How. There are many of this man’s mind, that have not this man’s mouth; and that
makes going on pilgrimage of go little esteem as it is.

Great. You have said the truth, and it is to be lamented; but he that feareth the
King of Paradise shall come out of them all.

Cur. There are strange opinions in the world. I know one that said it was time’
enough to repent when they come to die.

Great. Such are not over-wise. That man would have been loth, might he have
had a week to run twenty miles in for his life, to have deferred that journey to the last
hour of that week.

Hon. You say right; and yet the generality of them who count themselves pilgrims
do indeed do thus. I am, as you see, an old man, and have been a traveller in this
road many a day, and I have taken notice of many things. I have seen some that
have set out as if they would drive all the world afore them, who yet have, in a few