†...PILGRIM'S PROGRESS...† Stage 9 continued
"When saints do sleepy grow, let them come hither,And hear how these two pilgrims talk together; Yea, let them learn of them in any wise,Thus to keep ope their drowsy, slumb'ring eyes.Saints' fellowship, if it be managed well,Keeps them awake, and that in spite of hell."
Then Christian began, and said, I will ask you a question. How came you to think at first of doing what you do now?
Hope...><> Do you mean, how came I at first to look after the good of my soul?
Chr...><> Yes, that is my meaning.
Hope...><> I continued a great while in the delight of those things which were seen and sold at our fair; things which I believe now would have, had I continued in them still, drowned me in perdition and destruction.
Chr...><> What things were they?
Hope...><> All the treasures and riches of the world. Also I delighted much in rioting, reveling, drinking, swearing, lying, uncleanness, Sabbath-breaking, and what not, that tended to destroy the soul. But I found at last, by hearing and considering of things that are divine, which, indeed, I heard of you, as also of beloved Faithful, that was put to death for his faith and good living in Vanity Fair, that the end of these things is death, and that for these things' sake, the wrath of God cometh upon the children of disobedience.
Chr...><> And did you presently fall under the power of this conviction?
Hope...><> No, I was not willing presently to know the evil of sin, nor the damnation that follows upon the commission of it; but endeavored, when my mind at first began to be shaken with the word, to shut mine eyes against the light thereof.
Chr...><> But what was the cause of your carrying of it thus to the first workings of God's blessed Spirit upon you?
John Bunyan
To be Continued |
