第4章

Whentheirbreathishotandfullofbloodonourcheek；whentheypawuptheblindingearth；whenwefeelasiftheirteethhadclosedroundourheart，——still，allthemore，letuskeepinthemidstofthepath。Wemustsometimeswalkonarazor-edgeoffearandstraightforwardness；thatistheonlywayleftforusnow。

But，then，wehavetheDivineassurancethatonthatperilousedgenohurtshallcometous。’Temptations，’saysourauthorinanotherplace，’whenwemeetthematfirst，areasthelionthatroareduponSamson；butifweovercomethem，thenexttimeweseethemweshallfindanestofhoneyinthem。’OGod，forgraceandsenseandimaginationtoseeandunderstandandapplyallthattoourowndailylife！Otobeabletotakeallthathometo-nightandseeitallthere；lionsandrunaways，venturesomesouls，narrowpaths，palacesofbeauty，everlastinglifeandall！OpenThououreyesthatwemayseethewonderfulthingsthatawaitusinourownhouseathome！

’Thingsoutofhopearecompassedoftwithventuring。’

Sotheyare；andsotheywerethatdaywithourterrifiedpilgrim。

Hemadeaventureatthesuprememomentofhisdanger，andthingsthatwerequiteoutofallhopebutanhourbeforewerethencompassedandeverafterpossessedbyhim。Makethesameventure，then，yourselvesto-night。Naughtventure，naughthave。Yourlostsoulisnotmuchtoventure，butitisallthatChristatthismomentasksofyou——thatyouleaveyourlostsoulinHishand，andthengostraightonfromthismomentinthemiddleofthepath:

thepath，thatis，asyourcasemaybe，ofpurity，humility，submission，resignation，andself-denial。Keepyourmindandyourheart，youreyesandyourfeet，intheverymiddleofthatpath，andyoushallhavecompassedtheHouseBeautifulbeforeyouknow。

Thelionsshallsoonbebehindyou，andthegraveandgracefuldamselsoftheHouse——DiscretionandPrudenceandPietyandCharity——shallallbewaitinguponyou。

PRUDENCE{1}

’Letamanexaminehimself。’——Paul。

Letamanexaminehimself，saystheapostletotheCorinthians，andsolethimeatofthatbreadanddrinkofthatcup。Andthusitwas，thatbeforethepilgrimwasinvitedtositdownatthesuppertableintheHouseBeautiful，quiteanumberofmostpointedandpenetratingquestionswereputtohimbythosewhohadchargeofthathouseanditssuppertable。Andthusthetimewasexcellentlyimprovedtillthetablewasspread，whiletheshortdelayandthesuccessiveexerciseswhettedtoanextraordinarysharpnessthepilgrim’shungerforthesupper。PietyandCharity，whohadjointchargeofthehousefromtheMasterofthehouse，heldeachacharacteristicconversationwithChristian，butitwaslefttoPrudencetoholdthemostparticulardiscoursewithhimuntilsupperwasready，anditistothatsoparticulardiscoursethatI

muchwishtoturnyourattentionto-night。

Withgreattenderness，butatthesametimewiththegreatestpossiblegravity，Prudenceaskedthepilgrimwhetherhedidnotstillthinksometimesofthecountryfromwhencehehadcomeout。

Yes，hereplied；howcouldIhelpthinkingcontinuallyofthatunhappycountryandofmysadandmiserablelifeinit；but，believeme，——or，rather，youcannotbelieveme，——withwhatshameanddetestationIalwaysthinkofmypastlife。MyfaceburnsasI

nowspeakofmypastlifetoyou，andasIthinkwhatmyoldcompanionsknowandmustoftensayaboutme。Idetest，asyoucannotpossiblyunderstand，everyremembranceofmypastlife，andIhateandnevercanforgivemyself，who，withmineownhands，sofilledallmypastlifewithshameandself-contempt。Gentlystoppingtheremorsefulpilgrim’sself-accusationsabouthispastlife，Prudenceaskedhimifhehadnotstillwithhim，and，indeed，withinhim，someoftheverythingsthathadsodestroyedbothhimandallhispastlife。’Yes，’hehonestlyandhumblysaid。’Yes，butgreatlyagainstmywill:especiallymyinwardandsinfulcogitations。’AtthisPrudencelookedonhimwithallherdeepandsofteyes，foritwastothisthatshehadbeenleadingtheconversationupallthetime。Prudencehadagreatlookofsatisfaction，mingledwithloveandpity，atthewaythepilgrimsaid’especiallymyinwardandsinfulcogitations。’ThosewhostoodbyandobservedPrudencewonderedatherdelightinthesaddiscourseonwhichthepilgrimnowentered。Butshehadherownreasonsforherdelightinthisparticularkindofdiscourse，anditwasseldomthatshelightedonapilgrimwhobothunderstoodherquestionsandrespondedtothemasdidthismannowsittingbesideher。Now，mybrethren，allparableapart，isthatyourreligiousexperience？Areyoufullofshameanddetestationatyourinwardcogitations？Areyoutormented，enslaved，anddownrightcursedwithyourownevilthoughts？Idonotaskwhetherornoyouhavesuchthoughtsalwayswithinyou。Idonotask，becauseIknow。

ButIask，becauseIwouldliketomakesurethatyouknowwhat，andthetruenatureofwhat，goesonincessantlyinyourmindandinyourheart。Doyou，ordoyounot，spitoutyourmostinwardthoughtstentimesadaylikepoison？Ifyoudo，youareatrulyreligiousman，andifyoudonot，youdonotyetknowtheveryABC

oftruereligion，andyourdoghasabettererrandattheLord’stablethanyouhave。AndifyourministerletsyousitdownattheLord’stablewithoutholdingfromtimetotimesomeparticulardiscoursewithyouaboutyoursinfulthoughts，heisdeceivingandmisleadingyou，besideslayingupforhimselfanawakeningatlasttoshameandeverlastingcontempt。Whatamill-stonehiscommunionrollwillberoundsuchaminister’sneck！Andhowhiscongregationwillgnashtheirteethathimwhentheyseetowhathismiserableministryhasbroughtthem！

Letamanexaminehimself，saidPaul。Whataboutyourinwardandsinfulcogitations？askedPrudence。Howlongshallthyvainthoughtslodgewithinthee？demandedtheboldprophet。Now，mybrethren，whathaveyoutosaytothatparticularaccusation？Doyouknowwhatvainthoughtsare？Areyouatallawarewhatmultitudesofsuchthoughtslodgewithinyou？Dotheydriveyoueverydaytoyourknees，anddoyoublushwithshamewhenyouarealonebeforeGodatthefountainoffollythatfillsyourmindandyourheartcontinually？TheApostlespeaksofvainhopesthatmakeusashamedthatweeverentertainedthem。Youhavebeenoftensoashamed，andyetdonotsuchhopesstilltooeasilyariseinyourheart？Whatcastlesofidioticfollyyoustillbuild！Wereasanemanoramodestwomaneventodreamsuchdreamsoffollyovernight，theywouldblushandhidetheirheadsalldayatthethought。Outofaword，outofalook，outofwhatwasneitherawordnoralookintendedforyou，whataworldofvanitywillyoubuildoutofit！

ThequestionofPrudenceisnotwhetherornoyouarestillabornfoolatheart，shedoesnotputunnecessaryquestions:herstoyouisthemorepertinentandparticularquestion，whether，sinceyouleftyourformerlifeandbecameaChristian，youfeeleverydayincreasingshameanddetestationatyourself，onaccountofthevanityofyourinwardcogitations。Mybrethren，canyousatisfyherwhoissetbyherMastertoholdparticulardiscoursewithalltrueChristiansbeforesupper？CanyousaywiththePsalmist，——

couldyoutellPrudencewherethePsalmistsays，——Ihatevainthoughts，butThylawdoIlove？AndcanyousilenceherbytellingherthatherMasteraloneknowswithwhatshameyouthinkthatHehassuchafoolasyouareamongHispeople？

Anger，also，suddenandevenlong-entertainedanger，wasoneofthe’manyfailings’ofwhichChristianwassoconscioustohimself。

Hisoutburstsofangerathome，hebitterlyfelt，mightwellbeoneofthecauseswhyhiswifeandchildrendidnotaccompanyhimonhispilgrimage。Andthoughheknewhisfailinginthisrespect，andwasverywaryofit，yetheoftenfailedevenwhenhewasmostwary。Now，whileangerislargelyaresultofourbloodandtemperament，yetfewofusaresowell-balancedandequableinourtemperamentandsopureandcoolinourblood，asaltogethertoescapefrequentoutburstsofanger。ThemosthappilyconstitutedandthebestgovernedofushavetoomuchcausetobeashamedandpenitentbothbeforeGodandourneighboursforouroutburstsofangrypassion。ButPrudenceissoparticularinherdiscoursebeforesupper，thatshegoesfardeeperintoourangerthanourwivesandourchildren，ourservantsandourneighbours，cango。

Shenotonlyasksifwestampouttherisingangerofourheartaswewouldstampoutsparksoffireinahousefullofgunpowder；butsheinsistsonbeingtoldwhatwethinkofourselveswhenthehouseofourheartisstillsofullofsuchfireandsuchgunpowder。Anyman，tocallaman，wouldbehumbledinhisowneyesandinhiswalkbeforehishouseathomeafteranexplosionofangeramongthem；buthewhowouldsatisfyPrudenceandsitbesideheratsupper，mustnotonlyneverlethisangerkindle，butthesimplesecretheatofit，thatfireofhellthatishidfromallmenbuthimselfintheflintofhisownhardandproudheart，——what，asksPrudence，doyouthinkofthat，andofyourselfonaccountofthat？

Doesthatkeepyounotonlywatchfulandprayerful，but，whatisthebestgroundinyouofalltruewatchfulnessandprayerfulness，fullofsecretshame，self-fear，andself-detestation？OneforenoontablewouldeasilyholdallourcommunicantsifPrudencehadthedistributionofthetokens。

And，then，wewhoaretruepilgrims，areofallmenthemostmiserable，onaccountofthat’failing，’thatranklingstinginourhearts，whenanyofourfriendshasmoreofthisworld’spossessions，honours，andpraisesthanwehave，thatpainatourneighbour’spleasure，thatsicknessathishealth，thathungerforwhatweseehimeat，thatthirstforwhatweseehimdrink，thatimprisonmentofourspiritswhenweseehimsetatliberty，thatdepressionathisexaltation，thatsorrowathisjoy，andjoyathissorrow，thatevilheartthatwouldhaveallthingstoitself。

Yes，saidChristian，Iamonlytooconversantwithallthesesinfulcogitations，buttheyareallgreatlyagainstmywill，andmightI

butchoosemineownthoughts，doyousupposethatIwouldeverthinkthesethingsanymore？’Thecauseisinmywill，’saidCaesar，onagreatoccasion。ButthetrueChristian，unhappily，cannotsaythat。Ifhecouldsaythat，hewouldsoonsayalsothatthesnareisbrokenandthathissoulhasescaped。Andthenthecauseofallhisevilcogitations，hisvainthoughts，hisangryfeelings，hisenviousfeelings，hisineradicablecovetousness，hishell-rootedandheaven-toweringpride，andhiswholeevilheartofunbeliefwouldsoonbeatanend。’Icannotbefreeofsin，’saidThomasBoston，’butGodknowsthatHewouldbewelcometomakehavocofmyluststo-nightandtomakemehenceforthaholyman。I

knownolustthatIwouldnotbecontenttopartwith。MywillboundhandandfootIdesiretolayatHisfeet。’Yes:suchisthemysteryanddepthofsinintheheartsofallGod’ssaints，thatfardeeperthantheirwill，farbackbehindtheirwill，thewholesubstanceandverycoreoftheirheartsiswhollycorruptandenslavedtosin。Andthusitisthatwhiletheirrenewedanddeliveredwillworksout，sofar，theirsalvationintheirwalkandconversationamongmen，thehelplessnessoftheirwillinthecleansingandthekeepingoftheirheartsistotheendthesorrowandthemysteryoftheirsanctification。TowillwaspresentwithPaul，andwithBunyan，andwithBoston；buttheirheart——theycouldnotwithalltheirkeepingkeeptheirheart。Nomancan；nomanwhohasatalltrieditcan。’MightIbutchoosemineownthoughts，Iwouldchoosenevertothinkofthesethingsmore:butwhenIwouldbedoingofthatwhichisbest，thatwhichisworstiswithme。’Wecanchoosealmostallthings。Ourwillandchoicehavealmostallthingsattheirdisposal。WecanchooseourGod。

Wecanchooselifeordeath。Wecanchooseheavenorhell。Wecanchooseourchurch，ourminister，ourbooks，ourcompanions，ourwords，ourworks，and，tosomeextent，ourinwardthoughts，butonlytosomeextent。Wecanencouragethisorthatthought；wecanentertainitanddwelluponit；orwecandetectit，detestit，andcastitout。Butthatsecretplaceinourheartwhereourthoughtshideandharbour，andoutofwhichtheyspringsosuddenlyuponthemindandtheheart，theimaginationandtheconscience，——ofthatsecretestofallsecretplaces，Godaloneisabletosay，Isearchtheheart。’Asforsecretthoughts，’saysourauthor，speakingofhisownformerreligiouslife，’Itooknonoticeofthem，neitherdidIunderstandwhatSatan’stemptationswere，norhowtheyweretobewithstoodandresisted。’Butnowallthesethingsarehisdeepestgrief，astheyareours，——asmanyofusashavebeentrulyturnedinourdeepestheartstoGod。

’But，’repliedPrudence，’doyounotfindsometimesasifthosethingswerevanquishedwhichatothertimesareyourperplexity？’

’Yes，butthatisbutseldom；buttheyaretomegoldenhoursinwhichsuchthingshappentome。’’Canyourememberbywhatmeansyoufindyourannoyancesattimesasiftheywerevanquished？’

’Yes，whenIthinkwhatIsawatthecross，thatwilldoit；andwhenIlookuponmybroideredcoat，thatwilldoit；also，whenI

lookintotherollthatIcarryinmybosom，thatwilldoit；andwhenmythoughtswaxwarmaboutwhitherIamgoing，thatwilldoit。’Yes；andthesesamethingshavemanyatimedoneittoourselvesalso。Wealso，mybrethren——letmetellyouyourownundeniableexperience——wealsohavesuchgoldenhourssometimes，whenwefeelasifweshouldneveragainhavesuchanevilheartwithinus。TheCrossofChristtousalsohasdoneit。ItisofsuchgoldenhoursthatIsaacWattssingsinhisnoblehymn:

’WhenIsurveythewondrousCross；’

andasoftenaswesingthathymnwithoureyesupontheobject，thatwillforatimevanquishourworstcogitations。Also，whenwereadtherollthatwetoocarryinourbosom——thatistosay，whenwegobackintoourpastlifetillweseeitandfeelitall，andtillwecanthinkandspeakofnothingelsebutthesinthataboundedinitandthegracethatmuchmoreabounded，thathasathousandtimesgivenusalsogoldenhours，evenrestfromourownevilhearts。Andwealsohaveoftenmadeourheartstoohotforsintoshowitself，whenwereadourheartsdeepintosuchbooksasTheParadiso，ThePilgrim’sProgress，TheSaint’sRest，TheSeriousCall，TheReligiousAffections，andsuchlike。Thesebookshaveoftenvanquishedourannoyances，andgivenusgoldenhoursontheearth。Yes，butthatisbutseldom。

’Now，whatisit，’askedPrudence，asshewoundupthissoparticularcolloquy，’thatmakesyousodesiroustogotoMountZion？’

’Why，’repliedthepilgrim，andthewaterstoodinhiseyes，’why，thereIhopetoseeHimalivethatdidhangdeadonthecross；andthereIhopetoberidofallthosethingsthattothisdayareanannoyancetome；theretheysayisnodeath，andthereshallI

dwellwithsuchcompanyasIlovebest。For，totellyoutruth，I

loveHim，becausebyHimIwaseasedofmyburden，andIamwearyofmyinwardsickness；andIwouldfainbewhereIshalldienomore，andforeverwiththatcompanythatshallcontinuallycry，Holy，holy，holy。’

CHARITY

’Iwillwalkwithinmyhousewithaperfectheart。’——David。

Therecanbenobodyhereto-nightsostarkstupidastosupposethatthepilgrimhadrunawayfromhomeandlefthiswifeandchildrentothework-house。TherehavebeenwiseacreswhohavefoundseverefaultwithJohnBunyanbecausehemadehisPuritanpilgrimsuchabadhusbandandsuchanunnaturalfather。Butnobodypossessedofasparkofcommonsense，nottosayreligionorliterature，wouldevercommithimselftosuchanutterimbecilityasthat。JohnBunyan’spilgrim，whateverhemayhavebeenbeforehebecameapilgrim，allthetimehewasapilgrim，wasthemostfaithful，affectionate，andsolicitoushusbandinallthecountryroundabout，andthetenderest，themostwatchful，andthewisestoffathers。Thispilgrimstayedallthemoreathomethathewentsofarawayfromhome；heaccomplishedhiswholewonderfulpilgrimagebesidehisownforgeandathisownfireside；andheenteredtheCelestialCityamidtrumpetsandbellsandharpsandpsalms，whileallthetimesleepinginhisownhumblebed。TheHouseBeautiful，therefore，towhichwehavenowcomeinhiscompany，isnotsomeremoteandromanticmansionawayupamongthemountainsagreatmanydays’journeydistantfromthispoorman’severydayhome。TheHouseBeautifulwasnothingelse，——whatelsebetter，whatelsesogoodcoulditbe？——thanjustthisChristianman’sfirstcommunionSabbathandhisfirstcommuniontable(first，thatis，afterhistrueconversionfromsintoGodandhisconfessedentranceintoanewlife)，whilethecountryfromwhencehehadcomeout，andconcerningwhichbothPietyandPrudencecatechisedhimsoclosely，wasjusthisformerlifeofopenungodlinessandallhisevilwalkandconversationwhilehewasasyetlivingwithoutGodandwithouthopeintheworld。ThecountryonwhichheconfessedthathenowlookedbackwithsomuchshameanddetestationwasnotEnglandorBedfordshire，butthewickedlifehehadlivedinthatlandandinthatshire。AndwhenCharityaskedhimastowhetherhewasamarriedmanandhadafamily，sheknewquitewellthathewas，onlyshemadeapretenceofaskinghimthosedomesticquestionsinordertherebytostartthetouchingconversation。

Beginning，then，athome，asshealwaysbegan，CharitysaidtoChristian，’Haveyouafamily？Areyouamarriedman？’’Ihaveawifeandfoursmallchildren，’answeredChristian。’Andwhydidyounotbringthemwithyou？’ThenChristianweptandsaid，’Oh，howwillinglywouldIhavedoneso，buttheywereallofthemutterlyaversetomygoingonpilgrimage。’’Butyoushouldhavetalkedtothemandhaveshownthemtheirdanger。’’SoIdid，’hereplied，’butIseemedtothemasonethatmocked。’Now，thisoftalking，and，especially，oftalkingaboutreligiousthingstochildren，isoneofthemostdifficultthingsintheworld，——thatis，todoitwell。Somepeoplehavethehappyknackoftalkingtotheirownandtootherpeople’schildrensoasalwaystointerestandimpressthem。Butsuchhappypeoplearefew。Mostpeopletalkattheirchildrenwhenevertheybegintotalktothem，andthus，withoutknowingit，theynauseatetheirchildrenwiththeirconversationaltogether。Torespectalittlechild，tostandinsomeaweofalittlechild，tochooseyourtopics，youropportunities，yourneighbourhood，yourmoodsandhisaswellasallyourwords，andalwaystospeakyoursincerest，simplest，moststraightforwardandabsolutelywisestisindispensablewithachild。Takeyourmannerisms，yourcondescensions，youraffectations，yourmoralisings，andallyourinsinceritiestoyourdebauchedequals，butbringyourtruestandyourbesttoyourchild。Unlessyoudoso，youwillbesuretolayyourselfopentoalookthatwillsuddenlygothroughyou，andthatwillswiftlyconveytoyouthatyourchildseesthroughyouanddespisesyouandyourconversationtoo。’Youshouldnotonlyhavetalkedtoyourchildrenoftheirdanger，’saidCharity，’butyoushouldhaveshownthemtheirdanger。’Yes，Charity；butamanmusthimselfseehisownandhischildren’sdangertoo，beforehecanshowittothem，aswellasseeitclearlyatthetimeheistryingtoshowittothem。Andhowmanyfathers，doyousuppose，havetheeyestoseesuchdanger，andhowthencantheyshewsuchdangertotheirchildren，ofallpeople？Oncegetfatherstoseedangersoranythingelsearight，andthenyouwillnotneedtotellthemhowtheyaretoinstructandimpresstheirchildren。Natureherselfwillthentellthemhowtotalktotheirchildren，andwhenNatureteaches，allourchildrenwillimmediatelyandunweariedlylisten。

But，especially，saidCharity，asyourboysgrewup——Ithinkyousaidthatyouhadfourboysandnogirls？——well，then，allthemore，astheygrewup，youshouldhavetakenoccasiontotalktothemaboutyourself。Didyourlittleboyneverpetitionyouforastoryaboutyourself；andashegrewupdidyouneverconfidetohimwhatyouhaveneverconfidedtohismother？Something，asI

wassaying，thatmadeyousadwhenyouwereaboyandarisingman，withasadnessyoursoncanstillseeinyouasyoutalktohim。

Inconversationslikethataboyfindsoutwhatafriendhehasinhisfather，andhisfatherfromthatdayhashisbestfriendinhisson。AndthenasMatthewgrewupandbegantoout-growhisbrothersandtoformfriendshipsoutofdoors，didyoustudytotalkatthepropertimetohim，andonsubjectsonwhichyouneverventuretotalkabouttoanyotherboyorman？Youmen，Charitywentontosay，liveinaworldofyourown，andthoughwewomenarewelloutofit，yetwecannotbewhollyignorantthatitisthere。And，wemaywellbewrong，butwecannotbutthinkthatfathers，ifnotmothers，mightsafelytelltheirmen-childrenatleastmorethantheydotellthemofthesuredangersthatliestraightintheirway，ofthesorrowthatmenandwomenbringononeanother，andofwhatisthedestructionofsomanycities。Wemaywellbewrong，forweareonlywomen，butIhavetoldyouwhatweallthinkwhokeepthishouseandhearthereportsandrepentancesofpilgrims，bothPietyandPrudenceandImyself。AndI，forone，largelyagreewiththethreewomen。Itiseasiersaidthandone。Butthesimplesayingofitmayperhapsleadsomefathersandmotherstothinkaboutit，andtoaskwhetherornoitisdesirableandadvisabletodoit，whichofthemistoattemptit，onwhatoccasion，andtowhatextent。ChristianbythistimehadtheSloughofDespondwithallitshistoryandallthatitcontainedtotellhiseldestsonabout；hehadthewicketgatealsojustabovetheslough，thehillDifficulty，theInterpreter’sHouse，theplacesomewhatascendingwithacrossstandinguponit，andalittlebelow，inthebottom，asepulchre，nottospeakofherwhoassaultedFaithful，whosenamewasWanton，andwhoatonetimewasliketohavedoneeventhattrustypilgrimalife-longmischief。ChristianratherboastedtoCharityofhiswariness，especiallyinthematterofhischildren’samusements，butCharityseemedtothinkthathehadcarriedhiswarinessintoothermattersbesidesamusements，withoutthebestpossibleresultsthereeither。

Ihavesometimesthoughtwithherthatamongourmultitudeofcongressesandconferencesofallkindsofpeopleanduponallmannerofsubjects，roomandmembershipmighthavebeenfoundforaconferenceoffathersandmothers。Fatherstogiveandtakecounselabouthowtotalktotheirsons，andmotherstotheirdaughters。IammuchofCharity’smind，that，ifmoreweredoneathome，anddonewithsomefrankness，foroursonsanddaughters，therewouldbefewerfathersandmothersfoundsittingattheLord’stablealone。’Youshouldhavetalkedtothem，’saidCharity，withsomeseverityinhertones，’and，especially，youshouldhavetoldthemofyourownsorrow。’

Andthen，comingstillcloseruptoChristian，Charityaskedhimwhetherheprayed，bothbeforeandafterhesospoketohischildren，thatGodwouldblesswhathesaidtothem。Charitybelievethallthings，hopethallthings，butwhenshesawthismanabouttositdownallaloneatthesuppertable，ittookCharityallhermighttobelievethathehadbothspokentohischildrenandatthesametimeprayedtoGodforthemasheoughttohavedone。Ouroldministersusedtolaythisvowonallfathersandmothersatthetimeofbaptism，thattheyweretopraybothwithandfortheirchildren。Now，thatisafineformula；itisamostcomprehensive，and，indeed，exhaustiveformula。Bothwithandfor。

Andespeciallywith。With，atsuchandsuchtimes，onsuchandsuchoccasions，andinsuchandsuchplaces。Atthosetimes，say，whenyourboyhastoldalie，orstruckhislittlebrother，orstolensomething，ordestroyedsomething。Topraywithhimatsuchtimes，andtopraywithhimproperly，and，ifyoufeelabletodoit，andareledtodoit，totellhimsomethingaftertheprayeraboutyourself，andyourownnot-yet-forgottenboyhood，andyourfather；itmakesafinetimetomixtalkandprayertogetherinthatway。Charityisnoteasilyprovoked，butthelongershelivesandkeepsthetableintheHouseBeautifulthemoresheisprovokedtothinkthatthereisfartoolittleprayeramongpilgrims；fartoolittleofallkindsofprayer，butespeciallyprayerwithandfortheirchildren。ButhardasitwastotellallthetruthatthatmomentaboutChristian’spastwalkinhishouseathome，yethewasablewiththesimpletruthtosaythathehadindeedprayedbothwithandforhischildren，andthat，astheyknewandcouldnotbutremember，notseldom。Yes，hesaid，Ididsometimessopraywithmyboys，andthattoo，asyoumaybelieve，withmuchaffection，foryoumustthinkthatmyfourboyswereallverydeartome。Anditismyfirmbeliefthatallthatgoodman’sboyswillcomerightyet:MatthewandJosephandJamesandSamuelandall。

’Withmuchaffection。’Ilikethat。Ihaveunboundedfaithinthoseprayers，bothforandwith，inwhichthereismuchaffection。

Itiswantofaffection，andwantofimagination，thatshipwreckssomanyofourprayers。Butthisman’sprayershadboththeseelementsofsuresuccessinthem，andtheymustcomeatlasttoharbour。Atthatoneword’withmuchaffection，’thisman’sclosetdoorfliesopenandIseetheoldpilgrimfirstalone，andthenwithhisarmsroundhiseldestson’sneck，andbothfatherandsonweepingtogethertilltheyareashamedtoappearatsuppertilltheyhavewashedtheirfacesandgottheirmostsmilingandeverydaylooksputonagain。YoujustwaitandseeifMatthewandallthefourboysdowntothelastdonotescapeintotheCelestialCitybeforethegateisshut。Andwhenitisasked，Whoaretheseandwhencecamethey？listentotheirsongandyouwillhearthosefourhappychildrensayingthattheirfather，whentheywereyetboys，bothtalkedwiththemandprayedforandwiththemwithsomuchaffectionthatthereforetheyarebeforethethrone。

Why，then，withsuchafatherandwithsuchmakableboys，whywasthishouseholdbroughtsoneareverlastingshipwreck？Itwasthemotherthatdidit。Inoneword，itwasthewifeandthemotherthatdidit。Itwasthemistressofthehousewhowroughtthemischiefhere。Shewasapoorwoman，shewasapoorman’swife，andonewouldhavethoughtthatshehadlittleenoughtemptationtoharmuponthispresentworld。Butthereitwas，shedidhanguponitasmuchasifshehadbeenthemotherofthefinestdaughtersandthemostpromisingboysinallthetown。Thingslikethiswerefromtimetotimereportedtoherbyherneighbours。Onefineladyhadbeenheardtosaythatshewouldneverhaveforhertradesmananymanwhofrequentedconventicles，whowasnotcontentwiththereligionofhisbetters，andwhomustneedsscorntheparishchurchanddodespitetothesaints’days。AnothergossipaskedherwhatsheexpectedtomakeofhergreatfamilyofboyswhenitwaswellknownthatallthegentryintheneighbourhoodbuttwoorthreehadswornthattheywouldneverhaveahulkingPuritantobrushtheirbootsorruntheirerrands。Anditalmostmadeherhusbandburnhisbookandswearthathewouldneverbeseenatanotherprayer-

meetingwhenhiswifesooftensaidtohimthatheshouldneverhavehadchildren，thatheshouldneverhavemadeherhiswife，andthathewasnotlikethiswhentheywerefirstmanandwife。Andinherbitternessshewouldnamethiswifeorthatmaid，andwouldsay，Youshouldhavemarriedher。Shewouldhavegonetothemeeting-housewithyouasoftenasyouwished。Hersonsarefarenoughfromgoodservicetopleaseyou。’Mywife，’hesoftlysaid，’wasafraidoflosingtheworld。Andthen，afterthat，mygrowingsonsweresoongivenover，allIcoulddo，tothefoolishdelightsofyouth，sothat，whatbyonethingandwhatbyanother，theyleftmetowanderinthismanneralone。’AndIsupposethereisscarcelyahouseholdamongourselveswheretherehavenotbeenseriousanddamagingmisunderstandingsbetweenold-fashionedfathersandtheiryoungpeopleaboutwhattheoldpeoplecalledthe’foolishdelights’oftheirsonsanddaughters。Andinthinkingthismatterover，IhaveoftenbeenstruckwithhowJobdidwhenhissonsandhisdaughterswerebentuponfeastinganddancingintheireldestbrother’shouse。Theoldmandidnotlayaninterdictupontheentertainment。Hedidnottakepartinit，butneitherdidheabsolutelyforbidit。Ifitmustbeitmustbe，saidthewisepatriarch。AndsinceIdonotknowwhomtheymaymeetthere，orwhattheymaybetemptedtodo，Iwillsanctifythemall。I

willnotgoupintomybedtillIhaveprayedforallmysevensonsandthreedaughters，eachoneofthembytheirnames；andtilltheycomehomesafelyIwillriseeverymorningandofferburnt-

offeringsaccordingtothenumberofthemall。Anddoyouthinkthatthoseburnt-offeringsandaccompanyingintercessionswouldgofornothingwhenthegreatwindcamefromthewildernessandsmotethefourcornersofthebanqueting-house？Ifyoucannotbanishtheloveoffoolishdelightsouttheheartsofyoursonsanddaughters，thendonotquarrelwiththemoversuchthings；afamilyquarrelinaChristianman’shouseissurelyfarworsethanafeastoradance。Only，iftheymustfeastanddanceandsuchlike，beyouallthemorediligentinyourexercisesathomeontheirbehalftilltheyarebackagain，where，afterall，theylikebesttobe，intheirgood，kind，liberal，andlovingfather’shouse。

Haveyouafamily？Areyouamarriedman？Or，ifnot，doyouhopeonedaytobe？ThenattendbetimestowhatCharitysaystoChristianintheHouseBeautiful，andnotlesstowhathesaysbackagaintoher。

SHAME

’WhosoevershallbeashamedofMe，andofMywords，ofhimshalltheSonofManbeashamed，whenHeshallcomeinHisownglory，andinHisFather’s，andoftheholyangels。’——OurLord。

Shamehasnotgottheattentionthatitdeserveseitherfromourmoralphilosophersorfromourpracticalandexperimentaldivines。

Andyetitwouldwellrepaybothclassesofstudentstoattendfarmoretoshame。For，whatreallyisshame？ShameisanoriginalinstinctplantedinoursoulsbyourMaker，andintendedbyHimtoactasapowerfulandpungentchecktoourdoingofanyactthatismeanordishonourableintheeyesofourfellow-men。Shameisakindofsocialconscience。Shameisasecondarysenseofsin。Inshame，ourimaginationbecomesakindofmoralsense。Shamesetsupinourbosomanotundivinetribunal，whichjudgesusandsentencesusintheabsenceorthesilenceofnoblerandmoreawfulsanctionsandsentences。Butthen，asthingsnowarewithus，likealltherestofthemachineryofthesoul，shamehasgonesadlyastraybothinitsobjectsandinitsoperations，tillitdemandsalong，asevere，andaverynobledisciplineoverhimselfbeforeanymancankeepshameinitsproperplaceanddirectedinuponitsproperobjects。Inthepresentdisorderofoursouls，weareallacutelyashamedofmanythingsthatarenottheproperobjectsofshameatall；while，ontheotherhand，wefeelnoshameatallatmultitudesofthingsthatarereallymostblameworthy，dishonourable，andcontemptible。Weareashamedofthingsinourlotandinourcircumstancesthat，ifweonlyknewit，areouropportunityandourhonour；weareashamedofthingsthataretheclearwillandtheimmediatedispensationofAlmightyGod。And，then，wefeelnoshameatallatthemostdishonourablethings，andthatsimplybecausethemenaroundusaretoocoarseintheirmoralsandtoodullintheirsensibilitiestoseeanyshameinsuchthings。Andthusitcomesaboutthat，intheverybestofmen，theirstillpervertedsenseofshameremainsinthemaconstantsnareandasourceoftemptation。Amanofafinenaturefeelskeenlythetemptationtoshrinkfromthosepathsoftruthanddutythatexposehimtothecrueljudgmentsandthecoarseandscandalisingattacksofpublicandprivateenemies。ItwasintheValleyofHumiliationthatShamesetuponFaithful，anditisarealhumiliationtoanymanofanythingofthispilgrim’sfinecharacterandfeelingtobeattacked，scoffedat，andhelduptoblameandopprobrium。Andthefinerandthemoreaffectionateanyman’sheartandcharacterare，themorehefeelsandshrinksfromthecoarsetreatmentthisworldgivestothosewhomithasitsownreasonstohateandassail。TheyhadthestocksandthepilloryandtheshearsinBunyan’srudeanduncivilisedday，bymeansofwhichmanyofthebestmenofthatdaywereexposedtotheinsultsandbrutalitiesofthemob。Thenewspaperswouldbethepilloryofourday，wereitnotthat，onthewhole，thenewspaperpressisconductedwithsuchscrupulousfairnessandwithaloveoftruthandjusticesuchthatnomanneedshrinkfromthepathofdutythroughfearofinsultandinjury。

ButitistimetocometotheencounterbetweenShameandFaithfulintheValleyofHumiliation。Shame，properlyspeaking，isnotoneofourBunyangalleryofportraitsatall。Shame，atbest，isbutakindofsecondarycharacterinthisdramaticbook。WedonotmeetwithShamedirectly；weonlyhearabouthimthroughthereportofFaithful。Thatfirst-classpilgrimwasalmostovercomeofShame，sohotwastheirencounter；anditistheextraordinarilyfeeling，graphic，andrealisticaccountoftheirencounterthatFaithfulgivesusthathasledmetotakeupShameforourreproofandcorrectionto-night。

Religionaltogether，butespeciallyallpersonalreligion，saidShametoFaithful，isanunmanlybusiness。Thereisacertaintouchofsmallnessandpitifulness，hesaid，inallreligion，butespeciallyinexperimentalreligion。Itbringsamanintojuncturesandintocompanionships，anditputsofficesandendurancesupononesuchastryamanifhehasanygreatnessofspiritabouthimatall。Thislifeonwhichyouareentering，saidShame，willcostyoumanyablushbeforeyouaredonewithit。Youwilllayyourselfopentomanyascoff。ThePuritanreligion，andallthewaysofthatreligiousfraternity，arepeculiarlyopentotheshaftsofridicule。Now，allthatwasquitetrue。TherewasnodenyingthetruthofwhatShamesaid。AndFaithfulfeltthetruthofitall，andfeltitmostkeenly，asheconfessedtoChristian。Thebloodcameintomyfaceasthefellowspake，andwhathesaidforatimealmostbeatmeoutoftheupwardwayaltogether。ButinthisdilemmaalsoalltrueChristianscanfallback，asFaithfulfellback，upontheexampleoftheirMaster。Inthisasineveryotherexperienceoftemptationandendurance，ourLordistheforerunnerandtheexampleofHispeople。OurLordwasinallpointstemptedlikeasweare，andamongallHisothertemptationsHewastemptedtobeashamedofHisworkonearthandofthelifeandthedeathHisworkledHiminto。HemusthaveoftenfeltashamedatthetreatmentHereceivedduringHislifeofhumiliation，asitiswellcalled；andHemustoftenhavefeltashamedofHisdisciples:butallthatisblottedoutbythecrowningshameofthecross。Wehangourworstcriminalsratherthanbeheadorshootthem，inordertoheapuptheutmostpossibleshameanddisgraceuponthem，aswellastoexecutejusticeuponthem。Andwhatthehangman’sropeisinourday，allthatthecrosswasinourLord’sday。And，then，asifthecrossitselfwasnotshameenough，allthecircumstancesconnectedwithHiscrosswereplannedandcarriedoutsoastoheaptheutmostpossibleshameandhumiliationuponHishead。Ourprisonwardershavetowatchthemurderersintheircellsnightandday，lesttheyshouldtaketheirownlifeinordertoescapethehangman’srope；butourLord，keenlyasHefeltHiscomingshame，saidtoHishorrifieddisciples，Behold，wegouptoJerusalem，whentheSonofManshallbemocked，andspitefullyentreated，andspittedon；andtheyshallscourgeHimandputHimtodeath。DoyoueverthinkofyourLordinHisshame？HowtheymadeafoolofHim，aswesay。HowtheytookoffHisownclothesandputonHimnowaredcloakandnowawhite；howtheyputaswordoflathinHishand，andacrownofthornsonHishead；howtheybowedthekneebeforeHim，andaskedroyalfavoursfromHim；andthenhowtheyspatinHisface，andstruckHimonthecheek，whilethewholehouserangwithshoutsoflaughter。And，then，thelastindignityofman，howtheystrippedHimnakedandlashedHisnakedandbleedingbodytoawhipping-

post。AndhowtheywaggedtheirheadsandputouttheirtonguesatHimwhenHewasonthetree，andinvitedHimtocomedownandpreachtothemnow，andtheywouldallbecomeHisdisciples。DidnotShamesaythesimpletruthwhenhewarnedFaithfulthatreligionhadalwaysandfromthebeginningmadeitsfollowerstheridiculeoftheirtimes？

Ifyouarereallygoingtobeareligiousman，Shamewenton，youwillhavetocarryaboutwithyouaverytenderconscience，andamoreunmanlyandmiserablethingthanatenderconscienceIcannotconceive。Atenderconsciencewillcostyousomething，letmetellyou，tokeepit。Ifnothingelse，atenderconsciencewillallyourlifelongexposeyoutothemockeryandthecontemptofallthebravespiritsofthetime。Thatalsoistrue。Atanyrate，atenderconsciencewillundoubtedlycompelitspossessortofacethebravespiritsofthetime。ThereisagoodstorytoldtothispresentpointaboutSirRobertPeel，aPrimeMinisterofourQueen。

Whenayoungman，Peelwasoneoftheguestsataselectdinner-

partyintheWest-endofLondon。Andaftertheladieshadleftthetabletheconversationofthegentlementookaturnsuchthatitcouldnothavetakenaslongastheladieswerepresent。Peeltooknoshareinthestoriesorthemerrimentthatwenton，and，atlast，heroseupandorderedhiscarriage，and，withaburningface，lefttheroom。Whenhewaschallengedastowhyhehadbrokenupthepleasantpartysosoon，hecouldonlyreplythathisconsciencewouldnotlethimstayanylonger。NodoubtPeelfeltthemockinglaughterthatheleftbehindhim，but，asShamesaidtoFaithful，thetendernessoftheyoungstatesman’sconsciencecompelledhimtodoashedid。ButwearenotallPeels。Andthereareplentyofworkshopsandofficesanddinner-tablesinourowncity，whereyoungmenwhowouldwalkuptothecannon’smouthwithoutflinchinghavenothadPeel’scouragetoprotestagainstindecencyortoconfessthattheybelongedtoanevangelicalchurch。Ifachurchisonlysufficientlyunevangelicalthereisnotrialofconscienceorofcourageinconfessingthatyoubelongtoit。ButasShamesoablyandhonestlysaid，thattypeofreligionthatcreatesatenderconscienceinitsfollowers，andsetsthemtowatchtheirwordsandtheirways，andmakesthemtiethemselvesupfromallhectoringliberty——tochoosethatreligion，andtocleavetoittotheend，willmakeayoungmantheridiculestillofallthebravespiritsroundabouthim。Ambitiousyoungmengetpromotionandrewardeverydayamongusfordesertionsandapostasiesinreligion，forwhich，iftheyhadbeenguiltyofthelikeinwar，theywouldhavebeenshot。’AndsoyouareaFreeChurchman，Iamtold。’Thatwasallthatwassaid。Butthesharpyouthunderstoodwithoutanymorewords，andhemadehischoiceaccordingly；tillitisbecomingapositivesurprisetofindtherisingmembersofcertainprofessionsincertainchurches。TheQuakershaveaproverbinEnglandthatafamilycarriageneverdrivesfortwogenerationspasttheparishchurchdoor。OfwhichstateofmattersShameshowedhimselfashrewdprophettwohundredyearsagowhenhesaidthatbutfewoftherichandthemightyandthewiseremainedlongofFaithful’sPuritanopinionunlesstheywerefirstpersuadedtobefools，andtobeofavoluntaryfondnesstoventurethelossofall。

AndIwilltellyoutwootherthings，saidsharp-sightedandplain-

spokenShame，thatyourpresentreligionwillcompelyoutodoifyouadheretoit。Itwillcompelyoufromtimetotimetoaskyourneighbour’sforgivenessevenforpettyfaults，anditwillinsistwithyouthatyoumakerestitutionwhenyouhavedonetheweakandthefriendlessanyhurtoranywrong。Andeverymanlymindwilltellyouthatlifeisnotworthhavingonsuchhumblingtermsasthoseare。WhatevermaybethoughtaboutShameinotherrespects，itcannotbedeniedthathehadasharpeyeforthefactsoflife，andashrewdtongueinsettingthosefactsforth。Hehashittheblotexactlyinthematterofourfirstdutytoourneighbour；hehasputhisfingerononeofthematterswheresomanyofus，throughafalseshame，comeshort。Itcostsusatremendousstrugglewithourpridetogotoourneighbourandtoaskhisforgivenessforafault，pettyfaultorother。Didyoueverdoit？

Whendidyoudoitlast，towhom，andforwhat？OneSabbathmorning，nowmanyyearsago，Ihadoccasiontourgethiselementaryevangelicaldutyonmypeoplehere，andIdiditasplainlyasI

could。Nextdayoneofmyyoungmen，whoisnowadevotedandhonouredelder，cametomeandtoldmethathehaddonethatmorningwhathisconscienceyesterdaytoldhiminthechurchtodo。

Hehadgonetoaneighbour’splaceofbusiness，hadaskedforaninterview，andhadbeggedhisneighbour’spardon。Iamsureneitherofthosetwomenhaveforgottenthatmoment，andthethoughtofithasoftensincenervedmetospeakplainlyaboutsomeoftheirmostunwelcomedutiestomypeople。Shame，nodoubt，pulledbackmynoblefriend’shandwhenitwasontheofficebell，but，likeFaithfulinthetext，heshookhimoutofhiscompanyandwentin。Ispokeoftheremarkablejusticeofthenewspaperpressintheopeningoftheseremarks。Anditsohappensthat，asIlaydownmypentorestmyhandafterwritingthissentenceandliftaLondoneveningpaper，Ireadthiseditorialnote，setwithinthewell-knownbracketsattheendofanindignantandexpostulatoryletter:[’Ourcorrespondent’scomplaintisjust。Theparagraphimputingbadmotivesshouldnothavebeenadmitted。’]Ihavenodoubtthateditorfeltsomeshameashehandedthatapologeticnotetotheprinter。Butnottospeakofanyotherrecognitionandrecompense，hehastherecompenseoftherecognitionofallhonourable-mindedmenwhohavereadthathonourableadmissionandapology。

Shamewasquiterightinhisscoffaboutrestitutionalso。ForrestitutionringslikeatrumpettonethroughthewholeofthelawofMoses，andthentheNewTestamentrepublishesthatlawifonlyintheexquisitestoryofZaccheus。And，indeed，takeitaltogether，IdonotknowwheretofindinthesamespaceafinervindicationofPuritanpulpitethicsthanjustinthistauntingandterrifyingattackonFaithful。Thereisnobettertestoftruereligionbothasitispreachedandpractisedthanjusttoaskforandtograntforgiveness，andtoofferandacceptrestitution。

Now，doesyourpublicandprivatelifedefendandadornyourminister’spulpitinthesetwosopracticalmatters？Couldyourministerpointtoyouasaproofoftheethicsofevangelicalteaching？Cananyoneinthiscityspeakupindefenceofyourchurchandthusprotest:’Saywhatyoulikeaboutthatchurchanditsministers，allIcansayis，thatitsmembersknowhowtomakeanapology；as，also，howtopaybackwithinterestwhattheyatonetimedamagedordefrauded’？Cananyoldcreditor’swidowororphanstandupforourdoctrineanddefendourdisciplinepointingtoyou？IfyougoontobeaPuritan，saidShametoFaithful，youwillhavetoaskyourneighbour’sforgivenessevenforpettyfaults，andyouwillhavetomakerestitutionwithusurywhereyouhavetakenanythingfromanyone，andhowwillyoulikethat？

Andwhatdidyousaytoallthis，mybrother？Say？Icouldnottellwhattosayatthefirst。IfeltmybloodcomingupintomyfaceatsomeofthethingsthatShamesaidandthreatened。But，atlast，IbegantoconsiderthatthatwhichishighlyesteemedamongmenisoftenhadinabominationwithGod。AndIsaidtomyselfagain，Shametellsmewhatmendoandwhatmenthink，buthehastoldmenothingaboutwhatHethinkswithWhomIshallsoonhavealonetodo。Therefore，thoughtI，whatGodthinksandsaysiswisestandbest，letallthemenoftheworldsaywhattheywill。

Letallfalseshame，then，departfrommyheart，forhowelseshallIlookuponmyLord，andhowshallHelookuponmeatHiscoming？

TALKATIVE

’Amanfulloftalk。’——Zophar。

’Letthywordsbefew。’——ThePreacher。

’Thesoulofreligionisthepractickpart。’——Christian。

Sinceweallhaveatongue，andsincesomuchofourtimeistakenupwithtalk，asimplecatalogueofthesinsofthetongueisenoughtoterrifyus。ThesinsofthetonguetakeupamuchlargerspaceintheBiblethanwewouldbelievetillwehavebeguntosufferfromothermen’stonguesandespeciallyfromourown。TheBiblespeaksagreatdealmoreandagreatdealplaineraboutthesinsofthetonguethananyofourpulpitsdaretodo。InthePsalmsaloneyouwouldthinkthatthepsalmistsscarcelysufferfromanythingelseworthspeakingaboutbuttheeviltonguesoftheirfriendsandoftheirenemies。TheBookofProverbsalsoisfullofthesamelashingscourge。AndJamestheJust，inapassageofterribletruthandpower，tellsusthatwearealreadyasgoodasperfectmenifwecanbridleourtongue；andthat，ontheotherhand，ifwedonotbridleourtongue，allourseemingtobereligiousisashamandaself-deception，——thatman’sreligionisvain。

Withmanymenandmanywomengreattalkativenessisamatterofsimpletemperamentandmentalconstitution。Andatalkativehabitwouldbeachildlikeandaninnocenthabitiftheheartoftalkerandtheheartsofthosetowhomhetalkssomuchwereonlyfulloftruthandlove。Butourheartsandourneighbours’heartsbeingwhattheyare，inthemultitudeofwordstherewantethnotsin。Somuchofourtalkisaboutourabsentneighbours，andtherearesomanymisunderstandings，prejudices，ambitions，competitions，oppositions，andallkindsofcross-interestsbetweenusandourabsentneighbours，thatwecannotlongtalkaboutthemtillourheartshaverunourtonguesintoallmanneroftrespass。BishopButlerdiscoursesonthegreatdangersthatbesetatalkativetemperamentwithalmostmorethanallhisusualsagacity，seriousness，anddepth。AndthosewhocaretoseehowthegreatestofourmodernmoralistsdealswiththeirbesettingsinshouldlosenotimeinpossessingandmasteringButler’sgreatdiscourse。Itisatrulygoldendiscourse，anditoughttobereadatleastonceamonthbyallthemenandallthewomenwhohavetonguesintheirheads。BishopButlerpointsouttohisoffendingreaders，inawaytheycanneverforget，thecertainmischieftheydotothemselvesandtootherpeoplejustbytalkingtoomuch。Buttherearefarworsesinsthatourtonguesfallintothanthebadenoughsinsthatspringoutofimpertinentandunrestrainedloquacity。Therearemanytimeswhenourtalk，longorshort，isalreadysimpleanddownrightevil。Itistentoone，itisahundredtoone，thatyoudonotknowandwouldnotbelievehowmuchyoufalleverydayandineveryconversationintooneorotherofthesinsofthetongue。

Ifyouwouldonlybegintoseeandacceptthis，thateverytimeyouspeakorhearaboutyourabsentneighbourwhatyouwouldnotlikehimtospeakorhearaboutyou，youareinthatatalebearer，aslanderer，abackbiter，oraliar，——whenyoubegintoseeandadmitthataboutyourself，youwillnotwonderatwhattheBiblesayswithsuchbitterindignationaboutthediabolicalsinsofthetongue。Ifyouwouldjustbeginto-nighttowatchyourselves——onthewayhomefromchurch，athomeafterthedayisover，to-morrowmorningwhenthelettersandthepapersareopened，andsoon，——howinstinctively，incessantly，irrepressiblyyouspeakabouttheabsentinawayyouwouldbeastoundedandhorrifiedtobetoldtheywereatthatmomentspeakingaboutyou，thenyouwouldsoonbewiserthanallyourteachersinthesinsandinthegovernmentofthetongue。AndyouwouldseventimeseverydaypluckoutyourtonguebeforeGodtillHegivesitbacktoyoucleanandkindinthatlandwhereallmenshalllovetheirneighbours，presentandabsent，asthemselves。

Takedetractionforanexample，oneofthecommonest，and，surely，oneofthemostdetestableofthesinsofthetongue。Andtheetymologyhere，asinthiswholeregion，ismostinstructiveandmostimpressive。IndetractionyouDRAWAWAYsomethingfromyourneighbourthatismostpreciousandmostdeartohim。Indetractionyouareathief，andathiefofthefalsestandwickedestkind。Foryourneighbour’spurseistrash，whilehisgoodnameisfarmoreprecioustohimthanallhisgold。Someonepraisesyourneighbourinyourhearing，histalents，hisperformances，hischaracter，hismotives，orsomethingelsethatbelongstoyourneighbour。Someonedoesthatinyourhearingwhoeitherdoesnotknowyou，orwhowishestotortureandexposeyou，andyoufallstraightintothesnarethussetforyou，andbeginatoncetobelittle，depreciate，detractfrom，andrundownyourneighbour，whohasbeentoomuchpraisedforyourpeaceofmindandyourself-control。Youinsinuatesomethingtohisdisadvantageanddishonour。Youquotesomeauthorityyouhaveheardtohishurt。

Andsoonpastallourpowertopictureyou。Fordetractionhasathousanddevicestaughttoitbythemasterofallsuchdevices，wherewithtodragdownanddefilethegreatandthegood。Butwithallyoucansayordo，youcannotformanydaysgetoutofyourmindtheheart-poisoningpraiseyouheardspokenofyourenviedneighbour。Neverpraiseanypotter’spotsinthehearingofanotherpotter，saidtheauthoroftheNicomacheanEthics。

Aristotlesaidpotter’spots，buthereallyallthetimewasthinkingofaphilosopher’sbooks；onlyhesaidpotter’spotstodrawoffhisreaders’attentionfromhimself。Now，alwaysrememberthatancientandwiseadvice。Takecarehowyoupraiseapotter’spots，aphilosopher’sbooks，awoman’sbeauty，aspeaker’sspeech，apreacher’ssermontoanotherpotter，philosopher，woman，speaker，orpreacher；unless，indeed，youmaliciouslywishsecretlytotorturethem，orpubliclytoexposethem，or，iftheirsanctificationisbegun，tosanctifythemtotheirmostinwardandspiritualsanctification。

Backbiting，again，wouldseematfirstsighttobeasinoftheteethratherthanofthetongue，only，nosharpesttoothcantearyouwhenyourbackisturnedlikeyourneighbour’seviltongue。

Pascalhasmanydreadfulthingsaboutthecorruptionandmiseryofman，buthehasnothingthatstrikesitsterriblebarbdeeperintoallourconsciencesthanthis，thatifallourfriendsonlyknewwhatwehavesaidaboutthembehindtheirback，wewouldnothavefourfriendsinalltheworld。Neitherwewould。IknowIwouldnothaveone。Howmanywouldyouhave？Andwhowouldtheybe？

Youcannotnamethem。Idefyyoutonamethem。Theydonotexist。

Thetonguecannomantame。

’Givingofcharacters’alsotakesupalargepartofoureverydayconversation。Wecannotwellhelpcharacterising，describing，andestimatingoneanother。But，asfaraspossible，whenweseetheconversationagainapproachingthatdangeroussubject，weshouldcalltomindourpastremorse；weshouldsupposeourabsentneighbourpresent；weshouldimaginehiminourplaceandourselvesinhisplace，andsoturntherisingtalkintoanotherchannel。

For，thetruthis，fewofusareabletodojusticetoourneighbourwhenwebegintodiscussanddescribehim。Generosityinourtalkisfareasierforusthanjustice。ItwasthisincessantgivingofcharactersthatourLordhadinHiseyewhenHesaidinHisSermonontheMount，Judgenot。ButourLordmightaswellneverhaveutteredthatwarningwordforalltheattentionwegiveit。Forwegoonjudgingoneanotherandsentencingoneanotherasifwewereentirelyandinallthingsblamelessourselves，andasifGodhadsetusupinourblamelessnessinHisseatofjudgmentoverallourfellows。Howseldomdowehearanyonesayinapublicdebateorinaprivateconversation，Idon’tknow；or，Itisnomatterofmine；or，IfeelthatIamnotinpossessionofallthefacts；or，Itmaybeso，butImustnotjudge。Weneverhearsuchthingsasthesesaid。NoonepaystheleastattentiontothePreacherontheMount。Andifanyonesaystous，Imustnotjudge，weneverforgivehim，becausehishumilityandhisobediencesocondemnallourill-formed，prejudiced，rash，andill-naturedjudgmentsofourneighbour。Since，therefore，soButlersumsup，itissohardforustoenteronourneighbour’scharacterwithoutoffendingthelawofChrist，weshouldlearntodeclinethatkindofconversationaltogether，anddeterminetogetoverthatstronginclinationmostofushave，tobecontinuallytalkingabouttheconcerns，thebehaviour，andthedesertsofourneighbours。

Now，itwasallthosevicesofthetongueinfulloutbreakinthedayofJamestheJustthatmadethatapostle，halfinsorrow，halfinanger，demandofallhisreadersthattheyshouldhenceforthbegintobridletheirtongues。And，likeallthatmostpracticalapostle’scounsels，thatisamostimpressiveandmemorablecommandment。For，itiswellknownthatallsanemenwhoeitherrideonordriveunrulyhorses，takegoodcaretobridletheirhorseswellbeforetheybringthemoutoftheirstabledoor。Andthentheykeeptheirbridle-handfirmclosedonthebridle-reintilltheirhorsesarebackinthestableagain。Especiallyandparticularlytheykeepacloseeyeandafirmhandontheirhorse’sbridleonallsteepinclinesandatallsharpanglesandsuddenturnsintheroad；whensuddentrainsarepassingandwhenstraydogsarebarking。Iftheriderorthedriverofahorsedidnotlookatnothingelsebutthebridleofhishorse，bothheandhishorseunderhimwouldsoonbeintheditch，——assomanyofusareatthepresentmomentbecausewehaveanuntamedtongueinourmouthonwhichwehavenotyetbeguntoputthebridleoftruthandjusticeandbrotherlylove。Indeed，suchwoeandmiseryhasanuntamedtonguewroughtinotherchurchesandinotherandmoreseriousagesthanours，thatspecialreligiousbrotherhoodshavebeenbandedtogetherjustonthespecialandstrictengagementthattheywouldaboveallthingsputabridleontheirtongues。’Whatarethechiefcaresofayoungconvert？’askedsuchaconvertatanagedCarthusian。’IsaidIwilltakeheedtomywaysthatI

trespassnotwithmytongue，’repliedthesaintlyfather。’Saynomoreforthepresent，’interruptedtheyouthfulbeginner；’Iwillgohomeandpractisethat，andwillcomeagainwhenIhaveperformedit。’

Now，whateverfaultsthattallmanhadwhotookupsomuchofFaithful’stimeandattention，hewasasaintcomparedwiththemenandthewomenwhohavejustpassedbeforeus。Talkative，asJohnBunyansoscornfullynamesthattallman，thoughheundoubtedlytakesuptoomuchtimeandtoomuchspaceinBunyan’sbook，wasnotabusybodyinothermen’smattersatanyrate。Nobodycouldcallhimadetractororabackbiteroratalebeareroraliar。

Christianknewhimwell，andhadknownhimlong，butChristianwasnotafraidtoleavehimalonewithFaithful。Weallknowmenwefeelitunsafetoleavelongalonewithourfriends。Wefeelsurethattheywillbetalkingaboutus，andthattoourhurt，assoonasourbacksareabout。Buttogivethattallmanhisdue，hewasnotgivenwithallhistalktotale-bearingorscandalordetraction。Hadhebeenguiltyofanyofthesethings，Faithfulwouldsoonhavefoundhimout，andwouldhavelefthimtogototheCelestialCitybyhimself。But，aftertalkingforhalfadaywithTalkative，insteadoffindingoutanythingwronginthetallman’stalk，Faithfulwassotakenandsostruckwithit，thathesteppedacrosstoChristianandsaid，’Whatabravecompanionwehavegot！

Surelythismanwillmakeamostexcellentpilgrim！’’SoIoncethoughttoo，’saidChristian，’tillIwenttolivebesidehim，andhavetodowithhiminthebusinessofdailylife。’Yes，itisnearneighbourhoodandthebusinessofeverydaylifethattryatalkingman。Ifyougotoameetingforprayer，andhearsomemenprayingandspeakingonreligioussubjects，youwouldsaytoyourself，Whatagoodmanthatis，andhowhappymusthiswifeandchildrenandservantsandneighboursbewithsuchanexamplealwaysbeforethem，andwithsuchanintercessorforthemalwayswithGod！

Butifyouweretogohomewiththatsodevotionalman，andtrytodobusinesswithhim，andwerecompelledtocrosshimandgoagainsthim，youwouldfindoutwhyChristiansmiledsowhenFaithfulwassofullofTalkative’spraises。

Butofallthereligiously-loquaciousmenofourday，yourministersarethechief。Foryourministersmusttalkinpublic，andthatoftenandatgreatlength，whethertheyaretrulyreligiousmenathomeorno。Itistheircallingtotalktoyouunceasinglyaboutreligiousmatters。Youchosethemtobeyourministersbecausetheycouldtalkwell。Youwouldnotputupwithaministerwhocouldnottalkwellonreligiousthings。Youestimatethembytheirtalk。Youpraiseandpaythembytheirtalk。Andiftheyaretolive，talkincessantlytoyouaboutreligiontheymust，andtheydo。Ifanyothermanamongusisnotareligiousman，well，then，hecanatleastholdhistongue。

Thereisnonecessitylaidonhimtospeakinpublicaboutthingsthathedoesnotpractiseathome。Butwehard-bestedministersmustgoonspeakingcontinuallyaboutthemostsolemnthings。Andifwearenotextraordinarilywatchfuloverourselves，andextraordinarilyandincreasinglyconscientious，ifwearenotsteadilygrowingininwardnessandinsightanddepthandrealspiritualityofmindandlifeourselves，wecannotescape，——ourcallinginlifewillnotletusescape，——becomingassoundingbrass。ThereisanawfulsentenceinButlerthatshouldbewritteninlettersoffireineveryminister’sconscience，totheeffectthatcontinuallygoingoverreligionintalkandmakingfinepicturesofitinthepulpit，createsaprofessionalinsensibilitytopersonalreligionthatistheeverlastingruinofmultitudesofeloquentministers。Thatistrue。Weministersallfeelthattobetrue。Ourmiserableexperiencetellsusthatisonlytootrueofourselves。Whatafloodofdemoralisingtalkhasbeenpouredoutfromthepulpitsofthisonecityto-day！——demoralisingtopreachersandtohearersboth，becausenotintendedtobeputinpractice。Howfewofthosewhohavetalkedandheardtalkallthisdayaboutdivinetruthandhumanduty，havemadetheleastbeginningortheleastresolvetoliveastheyhavespokenandheard！And，yet，allwillinwordsagainadmitthatthesoulofreligionisthepractickpart，andthatthetonguewithouttheheartandthelifeisbutdeathandcorruption。

Letus，then，thisverynightbegintodosomethingpracticalafterallthistalkabouttalk。Andletusallbegintodosomethinginthedirectlineofourpresenttalk。WhatanoblecongregationofevangelicalCarthusiansthatwouldmakeusifweallputabridleonourtongueto-nightbeforeweleftthishouse。Forweallhaveneighbours，friends，enemies，againstwhomweeverydaysinwithourunbridledtongue。Weallhaveacquaintancesweareashamedtomeet，wehavebeensounkindandsounjusttothemwithourtongue。

Wehangdownourheadwhentheyshakeourhand。Yes，weknowthemenquitewellofwhomPascalspeaks。Weknowmanymenwhowouldneverspeaktousagainiftheyonlyknewhow，andhowoften，wehavespokenaboutthembehindtheirback。Well，letussinagainstthem，andagainstourselves，andagainstourMaster’scommandandexamplenomore。LetthisnightandthislectureonTalkativeandhiskindredseethelastofoursinagainstourill-usedneighbour。

LetuspromiseGodandourownconsciencesto-night，thatweshallallthisweekputonabridleaboutthatman，andaboutthatsubject，andinthatplace，andinthatcompany。Letussay，Godhelpingme，Ishallforallthisweeknotspeakaboutthatmanatall，anythingeithergoodorbad，noronthatsubject，norwillI

lettheconversationturnintothatchannelatallifIcanhelpit。AndGodwillsurelyhelpus，till，afterweeksandyearsofsuchprayerandsuchpractice，weshallbyslowdegrees，andaftermanydefeats，beabletosaywiththePsalmist，’Iwilltakeheedtomyways，thatIsinnotwithmytongue。Iwillkeepmymouthwithabridle。Iwillbedumbwithsilence。Iwillholdmypeaceevenfromgood。’

JUDGEHATE-GOOD

’Hear，OheadsofJacob，andyeprincesofthehouseofIsrael……whohatethegoodandlovetheevil。’——Micah。

TheportraitofJudgeHate-goodinThePilgrim’sProgressisbutapoorreplica，asourartistssay，oftheportraitofJudgeJeffreysinourEnglishhistorybooks。Iamsureyouhaveoftenread，withastonishmentatBunyan’sliterarypower，hiswonderfulaccountofthetrialofFaithful，when，asBunyansays，hewasbroughtforthtohistrialinordertohiscondemnation。WehavethewholeecclesiasticaljurisprudenceofCharlesandJamesStuartputbeforeusinthatsinglesatiricalsentence。But，powerfulasBunyan’swholepictureofJudgeHate-good’scourtis，itisatameandapoorpicturecomparedwithwhatallthehistorianstellusoftheinjusticeandcrueltyofthecourtofJudgeJeffreys。Macaulay’sportraitoftheLordChiefJusticeofEnglandforferocityandfiendishnessbeatsoutofsightBunyan’spictureofthatjudgewhokeepsSatan’sownsealinBunyan’sBook。JeffreyswasbredforhisfutureworkatthebaroftheOldBailey，abaralreadyproverbialforthelicenceofitstongueandforthecoarsenessofitscases。

JeffreysservedhisapprenticeshipfortheservicethatourtwolastStuartshadinreserveforhimsowell，thathesoonbecame，sohisbeggaredbiographerdescribeshim，themostconsummatebullythateverdisgracedanEnglishbench。Theboldestimpudencewhenhewasayoungadvocate，andthemostbrutalferocitywhenhewasanoldjudge，satequallysecureonthebrazenforeheadofGeorgeJeffreys。TherealandundoubtedabilityandscholarshipofJeffreysonlymadehiswickednessthemoreawful，andhiswholecareerthegreatercursebothtothosewhosetoolhewas，andtothosewhosebloodhedrankdaily。Jeffreysdrankbrandyandsanglewdsongsallnight，andhedrankbloodandcursedandsworeonthebenchallday。JustimaginethestateofourEnglishcourtswhenajudgecouldthusassailapoorwretchofawomanafterpassingacruelsentenceuponher。’Hangman，’shoutedtheerminedbrute，’Hangman，payparticularattentiontothislady。Scourgehersoundly，man。Scourgehertillthebloodruns。ItistheChristmasseason；acoldseasonformadamtostripin。See，therefore，man，thatyouwarmhershouldersthoroughly。’AndyouallknowwhoRichardBaxterwas。Youhaveallreadhisseraphicbook，TheSaints’Rest。Well，besidesbeingtheRichardBaxtersowellknowntooursaintlyfathersandmothers，hewasalso，andhewasemphatically，thepeace-makerofthePuritanparty。Baxter’spoliticalprincipleswereofthemosttemperateandconciliatory，andindeed，almostroyalistkind。Hewasamanofstrongpassions，indeed，butallthestrengthandheatofhispassionsranoutintohishatredofsinandhisloveofholiness，andanunsparingandconsumingcareforthesoulsofhispeople。VeryFaithfulhimselfstoodbeforethebarofJudgeJeffreysinthepersonofRichardBaxter。IttookallthebarefacedfalsehoodandscandalousinjusticeofthecrownprosecutorstodrawouttheshamindictmentthatwasreadoutincourtagainstinoffensiveRichardBaxter。Butwhatwaslackinginthechargeofthecrownwassoonmadeupbytheabominablescurrilityofthejudge。’Youareaschismaticalknave，’roaredoutJeffreys，assoonasBaxterwasbroughtintocourt。’Youareanoldhypocriticalvillain。’Andthen，claspinghishandsandturninguphiseyes，hesangthroughhisnose:’O

Lord，weareThypeculiarpeople:weareThydearandonlypeople。’’Youoldblockhead，’heagainroaredout，’Iwillhaveyouwhippedthroughthecityatthetailofthecart。BythegraceofGodIwilllookafteryou，Richard。’AndthetigerwouldhavebeenasgoodashiswordhadnotanoverpoweringsenseofshamecompelledtheotherjudgestoprotestandgetBaxter’sinhumansentencecommutedtofineandimprisonment。Andsoon，andsoon。

ButitwasJeffreys’’WesternCircuit，’asitwascalled，thatfilledupthecupofhisinfamy——aninfamy，saythehistorians，thatwilllastaslongasthelanguageandthehistoryofEnglandlast。TheonlyparalleltoitistheinfamyofaroyalhouseandaroyalcourtthatcouldwelcomehomeandpromotetohonoursuchadetestablemiscreantasJeffreyswas。ButtheslaughterinSomersetwasonlyoverinorderthatasimilarslaughterinLondonmightbegin。LetthosewhohaveastomachformorebloodandtearsfollowoutthehelluponearththatJamesStuartandGeorgeJeffreystogetherletlooseonthebestlifeofEnglandintheirnowfast-shorteningday。WasJudgeJeffreys，someofyouwillaskme，bornandbredinhell？Wasthedevilhisfather，andoriginalsinhismother？Or，washenottheverydevilhimselfcometoearthforaseasoninEnglishflesh？No，mybrethren，notso。

JudgeJeffreyswasoneofourselves。LittleGeorgeJeffreyswasbornandbroughtupinahappyEnglishhome。HewasbaptisedandconfirmedinanEnglishchurch。HetookhonoursinanEnglishuniversity。Heatedinners，wascalledtothebar，conductedcases，andtooksilkinanEnglishcourtofjustice。Andintheripenessofhisyearsandofhisservices，heworethehonourableermineandsatupontheenviedwool-sackofanEnglishsovereign。

Itwouldhavebeenfarlessawfulandfarlessalarmingtothinkof，hadJudgeJeffreysbeen，asyousupposed，apuredevilletlooseontheChurchofChristandtheawakeninglibertyofEngland。

ButsomeinnocentsoulwillaskmenextwhethertherehaseverbeenanyothermonsteronthefaceoftheearthlikeJudgeJeffreys；andwhetherbyanypossibilitythereareanysuchmonstersanywhereinourownday。Yes，truthcompelsmetoreply。Yes，thereare，plenty，toomany。Onlytheirenvironment，nowadays，asournaturalistssay，doesnotpermitthemtogrowtosuchstrengthanddimensionsasthoseofJamesStuart，andGeorgeJeffreys，hisfavouritejudge。Atthesametime，benotdeceivedbyyourowndeceitfulheart，norbyanyotherdeceiver’ssmoothspeeches。

JudgeJeffreysisinyourself，onlycircumstanceshavenotyetlethimfullyshowhimselfinyou。Still，ifyoulookcloseenoughanddeepenoughintoyourownhearts，youwillseethesamewickedlightglancingsometimestherethatusedsototerrifyJudgeJeffreys’prisonerswhentheysawitinhiswickedeyes。Ifyoulayyourearcloseenoughtoyourownheart，youwillsometimeshearsomethingofthatsamehisswithwhichthathumanserpentsentencedtotortureandtodeaththemenandthewomenwhowouldnotsubmittohiscommand。Thesamesavagelaughteralsowillsometimesallbutescapeyourlipsasyouthinkofhowyourenemyhasbeenmadetosufferinbodyandinestate。Oyes，theverysamehell-broththatranforbloodinJudgeJeffreys’heartisinallourheartsalso；andthosewhohavetheleastofitspoisonleftintheirheartswillbetheforemosttoconfessitspresence，andtohateandcondemnandbewailthemselvesonaccountofitsterribledregs。

HATE-GOODisanawfulenoughnameforanyhumanbeingtobear。

Thosewhoreallyknowwhatgoodnessis，andthen，whathatredis，——

theywillfeelhowawfulathingitisforanymantohategoodness。Butthereissomethingamongussinfulmenfarmoreawfulthaneventhat，andthatistohateGod。Thecarnalmind，writestheapostlePaultotheRomans——anditissurelythemostterriblesentencethatoftenterribleenoughapostleeverwrote——

thecarnalmindisenmityagainstGod。AndDr。JohnOwenannotatingonthatsentenceisequallyterrible。Thecarnalmind，hesays，has’chosenagreatenemyindeed。’AndhavingmentionedJohnOwen，willyouletmeoncemorebeseechallstudentsofdivinity，thatis，allstudents，amongstotherthings，ofthedesperatedepravityofthehumanheart，toreadJohnOwen’ssixthvolumetilltheyhaveitbyheart，——byabroken，believingheart。

OwenOnIndwellingSinisoneofthegreatestworksofthegreatPuritanperiod。Itisareallygreat，andaswenowadayssay，atrulyscientificworktothebargain。Butallthatbytheway。

Yes，thiscarnalheartthatisstillleftineveryoneofushaschosenagreatenemy，anditwouldneedbothstrongandfaithfulalliesinordertofighthim。ThehatredthatHisSonalsometwithwhenHewasinthisworldisoneofthemosthatefulpagesofthishatefulworld’shatefulhistory。HeknewHisownhearttowardsHisenemies，andthusHewasabletosaytotheSearcherofHeartswithHisdyingbreath，TheyhatedMewithoutacause。Trulyourhatredishottestwhenitismostunjust。

’Looktoyourselves，’wrotetheapostleJohntotheelectladyandherchildren。Yes；letusalllooksharplyandsuspiciouslytoourselvesinthismatternowinhand，andweshallnotneedJohnOwennoranybodyelsetodiscovertousthehatredandthehatefulnessofourownhearts。Looktoyourselves，andtheworkofthelawwillsoonbefulfilledinyou。Homohominilupus，taughtanoldphilosopherwhohadstudiedmoralphilosophynotinbookssomuchasinhisownheart。’Isnomannaturallygood？’askedinnocentLadyMacleodofDunveganCastleatherguest，Dr。SamuelJohnson。’No，madam，nomorethanawolf。’Thatisquitepastallquestionwithallthosewhoeitherinnaturalmoralsorinrevealedreligionlooktoandknowandcharacterisethemselves。Wehaveallaninbornpropensitytodislikeoneanother，andaverysmallprovocationwillsuddenlyblowthatbanked-upfurnaceintoaflame。

Itiseverpresentwithme，saysself-examiningPaul，andhenceitssosuddenandsodestructiveoutbreaks。Sothewrittenortheprintednameofourenemy，hisimageinourmind，hispassingstep，hisfigureoutofthewindow；hiswife，hischild，hiscarriage，hiscartinthestreet，anything，everythingwillstirupourheartatthemanwedonotlike。AndthewholeofoursohonestBible，ourpresenttext，andtheillustrationsofourtextinJudgeJeffreys’andJudgeHate-good’scourts，allgotoshowthatthebetteramanisthemoresometimeswillwehatehim。Goodmen，bettermenthanweare，menwhoinpubliclifeandinprivatelifepursuegreatandgoodends，ofnecessitycrossandgocountertousinourpursuitofsmall，selfish，evilends，andofnecessitywehatethem。For，crossaselfishsinnersufficientlyandyouhaveaverydevil——asmanygoodmen，iftheyknewit，haveinus。Again，goodmenwhocomeintocontactwithuscannothelpseeingourbadlives，ourtempers，ourselfishness，ourpublicandprivatevices；

andweseethattheyseeus，andwecannotlovethosewhoseavertedeyesogoestoourconscience。Andnotonlyinthehatredofgoodmen，butifyouknowofGodhowtowatchyourselves，youwillfindyourselvesouteverydayalsointhehatredofgoodmovements，goodcauses，goodinstitutions，andgoodworks。Therearedoctorswhowouldfarratherhearoftheirrival’spatientexpiringinhishandsthanheartheirrival’ssuccesstrumpetedthroughallthetown。Thereareministers，also，whowouldratherthatthemassesofthecityandthecountrysankyetdeeperintoimprovidenceanddrinkandneglectofordinancesthanthattheywererescuedbyanyotherchurchthantheirown。Theyhatetohearofthesuccessesofanotherchurch。Therearepartypoliticianswhowouldratherthattheshipofthestateranontherocksbothinherhomeandherforeignpolicythanthattheoppositepartyshouldsteerheramidanation’scheersintoharbour。Andsoofgoodnews。Iwillstakethedivinetruthofthisevening’sScriptures，andoftheirhistoricalandimaginativeillustrations，onthefeelings，ifyouknowhowtoobserve，detect，characterise，andconfessthem，——thefeelings，Isay，thatwillriseinyourheartto-morrowmorningwhenyoureadwhatisgoodnewstoothermen，eventogoodmen，andtothefamiliesandfamilyinterestsofgoodmen。Itdoesnotmatteroneatomintowhatprofession，office，occupation，interestyoutrackthecorruptheartofman，assureasasubstancecastsashadow，sosurewillyoufindyourownselfishhearthatinggoodnesswhenthegoodnessdoesnotserveorflatteryou。

Now，thoughtheywillneverbemany，yettheremustbesomemenamongus，onehereandanotherthere，whohavesolookedatandfoundoutthemselves。Icanwellbelievethatsomemenherecameuptothishouseto-nighttremblingintheirheartalltheway。

Theyfelttheveryadvertisementgothroughthemlikeaknife:

theyfeltthattheyweresummoneduphitheralmostbynameastojudgment。Fortheyfeeleveryday，thoughtheyhavenevertoldtheirfeelingstoany，thattheyhavethishorribleheartdeep-

seatedwithinthemtoloveevilandtohategood。Theygnashtheirteethatthemselvesastheycatchthemselvesrejoicingininiquity。

Theyfeeltheirheartsexpanding，andtheyknowthattheirfacesshine，whenyoutellthemeviltidings。Theysickenandloseheartandsitsolitarywhenyoucarrytothemagoodreport。TheyfeelasJohnBunyanfelt，thatnoonebutthedevilcanequaltheminpollutionofheart。AndtheirwondersometimesisthattheSearcherofHeartsdoesnotdrivethemdownwheredevilsdwellandhateGodandmanandoneanother。Theylookaroundthemwhenthepenitentialpsalmisbeingsung，andtheysmilebitterlytothemselves。OpeopleofGod，theysay，youdonotknowwhatyouaresaying。Leavethatpsalmtome。Icansingit。IcantelltoGodwhatHeknowsaboutsin，andaboutsinintheheart。Standawaybackfromme，thatmansays，forIamaleper。Thechiefofsinnersisbesideyou。Awhitedsepulchrestandsopenbesideyou——

Stopnow，Ohatingandhatefulman，andletmespeakforasinglemomentbeforeweseparate。Beforeyousayanymoreaboutyourself，andbeforeyouleavethehouseofGod，liftupyourbrokenheartandwithallyourmightblessGodthatHehasopenedyoureyesandtaughtyouhowtolookatyourselfandhowtohateyourself。TherearehundredsofhonestChristianmenandwomeninthishouseatthismomenttowhomGodhasnotdoneas，inHisfreegrace，Hehasdonetoyou。ForHehasnotonlybegunagoodworkinyou，butHehasbegunthatspecialandpeculiarworkwhich，whenitgoesontoperfection，makesagreatandaneminentsaintofGod。Toknowyourownheartasyouevidentlyknowit，andtohateitasyousayyouhateit，andtohungerafteracleanheartas，witheverybreath，youhunger，——allthat，ifyouwouldonlybelieveit，setsyou，orwillyetsetyou，highupamongthepeopleofGod。Becomforted；itisyourboundendutytobecomforted。GoddeservesitatyourhandsthatyoubemorethancomfortedamidsuchunmistakablesignsofHiseminentgracetoyou。Andbepatientunderyourexceptionalsanctification。Romewasnotbuiltinaday。Youcannotreversetheawfullawofyoursanctification。YoucannotbesavedbyJesusChristandHisHolySpiritwithoutseeingyourself，andyoucannotseeyourselfwithouthatingyourself，andyoucannotbegintohateyourselfwithoutallyourhatredhenceforthturningagainstyourself。Youaredeepinthered-hotbosomoftherefiner’sfire。AndwhenyouareoncesufficientlytriedbytheDivineRefinerofSouls，HewillinHisowngoodtimeandwaybringyououtasgold。Bepatient，therefore，tillthecomingoftheLord。Andsaycontinuallyamidallyourincreasingknowledgeofyourself，andamidallyourincreasinghatredofyourself，’Asforme，IwillbeholdThyfaceinrighteousness；I

shallbesatisfiedwhenIawakewithThylikeness。’