第7章

AndalwayspungentThomasShepardofNewEngland:”Youshallfindthis，thatthereisnotanycarriageorpassageoftheLord’sprovidencetowardtheebutHewillgetanametoHimself，firstandlast，byit。HenceyoushallfindthatthoseverysinsthatdishonourHisnameHewillevenbythemgetHimselfabettername；

forsofarwilltheybefromcastingyououtofHislovethatHewillactuallydotheegoodbythem。Lookandseeifitisnotsowiththee？DothnotthyweaknessstrengthentheelikePaul？Dothnotthyblindnessmaketheecryforlight？AndhathnotGodoutofdarknessoftentimesbroughtlight？ThouhastfeltvenomagainstChristandthybrother，andthouhastonthataccountloathedthyselfthemore。Thyfallsintosinmaketheewearyofit，watchfulagainstit，longtoberidofit。AndthusHemakesthypoisonthyfood，thydeaththylife，thydamnationthysalvation，andthyverygreatestenemiesthyverybestfriends。AndhenceMr。

FoxsaidthathethankedGodmoreforhissinsthanforhisgoodworks。Andthereasonis，GodwillhaveHisname。”And，last，butnotleast，listentoouroldacquaintance，JamesFraserofBrea:”Ifindadvantagesbymysins:’Peccarenocet，peccavisseverojuvat。’Imaysay，asMr。Foxsaid，mysinshave，inamanner，donememoregoodthanmygraces。Graceandmercyhavemoreaboundedwheresinhadmuchabounded。Iambymysinsmademuchmorehumble，watchful，revengefulagainstmyself。IammadetoseeagreaterneedtodependmoreuponHimandtoloveHimthemore。I

findthattruewhichShepardsays，’sinlosesstrengthbyeverynewfall。’”Haveyoufollowedallthat，mybrethren？Orhaveyoustumbledatit？Doyounotunderstandit？Doesyoursuperficialgin-horsemindinclinetoshakeitsemptyheadoverallthis？I

knowthatgreatnames，andespeciallythegreatnamesofyourownparty，gomuchfartherwithyouthanthetruthgoes，andthereforeIhaveshelteredthisdeeptruthunderashieldofgreatnames。

FortheirsakesletthissuretruthofGod’sbestsaintslieinpeaceandundisputedbesideyoutillyouarrivetounderstandit。

But，toproceed，——thethingwasthis。AtthispassagetherecomesdownfromBroadway-gatealanecalledDead-Man’s-lane，socalledbecauseofthemurdersthatarecommonlydonethere。AndthisLittle-Faithgoingonpilgrimage，aswenowdo，chancedtositdownthereandfellfastasleep。Yes；thethingwasthis:Thisgoodmanhadneverbeenwhatonewouldcallreallyawake。Hewasnotabadman，asmenwentinthetownofSincere，buthealwayshadahalf-slepthalf-awakenedlookabouthiseyes，tillnow，atthismostunfortunatespot，hefellstone-deadasleep。Youallknow，I

shallsuppose，whattheapostlePaulandJohnBunyanmeanbysleep，doyounot？Youallknow，atanyrate，tobeginwith，whatsleepmeansintheaccidentcolumnofthemorningpapers。YouallknowwhatsleepmeantandwhatitinvolvedandcostintheThirsksignal-boxtheothernight。{1}Whenamanisasleep，heisasgoodasdead，andotherpeopleareasgoodasdeadtohim。Heisdeadtoduty，todanger，tootherpeople’slives，aswellastohisown。Hemaybehavingpleasantdreams，andmayevenbelaughingaloudinhissleep，butthatmayonlymakehisawakingallthemorehideous。Hemayawakejustintime，orhemayawakejusttoolate。

Only，heisasleepandheneitherknowsnorcares。Now，thereisasleepofthesoulaswellasofthebody。Andasthesoulisinworth，asthesoulisinitslifeandinitsdeathtothebody，soisitssleep。Manyofyousittingtherearequiteasdeadtoheavenandhell，todeathandjudgment，andtowhatastakeotherpeopleaswellasyourselveshaveinyoursleepasthatpoorsleeperinthesignal-boxwasdeadtowhatwascomingrushingonhimthroughtheblacknight。Andasallhisgnashingofteethathimself，andallhissobsbeforehisjudgeandbeforethelaid-outdead，andbeforedistractedwidowsandhalf-madhusbandsdidnotbringbackthatfatalmomentwhenhefellasleepsosweetly，sowillitbewithyou。Lazarus！comeforth！Wiseandfoolishvirginsboth:BeholdtheBridegroomcometh！Awake，thouthatsleepest，andarisefromthedead，andChristshallgivetheelight！

And，withthat，GuiltwithagreatclubthatwasinhishandstruckLittle-Faithonthehead，andwiththatblowfelledhimtotheearth，wherehelaybleedingasonethatwouldsoonbleedtodeath。

Yes，yes，alltruetotheverylife。Amanmaybetheboastandtheexampleofallthetown，andyet，unknowntothemall，andallbutunknowntohimselftillheisstruckdown，hemayhavehadguiltenoughonhistrackallthetimetolayhimhalfdeadatthemouthofDead-Man’s-lane。GoodaswasthecertificatethatallmenintheirhonestygavetoLittle-Faith，yetevenhehadsomebadenoughmemoriesbehindhimandwithinhimhadheonlykeptthemeverpresentwithhim。But，then，itwasjustthisthatallalongwasthematterwithLittle-Faith。Till，somehow，afterthatsadandyetnotwhollyevilsleep，allhispastsinsleaptoutintothelightandsuddenlybecameandremainedalltherestofhislifelikescarlet。Soloaded，indeed，wastheclubofGuiltwiththenailsandstudsandclampsofsecretaggravation，thateverynailandstudleftitsownbleedingbruiseintheprostrateman’shead。

Ihavemyself，saysthenarratorofLittle-Faith’sstory，Ihavemyselfbeenengagedashewas，andIfoundittobeaterriblething。Iwould，asthesayingis，havesoldmylifeatthatmomentforapenny；butthat，asGodwouldhaveit，Iwasclothedwitharmourofproof:ay，andyetthoughIwasthusharnessed，Ifoundithardworktoquitmyselflikeaman。Nomancantellwhatinthatcombatattendsusbuthethathathbeeninthebattlehimself。

Great-Gracehimself，——whosolookswelluponhisfaceshallseethosecutsandscarsthatshalleasilygivedemonstrationofwhatI

say。

MostunfortunatelytherewasnogoodSamaritanwithhisbeastontheroadthatdaytotakethehalf-deadmantoaninn。AndthusitwasthatLittle-Faithwaslefttolieinhisbloodtilltherewasalmostnomorebloodleftinhim。Tillatlast，comingalittletohimself，hemadeashifttoscrabbleonhisway。Whenhewasabletolookalittletohimself，besidesallhiswoundsandlossofblood，hefoundthatallhisspendingmoneywasgone，andwhatwashetodo，astrangerinsuchaplightonastrangeroad？Therewasnothingforitbuthemustjustbeghiswaywithmanyahungrybellyfortheremainderofhisway。Youallunderstandtheparableatthispoint？Ourknowledgeofgospeltruth；ourpersonalexperienceofthelifeofGodinourownsoul；oursensibleattainmentsinthisgraceoftheSpiritandinthat；insecretprayer，inlovetoGod，inforgivenessofinjuries，ingood-willtoallmen，andinself-denialthatnooneknowsof，——inthingslikethesewepossesswhatmaybecalledthepocket-moneyofthespirituallife。Allthesethings，attheirbest，arenotthetruejewelthatnothiefcanbreakthroughnorsteal；butthoughtheyarenotourbestandtruestriches，yettheyhavetheirplaceandplaytheirpartinsendingusupthepilgrimway。ByourlongandclosestudyofthewordofGod，ifthatisindeedourcase；bydivinetruthdwellingrichlyandexperimentallyinourhearts；andbyahiddenlifethatisitsownwitness，andwhichalwayshastheHolySpirit’ssealsetuponitthatwearethechildrenofGod，——

allthatkeeps，andisdesignedbyGodtokeepourheartsupamidthelaboursandthefaintings，thehopesandthefearsofthespirituallife。Allthatkeepsusattheleastandtheworstabovefamineandbeggary。Now，thewholepitywithLittle-Faithwas，thatthoughhewasnotabadman，yethenever，evenathisbestdays，hadmuchofthosethingsthatmakeagoodandwell-furnishedpilgrim；andwhatlittlehehadhehadnowcleanlost。HehadneverbeenmuchareaderofhisBible；hehadneversatoveritasothermensatovertheirnews-lettersandtheirromances。Hehadneverhadmuchtasteortalentforspiritualbooksofanykind。Hewasagoodsortofman，buthewasnotexactlythemannerofmanonwhosebrokenhearttheHolyGhostsetsthebroadsealofheaven。

Butforhisdreadfulmisadventure，hemighthaveploddedon，adecent，humdrum，commonplace，everydaykindofpilgrim；butwhenthatcatastrophefellonhimhehadnothingtofallbackupon。Thesecretwaysoffaithandloveandhopewerewhollyunknowntohim。

Hehadnopracticeinimportunateprayer。Hehadneverprayedawholenightallhislife。Hehadneverneededtodoso。Forwerewenottoldwhenwefirstmethimwhatablamelessandpureandtrueandgoodmanhehadalwaysbeen？HedidnotknowhowtofindhiswayaboutinhisBible；andasforthemapsandguide-booksthatsomepilgrimsneverletoutoftheirhand，evenwhenhehadsomespendingmoneyabouthim，heneverlaiditoutthatway。AndamorehelplesspilgrimthanLittle-Faithwasalltherestofthewayyouneversaw。Hewasforcedtobegashewent，sayshishistorian。Thatistosay，hehadtoleanuponandlooktowiserandbetter-furnishedmenthanhimself。Hehadtosharetheirmeals，looktothemtopayhisbills，keepclosetotheircompany，walkintheirfoot-prints，andatnightborrowtheiroil，anditwasonlyinthispoordependentwaythatLittle-Faithmanagedtostruggleontotheendofhisdimandjoylessjourney。

ItwouldhavebeenfarmorebecomingandfarmoreprofitableifChristianandHopeful，insteadoffallingoutoftemperandcallingoneanotherbadnamesoverthesadcaseofLittle-Faith，hadtriedtotelloneanotherwhythatunhappypilgrim’sfaithwassosmall，andhowboththeirownfaithandhismightfromthatdayhavebeenmademore。Hopeful，forsomereasonorother，wasinarudeandboastfulmoodofmindthatday，andChristianwasmoretartandsnappishthanwehaveeverbeforeseenhim；and，altogether，theopportunityoflearningsomethingusefuloutofLittle-Faith’sstoryhasbeenallbutlosttous。But，now，sincetherearesomanyofLittle-Faith’skindredamongourselves——somanygoodmenwhoareeitherhalfasleepintheirreligiouslifeorarebeggingtheirwayfromdoortodoor——letthembetold，inclosing，oneortwooutofmanyotherwaysinwhichtheirtoolittlefaithmaypossiblybemadestrongerandmorefruitful。

Well，then，faith，likeeverythingelse，oncewehaveit，growsgreaterbyourcontinualexerciseofit。Exercise，then，intentionallyandseriouslyandonsystemyourfaitheveryday。

AndexerciseithabituallyandincreasinglyonyourBible，onheaven，andonJesusChrist。Andletyourfaithonallthesethings，andplaces，andpersons，workbylove，——byloveandbyimagination。Ourloveiscoldandourfaithissmallandweakforlackofimagination。ReadyourPsalm，yourGospel，yourEpistleeverymorningandeverynightwithyoureyeupontheobject。ThinkyouseethePsalmistamidallhisdeepanddivineexperiences。

ThinkyouseeJesusChristspeakingHisparables，sayingHisprayers，anddoingHisgoodworks。WalkupanddownwithHim，observingHismanner，Hislook，Hisgait，Hisdivinityinyourhumanity，tillGalileeandJerusalembecomeScotlandandEdinburgh；

thatis，tillHeisasmuchwithyou，andmore，thanHewaswithPeterandJamesandJohn。NevercloseyoureyeasinglenighttillyouhaveagainlaidyourhandontheveryheadoftheLambofGod，andtillyoufeelthatyoursinandguilthaveallpassedoffyourhandandonuponHishead。Andneverrisewithout，likeWilliamLaw，salutingtherisingsuninthenameofGod，asifhehadjustbeencreatedandsentupintoyourskytoletyouseetoserveGodandyourneighbourforanotherday。Andbeoftenoutofthisworldandupinheaven。Beatallaboutyouatbuildingcastlesintheair；youhavemorematerialandmorereason。Forisnotfaiththesubstanceofthingshopedfor，andtheevidenceofthingsnotseen？

Walkofteninheaven’sfriendlystreets。Passoftenintoheaven’smanymansionsfilledwithhappyfamilies。Imaginethisunhappylifeatanend，andimagineyourselfsentbacktothisprobationaryworldtoplaythemanforafewshortyearsbeforeheavenfinallycallsyouhome。Little-Faithwasagoodman，buttherewasnospeculationinhiseyesandnosecretsofloveinhisheart。Andifyourfaithalsoislittle，andyourspendingmoneyalsoisrunlow，trythiswayofloveandimagination。Ifyouhaveabetterway，thengoonwithitandbehappyyourselfandhelpfultoothers；butifyourfaithisatastandstillandisstrickenwithbarrenness，trymycounselofputtingmoreheartandmoreinwardeye，moreholyloveandmoreheavenlyjoy，intoyourfrigidandsterilereligion。

THEFLATTERER”Amanthatflatterethhisneighbourspreadethanetforhisfeet。”——TheWiseMan。

BothIgnoranceandLittle-FaithwouldhavehadtheirrevengeandsatisfactionuponChristianandHopefulhadtheyseenthosetwosoPharisaicaloldmentakenintheFlatterer’snet。ForitwasnothingelsebuttheswaggeringprideofHopefuloverthepitifulcaseofLittle-Faith，takenalongwiththehardandhastywaysofChristianwiththatunhappyyouthIgnorance，thatsosoonlaidthembothdownunderthesmallcordsoftheShiningOne。Thiswordofthewiseman，thatpridegoethbeforedestruction，andahaughtyspiritbeforeafall，wasfulfilledtotheveryletterinChristianandHopefulthathigh-mindedday。Atthesametime，itmustbeadmittedthatChristianandHopefulwouldhavebeenmorethanhumaniftheyhadnotbothfeltandletfallsomesuperiority，somescorn，andsomeimpatienceinthepresenceofsuchasillyandupsettingstriplingasIgnorancewas；as，also，overthestoryofsuchapoor-spiritedandspungingcreatureasLittle-Faithwas。

ChristianandHopefulhadjustcomedownfromtheirdelightfultimeamongtheDelectableMountains，andtheywereasfullastheycouldholdofallkindsofknowledge，andfaith，andhope，andassurance；

when，mostunfortunately，asitturnedout，theyfirstcameacrossIgnorance，andthen，afterquarrellingwithhim，theyfelloutbetweenthemselvesoverthecaseofLittle-Faith。Theirsuperiorknowledgeofthetruth，andtheirsuperiorstrengthoffaith，oughttohavemadethemmoreabletobearwiththeinfirmitiesoftheweak，andwiththepassingmoods，howeverprovoking，ofoneanother。Butno。AndtheirimpatienceandcontemptandbadtemperallcameatthiscrisistosuchaheadwiththemthattheycouldonlybecuredbythesmallcordsandthestingingwordsoftheShiningOne。Thetruekeytothissopainfulpartoftheparablehangsatourowngirdle。Wewhohavebeenbornandbroughtupinanevangelicalchurcharethrownfromtimetotimeintothecompanyofmen——ministersandpeople——whohavenothadouradvantagesandopportunities。Theyhavebeenborn，baptized，andbroughtupincommunitiesandchurchesthecleanoppositeofours；andtheyareasignorantofallNewTestamentreligionasIgnorancehimselfwas；

or，ontheotherhand，theyareasfullofsuperstitionandterrorandspiritualstarvationasLittle-Faithwas。Andthen，insteadofrecollectingandlayingtoheartWhomadeustodifferfromsuchignoranceandsuchunbelief，andthusputtingonloveandhumilityandpatiencetowardourneighbours，wespeakscornfullyandroughlytothem，andboastourselvesoverthem，andasgoodassaytothem，Standbythyself，comenotneartome，forIamwiser，wider-

minded，stronger，andbettereverywaythanthou。Andthen，ereeverweareawareofwhatwearedoing，wehaveletthearch-

flattererofreligioussuperiorityandofspiritualprideseduceusasideoutofthelowlyandheavenlywayofloveandhumilitytillweareagainbroughtbacktoitwithrebukesofconscienceandwithotherchastisements。Youallunderstand，mybrethren，thatthemanblackoffleshbutcoveredwithawhiterobewasnowaysideseducerwhometChristianandHopefulatthatdangerouspartoftheroadonlyandonlyonthathigh-mindedday。YouknowfromyourselvessurelythatbothChristianandHopefulcarriedthatblackbutsmooth-spokenmanwithinthemselves。TheFlattererwholedthetwopilgrimssofatallywrongthatdaywasjusttheirownhearttakenoutoftheirownbosomandpersonifiedanddramatisedbyBunyan’sdramaticgenius，andsomadetowalkandtalkandflatterandpuffupoutsideofthemselvestilltheycameagaintoseewhoinrealityhewasandwhencehecame，——thatistosay，tilltheywerebroughttoseewhattheythemselvesstillwere，andwouldalwaysbe，whentheywerelefttothemselves。”Wheredidyoulielastnight？askedtheShiningOnewiththewhip。WiththeShepherdsontheDelectableMountains，theyanswered。Heaskedthemtheniftheyhadnotofthoseshepherdsanoteofdirectionfortheway？Theyanswered，Yes。Butdidyounot，saidhe，whenyouwereatastandpluckoutandreadyournote？Theyanswered，No。Heaskedthemwhy？Theysaidtheyforgot。Heasked，moreoveriftheshepherdsdidnotbidthembewareoftheFlatterer？Theyanswered，Yes；butwedidnotimagine，saidthey，thatthisfine-spokenmanhadbeenhe。”

Allgoodliterature，bothsacredandprofane，bothancientandmodern，isfulloftheFlatterer。Letmenot，protestsElihuinhispowerfulspeechinthebookofJob，letmenotacceptanyman’sperson；neitherletmegiveflatteringtitlesuntoman，lestinsodoingmyMakershouldsoontakemeaway。AndthePsalmistinhispowerfuldescriptionofthewickedmenofhisday:Thereisnofaithfulnessintheirmouth；theirinwardpartisverywickedness；

theirthroatisanopensepulchre；theyflatterwiththeirtongue。

Andagain:Theyspeakwithflatteringlips，andwithadoubleheartdotheyspeak。ButtheLordshallcutoffallflatteringlips，andthetonguethatspeakethproudthings。”Theperpetualhyperbole”ofpurelovebecomesinthelipsofimpurelovetheimpurebaitthatleadsthesimpleonesastrayonthestreetsofthecityasseenandheardbythewisemanoutofhiscasement。Myson，sayuntowisdom，Thouartmysister，andcallunderstandingthykinswoman；thattheymaykeeptheefromthestrangewoman，fromthestrangerwhichflattereththeewithherwords，whichforsakeththeguideofheryouth，andforgetteththecovenantofherGod。

AndtheninthesamebookofHebrewaphorismswefindthistextwhichBunyanputsonthemarginofthepage:”Amanthatflatterethhisneighbourspreadethanetforhisfeet。”Andnow，beforeweleavetheancientworld，ifyouwouldnotthinkitbeneaththedignityoftheplacewearein，Iwouldliketoreadtoyouapassageoutofaround-aboutpaperwrittenbyasatiristofGreeceaboutthetimeofEzraandNehemiahinJerusalem。YouwilleasilyremarkthedifferenceoftonebetweentheseriousnessandpathosoftheHebrewprophetandthelightandchaffingtouchofTheophrastus。”TheFlattererisaperson，”saysthatsatiristofGreeksociety，”whowillsaytoyouashewalkswithyou，’Doyouobservehowpeoplearelookingatyou？ThishappenstonomaninAthensbuttoyou。AfinecomplimentwaspaidyouyesterdayinthePorch。Morethanthirtypersonsweresittingtherewhenthequestionwasstarted，Whoisourforemostman？Everyonementionedyoufirst，andendedbycomingbacktoyourname。”TheFlattererwilllaughalsoatyourstalestjoke，andwillstuffhiscloakintohismouthasifhecouldnotrepresshisamusementwhenyouagaintellit。Hewillbuyapplesandpearsandwillgivetoyourchildrenwhenyouareby，andwillkissthemallandwillsay，’Chicksofagoodfather。’Also，whenheassistsatthepurchaseofslippershewilldeclarethatthefootismoreshapelythantheshoe。Heisthefirstofthegueststopraisethewineandtosayashereclinesnextthehost，’Howdelicateyourfarealwaysis’；

andtakingupsomethingfromthetable，’Now，howexcellentthatis！’”Andsoon。Yes，wehavehearditalloverandoveragaininModernAthensalso。TheGreekfablealsoofthefoxandthecrowandthepieceofcheeseisonlyanotherillustrationofthetruththattheGodoftruthandintegrityneverleftHimselfwithoutawitness。OurownliteraturealsoisscatteredfulloftheFlattererandhistoowillingdupes。”Ofpraiseamereglutton，”

saysGoldsmithofDavidGarrick，”heswallowedwhatcame。Thepuffofaduncehemistookitforfame。””Deliciousessence，”exclaimsSterne，”howrefreshingthouarttopoorhumannature！Howsweetlydostthoumixwiththeblood，andhelpitthroughthemostdifficultandtortuouspassagestotheheart。””Hethatslandersme，”saysCowper，”paintsmeblackerthanIam，andhethatflattersmewhiter。Theybothdaubme，andwhenIlookintheglassofconscience，Iseemyselfdisguisedbyboth。”Andthenhesings:”TheworthofthesethreekingdomsIdefyToluremetothebasenessofalie；

Andofalllies(bethatonepoet’sboast)，TheliethatflattersIabhorthemost。”

Now，praise，whichisoneofthebestandsweetestthingsinhumanlife，sosoonpassesoverintoflattery，whichisoneoftheworstthings，thatsomethingmustherebesaidandlaidtoheartaboutpraisealso。But，tobeginwith，praiseitselfmustfirstbepraised。Thereisnothingnoblerthantruepraiseinhimwhospeaksit，andthereisnothingdearerandsweetertohimwhohearsit。GodHimselfinhabitsthepraisesofIsrael。AllGod’sworkspraiseHim。WhosoofferethpraiseglorifiethMe。PraisewaitethforThee，OGod，inZion。EnterintoHisgateswiththanksgiving，andintoHiscourtswithpraise。Violenceshallnomorebeheardinthyland，wastingnordestructionwithinthyborders；butthoushaltcallthywallsSalvation，andthygatesPraise。Andsuchalsoisalltruepraisebetweenmanandman。Howdeliciouslysweetispraise！Howwelabourafterit！howwelookforitandwaitforit！andhowwelanguishanddieifwedonotgetit！Again，whenitcomestous，howitcheersusupandmakesourfacetoshine！

Foralongtimeafteritourstepissoswiftonthestreetandourfacebeamssothatallmencanquitewellseewhathascometous。

Praiseislikewineinourblood；itisnewlifetoourfaintingheart。Somuchisthisthecasethatasalutationofpraiseistobeourfirsttasteofheavenitself。ItwillwipealltearsoffoureyeswhenwehearourLordsayingtous，”Welldone！”whenallourgoodworksthatwehavedoneinthebodyshallbefounduntopraiseandhonourandgloryinthegreatdayofJesusChrist。

Atthesametime，thissameloveofpraiseisoneofourmostbesettingandfataltemptationsaslongasweareinthisfalseanddoubleanddeceptiveworld。Sin，Godcurseit！hascorruptedandpoisonedeverything，theverybestthingsofthislife，andwhenthebestthingsarecorruptedandpoisonedtheybecometheworstthings。Andpraisedoesnotescapethisuniversalandfatallaw。

Weak，evil，andself-seekingmenarenearus，andweleanuponthem，looktothem，andlistentothem。Wemakethemourstrengthandsupport，andseekreposeandrefreshmentfromthem。Theycannotbealloranyofthesethingstous；butwearefaroninlife，wearedonewithlife，beforewehavediscoveredthatandwilladmitthat。Mostmenneverdiscoverandadmitthattilltheyareoutofthislifealtogether。Christ’spraiseandtheapplauseofHissaintsandangelsaresofutureandsofarawayfromus，andman’spraiseandtheapplauseofthisworld，hollowandfalseasitis，issonearus，thatwefeedoursoulsonoffalandgarbage，when，already，inthewitnessofagoodconscience，wemightbefeastingoursoulsonthefinestofthewheat，andsatisfyingthemwithhoneyoutoftherock。And，then，thisinsatiableappetiteofourhearts，beingsodegradedandperverted，likealldegradedandpervertedappetites，becomesaniron-fastslavetowhatitfeedsupon。Whatmiserableslavesweallaretotheapprovalandthepraiseofmen！Howtheyholdusintheirbondage！Howwelicktheirhandsandsituponourhaunchesandgothroughourposturesforacrumb！Howwecrawlonourbellyandlicktheirfeetforastrokeandasmile！Whatahound’slifedoesthatmanleadwholivesupontheapprovalandthepraiseandthepatronageofmen！

Whatmeannessfillshismind；whatbasenessfillshisheart！Whatashamefulleashheisledabouttheworldin！Howkickedaboutandspatuponheis；whilenothalfsomuchasheknowsallthetimethathedeservestobe！Betterfarbeadogatonceandbaythemoonthanbeamanandfawnuponthepraisesofmen。

Ifyouwouldbeamanatall，nottospeakofaChristianman，starvethisappetitetillyouhavequiteextirpatedit。Youwillneverbesafefromitaslongasitstirswithinyou。Extirpateit！Extirpateit！Youwillneverknowtrueself-respectandyouwillneverdeservetoknowit，tillyouhavewhollyextirpatedyourappetiteforpraise。Putyourfootuponit，putitoutofyourheart。Stopfishingforit，andwhenyouseeitcoming，turnawayandstopyourearsagainstit。Andshoulditstillinsinuateitself，atanyratedonotrepeattootherswhathasalreadysoflatteredandhumbledandweakenedyou。Tellingittootherswillonlyhumbleandweakenyoumore。Byrepeatingthepraisethatyouhaveheardorreadaboutyourselfyouonlyexposeyourselfandpurchasewell-deservedcontemptforyourself。And，morethanthat，byfishingforpraiseyoulayyourselfopentoallsortsofflatterers。Honestmen，menwhotrulyrespectandadmireyou，willshowyoutheirdignifiedregardandappreciationofyouandyourworkbytheirsilence；whileyourleakyslaveswillcrowdaroundyouwithfloodsofpraisethattheyknowwellwillpleaseandpurchaseyou。Andwhenyoucannotwithallyourartssqueezeadropoutofthosewholoveandhonouryou，gallonswillbepoureduponyoubythosewhohaverespectneitherforthemselvesnorforyou。Faugh！Fleefromflatterers，andtakeuponlywithsternlytrueandfaithfulmen。”Iammuchlessregardful，”saysRichardBaxter，”oftheapprobationofmen，andsetmuchlighterstorebytheirpraiseandtheirblame，thanIoncedid。Allworldlythingsappearmostvainandunsatisfyingtothosewhohavetriedthemmost。ButwhileIfeelthatthishashadsomehandinmydistasteforman’spraise，yetitistheincreasingimpressiononmyheartofman’snothingnessandGod’stranscendentgreatness；itisthebrevityandvanityofallearthlythings，takenalongwiththenearnessofeternity；——itisallthisthathasatlastliftedmeabovetheblameandthepraiseofmen。”

Toconclude；letusmakeupourmindanddeterminetopassontoGodonthespoteverysyllableofpraisethatevercomestooureyesorourears——if，inthiscold，selfish，envious，andgrudgingworld，anysyllableofpraiseevershouldcometous。Evenifpureandgenerousandwell-deservedpraiseshouldatanytimecometous，allthatdoesnotmakeitours。Thebestearnedusuryisnotthesteward’sownmoneytodowithitwhathelikes。Theprincipalandtheinterest，andthetradertoo，areallhismaster’s。And，morethanthat，afterthewisestandthebesttraderhasdonehisbest，hewillremain，tohimselfatleast，amostunprofitableservant。Passonthenimmediately，dutifully，andtoitsverylastsyllable，toGodallthepraisethatcomestoyou。Washyourhandsofitandsay，Notuntous，OGod，notuntous，butuntoThyname。

Andthen，totakethemostselfishandhungry-heartedviewofthiswholematter，whatyouthuspassontoGodasnotyourownbutHis，Hewillsoon，andinabetterandsaferworld，returnagaintothefullwithusurytoyou，andyouagaintoGod，andHeagaintoyou，andsoon，alldownthepureandtrueandsweetandblessedlifeofheaven。

ATHEIST”……withoutGod[literally，atheists]intheworld。”——Paul。”YonderisamanwithhisbacktowardZion，andheiscomingtomeetus。Sohedrewnearerandnearer，andatlastcameuptothem。HisnamewasAtheist，andheaskedthemwhithertheyweregoing？WearegoingtotheMountZion，theyanswered。ThenAtheistfellintoaverygreatlaughter。Whatisthemeaningofyourlaughter？theyasked。Ilaughtoseewhatignorantpersonsyouaretotakeuponyousotediousajourney，andyetareliketohavenothingbutyourtravelforyourpains。Why，man？Doyouthinkweshallnotbereceived？theysaid。Received！Thereisnosuchplaceasyoudreamofinallthisworld。Butthereisintheworldtocome，repliedChristian。WhenIwasathome，Atheistwenton，inmineowncountryIheardasyounowaffirm，and，fromthathearing，Iwentouttosee，andhavebeenseekingthiscityyouspeakofthistwentyyears，butfindnomoreofitthanIdidthefirstdayIsetout。And，stilllaughing，hewenthisway。”

HavingbeguntotellusaboutAtheist，whydidBunyannottellusmore？Wewouldhavethankedhimwarmlyto-nightforalittlemoreaboutthisunhappyman。Whydidthedreamernottakeanothereightortenpagesinordertotellus，asonlyhecouldhavetoldus，howthismanthatisnowAtheisthadspenthispasttwentyyearsseekingMountZion？ThosepreciousunwrittenpagesarenowburiedinJohnStrudwick’svaultinBunhillFields，andnoothermanhasarisenabletohandleBunyan’sbiographicpen。HadBunyanbutputofftheentranceofChristianandHopefulintothecitytillhehadtoldussomethingmoreaboutthetwentyyearsithadtakenthisonceearnestpilgrimtobecomeanatheist，howvaluableaninterpolationthatwouldhavebeen！WhatwasitthatmadethismantosetoutsolongagofortheCelestialCity？Whatwasitthatsostoutlydeterminedhimtoleaveoffallhisoldcompanionsandturnhisbackonthesweetrefreshmentsofhisyouth？HowdidhedoattheSloughofDespond？Didhecomethatway？WhatabouttheWicketGate，andtheHouseBeautiful，andtheInterpreter’sHouse，andtheDelectableMountains？Whatmen，andespeciallywhatwomen，didhemeetandconversewithonhisway？Whatwerehisfortunes，andwhathismisfortunes？HowmuchdidhelayoutatVanityFair，andonwhat？Atwhatpointofhistwentyyears’waydidhisyouthfulfaithbegintoshake，andhisyouthfullovebegintobecomelukewarm？AndwhatwasitthatatlastmadehimquiteturnroundhisbackonZionandhisfacetohisowncountry？IcannotforgiveBunyanto-nightfornottellingusthestoryofAtheist’sconversion，hispilgrimage，andhisapostasyinfull。

Atthesametime，thoughitcannotbedeniedthatBunyanhaslostatthispointagreatopportunityforhisgeniusandforouradvantage，——atthesametime，heundoubtedlydidaverycourageousthinginintroducingAtheistatall；and，especially，inintroducinghimtousandmakinghimlaughsoloudlyatuswhenweareontheverybordersofthelandofBeulah。Alesscourageouswriter，andawriterlesssureofhisground，wouldhaveleftoutAtheistaltogether；or，ifhehadfeltconstrainedtointroducehim，wouldhaveintroducedhimatanyotherperiodofourhistoryratherthanatthisperiod。UnderotherhandsthanBunyan’swewouldhavemetwiththismockingreprobatejustoutsidetheCityofDestruction；or，perhaps，amongtheboothsofVanityFair；or，indeed，anywherebutwherewenowmeethim。And，thatourgreater-

mindedauthordoesnotletloosethelaughterofAtheistuponustillwearealmostoutofthebodyisastrokeofskillandtruthandboldnessthatmakesusgladindeedthatwepossesssuchasketchatBunyan’shandatall，alltooabruptandalltooshortasthatsketchis。Intheabsence，then，ofafull-lengthandfinishedportraitofAtheist，wemustbecontenttofallbackonsomeofthereflectionsandlessonsthatthemerementionofhisname，thespothepassesuson，andtheridiculeofhislaughter，alltakentogether，awakeninourminds。OnerapidstrokeofsuchabrushasthatofJohnBunyanconveysmoretousthanafull-

lengthlikeness，withallthestrongestcolours，ofanyotherartistwouldbeabletodo。

1。Onethingthelife-longadmirationofJohnBunyan’sbookshashelpedtokindleandburnintomymindandmyimaginationisthis:

Whatauniverseofthingsistheheartofman！WeretherenothingelseintheheartofmanbutalltheplacesandallthepersonsandalltheadventuresthatJohnBunyansawinhissleep，whataworldthatwouldopenupinallourbosoms！Allthepilgrims，goodandbad——they，ortheseedandpossibilityofthemall，areallinyourheartandinmine。Allthecities，alltheroadsthatleadfromonecitytoanother，withallthepathsandalltheby-paths，——alltheadventures，experiences，endurances，conflicts，overthrows，victories，——allarewithinusandneveraretobeseenanywhereelse。Heavenandhell，Godandthedevil，lifeanddeath，salvationanddamnation，timeandeternity，allarewithinus。”ThereisnoMountZioninallthisworld，”bellowedoutthisblindedfool。”No；Iknowthatquitewell，”quicklyrespondedChristian；”butthereisintheworldtocome。”Hewouldhavesaidthewholetruth，andhewouldhavebeenentirelyright，hadhetakentimetoadd，”andintheworldwithin。””Andmore，”heshouldhavesaidtoAtheist，”muchmoreintheworldwithinthaninanypossibleworldtocome。”TheCelestialCity，everySabbath-

schoolchildbeginsgraduallytounderstand，isnotupamongthestars；till，ashegrowsolder，hetakesinthewholeoftheNewTestamenttruththatthekingdomofheaveniswhollywithinhim。

Youallunderstand，mybrethren，thatwerewesweptinamomentuptothefurtheststar，byallthatinfiniteflightwewouldnotbeonehair’s-breadthnearertheheavenlycity。Thatisnottherightdirectiontothatcity。ThecitywhosebuilderandmakerisGodliesinquiteadifferentdirectionfromthataltogether；notbyascendingupbeyondsunandmoonandstarstoalleternitywouldweevergetonehand’s-breadthnearerGod。Butifyoudenyyourselfsleepto-nighttillyouhavereadHisbookandbowedyourkneesinHiscloset；if，forHissake，youdenyyourselfto-morrowwhenyouareeatinganddrinking；asoftenasyousay，”Notmywill，butThinebedone”；asoftenasyouhumbleyourselfwhenothersexaltthemselves；asoftenasyourefusepraiseanddespiseblameforHissake；asoftenasyouforgivebeforeGodyourenemy，andrejoicewithyourfriend，——Behold！thekingdomofheaven，withitsKingandallHisshiningcourtofangelsandsaintsisaroundyou；——is，indeed，withinyou。No；thereisnosuchplace。Heavenisnotinanyplace:heavenisinapersonwhereitisatall；andyouarethatpersonasoftenasyouputoffanearthlyandputonaheavenlymind。Thatmockingreprobate，withhissecretheartallthroughthosetwentyyearshungeringafterthelustsofhisyouth，——

hewaswhollyrightinwhathesounintentionallysaid；thereisnosuchplaceinallthisworld。And，eveniftherewere，itwouldspuehimandallwhoarelikehimoutofitsmouth。

2。And，then，inallthatuniverseofthingsthatfillsthatbottomlesspitandshorelessseathehumanheart，thereisnothingdeeperdowninitthanjustitsdeepandunsearchableatheism。Theverydeepestthing，andthemostabsolutelyinexpugnablething，ineveryhumanheartisitstheism；itsoriginalandinextinguishableconvictionsaboutitselfandaboutGod。But，allbutasdeepasthat——forallaroundthat，andalloverthat，andsoakingallthroughthat——thereliesasuperincumbentmassofsullen，brutish，malignantatheism。Nay，sodeepdownistheatheismofallourhearts，thatitisonlyonehereandanotherthereoftheholiestandtheripestofGod’ssaintswhoevergetdowntoit，orevengetattheirdeepestwithinsightofit。RobertFlemingtellsusaboutRobertBruce，thathewasamanthathadmuchinwardexerciseabouthisownpersonalcase，andhadbeenoftenassaultedanentthatgreatfoundationtruth，iftherewasaGod。Andoften，whenhehadcomeuptothepulpit，afterbeingsometimesilent，whichwashisusualway，hewouldsay，”IthinkitisagreatmattertobelievethereisaGod”；tellingthepeoplethatitwasanotherthingtobelievethatthantheyjudged。ButitwasalsoknowntohisfriendswhatextraordinaryconfirmationshehadfromtheLordtherein，andwhatnearfamiliarityhedidattaintoinhisheart-

conversewithGod:Yea，truly，addsFleming，somethingsIhavehadthereanentthatseemsostrangeandmarvellousthatIforbeartosetthemdown。AndinHalyburton’spricelessMemoirsweread:”HerebyIwasbroughtintoadoubtaboutthetruthsofreligion，thebeingofGod，andthingseternal。WheneverIwasindangersorstraitsandwouldbuilduponthesethings，asuspicionsecretlyhauntedme，whatifthethingsarenot？ThisperplexitywassomewhateasedwhileonedayIwasreadinghowRobertBrucewasshakenaboutthebeingofGod，andhowatlengthhecametothefullestsatisfaction。”Andinanotherplace:”SomedaysagoreadingEx。ix。andx。，andfindingthis，”ThatyemayknowthatI

amGod”frequentlyrepeated，andelsewhereinpassagesinnumerable，astheendofGod’smanifestingHimselfinHiswordandworks；I

observefromitthatatheismisdeeplyrootedevenintheLord’speople，seeingtheyneedtobetaughtthissomuch。Thegreatdifficultythatthewholeofrevelationhastograpplewithisatheism；itswholestruggleistorecovermantohisfirstimpressionsofaGod。Thisonepointcomprehendsthewholeofman’srecovery，justasatheismisthewholeofman’sapostasy。”

And，again，inanotherpartofthesamegreatbook，Halyburtonsays:”Imustobserve，also，thewiseprovidenceofGod，thatthegreatestdifficultiesthatlieagainstreligionarehidfromatheists。AlltheobjectionsImeetwithintheirwritingsarenotnearlysosubtleasthosewhichareoftensuggestedtomyself。Thereasonofthisisobviousfromtheverynatureofthething——suchpersonstakenotanear-handviewofreligion，andwhilepersonsstandatadistanceneitheraretheadvantagesnorthedifficultiesofreligiondiscerned。”AndnowlistentoBunyan，thatarch-

atheist:”WholefloodsofblasphemiesbothagainstGod，Christ，andtheScriptureswerepoureduponmyspirit，tomygreatconfusionandastonishment。AgainsttheverybeingofGodandofHisonlybelovedSon；or，whethertherewere，intruth，aGodandaChrist，orno。OfallthetemptationsthateverImetwithinmylife，toquestionthebeingofGodandthetruthoftheGospelistheworst，andtheworsttobeborne。Whenthistemptationcomesittakesawaymygirdlefromme，andremoveththefoundationfromunderme。””Fool，saidmyMusetome，lookinthyheartandwrite。”

AndJohnBunyanlookedintohisowndeepandholyheart，andoutofithecomposedthisincidentofAtheist。

3。Itmaynotbeoutofplaceatthispointtolookforamomentatsomeofthethingsthatagitate，stirup，andmakethesecretatheismofourheartstofluctuateandoverflow。ButlerhasafinepassageinwhichhepointsoutthatitisonlythehigherclassofmindsthataretemptedwithspeculativedifficultiessuchasthosewerethatassaultedChristianandHopefulaftertheyweresoneartheendoftheirjourney。Coarse，common-place，andmean-mindedmenhavetheirprobationappointedthemamongcoarse，mean，andcommonplacethings；whereasenlightened，enlarged，andelevatedmenareexercisedafterthemannerofRobertBruce，ThomasHalyburton，JohnBunyan，andButlerhimself。”Thechieftemptationsofthegeneralityoftheworldaretheordinarymotivestoinjusticeorunrestrainedpleasure；butthereareotherpersonswithoutthisshallownessoftemper；personsofadeepersenseastowhatisinvisibleandfuture。Now，thesepersonshavetheirmoraldisciplinesettheminthathighregion。”Theprofoundbishopmeansthatwhiletheirappetitesandtheirtempersarethestumbling-stonesofthemostofmen，thedifficultproblemsofnaturalandrevealedandexperimentalreligionarethetestandthetriumphofothermen。Aswehavejustseeninthemenmentionedabove。Students，whosetemptationsliefullyasmuchintheirintellectsasintheirsenses，shouldbuy(forafewpence)

Halyburton’sMemoirs。”WithHalyburton，”saysDr。JohnDuncan，”I

feelgreatintellectualcongruity。Halyburtonwasnaturallyasceptic，butGodgavethatscepticgreatfaith。”

Thenagain，whatAtheistcallsthe”tediousness”ofthejourneyhasundoubtedlyagreathandinmakingsomehalf-in-earnestmensceptics，ifnotscoffers。Manyofushereto-nightwhocannevernowtakethismiserableman’swayoutofthetediumoftheChristianlife，yetmostbitterlyfeelit。Whetherthattediumisinherentinthatlife，andinevitabletosuchmenaswearewhoareattemptingthatlife；howfarthatfeaturebelongstotheveryessenceofthepilgrimlife，andhowfarweimportourowntediumintothepilgrimage；thefactremainsasAtheistputsit。AsAtheistinthisbooksays，sotheAtheistwhoisinourheartsoftensays:Weareliketohavenothingforallourpainsbutalifetimeoftedioustravel。Yes，wherevertheblamelies，therecanbenodoubtaboutit，thatwhatthishilariousscoffercallsthetediousnessofthewayisbutatoocommonexperienceamongmanyofthosewho，tediousnessandall，willstillcleavefasttoitandwillneverleaveit。

Then，again，greattrialsinlife，greatstraits，darkandtoo-

long-continuedprovidences，prayerunanswered，ornotyetansweredinthewaywedictate，badmenandbadcausesgrowinglikeagreenbaytree，andgoodmenandgoodworklanguishinganddying；thesethings，andmanymorethingssuchasthese，ofwhichthisworldoffaithandpatienceisfull，provequitetoomuchforsomementilltheygivethemselvesuptoastateofmindthatisnothingbetterthanatheism。”Myevidencesandmycertainty，”saysHalyburton，”werenotanswerabletotheweightIwascompelledtolayuponthem。”AfigurewhichGoodwininhisowntenderandgraphicwaytakesupthus:”Setpinsinawallandfixthemineversoloosely，yet，ifyouhangnothinguponthemtheywillseemtostandfirm；buthangaheavyweightuponthem，orevengivethemtheleastjogasyoupass，andthewholethingwillsuddenlycomedown。

ThewallisGod’sword，theslackpinisourfaith，andtheweightandthejogaretheheavyburdensandthesuddenshocksoflife，anddownourheartsgo，wallandpinandsuspendedvesselandall。

Whenthechurchandherministers，whentheScripturesandtheiranomalies，andwhenthefaultsandfailingsofChristianmenaremadethesubjectofmockeryandlaughter，thereverence，thefear，theawe，therespectthatallentersolargelyintoreligion，andespeciallyintothereligionofyoungpeople，istooeasilydestroyed；andnotseldomthefirstseedsofpracticalandsometimesofspeculativeatheismarethussown。Themischiefthathasbeendonebymockeryandlaughtertothesouls，especiallyoftheyoungandtheinexperienced，onlythegreatdaywillfullydisclose。

Andthen，twomenofgreatweightandauthoritywithus，telluswhatwewhoareministerswouldhavefoundoutwithoutthem:this，namely，thatthegreatestatheistsaretheywhoareeverhandlingholythingswithoutfeelingthem。”Isittrue，”saidChristiantoHopeful，hisfellow，”isittruewhatthismanhathsaid？””Takeheed，”saidHopeful，”rememberwhatithathcostusalreadyforhearkeningtosuchkindoffellows。What！NoMountZion！DidwenotseefromtheDelectableMountainsthegateoftheCity？And，besides，arewenottowalkbyfaith？Letusgoonlestthemanwiththewhipovertakesusagain。”Christian:”Mybrother，Isaidthatbuttoprovethee，andtofetchfromtheeafruitofthehonestyofthyheart。”ManyadeepandpowerfulpassagehasButlercomposedonthatthesiswhichHopefulheresupplieshimwith；andmanyabrilliantsermonhasNewmanpreachedonthatsametexttillhehasmadeour”predispositionstofaith”afruitfulandaneverfreshcommonplacetohundredsofpreachers。Yes；thebestbulwarkoffaithisagoodandhonestheart。Tosuchahappyheartthetruthisitsownunshakenevidence。TowhomcanwegobuttoThee？——theywhohavesuchaheartprotest。Thewholebentofsuchmen’smindsistowardthetruthofthegospel。Theirinstinctskeepthemontherightwayevenwhentheirreasonandtheirobservationarebothconfounded。AsNewmankeepsonsaying，theyare”easyofbelief。”

TheycannotkeepawayfromChristandHischurch。Theycannotturnback。Theymustgoon。ThoughHeslaythemtheywilldieyearningafterHim。Theyoftenfallintogreaterrorandintogreatguilt，buttheirseedremainethinthem，andtheycannotcontinueinerrororinguilt，becausetheyarebornofGod。Theyaretheyinwhom”PersuasionandbeliefHaveripenedintofaith；andfaithbecomeApassionateintuition。”

HOPEFUL”Wearesavedbyhope。”——PaulUptillthetimewhenChristianandFaithfulpassedthroughVanityFairontheirwaytotheCelestialCity，Hopefulwasoneofthemostlight-mindedmeninallthatlight-mindedtown。Byhisbirth，andbothonhisfather’sandhismother’sside，Hopefulwas，tobeginwith，ayouthofanunusuallyshallowandsillymind。Inthejargonofourdayhewasamanofapeculiarlyoptimistictemperament。Nooneeverblamedhimforbeingtoosubjectiveandintrospective。Ittookmanysharptrialsandmanybitterdisappointmentstotaketheinbornfrivolityandsuperficialityoutofthisyoungman’sheart。Hewasfaroninhislife，hewasfaroneveninhisreligiouslife，beforeyouwouldhaveeverthoughtofcallinghimaserious-mindedman。HopefulhadbeenbornandbroughtuptoearlymanhoodinthetownofVanity，andheknewnothingbetteranddesirednothingbetterthantolayouthiswholelifeandtorestallhishopesonthethingsofthefair；onsuchthings，thatis，ashouses，lands，places，honours，preferments，titles，pleasures，anddelightsofallsorts。Andthatvainandemptylifewentonwithhim，till，ashetoldhiscompanionafterwards，ithadallendedwithhiminrevelling，anddrinking，anduncleanness，andSabbath-breaking，andallsuchthingsasdestroyedhissoul。ButinHopeful’shappycasealsothebloodofthemartyrsbecametheseedofthechurch。Hopeful，ashewasafterwardscalled，hadsufferedsomanybitterdisappointmentsandshipwrecksofexpectationfromthethingsofthefair，thatistosay，fromthehouses，theplaces，thepreferments，thepleasuresandwhatnot，ofthefair，thatevenhisheartwasripeforsomethingbetterthananyofthosethings，when，asGodwouldhaveit，ChristianandFaithfulcametothetown。Hopefulwasstillhangingabouttheboothsofthefair；hewasjustfingeringhislastsixpenceoveracommoditythatheknewquitewellwouldbelikegallinhisbellyassoonashehadboughtit；when，——whatisthathubbubthatrollsdownthestreet？Hopefulwasalwaysthefirsttoseeandtoheareverynewthingthatcametothetown，andthusitwasthathewassooninthethickofthetumultthatrosearoundChristianandFaithful。Hadthosetwopilgrimscometothetownatanyformertime，Hopefulwouldhavebeenamongtheforemosttomockatandsmitethetwomen；but，to-day，Hopeful’sheartissoempty，andhispursealso，thatheisalreadywontotheirsidebythelovinglooksandthewiseandsweetwordsofthetwoill-

usedmen。Someofthemenofthetownsaidthatthetwopilgrimswereoutlandishandbedlamitemen，butHopefultookcouragetoreprovesomeoftheforemostofthemob。Till，atlast，whenFaithfulwasatthestake，itwasallthathiscompanionscoulddotokeepbackHopefulfromleapingupontheburningpileandembracingtheexpiringman。Andthen，whenHewhooverrulesallthingssobroughtitaboutthatChristianescapedoutoftheirhands，whoshouldcomeforthandjoinhimattheupwardgateofthecitybutjustHopeful，whonotonlyjoinedhimselftothelonelypilgrim，buttoldhimalsothatthereweremanymoreofthemenofthecitywhowouldtaketheirtimeandfollowafter。Andthus，addshisbiographer，whenonediedtomakehistestimonytothetruth，anotherroseupoutofhisashestobeacompaniontoChristian。

WhenMadameKrudenerwasgettingherfootmeasuredbyapietistshoemaker，shewassostruckwiththereposeandthesweetnessandtheheavenlyjoyofthepoorman’slookandmannerthatshecouldnothelpbutaskhimwhathadhappenedtohimthathehadsuchalookonhiscountenanceandsuchalightinhiseye。Shewasmiserable，thoughshehadallthatheartcouldwish。ShehadallthatmadeheroneofthemostenviedwomeninEurope；shehadbirth，talents，riches，rank，andthefriendshipofprincesandprincesses，andyetshewasofallwomenthemostmiserable。Andherewasapoorchanceshoemakerwhosewholeheartwasrunningoverwithajoysuchthatallherwealthcouldnotpurchasetoherheartonesingledropofit。Thesimplesoulsoontoldherhissecret；

itwasnosecret:itwasjustJesusChristwhohaddoneitall。

Andthusherpoorshoemaker’shappyfacewasthemeansofthisgreatlady’sconversion。And，inlikemanner，itwasthebeholdingofChristianandFaithfulintheirwordsandintheirbehaviouratthefairthatdecidedHopefultojoinhimselftoChristianandhenceforthtobehiscompanion。

Whatwerethethings，askedChristianofhisyoungcompanion，thatfirstledyoutoleaveoffthevanitiesofthefairandtothinktobeapilgrim？Manythings，repliedHopeful。SometimesifIdidbutmeetagoodmaninthestreet。Orifmineheadbeganunaccountably，ormineheart，toache。Orifsomeoneofmycompanionsbecamesuddenlysick。OrifIheardthebelltollthatsomeonewasdead。But，especially，whenIthoughtofmyselfthatImustquicklycometojudgment。AndthenitistoldinthebeststyleofthebookhowpeaceandrestandthebeginningoftruesatisfactioncametopoorHopeful’sheartatlast。Butyoumustpromisemetoreadthepassageforyourselvesbeforeyousleepto-

night；andtoreaditagainandagaintill，likeHopeful’s，yourheartalsoisfullofjoy，andyoureyesfulloftears，andyouraffectionsrunningoverwithlovetothenameandtothepeopleandtoallthewaysofJesusChrist。

Andthen，itisveryencouragingandreassuringtoustoseehowHopeful’strueconversionsodeepenedandsoberedandstrengthenedhiswholecharacter。Heremainedtotheendinhismentalconstitutionandwholetemperament，aswesay，thesamemanhehadalwaysbeen；but，whileremainingthesameman，atthesametimeamostwonderfulchangegraduallybegantocomeoverhim，till，byslowbutsuredegrees，hebecametheHopefulweknowandlooktoandleanupon。Tousehisownautobiographicwordsabouthimself，itwas”byhearingandconsideringofthingsthatareDivine”thathisnaturallevitywassocompletelywhippedoutofhissoultillhewasmadeatlastanindispensablecompaniontoChristian，strong-mindedandserious-mindedmanashewas。”ConversiontoGod，”saysWilliamLaw，”isoftenverysuddenandinstantaneous，unexpectedlyraisedfromvarietyofoccasions。Thus，onebyseeingonlyawitheredtree，anotherbyreadingthelivesanddeathsoftheantediluvianfathers，onebyhearingofheaven，anotherofhell，onebyreadingoftheloveorwrathofGod，anotherofthesufferingsofChrist，mayfindhimself，asitwere，meltedintopenitenceallofasudden。ItmaybegrantedalsothatthegreatestsinnermayinamomentbeconvertedtoGod，andmayfeelhimselfwoundedinsuchadegreeasperhapsthoseneverwerewhohavebeenturningtoGodalltheirlives。But，then，itistobeobservedthatthissuddennessofchangeorflashofconvictionisbynomeansoftheessenceoftrueconversion。ThisstrokeofconversionisnottobeconsideredassignifyingourhighstateofanewbirthinChrist，oraproofthatweareonasuddenmadenewcreatures，butthatwearethussuddenlycalleduponandstirreduptolookafteranewnessofnature。Therenewalofourfirstbirthandstateissomethingentirelydistinctfromourfirstsuddenconversionandcalltorepentance。Thatisnotathingdoneinaninstant，butisacertainprocess，agradualreleasefromourcaptivityanddisorder，consistingofseveralstagesanddegrees，bothoflifeanddeath，whichthesoulmustgothroughbeforeitcanhavethoroughlyputofftheoldman。ItiswellworthobservingthatourSaviour’sgreatesttrialswereneartheendofHislife。Thismightsufficientlyshowusthatourfirstawakeningshavecarriedusbutalittleway；thatweshouldnotthenbegintobeself-assuredofourownsalvation，butshouldrememberthatwestandatagreatdistancefrom，andareingreatignoranceof，ourseveresttrials。”SuchwasthewaythatChristianinhisexperienceandinhiswisdomtalkedtohisyoungcompaniontillhisoutwardtrialsandtheconsequentdiscoverieshemadeofhisownweaknessandcorruptionmadeevenHopefulhimselfasober-mindedandathoughtfulman。”Wherepainends，gainendstoo。”

Then，again，noonecanreadHopeful’sremarkablehistorywithoutdiscoveringthisabouthim，thatheshowedbestinadversityanddistress，justasheshowedworstindeliveranceandprosperity。

ItisafinelessoninChristianhopetodescendintoGiantDespair’sdungeonandheartheolderpilgrimgroaningandtheyoungerpilgrimconsolinghim，and，again，tostandonthebankofthelastriverandhearHopefulholdingupChristian’sdrowninghead。”Beofgoodcheer，mybrother，forIfeelthebottom，anditisgood！”BlessHopefulforthat，allyouwhosedeathbedsarestillbeforeyou。Forneverwasmoretrueandfitwordspokenforadyinghourthanthat。Read，tillyouhaveitbyheartandinthedark，Hopeful’swholehistory，butespeciallyhistriumphantend。

AndhavesomeonebespokenbeforehandtoreadHopefulintheRivertoyouwhenyouhaveinagreatmeasurelostyoursenses，andwhenagreathorrorhastakenholdofyourmind。”Isinkindeepwaters，”criedChristian，ashissinscametohismind，eventhesinswhichhehadcommittedbothsinceandbeforehecametobeapilgrim。”ButIseethegate，”saidHopeful，”andmenstandingatitreadytoreceiveus。””ReadtomewhereIfirstcastmyanchor，”saidJohnKnoxtohisweepingwife。

TheEnchantedGround，ontheotherhand，threatenedtothrowHopefulbackagainintohisformerlight-mindedstate。Andthereisnosayingwhatshipwreckhemighthavemadetherehadtheoldermannotbeenwithhimtosteadyandreproveandinstructhim。Asitwas，atouchnowandthenofhisoldvaintemperreturnedtohimtillittookallhiscompanion’swatchfulnessandwarinesstocarrythembothoutofthatsecondVanityFair。”Iacknowledgemyselfinafault，”saidHopefultoChristian，”andhadIbeenherealoneI

hadrunindangerofdeath。Hitherto，thycompanyhathbeenmymercy，andthoushalthaveagoodrewardforallthylabour。”

Now，mybrethren，inmyopinionweoweagreatdebtofgratitudetoJohnBunyanforthelargeandthedisplayedplacehehasgiventoHopefulinthePilgrim’sProgress。ThefulnessandbalanceandproportionofthePilgrim’sProgressarefeaturesofthatwonderfulbookfartoomuchoverlooked。SofarasmyreadinggoesIdonotknowanyotherauthorwhohasatalldonethejusticetothesavinggraceofhopethatJohnBunyanhasdonebothinhisdoctrinalandinhisallegoricalworks。Bunyanstandsaloneandsupremenotonlyfortheinsight，andthepowerwithwhichhehasconstructedthecharacterandthecareerofHopeful，butevenforhavinggivenhimthespaceatalladequatetohismeritsandhisservices。Inthoseeighty-sevensosuggestivepagesthatformtheindextoDr。ThomasGoodwin’sworksIfindsomehundredandtwenty-fourreferencesto”faith，”whilethereareonlytworeferencesto”hope。”Andthatsameoversightandneglectrunsthroughallourreligiousliterature，andIsuppose，asaconsequence，throughallourpreachingtoo。NowthatisnotthetreatmenttheBiblegivestothissoessentialChristiangrace，asanyonemayseeataglancewhotakesthetroubletoturnuphisCruden。HopehasagreatplacealongsideoffaithandloveintheHolyScriptures，andithasacorrespondinglylargeandeloquentplaceinBunyan。Now，thatbeingso，whyisitthatthissogreatandsoblessedgracehassofallenoutofoursermonsandoutofourhearts？MayGodgrantthatourreadingofHopeful’sautobiographyandhissubsequenthistoryto-nightmaydosomethingtorestoretheblessedgraceofhopetoitsproperplacebothinourpulpitandinallourhearts。

Tokindlethen，toquicken，andtoanchoryourhope，mybrethren，mayIhaveGod’shelptospeakforalittlelongertoyourheartsconcerningthisneglectedgrace！For，whatishope？Hopeisapassionofthesoul，wiseorfoolish，tobeashamedofortobeproudof，justaccordingtothethinghopedfor，andjustaccordingtothegroundsofthehope。Hopeismadeupofthesetwoingredients——desireandexpectation。Whatwegreatlydesirewetakenoresttillwefindgoodgroundsonwhichtobuildupourexpectationsofit；andwhenwehavefoundgoodgroundsforourexpectations，thenagladhopetakespossessionofourhearts。

Now，tobeginwith，howisitwithyourdesires？Youareafraidtosaymuchaboutyourexpectationsandyourhopes。Well；letuscometoyourhearts’desires——MenofGod，IwillenterintoyourheartsandIwilltellyouyourhearts’desiresbetterthanyouknowthemyourselves；fortheheartisdeceitfulaboveallthings。Thetimewas，when，likethisyoungpilgrimbeforehebecameapilgrim，yourdesireswereallsetonhouses，andlands，andplaces，andhonours，andpreferments，andwives，andchildren，andsilver，andgold，andwhatnot。Thesethingsatonetimeweretheutmostlimitofyourdesires。Butthathasallbeenchanged。Fornowyouhavebeguntodesireabettercity，thatis，anheavenly。WhatisyourchiefdesireforthisNewYear？{2}Isitnotanewheart？Isitnotacleanheart？Isitnotaholyheart？IsitnotthattheHolyGhostwouldwritethegoldenruleonthetablesofyourheart？

DoesnotGodknowthatitisthedeepestdesireofyourhearttobeabletoloveyourneighbourasyourself？Tobeabletorejoicewithhiminhisjoyaswellastoweepwithhiminhissorrow？

Whatwouldyounotgiveneveragaintofeelenvyinyourheartatyourbrother，orstraitnessandpiningathisprosperity？OnethingdoIdesire，saidthePsalmist，thatmineearmaybenailedtothedoorpostofmyGod:thatImayalwaysbeHisservant，andmayneverwanderfromHisservice。Now，thatisyourdesiretoo。

Iamsureitis。Youwouldnotsayitofyourself，butIdefyyoutodenyitwhenitissaidaboutyou。Well，then，suchthingsbeingfoundamongyourdesires，whatgroundshaveyouforexpectingthefulfilmentofsuchdesires？Whatgrounds？Thebestofgroundsandeveryground。ForyouhavethesuregroundofGod’sword。AndyouhavemorethanHisword:youhaveHisverynature，andtheverynatureofthings。ForshallGodcreatesuchdesiresinanyman’sheartonlytostarveandtorturethatman？Impossible！Itwereblasphemytosuspectit。No。WhereGodhasmadeanymantobesofarapartakeroftheDivinenatureastochangeallthatman’sdeepestdesires，andtoturnthemfromvanitytowisdom，fromearthtoheaven，andfromthecreaturetotheCreator，doubtnot，whereverHehasbegunsuchawork，thatHewillhastentofinishit。Yes；liftupyourheavyhearts，allyewhodesiresuchthings，forGodhathsentHisSontosaytoyou，Blessedareyethathungerandthirstafterrighteousness，foryeshallbefilled。Only，keepdesiring。Desireeverydaywithastrongerandamoreinconsolabledesire。Desire，andgroundyourdesireonGod’sword，andthenheaveyourhopelikeananchorwithintheveilwhithertheForerunnerisforyouentered。MayIsohope？yousay。MayI

venturetohope？Yes；notonlymayyouhope，butyoumusthope。

Youarecommandedtohope。Itisasmuchyourboundendutytohopealways，andtohopeforthegreatestandbestthings，asitistorepentofyoursins，toloveGodandyourneighbour，tokeepyourselfpure，andtosetawatchonthedoorofyourlips。Youhavebeendestroyed，Iconfessandlamentit，forlackofknowledgeaboutthenature，thegrounds，andthedutyofhope。Butmakeupnowforpastneglect。Hopesteadfastly，hopeconstantly，hopeboldly；hopeforthebestthings，thegreatestthings，themostdivineandthemostblessedthings。Ifyouforgetto-nightallelseyouhaveheardto-day，Iimploreyounotanylongertoforgetandneglectthis，thathopeisyourimmediate，constant，imperativeduty。Nosin，nodepthofcorruptioninyourheart，noassaultonyourheartfromyourconscience，canjustifyyouinceasingtohope。Evenwhentrouble”comestumblingovertheneckofallyourreformations”asitcametumblingonHopeful，letthatonlydriveyouthemoredeeplydownintothetruegroundsofhope；evenagainsthoperejoiceinhope。RememberthePsalmistinthehundred-and-thirtiethPsalm，——downinthedeeps，ifeverafallensinnerwas。Yethearhimwhenyoucannotseehimsaying:IhopeinThyword！And——foritisworthytostandbesideeventhatsplendidpsalm，——IbeseechyoutoreadandlaytoheartwhatHopefulsaysabouthimselfinhisconversiondespair。

Andthen，asiftojustifythathope，therealwayscomewithitsuchsanctifyinginfluencesandsuchsureresults。ThehopethatyouareonedaytoawakenintheDivinelikenesswillmakeyouliedownonyourbedeverynightinself-examination，repentance，prayer，andpraise。ThehopethatyoureyesareonedaytoseeChristasHeiswillmakeyoupurifyyourselfasnothingelsewill。

ThehopethatyouaretowalkwithChristinwhitewillmakeyoukeepyourgarmentsclean；itwillmakeyouwashthemmanytimeseverydayinthebloodoftheLamb。ThehopethatyouaretocastyourcrownatHisfeetwillmakeyouwatchthatnomantakesyourcrownfromyou。ThehopethatyouaretodrinkwinewithHiminHisFather’skingdomwillreconcileyoumeanwhiletowater，lestwithyourwineyoustumbleanyofHislittleones。ThehopeofhearingHimsay，Welldone！——howthatwillmakeyoulabourandendureandnotfaint！Andthehopethatyoushallonedayenterinthroughthegatesintothecity，andhavearighttothetreeoflife，——howscrupulousthatwillmakeyoutokeepallHiscommandments！AndthisisoneofHiscommandments，thatyougirduptheloinsofyourmind，andhopetotheendforthegracethatistobebroughtuntoyouattherevelationofJesusChrist。

TEMPORARY”Theyarethey，which，whentheyhear，receivethewordwithjoy；

andhavenoroot，whichforawhilebelieve，andintimeoftemptationfallaway。”——OurLord。”Well，then，didyounotknowabouttenyearsagooneTemporaryinyourpartswhowasaforwardmaninreligion？Knowhim！repliedtheother。Yes。Formyhousenotbeingabovethreemilesfromhishousehewouldofttimescometome，andthatwithmanytears。

TrulyIpitiedtheman，andwasnotaltogetherwithouthopeofhim；

butonemayseethatitisnoteveryonewhocriesLord，Lord。Andnow，sincewearetalkingabouthim，letusalittleinquireintothereasonofthesuddenbackslidingofhimandsuchothers。Itmaybeveryprofitable，saidChristian，butdoyoubegin。Well，then，thereareinmyjudgmentseveralreasonsforit。”Andthen，withtheolderman’sentireapproval，Hopefulsetsforthseveralreasons，takenfromhisownobservationofbacksliders，whysomanymen’sreligionissuchatemporarything；whysomanyrunwellforatime，andthenstandstill，andthenturnback。

1。Thefearofmanbringethasnare，saidHopeful，moralisingoverhisoldacquaintanceTemporary。Andhowtruethatobservationiseveryevangelicalministerknowstohisdeepdisappointment。A

youngmancomestohisministeratsometimeofdistressinhislife，oratsometimeofrevivalofreligioninthecommunity，oratanordinarycommunionseason，andgiveseverysignthatheisearlyandfairlyembarkedonanhonourableChristianlife。HetakeshisplaceintheChurchofChrist，andheputsouthishandtoherwork，tillwebegintolookforwardwithboastfulnesstoalifeofgreatstabilityandgreatattainmentforthatman。OurLord，asweseefromsomanyofHisparables，musthavehadmanysuchcasesamongHisfirstfollowers。OurLordmightbespeakingprophetically，aswellasoutofHisownexperience，sowelldoHisregretfulandlamentingwordsfitintosomanyofourowncasesto-

day。For，lookatthatyoungbusinessman。HehasbeenbornandbroughtupintheChurchofChrist。Hehasgladdenedmoreheartsthanheknowsbythenoblepromiseofhisearlydays。Manyadmiringandlovingeyeshavebeenturnedonhimashetooksohopefullytheupwardway。Butasifting-timesooncomes。Atimeoftemptationcomes。Atimecomeswhensidesmustbetakeninsomemoral，religious，ecclesiasticalcontroversy。Thisyoungmanisatthatmomentacandidateforapostthatwillbringdistinction，wealth，andsocialinfluencetohimwhoholdsit。Andthecandidatewearesomuchinterestedinisadmittedlyamanofsuchoutstandingtalentsthathewouldatoncegetthepostwereitnotthattheholderofthatpostmustnothavehisnamesomuchassociatedwithsuchandsuchachurch，suchandsuchpoliticalandreligiousopinions，andsuchandsuchpublicmen。Heistoldthat。

Indeed，heisnotsodullastoneedtobetoldthat。Hehasseenthatallalong。Andatfirstitisadreadfulwrenchtohim。Hefeelshowfarheisfallingfromhishighidealsinlife；and，atfirst，andforalongtime，itisadreadfulhumiliationtohim。

But，then，therearesplendidcompensations。And，betterthanthat，therearesomegood，andindeedcompelling，reasonsthatbegintoriseupinourmindswhenweneedthemandbegintolookforthem，tillwhatatfirstseemedsomeanandsocontemptible，andsoungrateful，andsodishonourable，aswellassospirituallyperilous，comestobefacedandgonethroughwithpositivelyonagroundofhighprinciple，and，indeed，ofsternmoralnecessity。

Sodeceitfulisthehumanheartthatyoucouldnotbelievewhatcompellingreasonssuchamean-spiritedmanwillfaceyouwithastowhyheshouldleaveallthewaysheoncesodelightedinforapieceofbread，andforthesmileoftheopenenemiesofhischurch，andhisfaith，nottosayhisSaviour。Youwillmeetwithseveralsuchmenanyafternooncominghomefromtheirbusiness。

Sometimestheyhavestillsomehonestshameontheirfaceswhentheymeetyou；butstilloftenertheypassyouwithasullenhatredandafiercedefiance。Thisishewhoheardtheword，andanonwithjoyreceivedit。Yethadhenotrootinhimself，butduredforawhile；forwhentribulationorpersecutionarosebecauseofthewordbyandbyhewasoffended。Theywentoutfromus，saysJohn，buttheywerenotofus；foriftheyhadbeenofustheywouldnodoubthavecontinuedwithus；buttheywentoutthattheymightbemademanifestthattheywerenotallofus。

2。Guilt，again，Hopefulwenton，andtomeditateterror，aresogrievoustomostmen，thattheyratherchoosesuchwaysaswillbuthardentheirheartsstillmoreandmore。Youallknowwhatitistomeditateterror？”Thineheartshallmeditateterror，”saystheprophet，”whenthousayesttothyself，whoamongusshalldwellwiththedevouringfire？whoamongusshalldwellwitheverlastingburnings？”Thefifty-firstPsalmisperhapsthebestmeditationbothofguiltandofterrorthatwehaveinthewholeBible。Buttherearemanyotherpsalmsandpassagesofpsalmsonlysecondtothefifty-firstPsalm，suchasthetwenty-second，thethirty-

eighth，thesixty-ninth，andthehundred-and-thirtieth。OurLordHimselfalsowasmeditatingterrorinthegardenofGethsemane，andPaulbothguiltandterrorwhenheimaginedhimselfbothanapostatepreacherandacastawaysoul。AndJohn’smeditationsofterrorintheRevelationroseintothosemagnificentpicturesoftheLastJudgmentwithwhichhehastoalltimecoveredthewallsoftheSevenChurches。InhisownGraceAboundingtherearemeditationsofterrorquiteworthytostandbesidethemostterriblethingsofthatkindthateverwerewritten，asalsoinmanyothersofourauthor’sdramaticalandhomileticalbooks。I

readtoyoutheotherSabbathmorningameditationofterrorthatwasfoundamongBishopAndrewes’privatepapersafterhisdeath。

Youwillnotallhaveforgottenthatmeditation，butIwillreadittoyouto-nightagain。”Howfearful，”saysAndrewes，inhisterror，”willThyjudgmentbe，OLord，whenthethronesareset，andtheangelsstandaround，andmenarebroughtin，andthebooksareopened，andallourworksareinquiredinto，andallourthoughtsareexamined，andallthehiddenthingsofdarkness！

What，OGod，shallThyjudgmentthatdaybeuponme？Whoshallquenchmyflame，whoshalllightenmydarkness，ifThoupitymenot？Lord，asThouartloving，givemetears，givemefloodsoftears，andgivemeallthatthisday，beforeitbetoolate。ForthenwillbetheincorruptibleJudge，thehorriblejudgment-seat，theanswerwithoutexcuse，theinevitablecharge，theshamefulpunishment，theendlessGehenna，thepitilessangels，theyawninghell，theroaringstreamoffire，theunquenchableflame，thedarkprison，theraylessdarkness，thebedoflivecoals，theunweariedworm，theindissolublechains，thebottomlesschaos，theimpassablewall，theinconsolablecry。Andnonetostandbyme；nonetopleadforme；nonetosnatchmeout。”Now，noTemporaryeverpossessedanythinglikethatinhisownhandwritingamonghisprivatepapers。

Ameditationlikethat，writtenoutwithhisownhand，andhiddenawayunderlockandkey，willsecureanymanfromit，evenifhehadbeenappointedtobackslidingandreprobation。BishopAndrewes，asanyonewillseewhoreadshisPrivateDevotions，wasthechiefofsinners；buthisdiscoveredanddecipheredpaperswillallspeakforhimwhentheyarespreadoutbeforethegreatwhitethrone，”gloriousintheirdeformity，beingslubbered，”ashiseditorssay，”withhispioushands，andwateredwithhispenitentialtears。”

ThomasShepard’sTenVirginsisthemostterriblebookuponTemporariesthateverwaswritten。Temporariesneveroncesawtheirtruevileness，hekeepsonsaying。Temporariesare，nodoubt，woundedforsinsometimes，butneverintherightplacenortotherightdepth。Andagain，sin，andespeciallyheart-sin，isneverreallybittertoTemporaries。Inan”exhortationtoallnewbeginners，andsotoallothers，””Besure，”Shepardsays，”yourwoundforsinatfirstisdeepenough。Foralltheerrorinaman’sfaithandsanctificationspringsfromhisfirsterrorinhishumiliation。Ifaman’shumiliationbefalse，orevenweakorlittle，thenhisfaithandhisholdofChristareweakandlittle，andhissanctificationcounterfeit。Butifaman’swoundberight，andhishumiliationdeepenough，thatman’sfaithwillberightandhissanctificationwillbeglorious。TheesteemofChristisalwayslittlewheresinlieslight。”AndHopefulhimselfsaysathingatthispointthatisquiteworthyofShepardhimself，suchisitsdepthandinsight。HespeaksoftherighteousactuallyLOVINGthesightoftheirmisery。Hedoesnotexplainwhathemeansbythatstartlinglanguagebecauseheistalkingallthetime，asheknowsquitewell，toonewhounderstoodallthatbeforehewasborn。NorwillIattempttoexplainortovindicatewhathesays。ThoseofyouwholovethesightofyourownmiseryassinnerswillunderstandwhatHopefulsayswithoutanyexplanation；

whilethosewhodonotunderstandhimwouldonlybethemorestumbledbyanyexplanationofhim。Theloveofthesightoftheirmisery，andtheunearthlysweetnessoftheirsorrowforsin，areonlyanothertwoofthoseprovokingparadoxesofwhichthelivesofGod’struesaintsarefull——paradoxesandimpossibilitiesandincoherenciesthatmaketheliteratureofexperimentalreligiontobepositivelyhatefulandunbearabletoTemporaryandtoallhisself-seekingandapostatekindred。

3。Butevenwheretheconsciencesofsuchmenareoccasionallyawakened，proceedsHopeful，inhissosearchingdiscoveryofTemporaries，yettheirmindsarenotchanged。Thereyouareprettynearthebusiness，repliedhisfellow；forthebottomofallis，forwantofachangeoftheirmindandwill。Now，onewouldhavebeenafraidandashamedforonemomenttosuspectthatTemporary’smindwasnotcompletelychanged，so”forward”washeatfirstinhisreligion。But，no:forwardbeforeallhisneighboursasTemporarywas，tobeginwith，yetallthetimehismindwasnotreallychanged。Hisforwardnessdidnotproperlyspringoutofhistruemindatall，butonlyoutofhismomentarilyawakenedconscienceandhismomentarilyexcitedheart。Asinnerwithatrulychangedmindisneverforward。Hismindissochangedthatforwardnessinanythingisutterlyalientoit，andespeciallyallforwardnessintheprofessionofreligion。ThechangethathadtakenplaceinTemporary，whateverwastheseatofit，onlyledhimtobullymenlikeChristianandHopeful，whowouldnotgofastenoughforhim。”Come，”saidPliable，inthebeginningofthebook，”comeonandletusmendourpace。””IcannotgosofastasIwould，”humblyrepliedChristian，”becauseofthisburdenonmyback。”Itisacommonobservationamongmountaineersthathewhotakesthehillatthegreatestspurtisthelastclimbertocometothetop，andthatmanywhosoostentatiouslymakespurtsatthebottomofthehillnevercomewithinsightofthetopatall。Andthisisoneoftheconstantdangersthatwaitonallrevivals，religiousretreats，conferences，andevencommunionseasons。Ourhotfits，thehottertheyare，areonlythemorelikely，unlesswetakethegreatestcare，tocastusdownintoallthemoredeadlyachill。ItisthisdangerthatourLordpointsoutsoplainlyinHisparableofapostasy。Thesameishe，saysourLord，thatheareththeword，andanonwithjoyreceivethit；yethathhenotrootinhimself，butdurethforawhile。InHopeful’swords，hismindandwillwereneverchangedwithallhisjoy，onlyhispassingmoodsandhismomentaryemotions。

MultitudesofmenwhoareasforwardatfirstasPliableandTemporarywereturnoutatlasttohavenorootinthemselves；buthereandthereyouwilldiscoveramanwhoisallroottogether。