364

SELF-WILL'S CHARACTER:

CHAPTER IX.

THE CHARACTER OF MR. SELF-WILL.

NOW I saw that they all went on in their talk ; for, after Mr. Great-heart had made an end with Mr. Fearing, Mr. Honest began to tell them of another, but his name was Mr. Self-will. He pretended himself to be a pilgrim, said Mr. Honest; but I persuade myself, he never came in at the gate that stands at the head of the way.

GR.-H. Had you ever any talk with him about it?

HON. Yes, more than once or twice: but he would always be like himself, self-willed. He neither cared for man, nor argument, nor example; what his mind prompted him to, that he would do; and nothing else could he be got to.*

GR.-H. Pray what principles did he hold? for I suppose you can tell.

HON. He held, that a man might follow the vices as well as the virtues of the pilgrims; and that if he did both, he should be certainly saved.

GR.-H. How! if he had said, it is possible for the best to be guilty of the vices, as well as partake of the virtues of pilgrims, he could not much have been blamed. For indeed we are exempted from no vice absolutely, but on condition that we watch and strive.† But this, I perceive, is not the thing: but, if I understand you right, your meaning is, that he was of that opinion, that it was allowable so to be.

HON. Ay, ay, so I mean; and so he believed and practised.

* Self-will ever accompanies ignorance of ourselves, and of the truth; and is generally attended with licentious principles and practices.

This is a solid, scriptural definition; pray mind it. Here it is evident a condition must be admitted; and happy is the Christian who keeps closest to these conditions, in order to enjoy peace of conscience, and joy of heart in Christ.

HIS DETESTABLE OPINIONS.

365

GR. H. But what grounds had he for so saying? HON. Why, he said he had the scripture for his

warrant.

GR.-H. Pr'ythee, Mr. Honest, present us with a few particulars.

HON. So I will. He said, to have to do with other men's wives, had been practised by David, God's beloved; and therefore he could do it. He said, to have more women than one, was a thing that Solomon practised; and therefore he could do it. He said, that Sarah and the godly midwives of Egypt lied, and so did Rahab; and therefore he could do it. He said, that the disciples went at the bidding of their Master, and took away the owner's ass; and therefore he could do so too. He said, that Jacob got the inheritance of his father in a way of guile and dissimulation; and therefore he could do so too.*

GR.-H. Highly base, indeed! and are you sure he was of this opinion?

HON. I have heard him plead for it, bring scripture for it, bring arguments for it, &c.

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

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

GR.-H. But what more false than such a conclusion? for this is as much as to say, that, because good men heretofore have sinned of infirmity, therefore he had allowance to do it of a presumptuous mind: or if, because a child, by the blast of wind, or for that it stumbled at a stone, fell down, and defiled itself in mire,

That heart, which is under the teaching and influence of the grace of God, will detest such horrid notions, and cry out against them; God forbid that ever I should listen one moment to such diabolical sentiments! for they are hatched in hell, and propagated on earth, by the father of lies.

366

FURTHER ACCOUNT OF SELF-WILL.

therefore he might wilfully lie down and wallow like a boar therein. Who could have thought that any one could so far have been blinded by the power of lust? But what is written must be true: " they stumbled at the word, being disobedient; whereunto also they were appointed."(a) His supposing that such may have the godly man's virtues, who addict themselves to his vices, is also a delusion as strong as the other. It is just as if the dog should say, "I have, or may have the qualities of a child, because I lick up its stinking excrements." "To eat up the sin of God's people,"(b) is no sign of one that is possessed with their virtues. Nor can I believe, that one that is of this opinion, can at present have faith or love in him.— But I know you have made strong objections against him; pr'ythee what can he say for himself?

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

GR.-H. A very wicked answer; for, though to let loose the bridle to lusts, while our opinions are against such things, is bad; yet to sin, and plead a toleration so to do, is worse: the one stumbles beholders accidentally, the other leads them into the snare.

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

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

CHR. There are strange opinions in the world: I know one that said it was time enough to repent when he came to die.

GR.-H. Such are not over-wise: that man would have been loth, might he have had a week to run

(a) Peter ii. 8. (b) Hosea iv. 8.

OBSERVATIONS ON OTHER FAULTY CHARACTERS. 367

twenty miles for his life, to have deferred that journey to the last hour of that week.

HON. You say right; and yet the generality of them that count themselves pilgrims do indeed do thus. I am, as you see, an old man, and have been a traveller in this road many a day; and I have taken notice of many things.*

I have seen some, that set out as if they would drive all the world afore them, who yet have, in a few days, died as they in the wilderness, and so never got sight of the promised land.-I have seen some, that have promised nothing at first setting out to be pilgrims, and that one would have thought could not have lived a day, that have yet proved very good pilgrims.I have seen some, who have run hastily forward, that again have, after a little time, run as fast just back again. I have seen some who have spoken very well of a pilgrim's life at first, that after a while, have spoken as much against it.I have heard some, when they first set out for paradise, say positively, "There is such a place; who, when they have been almost there, have come back again, and said, "There is none."-I have heard some vaunt what they would do, in case they should be opposed, that have, even at a false alarm, fled faith, the pilgrim's way, and all.

Pray, attentively mind, and deeply consider, the six following observations: they are just; they are daily confirmed to our observations, in the conduct of different professors. Study, and pray to improve them, to your soul's profit.

368

THE PILGRIMS ESCAPE THE ROBBERS.

CHAPTER X.

THE PILGRIMS ARRIVE AT THE HOUSE OF GAIUS, WHERE THEY ARE HOSPITABLY ENTERTAINED.

NOW as they were thus in their way, there came one running to meet them, and said, "Gentlemen, and you of the weaker sort, if you love life, shift for yourselves, for the robbers are before you."

Then said Mr. Great-heart, They be the three that set upon Little-faith heretofore. Well, said he, we are ready for them. So they went on their way. Now they looked at every turning, when they should have met with the villains; but, whether they heard of Mr. Great-heart, or whether they had some other game, they came not up to the pilgrims.*

Christiana then wished for an inn for herself and her children, because they were weary. Then said Mr. Honest, "There is one a little before us, where a very honourable disciple, named Gaius, dwells."(a) So they all concluded to turn in thither: and the rather, because the old gentleman gave him so good a report. So when they came to the door, they went in, not knocking; for folks use not to knock at the door of an inn. Then they called for the master of the house, and he came to them. So they asked if they might lie there that night?

GAIUS. Yes, gentlemen, if you be true men, for my house is for none but pilgrims. Then was Christiana, Mercy, and the boys, more glad, for that the inn-keeper was a lover of pilgrims. So they called for rooms, and he showed them one for Christiana and

It is a blessed thing to take every alarm, and to be on our guard. Hereby many dangers are avoided, and many evils prevented. Watch, is the word of the Captain of our salvation.

(a) Rom. xvi. 23.