Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/76

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The Pilgrim's Progress.

put to it by her, and he escaped her as you did; but it had like to have cost him his life. (Gen. xxxix. 11–13.) But what did she do to you?

Faith. You cannot think (but that you know something) what a flattering tongue she had; she lay at me hard to turn aside with her, promising me all manner of content.

Chr. Nay, she did not promise you the content of a good conscience.

Faith. You know that I mean all carnal and fleshy content.

Chr. Thank God you have escaped her: the abohorred of the Lord shall fall into her ditch. (Prov. xxii. 14.).

Faith. Nay, I know not whether I did wholly escape her or no.

Chr. Why, I trow you did not consent to her desire?

Faith.' No, not to defile myself; for I remembered an old writing that I had seen, which said, "Her stepstake hold of hell." (Prov. v. 5. Job xxxi. I.) So I shut mine eyes, because I would not he bewitehed with her looks. Then she railed on me, and I went my way.

Chr. Did you meet with no other assault as you came?

Faith. When I came to the foot of the hill called Difficulty, I met with a very aged man, who asked me what I was, and whither bound. I told him that I was a pilgrim, going to the Celestial City. Then said the old man, Thou lookest like an honest fellow; wilt thou be content to dwell with me for the wages that I shall give thee? Then I asked him his name, and where he dwelt. He said his name was Adam the First, and that he dwelt in the town of Deceit. (Eph. iv. 22.) I asked him then what was his work. and what the wages that he would give. He told me that his work was many delights, and his wages, that I should be his heir at last. I further asked him what house he kept, and what other servants he had. So he told me that his house was maintained with all the dainties of the world, and that his servants were those of his own begetting. Then I asked him how many children