fore: others. For my part, I am of opinion that he has, by his wicked life, caused many to stumble and fall; and will be,if God prevents not the ruin of many more.
Faith. Well, my brother, I am bound to believe you, not only because you say you know him, but also because, like a Christian, you make your reports of man. For I cannot think that you speak these things of ill-will but because it is even so as you say.
Chr. Had I known him no more than you, I might, perhaps, have thought of him as; at that first you did; yea, had I received this report at their hands, only that are enemies to religion, I should ham thought it had been a slander—a lot that often falls from bad men's mouths upon good men's names and professions. But all these things, yea, and a great many more as bad, of my own knowledge, I, can prove him guilty of. Besides, good men are, ashamed of him—they can neither call him brother nor friend; the very naming of him among them makes them blush, if they know him.
Faith. Well, I see that saying, and doing are, two things, and hereafter I shall better observer this distinction.
Chr. They are two things indeed, and are as diverse as are the soul and the body; for as the body without the soul is but a dead carcass, so saying, if it be alone, is but a dead cracass also. The soul of religion is the practical part: "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction an to keep himself unspotted from the world." (Jas i. 22–27) This Talkative is not aware of; he thinks, that hearing and and saying will make a good Christian; and thus he deceiveth his own soul. Hearing is but as sowing of the seed; talking is not sufficient to prove that fruit is indeed in the heart and life. And let us assure ourselves, that at the day of doom men shall be judged according to their fruits. (Matt. xiii. 23.) It will not be said then, Did you believe? but, Were you doers, or talkers only? and accordingly shall they be
