The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

covetousness, and impurity, and swearing, and lying, and vain company
keeping — all join in your conduct. The proverb is true which is said of a
harlot, namely, that she is a shame to all women — just so, you are a
shame to all professors.”
TALKATIVE: "Since you are so ready to believe any report, and to judge
so rashly as you do — I cannot but conclude that you are some peevish
or critical man, not fit to be discoursed with. So I bid you farewell.”
Then Christian came and said to his brother Faithful, "I told you what
would happen — your words and his lusts would not agree! He would
rather leave your company, than reform his life. But he is gone — let
him go, the loss is no man's but his own. He has saved us the trouble of
leaving him — for if he had continued with us, he would have only been
a reproach in our company; besides, the apostle says, 'Withdraw
yourself from such people.'"
FAITHFUL: "But I am glad that we had this little discourse with him —
as perhaps he will think of it again. However, I have dealt plainly with
him, and so I am clear of his blood if he perishes."
CHRISTIAN: "You did well to talk so plainly to him. There is very little
of this faithful dealing with men now-a-days — and that makes
religion a stench in the nostrils of many. For these talkative fools whose
religion is only in word, and are debauched and vain in their conduct,
(being admitted into the fellowship of the godly) — only puzzle the
world, blemish Christianity, and grieve the sincere believer. I wish that
all men would deal with such hypocrites as you have done; then they
would either become sincere believers — or the company of saints
would be too hot for them to remain in.
Page
126 of 253