The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

CHRISTIAN: "A very good application — but please go on.”
HOPEFUL: "Another thing which troubled me, even since my recent
amendments, is that if I look closely into the best of whatever I do — I
still see sin, new sin, mixing itself with my best deeds. So I am forced to
conclude, that notwithstanding my former good opinion of myself and
my duties, I have committed enough sin in one duty to send me to Hell
— even if my former life had been faultless!”
CHRISTIAN: "And what did you do then?"
HOPEFUL: "Do! I did not know what to do, until I shared my thoughts
with Faithful — for we were well acquainted. He told me that unless I
could obtain the righteousness of a Man who never had sinned — that
neither my own, nor all the righteousness of the world, could save me."
CHRISTIAN: "And did you think he spoke the truth?"
HOPEFUL: "Had he told me this while I was yet pleased and satisfied
with my own amendments — I would have called him a fool for his
counsel. But now, since I see my own error, and the sin which cleaves to
even my best performances — I was forced to embrace his opinion.”
CHRISTIAN: "But did you think, when at first he suggested it to you —
that there was such a Man to be found, of whom it might justly be said,
that He never committed any sin?"
HOPEFUL: "I must confess that his words did sound strange at first —
but after a little more conversation with him, I was fully convinced."
Page
208 of 253