The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

CHRISTIAN: "Why, the Word of God says that man's ways are crooked
and perverse — and not good. It says that no one seeks God — but all
have turned away from Him. Now, when a man sincerely thinks thus of
his ways, and with heart humiliation — then his thoughts now agree
with the judgment of the Word of God."
IGNORANCE: "Further, what are good thoughts concerning God?”
CHRISTIAN: "Just as I have said concerning ourselves — when our
thoughts of God agree with what the Word says of Him. That is, when
we think of His being and attributes just as the Word teaches, of which I
cannot presently discourse at length.
"To speak of Him with reference to ourselves — we have right thoughts
of God, when we understand that He knows us better than we know
ourselves, and can see sin in us when and where we can see no sin in
ourselves. Also when we realize that He knows our inmost thoughts —
and that our heart, with all its depths, is always open before His eyes.
Also, when we think that all our righteousness is a stench in His nostrils
— and that, therefore, He cannot endure to have us stand before Him in
any self-confidence, even in all our best duties."
IGNORANCE: "Do you think that I am such a fool as to imagine that
God can see no further than I can — or, that I would come to God in the
best of my duties?"
CHRISTIAN: "Well, what do you think concerning this matter?"
IGNORANCE: "Why, to be brief, I think I must believe in Christ for
justification.”
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