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The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

The Pilgrim's Progress is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan in 1678 . It is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature, has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print. It has also been cited as the first novel written in English.

The Pilgrim's Progress is a Christian allegory written by John Bunyan in 1678 . It is regarded as one of the most significant works of religious English literature, has been translated into more than 200 languages, and has never been out of print. It has also been cited as the first novel written in English.

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CHRISTIAN: "How can you believe in Christ — when you do not see<br />

your need of Him? You neither see your original nor actual sins! You<br />

have such a high opinion of yourself, and of what you do — so that you<br />

never see the necessity of Christ's personal righteousness to justify you<br />

before God. How, then, can you say that you believe in Christ?"<br />

IGNORANCE: "My beliefs are fine — in spite of all that you have just<br />

said."<br />

CHRISTIAN: "What exactly then, do you believe?”<br />

IGNORANCE: "I believe that Christ died for sinners — and that I shall<br />

be justified before God from the curse, through His gracious acceptance<br />

of my obedience to His law. To state it another way, Christ makes my<br />

religious duties acceptable to His Father, <strong>by</strong> virtue of His merits — and<br />

so I shall be justified."<br />

CHRISTIAN: "Let me give an answer to your beliefs on this issue.<br />

"First, you believe with an imaginary faith — for this kind of faith is<br />

nowhere described in the Word.<br />

"Secondly, you believe with a false faith — because you trust that you<br />

are justified <strong>by</strong> your own righteousness, rather than the righteousness<br />

of Christ.<br />

"Thirdly, your beliefs make Christ a justifier of your actions — but not<br />

of your person. You think that your person is justified for your action's<br />

sake, which is false.<br />

"<strong>The</strong>refore, your faith is deceitful — even such as will leave you under<br />

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