Chr.  But why should they be so set against him, since they also despise the way that he forsook?

Faith.  Oh, they say, hang him, he is a turncoat! he was not true to his profession.  I think God has stirred up even his enemies to hiss at him, and make him a proverb, because he hath forsaken the way. [Jer. 29:18,19]

Chr.  Had you no talk with him before you came out?

Faith.  I met him once in the streets, but he leered away on the other side, as one ashamed of what he had done; so I spake not to him.

{173} Chr.  Well, at my first setting out, I had hopes of that man; but now I fear he will perish in the overthrow of the city; for it is happened to him according to the true proverb, “The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.” [2 Pet. 2:22]

Faith.  These are my fears of him too; but who can hinder that which will be?

Chr.  Well, neighbour Faithful, said Christian, let us leave him, and talk of things that more immediately concern ourselves.  Tell me now, what you have met with in the way as you came; for I know you have met with some things, or else it may be writ for a wonder.

{174} Faith.  I escaped the Slough that I perceived you fell into, and got up to the gate without that danger; only I met with one whose name was Wanton, who had like to have done me a mischief.

Chr.  It was well you escaped her net; Joseph was hard put to it by her, and he escaped her as you did; but it had like to have cost him his life. [Gen. 39:11-13] But what did she do to you?

Faith.  You cannot think, but that you know something, what a flattering tongue she had; she lay at me hard to turn aside with her, promising me all manner of content.

Chr.  Nay, she did not promise you the content of a good conscience.

Faith.  You know what I mean; all carnal and fleshly content.

Chr.  Thank God you have escaped her:  “The abhorred of the Lord shall fall into her ditch.” [Ps. 22:14]

Faith.  Nay, I know not whether I did wholly escape her or no.

Chr.  Why, I trow, you did not consent to her desires?

Faith.  No, not to defile myself; for I remembered an old writing that I had seen, which said, “Her steps take hold on hell.” [Prov. 5:5] So I shut mine eyes, because I would not be bewitched with her looks. [Job 31:1] Then she railed on me, and I went my way.

Chr.  Did you meet with no other assault as you came?