_Faith._ He said, it was a low mean thing to mind religion; and that a tender conscience was an unmanly thing: that few of the _mighty_, or _rich_, or _wise_, regarded it; nor any of them, till they became fools; till they were persuaded to venture the loss of all, for no body knows what. He objected also, the base and low estate of most of those who minded religion; likewise their ignorance and want of learning, yea, of natural understanding. He said, It was a shame to sit whining under a sermon, and to come sighing and groaning home: that it was a shame to ask my neighbour forgiveness; to make restitution, if I had taken from any; and, above all, to renounce all the men of credit and reputation, and to consort only with the poor and base. _Christian._ And what did you say? _Faith._ I knew not what to say at first, till it came into my mind, _That which is highly esteemed of men, is had in abomination with God_. Then I saw what God says is best, is so, though all the men in the world are against it. Therefore they who are fools for Christ’s sake, are the wisest of men; and the poor man that loveth him, is richer than he who hath thousands of gold and silver. I then said with a loud voice, _Shame_, depart! Thou art an enemy to my salvation. _I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ_; neither of his ways, nor of his servants. I will confess them all before men. So shall he confess me before my Father which is in heaven. _Christian._ Did you meet no body else in the valley? _Faith._ No; for I had sunshine all the rest of the way, and also through the _valley of the Shadow of Death_. As they went on, _Faithful_ looking on one side, saw one walking at a distance. He was a tall man, and more comely at a distance than at hand. _Faithful_ accosted him in this manner: _Faith._ Friend, whither away? Are you travelling toward mount _Zion_? _Man._ To the very same. _Faith._ I hope then we shall have your good company. _Man._ With all my heart. _Faith._ Come then, let us pass the time in discoursing of things profitable. _Man._ It is very acceptable to me to talk of good things. I am glad I have met those that incline to so good a work. For, to speak the truth, there are but few that care thus to spend their time, but rather to speak of unprofitable things. And this hath been a trouble to me. For what is so pleasant as to talk of the things of God? Who would not delight to talk of miracles, wonders, and signs, which are so sweetly penned in the holy scripture? _Faith._ But, to be profited by the things we talk of should be our chief design. _Man._ Without doubt. And what so profitable as to talk of these things? Of the vanity of earthly things, and the excellency of things above? Or more particularly, of the insufficiency of our own, and the need of Christ’s righteousness? Of the necessity of the new birth, repentance, faith, and prayer, and all the graces of the holy Spirit? _Faith._ I am glad to hear this from you.