Nothing But Rags Before
To this formalist and hypocrisy made Christian, but little answer only they bid him look to himself. Then I saw that they went on every man in his way without much conference one with another, save that these two men told Christian that as to laws and ordinances, they doubted not, but they should as conscientiously do them as he. Therefore said they, we see not where in thou different from us, but by the coat that is on that back, which was as we trial given the by some of thy neighbors to hide the shame of thy nakedness. Christian answered, By laws and ordinances you will not be saved, since you came not in by the door. And as for this coat that is on my back, it was given me by the Lord of the place whither I go and that, as you say, to cover my nakedness with. And I take it as a token of His kindness to me, for I had nothing but rags before. And besides, thus, I comfort myself as I go. Surely, think I, when I come to the gate of the city, the Lord thereof will know me for good since I have His coat on my back, A coat that He gave me in the day that He stripped me of my rags. John Bunyan.