CHAPTER VII--SELF-LOVE.
'This know, that men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, unthankful, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false accusers, traitors, heady, high-minded: from all such turn away.'-- _Paul_.
'Pray, sir, said Academicus, tell me more plainly just what this self of ours actually is.

Self, replied Theophilus, is hell, it is the devil, it is darkness, pain, and disquiet.

It is the one and only enemy of Christ.
It is the great antichrist.

It is the scarlet whore, it is the fiery dragon, it is the old serpent that is mentioned in the Revelation of St John.

You rather terrify me than instruct me by this description, said Academicus.