blessed themselves with this mistake; namely, taking the decays of nature for a gracious conquest over corruptions, and so have been apt to beguile themselves. Indeed, old men that are gracious are best able to give advice to them that are young, because they have seen most of the emptiness of things: but yet, for an old and a young man to set out both together, the young one has the advantage of the fairest discovery of a work of grace within him, though the old man's corruptions are naturally the weakest. Thus they sat talking till break of day.

ANOTHER

Now, when the family were up, Christiana bid her son James that he should read a chapter; so he read the 53d of Isaiah. When he had done, Mr. Honest asked why it was said that the Saviour is said to come out of a dry ground," and also, that "he had no form nor comeliness in him."

QUESTION.

GREAT. Then said Mr. Great-heart, To the first I answer, Because the church of the Jews, of which Christ came, had then lost almost all the sap and spirit of religion. To the second I say, The words are spoken in the person of unbelievers, who, because they want the eye that can see into our Prince's heart, therefore they judge of him by the meanness of his outside, just like those that know not that precious stones are covered over with a homely crust, who, when they have found one, because they know not what they have found, cast it away again, as men do a common stone.

Well, said Gaius, now you are here, and since, as I know, Mr. Great-heart is good at his weapons, if you please, after we have refreshed ourselves, we will walk into the fields, to see if we can do any good. About a mile from hence there is one Slay-good, a giant, that does much annoy the King's highway in these parts;

*

and I know whereabout his haunt is. He is master of a number of thieves: 'twould be well if we could clear these parts of him. So they consented and went; Mr. Great-heart with his sword, helmet, and shield; and the rest with spears and staves.

GIANT SLAY-GOOD FOUND WITH

ONE

FEEBLE-MIND IN

HIS HAND.

When they came to the place where he was, they found him with one Feeble-mind in his hand, whom his servants had brought unto him, having taken him in the way. Now the giant was rifling him, with a purpose after that to pick his bones; for he was of the nature of flesh-eaters.

Well, so soon as he saw Mr. Great-heart and his friends at the mouth of his cave, with their weapons, he demanded what they wanted.

GREAT. We want thee; for we are come to revenge the quarrels of the many that thou hast slain of the pilgrims, when thou hast dragged them out of the King's highway wherefore come out of thy cave. So he armed himself and came out, and to battle they went, and fought for above an hour, and then stood still to take wind.

Then said the giant, Why are you here on my ground?

GREAT. To revenge the blood of pilgrims, as I told thee before. So they went to it again, and the giant made Mr. Great-heart give back but he came up again, and in the greatness of his mind he let fly with such stoutness at the giant's head and sides, that he made him let his weapon fall out of his hand. So he smote him, and slew him, and cut

THE GIANT ASSAULT-
ED AND SLAIN.

* After feeding, pilgrims are to prepare for fighting. They are not to eat in order to pamper their lusts, but to strengthen their souls, that they may be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, to fight and conquer every enemy.

off his head, and brought it away to the inn. He also took Feeble-mind the pilgrim, and brought him with him to his lodgings. When they were come home, they showed his head to the family, and set it up, as they had done others before, for a terror to those that should attempt to do as he hereafter.

Then they asked Mr. Feeble-mind how he fell into his hands.

HOW FEEBLE-MIND CAME TO BE A PILGRIM.

FEEBLE. Then said the poor man, I am a sickly man, as you see: and because death did usually once a day knock at my door, I thought I should never be well at home; so I betook myself to a pilgrim's life, and have travelled hither from the town of Uncertain, where I and my father were born. I am a man of no strength at all of body, nor yet of mind, but would, if I could, though I can but crawl, spend my life in the pilgrim's way.* When I came at the gate that is at the head of the way, the Lord of that place did entertain me freely; neither objected he against my weakly looks, nor against my feeble mind; but gave me such things as were necessary for my journey, and bid me hope to the end. When I came to the house of the Interpreter, I received much kindness there and because the hill of Difficulty was judged too hard for me, I was carried up that by one of his servants. Indeed, I have found much relief from pilgrims, though none was willing to go so softly as I am forced to do: yet still, as they came on, they bid me be of good cheer, and said, that it was the will of their Lord that comfort

All pilgrims are not alike vigorous, strong, and lively. Some are weak-creep and crawl on, in the ways of the Lord. No matter; if there be but a pilgrim's heart, all shall be well at last for Omnipotence itself is for us; and then we may boldly ask, Who shall be against us?

their own pace.

should be given to the feeble-minded, and so went on When I was come to Assault-lane, then this giant met with me, and bid me prepare for an encounter. But, alas! feeble one that I was, I had more need of a cordial; so he came up and took me. I conceited he should not kill me. Also when he got me into his den, since I went not with him willingly, I believed I should come out alive again; for I MARK THIS! have heard, that not any pilgrim that is taken captive by violent hands, if he keeps heart-whole towards his Master, is, by the laws of providence, to die by the hand of the enemy. Robbed I looked to be, and robbed to be sure I am; but I am, as you see, escaped with life, for the which I thank my King as the author, and you as the means. Other brunts I also look for; but this I have resolved on, to wit, to run when I can, to MARK THIS! go when I cannot run, and to creep when I cannot go. As to the main, I thank Him that loved me, I am fixed; my way is before me, my mind is beyond the river that has no bridge, though I am, as you see, but of a feeble mind.*

HON. Then said old Mr. Honest, Have not you some time ago been acquainted with one Mr. Fearing a pilgrim?

FEEBLE. Acquainted with him! Yes, he came from the town of Stupidity, which lieth four degrees to the northward of the city of Destruction, and as many off of where I was born; yet we were well ac- MR. FEARING, MR. quainted, for indeed he was my uncle, my

e 1 Thess. v. 14.

PEEBLE-MIND'S

UNCLE.

* What a sweet, simple relation is here! Doth it not suit many a feeble-minded Christian? Poor soul, weak as he was, yet his Lord provided against his danger. He sent some strong ones to his deliverance, and to slay his enemy. Mind his belief, even in his utmost extremity. Learn somewhat from this feeble mind.

father's brother. He and I have been much of a temper: he was a little shorter than I, but yet we were much of a complexion.

HON. I perceive you knew him, and I am apt to believe also that you were related one to another; for you have his whitely look, a cast like his

FEEBLE-MIND HAS

SOME OF MR. FEAR-
ING'S FEATURES.

alike.

with your eye, and your speech is much

FEEBLE. Most have said so that have known us both and, besides, what I have read in him I have for the most part found in myself.

GAIUS COMFORTS HIM.

GAIUS. Come, sir, said good Gaius, be of good cheer; you are welcome to me, and to my house. What thou hast a mind to, call for freely; and what thou wouldst have my servants do for thee, they will do it with a ready mind.

NOTICE TO BE TAKEN
OF PROVIDENCE.

Then said Mr. Feeble-mind, This is an unexpected favour, and as the sun shining out of a very dark cloud. Did giant Slay-good intend me this favour when he stopped me, and resolved to let me go no further? Did he intend, that after he had rifled my pocket, I should go to Gaius mine host? Yet so it is.*

Now just as Mr. Feeble-mind and Gaius were thus in talk, there comes one running, and called

TIDINGS HOW ONE

NOT-RIGHT WAS
SLAIN BY A THUN-
DERBOLT.

at the door, and said, That about a mile and a half off there was one Mr. Not-right, a pilgrim, struck dead upon the place where he was, with a thunderbolt.

FEEBLE Alas! said Mr. Feeble-mind, is he slain?

O how sweet to reflect, that the most gigantic enemy shall be conquered, and their most malicious designs shall be over-ruled for our good: yea, what they intend for our ruin, shall be made to work for our health and prosperity.