Christian telleth his companion a story of Littlefaith. So they both went on, and Ignorance he came after. Now when they had passed him a little way, they entered into a very dark lane, where they met a man whom seven devils had bound with seven strong cords, and were carrying of him back to the door that they saw on the side of the hill. (Matt. xii. 45; Prov. v. 22.) Now good Christian began to tremble, and so did Hopeful his companion; yet as the devils led away the man, Christian looked to see if he knew him; and he The destruction thought it might be one Turn-away, that dwelt in the of one Turn-away. town of Apostasy. But he did not perfectly see his face, for he did hang his head like a thief that is found.137 But being once past, Hopeful looked after him, and espied on his back a paper with this inscription, "Wanton professor and damnable apostate." Then said Christian to his fellow, Now I call to remembrance, that which was told me of a thing that happened to a good man hereabout. The name of the man was Little-faith, but a good man, and he dwelt in the town of Sincere. The thing was this: At the entering in at this passage, there comes down from Broad-way Gate, a lane called Dead Man's Lane; so called because of the murders that are commonly done there; and this Dead Man's Lane. Little-faith going on pilgrimage, as we do now, chanced to sit down there, and slept. Now there happened at that time to come down the lane, from Broad-way Gate, three sturdy rogues, and their names were Faint-heart, Mistrust, and Guilt (three brothers), and they, espying Little-faith, where he was, came galloping up with speed. Now the good man was just awake from his sleep, and was getting up Little faith to go on his journey. So they came up all to him, and with robbed by Faint threatening language bid him stand. At this Little-faith looked as white as a clout, and had neither power to fight nor fly. Then said Faint-heart, Deliver thy purse. But he making no haste to do it (for he was loth to lose his money), Mistrust ran up to him, and thrusting his hand into his pocket, pulled out thence a bag of silver. Then he cried out, Thieves Thieves! With that Guilt, with a great club that was in his Broad-way Gate. heart, Mistrust, and Guilt. They got away him hand, struck Little-faith on the head, and with that blow, felled him flat to the ground, where he lay bleeding as one that would bleed to death.138 All this while the thieves stood by. But, at last, they hearing that some were upon the road, and fearing lest it should be one Greatgrace, that dwells in the city of Good-confidence, they betook themselves to their heels, and left this good man to shift for himself. Now, after a while, Little-faith came to himself, and getting up made shift to scrabble on his way.189 This was the story. HOPE. But did they take from him all that ever he had? Little-faith lost CHR. No; the place where his jewels were they never ransacked, so those he kept still. But, as I was told, the good man not his best things. was much afflicted for his loss, for the thieves got most of his spending-money. That which they got not (as I said) were jewels, also he had a little odd money left, but scarce enough to bring him to his journey's end (1 Pet. iv. 18); nay, if I was not misinformed, he was forced to beg as he went, to keep himself alive; for his jewels he might not sell. But beg, and do what he could, he went (as we say) with many a hungry belly Little-faith forced to beg to his journey's end. the most part of the rest of the way.140 HOPE. But is it not a wonder they got not from him his certificate, by which he was to receive his admittance at the Celestial Gate? CHR. It is a wonder; but they got not that, though they missed He kept not his it not through any good cunning of his; for he, being best things by his dismayed with their coming upon him, had neither power nor skill to hide anything; so it was more by good Providence than by his endeavour, that they missed of that good thing. HOPE. But it must needs be a comfort to him, that they got not his jewels from him.141 own cunning. 2 Tim. i. 14. CHR. It might have been great comfort to him, had he used it as he should; but they that told me the story said, that he made but little use of it all the rest of the way, and that because of the dismay that he had in the taking away his money; indeed, he forgot it a great part of the rest of his journey; and, besides, when at any time it came into his mind, and he began to be comforted therewith, then would fresh thoughts of his loss come again upon him, and those thoughts would swallow up all. (1 Pet. i. 9). He is pitied by both. HOPE. Alas! poor man. This could not but be a great grief to him. CHR. Grief! ay, a grief indeed. Would it not have been so to any of us, had we been used as he, to be robbed, and wounded too, and that in a strange place, as he was? It is a wonder he did not die. with grief, poor heart! I was told that he scattered almost all the rest of the way with nothing but doleful and bitter complaints; telling also to all that overtook him, or that he overtook in the way as he went, where he was robbed, and how; who they were that did it, and what he lost; how he was wounded, and that he hardly escaped with his life.142 HOPE. But it is a wonder that his necessity did not put him upon selling or pawning some of his jewels,148 that he might have wherewith to relieve himself in his journey. for unadvised speaking. CHR. Thou talkest like one upon whose head is the shell to this very day; for what should he pawn them, or to whom should he sell them? Christian snub- In all that country where he was robbed, his jewels were beth his fellow not accounted of; nor did he want that relief which could from thence be administered to him. Besides, had his jewels been missing at the gate of the Celestial City, he had (and that he knew well enough) been excluded from an inheritance there; and that would have been worse to him than the appearance and villany of ten thousand thieves. HOPE. Why art thou so tart, my brother? Esau sold his birthright, and that for a mess of pottage, and that birthright was his greatest jewel; and if he, why might not Little-faith do so too? (Heb. xii. 16.) CHR. Esau did sell his birthright indeed, and so do many besides, and by so doing exclude themselves from the chief blessing, as also that caitiff did; but you must put a difference betwixt Esau and Little-faith, and also betwixt their estates. A discourse about Esau and Little-faith. by his lusts. Esau's birthright was typical, but Little-faith's jewels were not so; Esau was ruled Esau's belly was his god, but Little-faith's belly was not so; Esau's want lay in his fleshly appetite, Little-faith's did not so. Besides, Esau could see no further than to the fulfilling of his lusts; "Behold, I am at the point to die (said he), and what profit shall this birthright do me?" (Gen. xxv. 32.) But Little-faith, though it was his lot to have but a little faith, was by his little faith kept from such extravagances, and made to see and prize his jewels more than to sell them, as Esau did his birthright. You read not anywhere that Esau had faith, no, not so much as a little; therefore no marvel if, where the flesh only bears sway (as it will in that man where no faith is to resist), if he sells his birthright, and his soul and all, and that to the devil of hell; for it is with such, as it is with the ass, who in her occasions cannot be turned away. (Jer. ii. 24.) When their minds are set upon their lusts, they will Esau never had faith. |