How Feeblemind came to be a pilgrim.

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 that 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 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 were 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 should be given to the feebleminded, and so went on their own pace. (1 Thess. v. 14.) When I was come up to Assault Lane, then this giant met with me, and bid me

Mark this.

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 had got me into his den, since I went not with him willingly, I believed I should come out alive again; for I 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 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 go when I cannot run, and to creep when I cannot go. As to the main, I thank him that loves 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.

Mark this.

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

uncle.

FEEBLE. Acquainted with him! Yes; he came from the town of Stupidity, which lieth four degrees to the northward of Mr. Fearing, Mr. Feeble-mind's the City of Destruction, and as many off of where I was born yet we were well acquainted, for, indeed, he was my uncle, my 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 know him; and I am apt to believe also that you were related one to another; for you have his whitely some of Mr. Fear- 1ook, a cast like his with your eye, and your speech is

Feeble-mind has

ing's features.

much alike.

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

him.

dence.

Then said Mr. Feeble-mind, This is unexpected favour, and as the sun shining out of a very dark cloud. Did Giant Slay-good Notice to be intend me this favour when he stopped me, and resolved taken of Provito let me go no further? Did he intend, that after he had rifled my pockets, I should go to Gaius, mine host? Now, just as Mr. Feeble-mind and Gaius were thus in talk, there comes one running, and called at the door, and told that, about a mile and a half off, there was one Mr. Not-right, a pilgrim, struck dead upon the place where comments upon he was with a thunderbolt.

Yet so it is.
Tidings how one

Not-right

was

slain with a thun

der-bolt, and Mr. Feeble-mind's

it.

FEEBLE. Alas! said Mr. Feeble-mind, is he slain? He overtook me some days before I came so far as hither, and would be my company-keeper. He also was with me when Slay-good, the giant, took me; but he was nimble of his heels, and escaped. But, it seems, he escaped to die, and I was took to live.

What, one would think, doth seek to slay outright,
Ofttimes delivers from the saddest plight.
That very providence, whose face is death,
Doth ofttimes to the lowly life bequeath.

I taken was, he did escape and flee;

Hands cross'd gives death to him, and life to me.

Now, about this time, Matthew and Mercy were married. Also Gaius gave his daughter Phebe to James, Matthew's brother, to wife; after which time they yet staid above ten days at Gaius' house, spending their time, and the seasons, like as pilgrims used to do.

When they were to depart, Gaius made them a feast, and they did

eat and drink, and were merry. Now the hour was come The Pilgrims

prepare

forward.

to go

that they must be gone; wherefore Mr. Great-heart called for a reckoning; but Gaius told him, that at his house it was not the custom for pilgrims to pay for their entertainment. He boarded them by the year, but looked for his pay from the good Samaritan, who had promised him, at his return, one another at whatsoever charge he was at with them, faithfully to repay him. (Luke x. 34, 35.)

How they greet

parting.

Then said Mr. Great-heart to him,

GREAT-HEART. "Beloved, thou dost faithfully whatsoever thou dost to the brethren, and to strangers; which have borne witness of thy charity before the church; whom if thou (yet) bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well." (3 John 5, 6.)

Gaius, his last

Then Gaius took his leave of them all, and of his kindness to Fee children, and particularly of Mr. Feeble-mind. He also

ble-mind.

gave him something to drink by the way.

Now Mr. Feeble-mind, when they were going out of the door, made as if he intended to linger; the which when Mr. Great-heart espied, he said, Come, Mr. Feeble-mind, pray do you go along with us, I will be your conductor, and you shall fare as the rest.

FEEBLE. Alas! I want a suitable companion; you are all lusty and Feeble-mind for strong; but I, as you see, am weak; I choose, therefore, going behind. rather to come behind, lest, by reason of my many infirmities, I should be both a burden to myself and to you. I am, as I said, a man of a weak and feeble mind, and shall be offended and made weak at that which others can bear. I shall like no laughing; I shall like no gay attire; I shall like no unprofitable questions. Nay, I am so weak a man, as to be offended with that which others have liberty to do. I do not yet know all the truth. I am a very ignorant Christian man; sometimes if I hear some rejoice in the Lord, it troubles me, because I cannot do so too. It is with me, as it is with a weak man among the strong, or as with a sick man among the healthy, or as a lamp despised ("He that is ready to slip with his feet, is as a lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease," Job xii. 5); so that I know not what to do.

His excuse for it.

commission.

GREAT-HEART. But, brother, said Mr. Great-heart, I have it in Great-heart's commission to "comfort the feeble-minded," and to "support the weak." (1 Thess. v. 14.) You must needs go along with us; we will wait for you; we will lend you our help (Rom. xiv. 1); we will deny ourselves of some things, both opinionative and practical, for your sake, (1 Cor. viii.) we will not enter into doubtful disputations before you; we will be

A Christian

spirit.

made all things to you, rather than you shall be left behind. (1 Cor. ix. 22.)

Promises.

Now all this while they were at Gaius's door; and behold, as they were thus in the heat of their discourse, Mr. Ready-to-halt came by, with his crutches in his hand (Ps. xxxviii. 17); and he also was going on pilgrimage.