ged 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 flood ftill to take wind. Slay. Then faid the giant, Why are you here on my ground? Great-heart. To revenge the blood of the pilgrims, as I told thee before; fo they went to it again, and the giant made Mr Great-heart give back; but he came up again, and, in the greatnefs of his mind, he let fly with fuch ftoutnefs at the giant's head and fides, that he made him let his weapon fall out of his hand; fo he fmote him, and flew him, and cut off his head, and brought it away to the inn. He alfo took Feeble-mind the pilgrim, and brought him with him to his lodgings. When they were come home, they fhewed his head to the family, and fet it up as they had done others before, for a terror to thofe that fhall attempt to do as he, hereafter. Then they asked Mr Feeble-mind, how he fell into his hands? How Feeblemind came to be a pilgrim. Feeble-mind. Then faid the poor I am a fickly man, as you man, fee, and because Death did ufually 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 ftrength at all of body, nor yet of mind, but would, if I could, though I can but crawl, fper When I came at my life in the pilgrim's way. the gate that is at the head of the way, the Lord of that place did entertain me freely; neither objected he againft my weakly looks, nor against my feeble mind; but gave me fuch things that were neceffary for my journey, and bid me hope to the end. When I came to the house of the Interpreter, 1 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 fervants. Indeed I have found much relief from pilgrims, though none was willing to go fo foftly as I am forced to do; yet ftill as they came on, they bid me be of good cheer, and faid, That it was the will of their Lord, that comfort fhould be given to the feeble minded; Thef. v. 4. and fo went on their own pace. When I was come to Affault-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: fo he came up and took me : I conceived he should not kill me : also when he had got me into his den, fince 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 toward his mafter, 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 fee 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 refolved on, to wit, to run when I can, to go when I cannot run, and to creep when 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 fee, but of a feeblemind. Hon. Then faid old Mr Honeft, Have not you fome time ago been acquainted with one Mr Fearing a pilgrim? Mr Fearing, Mr Feeble mind's uncle. Feeble-mind. Acquainted with him yes; he came from the town of Stupidity, which lieth four degrees northward of the city of Deftruction, 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 horter than I, but yet we were much of a complexion. Hon. I perceive you know him, and I am apt to believe alfo, that you were related one to another for you have his whitely look, a caft like his with your eye, and your speech is much alike. : Feeble-mind. Moft have faid fo, that have known us both; and befides, what I have read in him, I have for the most part found in myfelf. Gaius. Come, Sir, faid good Gaius, be of good chear, you are welcome to me, and to my house, Gaius com forts him. and what thou halt a mind to, call for freely; and what thou wouldst have my fervants do for thee, they will do it with a ready mind. Then faid Mr Feeble-mind, This is an un Notice to be taken of Providence. pected favour, and as the fun fhining out of a very dark cloud: Did giant Slaygood intend me this favour when he stopped me, and refolved to let me go no farther? Did he intend, that after he had rifled my pocket, I fhould go to Gaius mine hoft? Yet fo it is. Now, juft 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 an half off, there was one Mr Not-right, a pil. grim, ftruck dead upon the place where he was, with a thunder-bolt. Feeble-mind. Alas! faid Mr Feeble mind, is he flain? He overtook me fome days before I came fo far as hither, and would be my company-keeper: he alfo was with me when Slay-good the giant took me, but he was nimble of his heels, and efcaped: but it feems he escaped to die, and I was took to live. What one would think doth feek to flay outright, Hands cross'd give death to him, and life to me. Now about this time, Matthew and Mercy were married; alfo Gaius gave his daughter. Phebe to James, Matthew's brother, to wife;' after which time, they yet ftaid about ten days at Gaius' houfe, fpending their time, and the afons, like as pilgrims ufed to do. When The pilgrims prepare to go forward. When they were to depart, Gaius made them a feaft, and they did eat and drink, and were merry. Now the hour was come that they must be gone; wherefore Mr Great-heart called for a reckoning; but Gaius told him, that at his houfe it was not the cuftom of pilgrims to pay for their entertainment. He boarded them by the year, but looked for his pay from the good Samaritan, who had promifed him, at his return, whatsoever charge he was at with them, faithfully to repay him, Luke x. 34, 35. Then faid Mr Great-heart to him. Great-heart. Beloved, thou doft faithfully whatfoever thou doft, to the brethren and to ftrangers, which have borne witness of thy charity be fore the church, whom if thou (yet) bring forward on their journey, after a godly fort, thou shalt do well, a John 6. Then Gaius took his leave of them all, and of his children, and particularly of Mr Feeblemind. He alfo gave him fomething 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 efpied, he faid, Come, Mr Feeble mind, pray do you go along with us, I will be your conductor, and you hall fare as the rest. Feeble-mind for going te Freble-mind. Alas! I want a fuitable companion; you are all lufty and ftrong, but I, as you fee, am weak; I chufe therefore rather to come behind, left by re bind. |