Little-faith is assaulted and robbed.

2

113

'Wanton Professor, and damnable Apostate." Then said Christian to his fellow, Now I call to my remembrance that which was told me of a thing that happened to a good man hereabout: The name of that 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,3 so called because of the murders that are commonly done there; and this Little-faith, going on pilgrimage as we do now, chanced to sit down there and sleep. 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 Litttle-Faith where he was, came galloping up with speed. Now, the good man was just awakened from his sleep, and was getting up to go on his journey: so they came up all to him, and, with 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 loath 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 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. All this while

1 Here the author takes occasion to contrast the character of Ignorance with that of Turn-away. Loose evangelical professors look down with supercilious disdain on those who do not understand the doctrines of grace: and think themselves more enlightened, and better acquainted with the liberty of the gospel, than more practical Christians.

2 The episode concerning Little-faith is evidently intended to prevent weak Christians being dismayed by the awful things spoken of hypocrites and apostates.

3 In times of persecution, many who seemed to be religious openly return into the broad way to destruction. This is Dead-man's-lane, leading back to Broad-way-gate.

The weak in faith, being faint-hearted, and mistrusting the promises and faithfulness of God, lie down to sleep when they have special need to watch and be sober; and thus contract guilt.

5 It is in this state that Faint-heart threatens and assaults them; Mistrust plunders them; and Guilt beats them down, and makes them almost despair of life.

6 As this robbery was committed in the dark lane before mentioned, the foregoing seems to have been the author's precise meaning: but any unbelieving fears, which, on review, bring guilt and terror upon the conscience, may also be intended.

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the thieves stood by. But at last, hearing that some were upon the road, and fearing lest it should be one Great-grace, that dwells in the town of Good-confidence, they betook themselves to their heels, and left this good man to shift for himself. Now, after a while, Littlefaith came to himself, and getting up, made shift to scramble on his way. This was the story.

Hope. But did they take from him all that ever he had?

Chr. No; the place where his jewels were they never ransacked; as those he kept still. But, as I was told, the good man was much afflicted for his loss; for the thieves had 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: 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, the most part of the rest of the way. (1 Pet. iv. 18.)

Hope. But is it not a wonder they got not from him his certificate, by which he is to receive his admittance at the Celestial Gate?

Chr. 'Tis a wonder; but they got not that, though they missed it not through any good cunning of his; for he, being dismayed with their coming upon him, had neither power nor skill to hide any thing; so it was more by good providence than by his endeavour that they missed of that good thing. (2 Tim. i. 14. 2 Pet. ii. 9.)

Hope. But it must needs be a comfort to him that they got not this jewel from him.

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 of 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 these thoughts would swallow up all.

1 As these robbers represent the inward effects of unbelief and disobedience, and not any outward enemies, Great-grace may be the emblem of those believers, or ministers, who, having honourably stood their ground, endeavour to restore the fallen in the spirit of meekness, by suitable encouragements.

The case of Little-faith.

115

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? "Tis 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 had lost; how he was wounded, and that he hardly escaped with life.

Hope. But 'tis a wonder that his necessity did not put him upon selling or pawning some of his jewels, that he might have wherewithal to relieve himself in his journey.

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? In all that country where he was robbed, his jewels were 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 (Heb. xii. 16.), and that birthright was his greatest jewel; and if he, why might not Little-faith do so too? 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 between Eṣau and Little-faith, and also betwixt their estates. Esau's birthright was typical, but Little-faith's jewels were not so. 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 farther than to the fulfilling of his lusts; "for I am at the point to die," said he, "and what good will 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.

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The case of Little-faith.

You read not any where that Esau had faith, no, not so much as a little; therefore no marvel, 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 occasion cannot be turned away." (Jer. ii. 24.) When their minds are set upon their lusts, they will have them, whatever they cost. But Little-faith was of another temper: his mind was on things divine; his livelihood was upon things that were spiritual, and from above; therefore to what end should he that is of such a temper sell his jewels, (had there been any that would have bought them,) to fill his mind with empty things? Will a man give a penny to fill his belly with hay? or can you persuade the turtle-dove to live upon carrion, like the crow? Though faithless ones can, for carnal lusts, pawn, or mortgage, or sell what they have, and themselves outright to boot; yet they that have faith, saving faith, though but a little of it, cannot do so. Here, therefore, my brother, is thy mistake.

Hope. I acknowledge it, but yet your severe reflection had almost made me angry.

Chr. Why, I did but compare thee to some of the birds that are of the brisker sort, who will run to and fro in untrodden paths, with the shell upon their heads; but pass by that and consider the matter under debate, and all shall be well betwixt thee and me.

Hope. But, Christian, these three fellows, I am persuaded in my heart, are but a company of cowards; would they have run else, think you, as they did, at the noise of one that was coming on the road? Why did not Little-faith pluck up a greater heart? He might, methinks, have stood one brush with them, and have yielded when there had been no remedy.

Chr. That they are cowards many have said, but few have found it so in the time of trial. As for a great heart, Little-faith had none; and I perceive by thee, my brother, hadst thou been the man concerned, thou art but for a brush, and then to yield. And, verily, since this is the height of thy stomach, now they are at a distance from us, should they appear to thee as they did to him, they might put thee to second thoughts.

But consider, again, they are but journeymen thieves; they serve

Conversation concerning Little-faith.

117

under the king of the bottomless pit, who, if need be, will come in to their aid himself, and his voice is "as the roaring of a lion." I myself have been engaged as this Little-faith was, and I found it a terrible thing. These three villains set upon me, and I beginning like a Christian to resist, they gave but a call, and in came their master: I would (as the saying is) have given my life for a penny; but that, as God would have it, I was clothed with armour of proof. Ay, and yet, though I was so harnessed, I found it hard work to quit myself like a man; no man can tell what in that combat attends us, but he that hath been in the battle himself.

Hope. Well, but they ran, you see, when they did but suppose that one Great-grace was in the way.

Chr. True, they have often fled, both they and their master, when Great-grace hath but appeared; and no marvel, for he is the King's champion; but I trow you will put some difference between Littlefaith and the King's champion. All the King's subjects are not his champions, nor can they, when tried, do such feats of war as he. Is it meet to think that a little child should handle Goliath as David did? or that there should be the strength of an ox in a wren? Some are strong, some are weak; some have great faith, some have little: this man was one of the weak, and therefore he went to the wall.

Hope. I would it had been Great-grace, for their sakes.

Chr. If it had been he, he might have had his hands full: for I must tell you that though Great-grace is excellent good at his weapons, and has, and can, so long as he keeps them at sword's point, do well enough with them, yet if they get within him, even Faintheart, Mistrust, or the other, it shall go hard but they will throw up his heels. And when a man is down, you know, what can he do?

Whoso looks well upon Great-grace's face will see those scars and cuts there that shall easily give demonstration of what I say. Yea, once I heard that he should say, (and that when he was in the combat,) We despaired even of life. How did these sturdy rogues and their fellows make David groan, mourn, and roar! Yea, Mordecai and Hezekiah too, though champions in their days, were forced to bestir them, when by these assaulted; and yet, notwithstanding, they had their coats

1 See note 1, p. 114, as to who Great-grace is.