下载辰思小说免费APP
FEEBLE-MIND”Comfortthefeeble-minded。”——Paul。
Feeble-mindshallfirsttellyouhisownstoryinhisownwords，andthenIshallperhapsventureafewobservationsuponhishistoryandhischaracter。”Iambutasicklyman，asyousee，”saidFeeble-mindtoGreatheart，”andbecauseDeathdidusuallyknockonceadayatmydoor，IthoughtIshouldneverbewellathome。SoIbetookmyselftoapilgrim’slife，andhavetravelledhitherfromthetownofUncertain，whereIandmyfatherwereborn。Iamamanofnostrengthatallofbody，noryetofmind；butwould，ifIcould，thoughIcanbutcrawl，spendmylifeinthepilgrim’sway。WhenI
cameatthegatethatisattheheadoftheway，theLordofthatplacedidentertainmefreely。Neitherobjectedheagainstmyweaklylooks，noragainstmyfeeblemind；butgavemesuchthingsaswerenecessaryformyjourney，andbademehopetotheend。
WhenIcametothehouseoftheInterpreterIreceivedmuchkindnessthere；and，becausetheHillDifficultywasjudgedtoohardforme，Iwascarriedupthathillbyoneofhisservants。
IndeedIhavefoundmuchrelieffrompilgrims，thoughnonewerewillingtogososoftlyasIamforcedtodo。Yet，still，astheycameon，theybidmebeofgoodcheer，andsaidthatitwasthewilloftheirLordthatcomfortshouldbegiventothefeeble-
minded，andsowentontheirownpace。Ilookforbruntsbytheway；butthisIhaveresolvedon，towit，torunwhenIcan，togowhenIcannotrun，andtocreepwhenIcannotgo。Astothemain，IthankHimthatlovesme，Iamfixed。Mywayisbeforeme，mymindisbeyondtheriverthathasnobridge，thoughIam，asyousee，butofafeeblemind。”
ThensaidoldMr。Honest，”HaveyounotsometimeagobeenacquaintedwithoneMr。Fearing，apilgrim？””Acquaintedwithhim！
yes。HecamefromthetownofStupidity，whichliesfourdegreestothenorthwardoftheCityofDestruction，andasmanyoffwhereIwasborn。Yetwewerewellacquainted；for，indeed，hewasmineuncle，myfather’sbrother。HeandIhavebeenmuchofatemper；
hewasalittleshorterthanI，butyetweweremuchofacomplexion。””Iperceivethatyouknowhim，”saidMr。Honest，”andIamapttobelievealsothatyouwererelatedonetoanother；foryouhavehiswhitelylook，acastlikehiswithyoureye，andyourspeechismuchalike。””Alas！”Feeble-mindwenton，”Iwantasuitablecompanion。Youarealllustyandstrong，butI，asyousee，amweak。Ichoosethereforerathertocomebehind，lest，byreasonofmymanyinfirmities，Ishouldbebothaburdentomyselfandtoyou。Iam，asIsaid，amanofaweakandfeeblemind，andshallbeoffendedandmadeweakatthatwhichotherscanbear。Ishalllikenolaughing；Ishalllikenogayattire；Ishalllikenounprofitablequestions。Nay，Iamsoweakamanastobeoffendedwithwhatothershavealibertytodo。Idonotyetknowallthetruth。I
amaveryignorantChristianman。Sometimes，ifIhearsomerejoiceintheLord，ittroublesmebecauseIcannotdosotoo。Itiswithmeaswithaweakmanamongthestrong，oraswithasicklymanamongthehealthy，orasalampdespised。””But，brother，”
saidGreatheart，”Ihaveitincommissiontocomfortthefeeble-
mindedandtosupporttheweak。”Thustherefore，theywenton——Mr。
GreatheartandMr。Honestwentbefore；Christianaandherchildrenwentnext；andMr。Feeble-mindandMr。Ready-to-haltcamebehindwithhiscrutches。
1。Inthefirstplace，asinglewordastoFeeble-mind’sfamilytree。
ThackeraysaysthatThePeerageistheFamilyBibleofeverytrue-
bornEnglishman。EverygenuineEnglishman，hetellsus，teachesthatsacredbookdiligentlytohischildren。Hetalksoutofittothemwhenhesitsinthehouseandwhenhewalksbytheway。Hebindsituponhischildren’shands，anditisasafrontletbetweentheireyes。Hewritesitsnamesuponthedoor-postsofhishouse，andmakespicturesoutofituponhisgates。Now，JohnBunyanwasabornEnglishmaninhislikingforafamilytree。Hehadnosuchtreehimself——scarcelysomuchasabramblebush；but，allthesame，letthetinkertakehispeninhand，andthepedigreesandgenealogiesofallhispilgrimsaresuretobesetforthasmuchasiftheyweretoformthecertificatesthatthosepilgrimsweretohandinatthegate。
Feeble-mind，then，wasofanold，awell-rootedandawide-spreadrace。ThecountyofIndecisionwasfullofthatancientstock。
Theyhadintermarriedin-and-inalsotilltheirsmallstature，theirwhitelylook，thedroopoftheireye，andtheirweakleakyspeechallmadethemtobeeasilyrecognisedwherevertheywent。
ItwasFeeble-mind’ssalvationthatDeathhadknockedathisdooreverydayfromhisyouthup。Hewasfeebleinbodyaswellasinmind；onlythefeeblenessofhisbodyhadputacertainstrengthintohismind；theonlystrengthheevershowed，indeed，wasthestrengththathaditsrootsinaweakconstitutionatwhichsicknessanddeathstrucktheirdissolvingblowseveryday。Toescapedeath，boththefirstandtheseconddeath，anymanwithaparticleofstrengthleftwouldrunwithallhismight；andFeeble-
mindhadstrengthenoughsomewhereamonghisweakjointstomakehimsay，”ButthisIhaveresolvedon，towit，torunwhenIcan，togowhenIcannotrun，andtocreepwhenIcannotgo。Astothemain，Iamfixed！”
2。AttheWicketGatepilgrimFeeble-mindmetwithnothingbutthekindestandthemostcondescendingentertainment。Itwasthegatekeeperswaytobecomeallthingstoallmen。Thegatekeeper’snaturewasallinhisname；forhewasallGoodwilltogether。NokindofpilgrimevercamewrongtoGoodwill。Heneverfoundfaultwithany。Onlyletthemknockandcomeinandhewillseetoalltherest。Thewayisfullofallthegatekeeper’skindwordsandstillkinderactions。Everyseveralpilgrimhashiswagerwithalltherestthatnooneevergotsuchkindnessatthegateashegot。
AndevenFeeble-mindgavethegatekeeperthispraise——”TheLordoftheplace，”hesaid，”didentertainmefreely。Neitherobjectedheagainstmyweaklylooksnoragainstmyfeeblemind。Buthegavemesuchthingsaswerenecessaryformyjourney，andbademehopetotheend。”Allthingsconsidered，thatisperhapsthebestpraisethatGoodwillandhishouseeverearned。For，toreceiveandtosecureFeeble-mindasapilgrim——tomakeitimpossibleforFeeble-
mindtoentertainascrupleorasuspicionthatwasnotremovedbeforehand——tomakeitimpossibleforFeeble-mindtofindinallthehouseandinallitsgroundssomuchasastrawoverwhichhecouldstumble——thatwasextraordinaryattention，kindness，andcondescensioninGoodwillandallhisgood-willedhouse。”Goon，goon，dearMr。Feeblemind，”saidGoodwillgivinghishandtoMr。
Fearing’snephew，”goon:keepyourfeeblemindopentothetruth，andstillhopetotheend！”
3。”AstotheInterpreter’sHouse，Ireceivedmuchkindnessthere。”Thatisall。ButinthatshortspeechIthinktheremusthehidnolittleshameandremorse。NowordscouldpossiblybeaseverercondemnationofFeeble-mindthanhisowntwoorthreesoirrelevantwordsabouttheInterpreter’shouse。Nodoubtatall，Feeble-mindreceivedkindnessthere；butthatisnotthepoint。
Thatnoblehousewasnotbuiltatsuchcost，andfittedup，andkeptopenalltheyearround，andfilledwithfreshfurniturefromyeartoyear，merelythatthosewhopassedthroughitssignificantroomsmightreportthattheyhadreceivednorudenessatthehandsoftheInterpreter。”Come，”saidtheInterpretertoFeeble-mind，”andIwillshowtheewhatwillbeprofitabletothee。”SohecommandedhismantolightthecandleandbidFeeble-mindfollowhim。Butitwasalltonouse。Feeble-mindhadneitherthetastenorthecapacityforthesignificantrooms。Nay，asoneafteranotherofthoserichroomswasopenedtohim，Feeble-mindtookapositivedisliketothem。Nothinginterestedhim；nothinginstructedhim。Butmanythingsstumbledandangeredhim。Theparlourfullofdust，andhowthedustwasraisedandlaid；PassionandPatience；themanintheironcage；thespider-room；themuck-
rakeroom；therobinwithitsredbreastanditsprettynote，andyetwithitscoarsefood；thetree，greenoutsidebutrottenattheheart，——allthethankstheInterpretertookthatdayforallthatfromFeeble-mindwasinsuchspeechesasthese:Youmakemelosemyhead。IdonotknowwhereIam。IdidnotleavethetownofUncertaintobeconfusedandperplexedinmymindwithsightsandsoundslikethese。LetmeoutatthedoorIcameinat，andI
shallgobacktothegate。Goodwillhadnoneoftheseunhappyroomsinhissweethouse！”NothingcouldexceedthekindnessoftheInterpreterhimself；buthishousewasfullofannoyancesandoffencesandobstructionstoMr。Feeble-mind。HedidnotliketheInterpreter’shouse，andhegotoutofitasfastashecould，withhismindasfeebleaswhenheenteredit；and，whatwasworse，withhistempernotalittleruffled。
Andweseethisverysameintellectuallaziness，thisverysamedownrightdislikeatdivinetruth，inourownpeopleeveryday。
Thereareineverycongregationpeoplewhotakeuptheirlodgingsatthegateandrefusetogoonestepfartherontheway。AvisittotheInterpreter’sHousealwaysupsetsthem。Itturnstheiremptyhead。Theydonotknowwheretheyare。Theywillnotgivewhatmindtheyhavetodivinetruth，allyoucandotodrawthemontoit，tilltheydieasfeeble-minded，asignorant，andasinexperiencedastheywereborn。Theyneverreadareligiousbookthathasanybrainorheartinit。ThefeebleLivesoffeeble-
mindedChristians，writtenbyfeeble-mindedauthors，andpublishedbyfeeble-mindedpublishers，——weallknowthespoon-meatthatmultitudesofourpeoplegodowntotheirsecondchildhoodupon。
JonathanEdwards——anametheyneverhearathome，butoneofthemostmasculineandseraphicofinterpreters——hasanoblediscourseonTheImportanceandAdvantageofathoroughKnowledgeofDivineTruth。”Consideryourselves，”hesays，”asscholarsordisciplesputintotheschoolofChrist，andthereforebediligenttomakeproficiencyinChristianknowledge。Contentnotyourselveswiththis，thatyouhavebeentaughtyourCatechisminyourchildhood，andthatyouknowasmuchoftheprinciplesofreligionasisnecessarytosalvation。Letnotyourteachershavecausetocomplainthatwhiletheyspendandarespenttoimpartknowledgetoyou，youtakelittlepainstolearn。BeassiduousinreadingtheHolyScriptures。Andwhenyouread，observewhatyouread。
Observehowthingscomein。Compareonescripturewithanother。
Procureanddiligentlyuseotherbookswhichmayhelpyoutogrowinthisknowledge。Therearemanyexcellentbooksextantwhichmightgreatlyforwardyouinthisknowledge。Thereisagreatdefectinmany，thatthroughalothnesstobeatalittleexpense，theyprovidethemselveswithnomorehelpsofthisnature。”
Weighty，wise，andlamentablytruewords。”Mundanus，”saysWilliamLaw，”isamanofexcellentparts，andclearapprehension。Heiswelladvancedinage，andhasmadeagreatfigureinbusiness。Hehasaimedatthegreatestperfectionineverything。Theonlythingwhichhasnotfallenunderhisimprovement，norreceivedanybenefitfromhisjudiciousmind，ishisdevotion；thisisjustinthesamepoorstateitwaswhenhewassixyearsofage，andtheoldmanpraysnowinthatlittleformofwordswhichhismotherusedtohearhimrepeatnightandmorning。ThisMundanusthathardlyeversawthepoorestutensilwithoutconsideringhowitmightbemadeorusedtobetteradvantage，hasgoneonallhislifelongprayinginthesamemanneraswhenhewasachild；withouteverconsideringhowmuchbetteroroftenerhemightpray；withoutconsideringhowimprovablethespiritofdevotionis，howmanyhelpsawiseandreasonablemanmaycalltohisassistance，andhownecessaryitisthatourprayersshouldbeenlarged，varied，andsuitedtotheparticularstateandconditionofourlives。Howpoorandpitiableistheconductofthismanofsense，whohassomuchjudgmentandunderstandingineverythingbutthatwhichisthewholewisdomofman！”Howtruetoeverysyllableisthat！Howsimple-looking，andyethowmanly，andable，andnoble！Wecloseouryoungmen’ssessionwithLawandButlerto-night，andIcannotbelievethatoursessionwiththosetwogiantshasleftonefeeblemindinthetwoclasses；theywereallweededoutafterthefirstfortnightofthesession；though，afterallisdone，therearestillplentyleftbothamongoldandyounginthecongregation。EvenHomersometimesnods；andIcannotbutthinkthatJohnBunyanhasmadeaslipinsayingthatFeeble-
mindenjoyedtheInterpreter’sHouse。Atanyrate，IwishIcouldsayasmuchaboutallthefeeblemindsknowntome。
4。TheHillDifficulty，whichmighthavehelpedtomakeamanofFeeble-mind，sawalaughable，ifithadnotbeensuchalamentable，spectacle。ForitsawthispoorcreaturehangingaslimpaswetlinenonthebackofoneoftheInterpreter’ssweatingservants。
Yourlittleboywillexplaintheparabletoyou。ShallIdothis？
or，shallIratherdothat？asksFeeble-mindateverystop。Woulditberight？or，woulditbewrong？ShallIreadthatbook？ShallIgotothatball？ShallImarrythatman？Tellmewhattodo。
Givemeyourhand。Takemeupuponyourback，andcarrymeoverthisdifficulthill。”Iwascarriedupthat，”sayspoorFeeble-
mind，”byoneofhisservants。”
5。”TheonecalamityofMr。Feeble-mind’shistory，”saysourablestcommentatoronBunyan，”wasthefinestmercyofhishistory。”ThatonecalamitywashisfallingintoGiantSlay-good’shands，andhisfinestmercywashisrescuebyGreatheart，andhisconsequentcompanionshipwithhisdeliverer，withMr。Honest，andwithChristianaandherpartytilltheycametotheriver。YouconstantlyseethesamethinginthelifeoftheChurchandoftheChristianFamily。Somecalamitythrowsaweak，ignorant，andimmoralcreatureintoclosecontactwithaministeroranelderoraChristianvisitor，whonotonlyrelieveshimfromhispresentdistress，butcontinuestokeephiseyeuponhisnewacquaintance，introduceshimtowiseandgoodfriends，inviteshimtohishouse，giveshimbookstoread，andkeepshimundergoodinfluences，till，ofaweak，feeble，andsometimesviciouscharacter，heismadeaChristianman，tillheisableforhimselftosay，Itwasgoodformetobeafflicted；theonecalamityofmyhistoryhasbeenmybestmercy！
6。Feeble-mind，Iamashamedtohavetoadmit，behavedhimselfinaperfectlyscandalousmanneratthehouseofGaiusminehost。Hewentbeyondallboundsduringthoseeventfulweeks。ThoseweekswereonelongtemptationtoFeeble-mind——andhewentdowninapitifulwaybeforehistemptation。Twomarriagesandtwohoneymoons，withsuppersanddanceseverynight，madetheoldhostelrylikeveryPandemoniumitselftopoorFeeble-mind。HewouldhavehadMatthew’sandJames’smarriagesconductednextdoortoafuneral。Becausehewouldnoteatfleshhimself，heprotestedagainstGaiuskillingasheep。”Man，”saidoldHonest，almostlayinghisquarterstaffoverFeeble-mind’sshoulders——”Man，dostthouthinkbecausethouartvirtuous，thereshallbenomorecakesandale？””Ishalllikenolaughing，”saidFeeble-mind；”Ishalllikenogayattire；Ishalllikenounprofitablequestions。”I
thinkittooksomeself-conceittorefusetositattablebesideChristianabecauseofhergayattire。AndIhopeMercydidnotgiveupdressingwell，evenaftershewasmarried，topleasethatweak-mindedoldchurl。Andastounprofitablequestions——wearealltemptedtothinkthatquestionunprofitablewhichourincapacityorourignorancekeepsussilentuponattable。Wethinkthattopicbothill-timedandimpertinentandunsafetowhichwearenotinvitedtocontributeanything。”Iamaveryignorantman，”hewentontosay；and，ifthatwassaidinanyhumility，Feeble-mindneversaidatruerword。”Itiswithmeasitiswithaweakmanamongthestrong，oraswithasickmanamongthehealthy，orasalampdespisedinthethoughtofhimthatisatease。”AllwhichonlybroughtGreatheartoutinhisverybestcolours。”But，brother，”saidtheguide，”Ihaveitincommissiontocomfortthefeeble-minded，andtosupporttheweak。Youmustneedsgoalongwithus；wewillwaitforyou，wewilllendyouourhelp，wewilldenyourselvesofsomethings，bothopinionativeandpractical，foryoursake；wewillnotenterintodoubtfuldisputationsbeforeyou；wewillbemadeallthingstoyouratherthanthatyoushallbeleftbehind。”
7。ThefirstthingthatdidMr。Feeble-mindanyrealgoodwashisbeingmademilitaryguardoverthewomenandthechildrenwhilethemenwentouttodemolishDoubtingCastle。Quiscustodiet？youwillsmileandsaywhenyouhearthat。Whoshallprotecttheprotector？
youwillsay。Butwaitalittle。Greatheartknewhisbusiness。
FornotonlydidFeeble-mindrisetotheoccasion，whenhewasputtoit；but，morethanthat，hewasthesoulofgoodcompanyatsupper-timethatnight。”Jocundandmerry”aretheverywords。
Yes；giveyourfeebleandfault-findingfolksomethingtodo。Sendthemtoteachaclass。Sendthemdownintoamissiondistrict。
Layasenseofresponsibilityuponthem。Leavethemtodealwiththisandthatemergencythemselves。Ceasecarryingthemonyourback，andlayweakandevilandself-willedpeopleontheirback。
Letthemfeelthattheyareofsomerealuse。AsMatthewArnoldsays，Letthecriticbuttrypractice，andyouwillmakeanewmanofhim。AsGreatheartmadeofFeeble-mindbymakinghimmountguardovertheCelestialcaravanwhilethefightingmenwereallupatDoubtingCastle。
8。”Markthis，”saysMr。Feeble-mind’sbiographerontheearlymarginofhishistory，lestweshouldbetemptedtoforgetthegoodpartsofthistroublesomeandprovokingpilgrim——”Markthis。”
This，namely，whichFeeble-mindsaystohisguide。”Astothemain，IthankHimthatlovesme，Iamfixed。Mywayisbeforeme，mymindisbeyondtheriverthathasnobridge，thoughIam，asyousee，butofafeeblemind。”Andthatleadsuswithreturningregardandlovetoturntotheendofhishistory，whereweread:”AfterthisMr。Feeble-mindhadtidingsbroughthimthatthepostsoundedhishornathischamberdoor。Thenhecameinandtoldhim，saying，IamcometotelltheethatthyMasterhathneedofthee，andthatinverylittletimethoumustbeholdHisfaceinbrightness。ThenMr。Feeble-mindcalledforhisfriends，andtoldthemwhaterrandhadbeenbroughttohim，andwhattokenhehadreceivedofthetruthofthemessage。Asformyfeeblemindhesaid，thatIshallleavebehindme，forIshallhavenoneedofthatintheplacewhitherIgo。Norisitworthbestowinguponthepoorestpilgrim。Wherefore，whenIamgone，Idesirethatyouwouldburyitinadung-hill。Thisdone，andthedaybeingcomeinwhichhewasabouttodepart，heenteredtheriverastherest。
Hislastwordswere，Holdout，faithandpatience！Sohewentovertotheotherside。
GREAT-HEART”——whenthoushaltenlargemyheart。”——David。
OnSabbath，the12thDecember1886，IheardthelateCanonLiddonpreachasermoninSt。Paul’sCathedral，inwhichheclassedOliverCromwellwithAlexandertheSixthandwithRichardtheThird。I
hadtakenmyestimateofthegreatProtector’scharacterlargelyfromCarlyle’sfamousbook，andyoucanjudgewithwhatfeelingsI
heardthecanon’scomparison。And，besides，IhadbeenwonttothinkoftheProtectorashavingenteredlargelyintoJohnBunyan’sportraitofGreatheart，thepilgrimguide。AndtheresearchesandthejudgmentsofDr。Gardinerhaveonlygonetoconvinceme，theeloquentcanonnotwithstanding，thatBunyancouldnothavechosenabettercontemporarygroundworkforhisGreatheartthanjustthegreatPuritansoldier。Cromwell’s”mentalstrugglesbeforehisconversion，”hislife-long”searchingsofheart，”his”utterabsenceofvindictiveness，”hisunequalledcapacityfor”seeingintotheheartofasituation，”andhisown”all-embracinghospitalityofheart”——allhavegonetoreassuremethatmyfirstguessastoBunyan’semploymentoftheProtector’smatchlesspersonalityandserviceshadnotbeensofarastray。AndtheoftenerIreadthenoblehistoryofGreatheart，thebetterIseemtohear，beatingbehindhisfinefigure，byfarthegreatestheartthateverruledovertherealmofEngland。
1。ThefirsttimethatwecatchaglimpseofGreatheart’sweather-
beatenandsword-seamedfaceiswhenheistakingastolenlookoutofthewindowatMr。Fearing，whoisconductinghimselfmorelikeachickenthanamanaroundtheInterpreter’sdoor。AndfromthatmomenttillMr。Fearingshouted”Gracereigns！”asheclearedthelastriver，neversportsmansurelystalkedastartleddeersopatientlyandsoskilfullyandsosuccessfullyasGreatheartcircumventedthatchicken-heartedpilgrim。”AtlastIlookedoutofthewindow，andperceivingamantobeupanddownaboutthedoor，Iwentouttohimandaskedhimwhathewas；but，poorman，thewaterstoodillhiseyes。SoIperceivedwhathewanted。I
wentin，therefore，andtolditinthehouse，andweshowedthethingtoourLord。SoHesentmeoutagaintoentreathimtocomein；butIdaresayIhadhardworktodoit。”Greatheart’swholeaccountofMr。Fearingalwaysbringsthewatertomyeyesalso。ItisindeedadeliciouspieceofEnglishprose。IfIwereaprofessorofbelleslettresinsteadofwhatIam，Iwouldcompelallmystudents，underpainofrustication，togetthosethreeorfourclassicalpagesbyhearttilltheycouldneitherperpetratenortoleratebadEnglishanymore。Thiscamp-firetale，toldbyanoldsoldier，aboutatroublesomeyoungrecruitandallhisadventures，touches，surely，thehigh-watermarkofsweetandundefiledEnglish。Greatheartwasnotthefirstsoldierwhocouldhandleboththeswordandthepen，andhehasnotbeenthelast。
ButnotCaesarandnotNapierthemselveseverhandledthosetwoinstrumentsbetter。
2。GreathearthadjustreturnedtohisMaster’shousefromhavingseenMr。Fearingsafelythroughallhistroublesandwellovertheriver，when，behold，anothercaravanofpilgrimsisreadyforhisconvoy。ForGreatheart，youmustknow，wastheInterpreter’sarmedservant。WhenatanytimeGreatheartwasoffduty，whichinthosedayswasbutseldom，hetookuphisquartersagainintheInterpreter’shouse。Ashesayshimself，hecamebackfromtheriver-sideonlytolookoutoftheInterpreter’swindowtoseeiftherewasanymoreworkonthewayforhimtodo。And，asgoodluckwouldhaveit，ashasbeensaid，theguidewasjustcomebackfromhisadventureswithMr。Fearingwhenapilgrimparty，thanwhichhehadneverseenonemoretohismind，wasintroducedtohimbyhisMaster，theInterpreter。”TheInterpreter，”sowereadatthispoint，”thencalledforaman-servantofhis，oneGreatheart，andbidhimtakesword，andhelmet，andshield，andtakethese，mydaughters，”saidhe，”andconductthemtothehousecalledBeautiful，atwhichplacetheywillrestnext。Sohetookhisweaponsandwentbeforethem，andtheInterpretersaid，God-speed。”
3。NowIsawinmydreamthattheywenton，andGreatheartwentbeforethem，sotheycametotheplacewhereChristian’sburdenfelloffhisbackandtumbledintoasepulchre。Here，then，theymadeapause，andherealsotheyblessedGod。”Now，”saidChristiana，”itcomestomymindwhatwassaidtousatthegate；
towit，thatweshouldhavepardonbywordandbydeed。Whatitistohavepardonbydeed，Mr。Greatheart，Isupposeyouknow；
wherefore，ifyouplease，letushearyourdiscoursethereof。””Sothen，tospeaktothequestion，”saidGreatheart。Youhaveallheardaboutthe”question-day”atHighlandcommunions。Thatdayissocalledbecausequestionsthathaveariseninthemindsof”themen”inconnectionwithdoctrineandwithexperienceareonthatdaysetforth，debatedout，andsolvedbymuchmeditationandprayer；age，saintliness，doctrinalandexperimentalreading，andpersonalexperienceallmakingtheircontributiontothesolutionofthequestioninhand。Justsuchaquestion，then，andhandledinsuchamanner，wasthatquestionwhichwhiledthewayandcheatedthetoiltillthepilgrimscametotheHouseBeautiful。
ThegreatdoctrinalandexperimentalPuritans，withHookerattheirhead，putforththeirfullstrengthandlaidouttheirfinestworkjustonthissamequestionthatChristianagaveoutattheplace，somewhatascending，uponwhichstoodacross，andalittlebelow，inthebottom，asepulchre。ButnotthegreatCommentonTheGalatiansitself，nexttotheHolyBibleasitis，asmostfitforawoundedconscience；no，northatperfectmassofpurestgold，TheLearnedDiscourseofJustification，noranythingelseofthatkindknowntome，isforonemoment，tocompareinbeauty，intenderness，ineloquence，inscripturaldepth，andinscripturalsimplicitywithGreatheart’snobleresolutionofChristiana’squestionwhichhemadeonthewayfromtheInterpreter’shousetotheHouseBeautiful。”Thisisbrave！”exclaimedthatmotherinIsrael，whentheguidehadcometoanend。”MethinksitmakesmyhearttobleedtothinkthatHeshouldbleedforme。OThoulovingOne！OThoublessedOne！Thoudeservesttohaveme，forThouhastboughtme。Nomarvelthatthismadethewatertostandinmyhusband’seyes，andthatitmadehimtrudgesonimblyon。OMercy，thatthyfatherandthymotherwerehere；yea，andMrs。Timoroustoo！Nay，IwishnowwithallmyheartthatherewasMadamWantontoo。Surely，surelytheirheartswouldbeaffectedhere！”PromisemetoreadathomeGreatheart’sdiscourseontheRighteousnessofChrist，andyouwillthankmeforhavingexactedthepromise。
Theincongruityofasoldierhandlingsuchquestions，andespeciallyinsuchastyle，hasstumbledsomeofJohnBunyan’sfault-findingreaders。Thesameincongruitystumbled”theHonourableColonelHacker，atPeeblesorelsewhere，”towhomCromwellsentthesefromEdinburghonthe25thDecember1650——”ButindeedIwasnotsatisfiedwithyourlastspeechtomeaboutEmpson，thathewasabetterpreacherthanfighterorsoldier——orwordstothateffect。Truly，Ithinkthathethatpraysandpreachesbestwillfightbest。IknownothingthatwillgivelikecourageandconfidenceastheknowledgeofGodinChristwill；andIblessGodtoseeanyinthisarmyableandwillingtoimparttheknowledgetheyhaveforthegoodofothers。IprayyoureceiveCaptainEmpsonlovingly:Idareassureyouheisagoodmanandagoodofficer；Iwouldwehadnoworse。”
4。”Willyounotgoinandstaytillmorning？”saidtheportertoGreatheart，atthegateoftheHouseBeautiful。”No，”saidtheguide；”Iwillreturntomylordto-night。””Osir！”criedChristianaandMercy，”weknownothowtobewillingyoushouldleaveusinourpilgrimage。Ohthatwemighthaveyourcompanytillourjourney’send。”ThensaidJames，theyoungestoftheboys，”Praybepersuadedtogowithusandhelpus，becausewearesoweakandthewaysodangerousasitis。””Iamatmylord’scommandment，”saidGreatheart。”Ifheshallallowmetobeyourguidequitethrough，Ishallwillinglywaituponyou。Buthereyoufailedatfirst；forwhenhebidmecomethusfarwithyou，thenyoushouldhavebeggedmeofhimtohavegonequitethroughwithyou，andhewouldhavegrantedyourrequest。However，atpresent，Imustwithdraw，andso，goodChristiana，Mercy，andmybravechildren，adieu！””Helplostforwantofaskingfor，”isourauthor’scondemnatorycommentonthemarginatthispointinthehistory。Andthereisnotasinglepageinmyhistory，orinyours，mybrethren，onwhichthesamemarginallamentisnotwritten。WhathelpwewouldhavehadonourLord’spromiseifwehadbuttakenthetroubletoaskforit！Andwhathelpweoncehad，andhavenowlost，justbecausewhenwehaditwedidnotaskforacontinuanceofit！”No，”saidGreathearttotheporter，andtothetwowomen，andtoJames——”No。Iwillreturntomylordto-
night。Iamatmylord’scommandment；only，ifheshallstillallotmeIshallwillinglywaituponyou。”
Now，whatwiththeHouseBeautiful，sofullofthemostdelightfulcompany；whatwithmusicinthehouseandmusicintheheart；whatwithMr。Brisk’scourtshipofMercy，Matthew’sillness，Mr。Skill’scureofthesickman，andwhatnot——awholemonthpassedbylikeadayinthatsohappyhouse。
ButatlastChristianaandMercysignifiedittothoseofthehousethatitwastimeforthemtobeupandgoing。ThensaidJosephtohismother，”ItisconvenientthatyousendbacktothehouseofMr。InterpretertoprayhimtograntthatMr。Greatheartshouldbesenttousthathemaybeourconductortherestofourway。””Goodboy，’saidshe，”Ihadalmostforgot。”SoshedrewupapetitionandprayedMr。Watchfultheportertosenditbysomefitmantohergoodfriend，Mr。Interpreter；who，whenitwascomeandhehadseenthecontentsofthepetition，saidtothemessenger，”Go，tellthemthatIwillsendhim。”……Now，aboutthistimeoneknockedatthedoor。Sotheporteropened，and，behold，Mr。
Greatheartwasthere！Butwhenhecamein，whatjoywasthere！
ThensaidMr。Greathearttothetwowomen，”Mylordhassenteachofyouabottleofwine，andalsosomeparchedcorn，togetherwithacoupleofpomegranates。Hehasalsosenttheboyssomefigsandraisinstorefreshyouonyourway。””Theweakmaysometimescallthestrongtoprayers，”IreadagaininthemarginoppositethementionofJoseph’sname。NotthatIamstrong，andnotthatsheisweak，butoneofmypeopleIspentanhourwithlastafternoonwhomyouwouldtoacertaintyhavecalledweakhadyouseenherandhersurrounding，——shesocalledmetoprayerthatIhadtohurryhomeandgostraighttoit。AndalllastnightandallthismorningIhavehadasmanypomegranatesasIcouldeatandasmuchwineasIcoulddrink。Yes；youattendtowhattheweakestwillsometimessaytoyou，andtheywilloftenputyouonthewaytogetGreatheartbackagainwithaloadofwinesandfruitsandcornonhisshouldertorefreshyouonyourjourney。”Goodboy！”saidChristianatoJosephheryoungestson，”Goodboy！Ihadalmostforgot！”
5。WhenoldMr。HonestbegantonodafterthegoodsupperthatGaiusminehostgavetothepilgrims，”What，sir，”criedGreatheart，”youbegintobedrowsy；come，rubup；nowhere’sariddleforyou。”ThensaidMr。Honest，”Let’shearit。”ThensaidMr。Greatheart，”Hethatwillkill，mustfirstbeovercome；
Wholiveabroadwould，firstmustdieathome。””Hah！”saidMr。Honest，”itisahardone；hardtoexpound，andharderstilltopractise。”Yes；thisafter-supperriddleofMr。
Greatheartisahardoneinbothrespects；andforthisreason，becausethelearnedandmuchexperiencedguide——learnedwithallthathislifelongquartersintheInterpreter’sHousecouldteachhim，andexperiencedwithalifetime’saccumulatedexperienceofthepilgrimlife——hasputallhislearningandallhislifeintothesetwomysteriouslines。ButoldHonest，oncehehadsufficientlyrubbeduphiseyesandhisintellects，gavetheanswer:”HefirstbygracemustconqueredbeThatsinwouldmortify。
Andwho，thatlives，wouldconvinceme，Untohimselfmustdie。”
Exactly；shrewdoldHonest；youhavehitoffbothGreatheartandhisriddletoo。YouhavedivedintothedeepestheartoftheInterpreter’sman-servant。”Themagnanimousman”wasAristotle’smasterpiece。ThatgreatteacherofmindandmoralscreatedfortheGreekworldtheirGreatheart。But，”thoumustunderstand，”saysBunyantohisreaders，”thatIneverwenttoschooltoAristotleorPlato。No；buttoPaul，whotaughtBunyanthatwhatAristotlecallsmagnanimityisreallypride——taughthimthat，tillthereisfarmoreoftheChristianreligioninthosetwodoggerellinesatGaius’ssupper-tablethanthereisinallTheEthicstakentogether。Anditisonlyfromapersonalexperienceofthesamelifeasthatwhichtheguideputshereintohisriddlethatanyman’sproudheartwillbecomereallyhumbleandthusreallygreat，reallyenlarged，andofanall-embracinghospitalitylikeCromwell’sandGreatheart’sandJohnBunyan’sown。Wouldyou，then，becomeaGreathearttoo？Andwouldyoubeemployedinyourdayastheywereemployedintheirday？Thenexpoundtoyourself，andpractise，andfollowoutthatdeepriddlewithwhichGreatheartsowokeupoldHonest:”Hethatwillkill，mustfirstbeovercome；
Wholiveabroadwould，firstmustdieathome。
6。Greatheartagainandagainattheriverside，Greatheartsendingpilgrimafterpilgrimovertheriverwithrapture，andhehimselfstillsummonedtoturnhisbackontheCelestialCity，andtoretracehisstepsthroughthelandofBeulah，throughtheValleyoftheShadowofDeath，andthroughtheValleyofHumiliation，andbacktotheInterpreter’shousetotakeonanotherandanotherandanotherconvoyoffreshpilgrims，andhisownabundantentrancestillputoffandnevertocome，——ourheartsbleedforpoorGreatheart。Backandforward，backandforward，yearafteryear，thisnoblesouluncomplaininglygoes。And，everashewaveshishandtoanotherpilgrimenteringwithtrumpetswithinthegates，hesaluteshisnextpilgrimchargewiththebravewords:”YetwhatI
shallchooseIwotnot。ForIaminastraitbetwixttwo:havingadesiretodepartandtobewithChrist。Neverthelesstoabideinthefleshismoreneedfulforyou，foryourfurtheranceandjoyoffaithbymycomingtoyouagain。”IfGreatheartcouldnot”usherhimselfoutofthislife”alongwithChristiana，andMercy，andMr。
Honest，andStandfast，andValiant-for-truth——ifhehadstilltotoilbackandbleedhiswayupagainattheheadofanotherhappybandofpilgrims——well，afterallissaid，whathadtheCelestialCityitselftogivetoGreatheartbetterthansuchblessedwork？”Witheverysuchreturningjourneyhegotamoreandmoreenlarged，detached，hospitable，andChrist-likeheart，andtheKing’spalaceinverygloryitselfhadnothingbetterinstoreforthissoldier-
guidethanthat。AnoblerheavenGreatheartcouldnottastethanhehadalreadyinhimself，ashechampionedanotherandanotherpilgrimcompanyfromhisMaster’searthlygatetohisMaster’sheavenlygate。LikePaul，hisapostolicprototype，Greatheartsometimesvacillatedjustforamomentwhenhecamealittletoonearheaven，andfeltitsmagnificentandalmostdissolvingattractionsfullinhissoul。YouwillseeGreatheart’smindstaggeringforamomentbetweenrestandlabour，betweenwarandpeace，between”Christ”onearthand”Christ”inheaven——youwillseeallthatsetforthwithgreatsympathyandgreatabilityinPrincipalRainy’snewbookonPaul’sEpistletothePhilippians，andinthechapterentitled，TheApostle’sChoicebetweenLivingandDying。
ThentherecameasummonsforMr。Standfast。AtwhichhecalledtohimMr。Greatheart，andsaiduntohim，”Sir，althoughitwasnotmyhaptobemuchinyourgoodcompanyinthedaysofmypilgrimage，yet，sincethetimeIknewyou，youhavebeenprofitabletome。
WhenIcamefromhomeIleftbehindmeawifeandfivesmallchildren。Letmeentreatyou，atyourreturn(forIknowthatyouwillgoandreturntoyourmaster’shouseinhopesthatyoumaybeaconductortomoreoftheholypilgrims)，thatyousendtomyfamilyandletthembeacquaintedwithallthathathandshallhappentome。Tellthem，moreover，ofmyhappyarrivaltothisplace，andofthepresentlateblessedconditionIamin，andsoonformanyothermessagesandcharges。”Yes，Mr。Standfast；verygood。ButIwouldhavelikedyouonyourdeathbedmuchbetterifyouhadhadawordtosparefromyourselfandyourwifeandyourchildrenforpoorGreathearthimself，whohadneitherwifenorchildren，nornearhopeofheaven，butonlyyourtrustandchargeandmanysuchliketrustsandchargestocarryoutwhenyouareathomeandfreeofalltrustandallchargeandallcare。Butyoursisthewayofallthepilgrims——solong，atleast，astheyareinthisselfishlife。Letthemandtheirchildrenonlybewelllookedafter，andtheyhavenotmanythoughtsormanywordsleftforthosewhosweatandbleedtodeathforthemandtheirs。TheyleanonthisandthatGreatheartalltheirownwayup，andthentheyleavetheirwidowsandchildrentoleanonwhateverGreatheartissenttomeetthem；butitisnotonepilgrimintenwhotakesthethoughtorhasthehearttosendamessagetoMr。Greathearthimselfforhisownconsolationandsupport。IreadthatMr。Ready-to-haltalone，goodsoul，hadthegoodfeelingtodoit。HethankedMr。
Greatheartforhisconductandforhiskindness，andsoaddressedhimselftohisjourney。Allthesame，nobleGreatheart！gooninthymagnanimouswork。Takebackalltheirerrands。Seekoutatanytroublealltheirwivesandchildren。Embarkagainandagainonallthyformerbattlesandhardshipsforthegoodofothermen。
ButbeassuredthatallthisthylabourisnotinvaininthyLord。
Bewellassuredthatnotonedropofthybloodorthysweatorthytearsshallfalltothegroundonthatdaywhentheythatbewiseshallshineasthebrightnessofthefirmament，andtheythatturnmanytorighteousnessasthestarsforeverandever。Goback，then，fromthywell-earnedrest，ObraveGreatheart！gobacktothywaitingtask。Putonagainthywholearmour。Receiveagain，andagainfulfil，thyMaster’scommission，tillHehasnomorecommissionsleftforthybraveheartandthyboldhandtoexecute。
And，onegloriousday，whilethouartstillreturningtothytask，itshallsuddenlysoundinthydutifulears:-”Welldone！goodandfaithfulservant！”Andthenthoutoo”ShalthangthytrumpetinthehallAndstudywarnomore。”
MR。READY-TO-HALT”ForIamreadytohalt。”——David。
Mr。Ready-to-haltistheMephiboshethofthepilgrimage。WhileMephiboshethwasstillachildinarms，hisnurselettheyoungprincefall，andfromthatdaytothedayofhisdeathhewaslameinbothhisfeet。Mephibosheth’slife-longlameness，andthenDavid’sextraordinarygracetothedisinheritedcrippleincommandinghimtoeatcontinuallyattheking’stable；inthosetwopointswehaveallthatweknowaboutMr。Ready-to-haltalso。Wehavenoproperportrait，aswesay，ofMr。Ready-to-halt。Mr。
Ready-to-haltisbutanameonJohnBunyan’spages——anamesetupontwocrutches；but，then，hissimplenameissosuggestiveandhistwocrutchesaresoeloquent，thatIfeelasifwemightventuretotakethislife-longlameterandhissoserviceablecrutchesforourcharacter-lectureto-night。
JohnBunyan，whocouldsoeasilyandsodelightfullyhavedoneit，hasgivenusnoinformationatallaboutMr。Ready-to-halt’searlydays。ForoncehisEnglishpassionforapedigreehasnotcompelledourauthor’spen。Wewouldhavelikedimmenselytohavebeentoldthename，andtohaveseendisplayedthewholefamilytreeofyoungReady-to-halt’sfather；and，especially，ofhismother。Whowashisnursealso？Anddidsheeverforgiveherselffortheterribleinjuryshehaddoneheryoungmaster？Whatwerehisoccupationsandamusementsasalittlecrippleboy？Whomadehimhisfirstcrutch？Ofwhatwoodwasitmade？Andatwhatage，andunderwhosekindandtenderdirectionsdidhebegintouseit？
And，then，withsuchaninfirmity，whateverputitintoMr。Ready-
to-halt’sheadtoattemptthepilgrimage？Forthepilgrimagewasataskandatoilthattookallthelimbsandallthelungsandallthelaboursandalltheendurancesthatthestrongestandthebravestofmencouldbringtobearuponit。HowdidthiscompletecrippleevergetthroughtheSlough，andfirstupandthendowntheHillDifficulty，andpastallthelions，andoverathousandotherobstaclesandstumbling-blocks，tillhearrivedatminehost’ssohospitabledoor？ThefirstsurprisedsightwegetofthissohandicappedpilgrimiswhenGreatheartandFeeble-mindareintheheatoftheirdiscourseatthehostelrydoor。AtthatmomentMr。
Ready-to-haltcamebywithhiscrutchesinhishand，andhealsowasgoingonpilgrimage。Thus，therefore，theywenton。Mr。
GreatheartandMr。Honestwentonbefore，Christianaandherchildrenwentnext，andMr。Feeble-mindandMr。Ready-to-haltcamebehindwithhiscrutches。”Putbythecurtains，lookwithinmyveil，Turnupmymetaphors，anddonotfail，There，ifthouseekestthem，suchthingstofind，Aswillbehelpfultoanhonestmind。”
1。Well，then，whenweputbythecurtainsandturnupthemetaphors，whatdowefind？What，butjustthis，thatpoorMr。
Ready-to-haltwas，afterall，thegreatestandthebestbeliever，astheNewTestamentwouldhavecalledhim，inallthepilgrimage。
WehavenotfoundsogreatfaithasthatofMr。Ready-to-halt，no，notintheverybestofthepilgrimbands。Eachseveralpilgrimhad，nodoubt，hisowngoodqualities；but，atpureanddownrightbelieving——attakingGodatHisbareandsimpleword——Mr。Ready-to-
haltbeatthemall。Allthatflashesinuponusfromoneshiningwordthatstandsonthemarginofoursometaphoricalauthor。Thissingleword，the”promises，”hangslikeakeyofgoldbesidethefirstmentionofMr。Ready-to-halt’scrutches——akeysuchthatinamomentitthrowsopenthewholeofMr。Ready-to-halt’sotherwiselockfastandsecretandinexplicablelife。Thereitallis，asplainasapike-staffnow！Yes；Mr。Ready-to-halt’scrutchesarejustthedivinepromises。IwonderIdidnotseethatallthetime。Why，Icouldcomposeallhispastlifemyselfnow。Ihavehisfatherandhismotherandhisnurseatmyfinger-endsnow。
Thispoorpilgrim——unlessitwouldbeimpertinencetocallhimpooranymore——hadnolimbstobecalledlimbs。Suchlimbsashehadwereonlyanencumbrancetothisuniquepedestrian。Allthelimbshehadwereinhiscrutches。Hehadnotoneatomofstrengthtoleanuponapartfromhiscrutches。Abone，amuscle，atendon，asinew，maybeill-nourished，undeveloped，green，andunknit，but，attheworst，theyareinsideofamanandtheyarehisown。Butacrutch，ofhowevergoodwooditmaybemade，andhowevergoodalamemanmaybeatusingit——still，acrutchatitsbestisbutanoutsideadditament；itisnotreallyandoriginallyapartofaman’sveryselfatall。Andyetalamemanisnothimselfwithouthiscrutch。Othermendonotneedtogiveamoment’sforethoughtwhentheywishtoriseuptowalk，ortorun，ortoleap，ortodance。Butthelamemanhastowaittillhiscrutchesarebroughttohim；andthen，afterslowlyandpainfullyhoistinghimselfupuponhiscrutches，withgreatlabour，heatlasttakestheroad。
Mr。Ready-to-halt，then，isamanofGod；butheisoneofthosemenofGodwhohavenogodlinesswithinthemselves。Hehasnoinwardgraces。Hehasnopastexperiences。Hehasnoattainmentsthathecanforonesafemomenttakehisstandupon，orevenpartlyleanupon。Mr。Ready-to-haltisabsolutelyandalwaysdependentuponthepromises。ThepromisesofGodinHolyScripturearethisman’sverylife。Allhisreligionstandsinthepromises。Takeawaythepromises，andMr。Ready-to-haltisaheapofheavingragsontheroadside。Hecannottakeasinglestepunlessuponapromise。But，atthesametime，giveMr。Ready-to-haltapromiseinhishandandhewillwadetheSloughuponit，andscaleupandslidedowntheHillDifficultyuponit，andfightalion，andevenbrainBeelzebubwithit，tillhewillwithagrudgeandadoubtexchangeitevenforthechariotsandthehorsesthatwaithimattheriver。WhatadelightourLordwouldhavetakeninMr。Ready-
to-halthadHecomeacrosshimonHiswaytothepassover！HowHewouldhavegivenMr。Ready-to-haltHisarm；howHewouldhavemadeHimselflatebywalkingwithhim，andwouldstillhavewaitedforhim！Nay，hadthatbeenadayofchap-booksincarpenters’shopsandonthevillagestalls，howHewouldhavehadMr。Ready-to-
halt’sstorybyhearthadanybrass-workerinGalileetoldthehistory！OurLordwaswithinaninchoftellingthatstoryHimself，whenHeshowedThomasHishandsandHisside。AndatanothertimeandinanotherplacewemightwellhavehadMr。Ready-
to-haltasonemoreofourLord’sparablesforthecommonpeople。
Only，HeleftthedelightandtherewardofdrawingoutthisparabletooneHealreadysawanddearlylovedinafar-offislandofthesea，thePuritantinkerofEvangelicalEngland。
2。Andnow，afterallthat，wouldyouthinkitgoingtoofarifI
weretosaythatinmakingHimselflikeuntoallHisbrethren，ourLordmadeHimselflikeMr。Ready-to-halttoo？IndeedHedid。AnditwasbecausehisLorddidthis，thatMr。Ready-to-haltsolovedhisLordastofollowHimuponcrutches。Itwouldnotbethoughtseemly，perhaps，tocarrythefiguretooclosetoourLord。But，figureapart，itisonlyorthodoxandscripturaltosaythatourLordaccomplishedHispilgrimageandfinishedHisworkleaningallalonguponHisFather’spromises。Esaiasisveryboldaboutthisalso，forhetellshisreadersagainandagainthattheirMessiah，whenHecomes，willhavetobeheldup。Hewillhavetobeencouraged，comforted，andcarriedthroughbyJehovah。AndinoneremarkablepassageheletsusseeJehovahhoopingMessiah’sstafffirstwithbrass，andthenwithsilver，andthenwithgold。LetThomasGoodwin’sgeniussettheheavenlyscenefullbeforeus。”Youhaveitdialoguewisesetforth，”saysthatgreatpreacher。”FirstChristshowsHiscommission，tellingGodhowHehadcalledHimandfittedHimfortheworkofredemption，andHewouldknowwhatrewardHeshouldreceiveofHimforsogreatanundertaking。
Godatfirstofferslow；onlytheelectofIsrael。Christthinksthesetoofew，andnotworthsogreatalabourandwork，becausefewoftheJewswouldcomein；andthereforeHesaysthatHewouldlabourinvainifthiswereallHisrecompense；andyetwithalHetellsGodthatseeingHisheartissomuchsetonsavingsinners，tosatisfyHim，Hewilldoitevenforthosefew。UponthisGodcomesoffmorefreely，andopenethHisheartmorelargelytoHim，asmeaningmoreamplytocontentHimforHispainsindying。”Itisalightthing，”saysGodtoHim，”thatThoushouldestbeMyservanttoraiseupthetribesofJacob——thatisnotworthThydyingfor。IvalueThysufferingsmorethanso。IwillgiveTheeforasalvationtotheendsoftheearth。”UponthisHemadeapromisetoChrist，apromisewhichGod，whocannotlie，promisedbeforetheworldbegan。Godcannotlie，and，mostofall，nottoHisSon。”
And，then，moreeventhanthat。Thissamedeepdivinetellsusthatitisacertainruleindivinitythat，whatsoeverwereceivefromChrist，thatHeHimselffirstreceivesinHimselfforus。AllthepromisesofGod’swordaremadeandfulfilledtoChristfirst，andsotousinandafterHim。Inotherwords，ourLord’slifewassoplannedforHiminheavenandwassofollowedoutandfulfilledbyHimonearth，that，totakeupthemetaphoragain，HeactuallytriedeverycrutchandeverystaffwithHisownhandsandwithHisownarmpits；HeactuallyleanedagainandagainHisownwholeweightuponeveryseveraloneofthem。Everysinglepromise，themostunlikelyforHimtoleanuponandtoplead，yet，besureofit，Hesomehowmadeexperimentuponthemall，andmadesurethattherewassufficientandserviceablegracewithinandundereveryoneofthem。Sothat，Mr。Ready-to-halt，thereisnopossiblestaffyoucantakeintoyourhandthathasnotalreadybeeninthehandofyourLord。Thinkofthat，OMr。Ready-to-halt！Reverence，then，andalmostworshipthystaff！Throwallthyweightuponthystaff。Confideallthyweaknesstoit。Talktoitasthouwalkestwithit。Makeittalktothee。WormoutofitallitssecretsaboutitsfirstOwner。AndletitinstructtheeabouthowHewalkedwithitandhowHehandledit。TheBibleisveryboldwithitsMaster。ItcallsHimbythemoststartlingnamessometimes。
ThereisnonamethatapenitentandareturningsinnergoesbythattheBibledoesnotputsomewhereuponthesinner’sSaviour。
AndinoneplaceitasgoodascallsHimReady-to-haltinasmanywords。Nay，itletsusseeHimhaltingaltogetherforatime；ay，oftenerthanonce；andonlytakingtheroadagain，whenastillstrongerstaffwasputintohistremblinghand。AndifJohnhadbuthadroominhiscrowdedgospelhewouldhavegivenustheveryidenticalpsalmwithwhichourLordtooktotheupwardwayagain，stronginHisnewstaff。”ForIamreadytohalt，”wasHispsalminthehouseofHispilgrimage，”andMysorrowiscontinuallybeforeMe。Mineenemiesarelively，andtheyarestrong；andtheythathateMewrongfullyaremultiplied。TheyalsothatrenderevilforgoodareMineadversaries；becauseIfollowthethingthatgoodis。ForsakeMenot，OLord；OMyGod，benotfarfromMe。MakehastetohelpMe，OLordMysalvation。”
3。Amongallthedevoutandbeautifulfablesofthe”dispensationofpaganism，”thereisnothingfinerthanthefableofblindTiresiasandhisstaff。Bysomesadcalamitythisoldprophethadlostthesightofhiseyes，andtocompensatetheirservantforthatgreatlossthegodsendowedhimwithastaffwitheyes。AsAaron’srodbuddedbeforethetestimonyandbloomedblossomsandyieldedalmonds，soTiresias’staffbuddedeyes，anddivineeyestoo，fortheblindprophet’sguidanceanddirection。Tiresiashadbuttotakehisheaven-givenstaffinhishand，when，straightway，suchadivinityenteredintothestaffthatitbothsawforhimwithdivineeyes，andheardforhimwithdivineears，andthenledhimanddirectedhim，andneveronceinallhisafterjourneyslethimgoofftherightway。Allothermenabouthim，prophetsandpriestsboth，oftenlosttheirway，butTiresiasafterhisblindness，never，tillTiresiasandhisstaffbecameaproverbandaparableintheland。Andjustsuchastaff，justsuchacrutch，justsuchapairofcrutches，werethecrutchesofourownsohomelyMr。Ready-to-halt。Withalltheirlustylimbs，alltheotherpilgrimsoftenstumbledandwentoutoftheirwaytilltheyhadtobehelpedup，ledback，andtheirfacessetrightagain。
But，lastasMr。Ready-to-haltalwayscameintheprocession——
behindeventhewomenandthechildrenashiscrutchesalwayskepthim——youwillseekinvainforthedotofthosecrutchesonanyby-
pathoronanywrongroad。No；thefactis，ifyouwishtogotothesamecity，andareafraidyoulosetheway；asEvangelistsaid，”Doyouseeyonshininglight？”soIwouldsaytoyouto-night，”Doyouseethesecrutch-marksontheroad？”Well，keepyourfeetintheprintsofthesecrutches，andassureasyoudothattheywillleadyoustraighttoachariotandhorses，which，again，willcarryyouinsidethecitygates。ForMr。Ready-to-halt’scrutcheshavenotonlyeyeslikeTiresias’staff，theyhaveearsalso，andhandsandfeet。Alampalsoburnsonthosecrutches；andwineandoildistilfromtheirwonderfulwood。Happyblindnessthatbringssuchastaff！Happyexchange！eyesfullofearthandsinforeyesfullofheavenandholiness！
4。”Theybegantobemerry，”saysourLord，tellingthestoryoftheheart-brokenfatherwhohadgotbackhisyoungersonfromafarcountry。AndevenFeeble-mindandReady-to-haltbegintobemerryonthegreenthatdayafterDoubtingCastlehasfallentoGreatheart’sarms。Now，Christiana，ifneedwas，couldplayupontheviol，andherdaughterMercyuponthelute；and，sincetheyweresomerrydisposed，sheplayedthemalesson，andMr。Ready-to-
haltwoulddance。Sohepaidaboyapennytoholdoneofhiscrutches，and，takingMissMuch-afraidbythehand，todancingtheywent。And，Ipromiseyouhefooteditwell；thelamemanleapedasanhart；alsothegirlwastobecommended，forsheansweredthemusichandsomely。Inspiteofhislife-longinfirmity，therewasdeepdowninMr。Ready-to-haltanunsuspectedfundofgood-humour。
TherewasnoheartiermerrimentonthegreenthatdaythanwasthemerrimentthatMr。Ready-to-haltknockedoutofhisnimblecrutch。”True，hecouldnotdancewithoutonecrutchinhishand。”True，dearandnobleBunyan，thoucanstnotwriteasinglepageatanytimeoronanysubjectwithoutthygeniusandthytendernessandthydivinegracemarkingthepageasthineownalone！
5。ThenexttimeweseeMr。Ready-to-haltheiscominginonhiscrutchestoseeChristiana，forshehassentforhimtoseehim。
Soshesaidtohim，”Thytravelhitherhathbeenwithdifficulty，butthatwillmakethyrestthesweeter。”AndtheninprocessoftimetherecameaposttothetownandhisbusinessthistimewaswithMr。Ready-to-halt。”IamcometotheeinthenameofHimwhomthouhastlovedandfollowed，thoughuponcrutches。AndmymessageistotelltheethatHeexpectstheeatHistabletosupwithHiminHiskingdomthenextdayafterEaster。””Iamsentfor，”saidMr。Ready-to-halttohisfellow-pilgrims，”andGodshallsurelyvisityoualso。Thesecrutches，”hesaid，”Ibequeathtomysonthatshalltreadinmysteps，withanhundredwarmwishesthathemayprovebetterthanIhavedone。”Isaacwasachildofpromise，andMr。Ready-to-halthadanIsaacalsoonwhomhislastthoughtsturned。IsaachadbeenborntoAbrahambyaspecialandextraordinaryandsupernaturalinterpositionofthegraceandthepowerofGod；andMr。Ready-to-halthadalwayslookedonhimselfasasecondAbrahaminthatrespect。AsecondAbraham，andmore。
True，hissonwasnotyetapilgrim；perhapshewastooyoungtobesocalled；butGreatheartwilltakebacktheoldman’scrutches——
Greatheartwasbothman-of-warandbeast-of-burdentothepilgrimsandtheirwivesandchildren——andwillinsparehoursteachyoungReady-to-halttheuseofthecrutch，tillthesoncanusewiththesameeffectashisfatherhisfather’sinstrument。Isyourchildachildofpromise？Ishetoyouaproductofnature，orofgrace？
DidyoureceivehimandhisbrothersandsistersfromGodafteryouwereasgoodasdead？Didyoueverstealinwhenhisnursewasatsupperandsayoverhisyoungcradle，Hehathnotdealtwithmeaftermysins，norrewardedmeaccordingtomyiniquities？IsitinyourwilllaidupwithChristinGodaboutyourcrutchesandyoursonwhatMr。Ready-to-haltdictatedonhisdeathbed？AnddoesGodknowthatthereisnowishinyouroldheartahundredtimessowarmforyoursonasisthiswish，——thathemayprovebetterathandlingGod’spromisesthanyouhavebeen？Then，happyson，whohasoldMr。Ready-to-haltforhisfather！
6。”Hewhomthouhastlovedandfollowed，thoughuponcrutches，expectstheeatHistablethenextdayafterEaster。”Takecomfort，cripples！HaditbeensaidthattheKingsoexpectsGreatheart，orStandfast，orValiant-for-truth，thatwouldhavebeenafterthemannerofthekingsofthisworld。ButtoinsistonhavingMr。Ready-to-haltbesideHimbysuchandsuchaday；tosendsuchaposttoapilgrimwhohasnotasinglesoundboneinallhisbody；toasinnerwithoutasingletrustworthygraceinallhisheart；toapoorandsimplebelieverwhohasnothinginhishandbutoneofGod’sownpromises——WhoisakinglikeuntoourKing？
SurelyKingDavidwasneverabettertypeofChristthanwhenhesaidtoMephibosheth，lameinbothhisfeetfromhisnurse’sarms:”Fearnot，Mephibosheth，forIwillsurelyshowtheekindness，andthoushalteatbreadatmytablecontinually。”AndMephiboshethshallalwaysbeourspokesmanwhenhebowshimselfandsaysinreturn:”Whatisthyservant，thatthoushouldstlookuponsuchadeaddogasIam？”
VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH”——Theyarenotvaliantforthetruth。”——Jeremiah”——Yeshouldcontendearnestlyforthefaith。”——Jude。”ForgetnotMasterValiant-for-the-Truth，Thatmanofcourage，tho’averyyouth。
Telleveryonehisspiritwassostout，Nomancouldevermakehimfaceabout。”
Bunyan。”IamofDark-land，fortherewasIborn，andtheremyfatherandmotherarestill。””Dark-land，”saidtheguide；”dothnotthatlieuponthesamecoastastheCityofDestruction？””Yes，itdoth，”
repliedValiant-for-truth。”AndhadInotfoundincommoditythere，Ihadnotforsakenitatall；butfindingitaltogetherunsuitabletome，andveryunprofitableforme，Iforsookitforthisway。
Now，thatwhichcausedmetocomeonpilgrimagewasthis。WehadoneMr。Tell-truecameintoourparts，andhetolditaboutwhatChristianhaddone，thatwentfromtheCityofDestruction。ThatmansotoldthestoryofChristianandhistravelsthatmyheartfellintoaburninghastetobegoneafterhim，norcouldmyfatherandmotherstayme，soIgotfromthem，andamcomethusfaronmyway。”
1。AveryplainandpracticallessonisalreadyreadtousallinValiant-for-truth’sexplanationofhisownpilgrimage。HetellstheguidethathewasmadeapilgrimjustbyhavingthestoryofThePilgrimtoldtohim。AllthatTell-truedidwasjusttorecitethestoryofthepilgrim，whenyoungValiant’sheartfellintoaburninghastetobeapilgrimtoo。Mybrethren，couldanylessonbeplainer？ReadthePilgrim’sProgresswithyourchildren。And，afteratime，readitagaintilltheycallitbeautiful，andtillyouseethesameburninghasteintheirheartsthatyoungValiantfeltinhisheart。CirculatethePilgrim’sProgress。MakeopportunitiestogivethePilgrim’sProgresstothetelegraphboysanderrandboysatyourdoor。NevergoonaholidaywithouttakingadozencheapandtastefulcopiesofThePilgrimtogivetoboysandgirlsinthecountry。Makesurethatnoone，oldoryoung，ofyouracquaintance，intownorcountry，iswithoutagoodcopyofThePilgrim。Andthedarkertheirhouseis，makeallthemoresurethatJohnBunyanisinit。”Nowmaythislittlebookablessingbe，TothosethatlovethislittlebookandmeAndmayitsbuyerhavenocausetosayHismoneyisbutlostorthrownaway。”
2。ButthegreatlessonofValiant’ssoimpressivelifeliesinthetremendousfighthehadwiththreeruffianswhoallsetuponhimatonceandwell-nighmadeanendofhim。For，whenweputbythecurtainshereagain，andturnupthemetaphors，whatdowefind？What，butalessonoffirst-rateimportanceformanymenamongourselves；formanypublicmen，manyministers，andmanyothermuch-in-earnestmen。ForValiant，ashisnametellsus，wassettocontendforthetruth。Hehadthetruth。Thetruthwasputintohiskeeping，andhewasboundtodefendit。Hewasthrownintoalifeofcontroversy，andthusintoalltheterribletemptations——worsethanthetemptationstowhoredomorwine——thataccompanyalifeofcontroversy。ThethreescoundrelsthatfelluponValiantatthemouthofthelanewereWildhead，Inconsiderate，andPragmatic。Inotherwords，thebesettingtemptationsofmanymenwhoaresetasdefendersofthetruthinreligion，aswellasinothermatters，istobewild-headed，inconsiderate，self-
conceited，andintolerablyarrogant。ThebloodybattlethatValiantfought，youmustknow，wasnotfoughtatthemouthofanydarklaneinthemidnightcity，noronthesideofanylonelyroadinthemoonlesscountry。ThisterriblefightwasfoughtinValiant’sownheart。ForValiantwasnoneofyourcalculatingandcold-bloodedfriendsofthetruth。Hedidnotwaittillhesawthetruthwalkinginsilverslippers。Letanymanlayafingeronthetruth，orwagatongueagainstthetruth，andhewillhavetosettleitwithValiant。Hisloveforthetruthwasapassion。
Therewasafiercenessinhisloveforthetruththatfrightenedordinarymenevenwhentheywereonhisownside。Valiantwouldhavediedforthetruthwithoutamurmur。But，withallthat，Valianthadtolearnahardandacruellesson。Hehadtolearnthathe，thebestfriendoftruthashethoughthewas，wasatthesametime，asamatteroffact，thegreatestenemythatthetruthhad。Hehadtotakehometheterriblediscoverythatnomanhadhurtthetruthsomuchashehaddone。Savemefrommyfriend！thetruthwasheardtosay，asoftenasshesawhimtakinguphisweaponsinherbehalf。Weseeallthateveryday。WeseeWildheadathisdisserviceofthetrutheveryday。Sometimesabovehisownname，andsometimeswithgraceenoughtobeashamedtogivehisname，inthenewspapers。Sometimesontheplatform；sometimesinthepulpit；andsometimesatthedinner-table。Butalwaystothedetrimentofthetruth。Inblindfuryherushesatthecharacterandthegoodnameofmenwhowereservantsofthetruthbeforehewasborn，andwhoseshieldheisnotworthytobear。HowshallWildheadbegottoseethatheandthelikeofhimarereallytheworstfriendsthetruthcanpossiblyhave？Willheneverlearnthatinhiswild-bullgoringsatmenandatmovements，heisbothhurtinghimselfandhurtingthetruthasnoswornenemyofhisandofthetruthcando？Willheneverseewhataninsolentfoolheistogoonimputingbadmotivestoothermen，whenheoughttobeprostratebeforeGodonaccountofhisown？Morethanonewild-
headedstudentofWilliamLawhastoldmewhatablessingtheyhavegotfromthatgreatman’steachingonthesubjectofcontroversy。
WilltheWildheadshereto-nighttakealineortwooutofthatpeace-makingauthorandlaythemtoheart？”MydearL-，takenoticeofthis，thatnotruths，howeversolidandwell-grounded，willhelpyoutoanydivinelife，butonlysofarastheyaretaught，nourished，andstrengthenedbyanunctionfromabove；andthatnothingmoredriesandextinguishesthisheavenlyunctionthanatalkativereasoningtemperthatisalwayscatchingateveryopportunityofhearingortellingsomereligiousmatters。Stopyourearsandshutyoureyestoallreligioustales……IwouldnomorebringafalsechargeagainstadeistthanIwouldbearfalsewitnessagainstanapostle。AndifIknewhowtodothedeistsmorejusticeindebateIwouldgladlydoit……Andasthegospelrequiresmetobeasgladtoseepiety，equity，strictsobriety，andextensivecharityinaJeworaGentileasinaChristian；asitobligesmetolookwithpleasureupontheirvirtues，andtobethankfultoGodthatsuchpersonshavesomuchoftrueandsoundChristianityinthem；soitcannotbeanunchristianspirittobeasgladtoseetruthsinonepartyofChristiansasinanother，andtolookwithpleasureuponanygooddoctrinesthatareheldbyanysectofChristianpeople，andtobethankfultoGodthattheyhavesomuchofthegenuinesavingtruthsofthegospelamongthem……Selfishnessandpartialityareveryinhumanandbasequalitieseveninthethingsofthisworld，butinthedoctrinesofreligiontheyareofafarbasernature。InthepresentdividedstateoftheChurch，truthitselfistornanddividedasunder；and，therefore，heistheonlytrueCatholicwhohasmoreoftruthandlessoferrorthanishedgedinbyanydividedpart。Toseethiswillenableustoliveinadividedpartunhurtbyitsdivision，andkeepusinatruelibertyandfitnesstobeedifiedandassistedbyallthegoodthatwehearorseeinanyotherpartoftheChurch。Andthus，unitinginheartandspiritwithallthatisholyandgoodinallChurches，weenterintothetruecommunionofsaints，andbecomerealmembersoftheHolyCatholicChurch，thoughweareconfinedtotheoutwardworshipofonlyoneparticularpartofit。AndthuswewilllikenotruththelessbecauseIgnatiusLoyolaorJohnBunyanwereveryjealousforit，norhavethelessaversiontoanyerrorbecauseDr。TrapporGeorgeFoxhadbroughtitforth。”IfWildheadwouldtakeawinterofWilliamLaw，itwouldsweetenhistemper，andcivilisehismanners，andrenewhisheart。
3。Inconsiderate，again，istheshallowcreatureheis，anddoestheendlessmischiefthathedoes，largelyforlackofimagination。
Heneverthinks——neitherbeforehespeaksnorafterhehasspoken。
Heneverputhimselfinanotherman’splaceallhisdays。Heisincapableofdoingthat。Hehasneithertheheadnorthehearttodothat。Heneveroncesaid，HowwouldIlikethatsaidaboutme？
or，HowwouldIlikethatdonetome？or，HowwouldthatlookandtasteandfeeltomeifIwereinSo-and-so’splace？Itneedsgeniustochangeplaceswithothermen；itneedsagracebeyondallgenius；andthispoorheadlessandheartlesscreaturedoesnotknowwhatgeniusis。Itneedsimagination，thenoblestgiftofthemind，anditneedslove，thenoblestgraceoftheheart，toconsiderthecaseofotherpeople，andtosee，asButlersays，thatwedifferasmuchfromotherpeopleastheydifferfromus。Anditisbyfarthenoblestuseoftheimagination，farnoblerthancarvingaLaocoon，orpaintingaLastJudgment，orwritinga”Paradiso”ora”ParadiseLost，”toputourselvesintotheplacesofothermensoastoseewiththeireyes，andfeelwiththeirhearts，andsympathisewiththeirprinciples，andevenwiththeirprejudices。Now，theinconsideratemanhassolittleimaginationandsolittlelovethatheissittinghereanddoesnotknowwhatI
amsaying；andwhatsuspicionhehasofwhatIamsayingisjustenoughtomakehimdislikebothmeandwhatIamsayingtoo。Buthisdullsuspicionandhisblinddislikearemorethanmadeupforbytheloveandappreciationofthoseloversanddefendersofthetruthwhopainfullyfeelhowwildandinconsiderate，howhot-
headed，howthoughtless，andhowrecklesstheirpastserviceevenofGod’struthhasbeen。”TheKingisfullofgraceandfairregard。
Consideration，likeanangel，cameAndwhipp’dtheoffendingAdamoutofhim。”
4。AndastoPragmatic，Iwouldnotcallyouastupidpersoneventhoughyouconfidedtomethatyouhadneverheardthisfootpad’snametillto-night。JohnBunyanhasbeenborrowingLatinagain，andnottotheimprovementofhisstyle，ortotheadvantageofhisreaders。ItwouldbeinsufferablypragmaticinmetobegintosetJohnBunyanrightinhisEnglish；butIhadratheroffendtheshadesofahundredJohnBunyansthanleavemymostunletteredhearerwithouthisfullandproperSabbath-nightlesson。Thethirdarmedthief，then，thatfelluponValiantwas，underothernames，Impertinence，Meddlesomeness，Officiousness，Over-Interference。
Pragmatic，——bywhatevernamehecallshimself，thereisnomistakinghim。Heisneversatisfied。Heisneverpleased。Heisneverthankful。Heisalwayssettinghissuperiorsright。HeislikethePsalmistinonething，hehasmoreunderstandingthanallhisteachers。Andheenjoysnothingmorethaninlettingthemknowthat。Thereisnothinghewillnotcorrectyouin——fromcuttingforthestonetocommandingtheChannelFleet。Now，ifallthathasputanyvisualimageofPragmaticintoyourmind，youwillseeatoncewhatanenemyhetooisfittedtobetothetruth。Forthetruthdoesnotstandinpoints，butinprinciples。Thetruthdoesnotdwellintheletterbutinthespirit。Thetruthisnotservedbysettingotherpeopleright，butbyseeingeverydayandineverythinghowfarwrongweareourselves。Thetruthislikecharityinthis，thatitbeginsathome。Itislikecharityinthisalso，thatitneverbehavesitselfunseemly。Apragmaticalman，takenalongwithaninconsiderateman，andthenawild-headedmanaddedontothem，arethreeaboutasfatalhandsasanytruthcouldfallinto。Theworstenemyofthetruthmustpitythetruth，andfeelhishatredatthetruthrelenting，whenheseesherunderthechampionshipofWildhead，Inconsiderate，andPragmatic。
5。ThefirsttimeweseeValiant-for-truthheisstandingatthemouthofDead-man’s-lanewithhisswordinhishandandwithhisfaceallbloody。”Theyhaveleftuponme，asyousee，”saidthebleedingman，”someofthemarksoftheirvalour，andhavealsocarriedawaywiththemsomeofmine。”And，inlikemanner，weseePaulwiththebloodofBarnabasstilluponhimwhenheiswritingthethirteenthofFirstCorinthians；andJohnwiththebloodoftheSamaritansstilluponhimdowntohisoldagewhenheiswritinghisFirstEpistle；andJohnBunyanwiththebloodoftheQuakersuponhimwhenheiscovertlywritingthispageofhisautobiographyundertheveilofValiant-for-truth；andWilliamLawwiththebloodofBishopHoadlyandJohnWesleydroppingonthepaperashepensthatgoldenpassagewhichendswithDr。TrappandGeorgeFox。
WheredidyouthinkPaulgotthatsplendidpassageaboutcharity？
WheredidyouthinkWilliamLawgotthatcompanionpassageaboutChurchdivisions，andabouttheChurchCatholic？Wherearesuchpassagesevergotbyinspiredapostles，orbyanyothermen，butoutoftheirownbloodybattleswiththeirownwild-headedness，intolerance，dislike，andresentment？WheredoyousupposeIgotthetruekeytotheveiledmetaphorofValiant-for-truth？Itdoesnotexactlyhangonthedoor-postofhishistory。Where，then，couldIgetitbutofftheinsidewallofmyownplaceofrepentance？JustasyouunderstandwhatIamnowlabouringtosay，notfrommysuccessinsayingit，butfromyourowntrespassesagainsthumilityandlove，yourunadvisedspeeches，andyourwildandwhirlingwords。Withoutshameandremorse，withoutself-
condemnationandself-contempt，noneofthosegreatpassagesofPaul，orJohn，orBunyan，orLawwereeverwritten；andwithoutalikeshame，remorse，self-condemnation，andself-contempttheyarenotrightlyread。”Oh！whoshalldareinthisfrailsceneOnholiest，happiestthoughtstolean，OnFriendship，Kindred，oronLove？
SincenotApostles’handscanclaspEachotherinsofirmagrasp，Buttheyshallchangeandvarianceprove。”ButsometimesevenbeneaththemoonTheSaviourgivesagraciousboon，WhenreconciledChristiansmeet，Andfacetoface，andhearttoheart，HighthoughtsofHolyloveimpartInsilencemeek，orconversesweet。”OhthenthegloryandtheblissWhenallthatpainedorseemedamissShallmeltwithearthandsinaway！
WhensaintsbeneaththeirSaviour’seye，Filledwitheachother’scompany，Shallspendinlovetheeternalday！”
6。ThensaidGreathearttoMr。Valiant-for-truth，”Thouhastworthilybehavedthyself；letmeseethysword。”Soheshowedithim。Whenhehadtakenitinhishandandhadlookedthereonawhile，theguidesaid:”Ha！itisarightJerusalemblade！””Itisso，”replieditsowner。”Letamanhaveoneofthesebladeswithahandtowieldit，andskilltouseit，andhemayventureuponanangelwithit。Itsedgeswillneverblunt。Itwillcutflesh，andbones，andsoul，andspirit，andall。”BothDamascusandToledobladeswerefamousinformerdaysfortheirtenacityandflexibility，andforthebeautyandtheedgeoftheirsteel。ButevenaDamascusbladewouldbeworthlessinaweak，cowardly，orunskilledhand；whileevenapoorswordinthehandofagoodswordsmanwilldoexcellentexecution。Andmuchmoresowhenyouhavebothafirst-rateswordandafirst-rateswordsman，suchasbothValiantandhisJerusalembladewere。Ha！yes。Thisisarightwonderfulbladewehavenowinourhand。Forthisswordwasforgedinnoearthlyfire；anditwaswhettedtoitsunapproachablesharpnessonnoearthlywhetstone。But，bestofallforus，whenagoodsoldierofJesusChristhasthisswordgirtonhisthighheisablethentogoforthagainsthimselfwithit；againsthisownonlyandworstenemy——thatis，againsthimself。Ashere，againsthisownwildnessofheadandprideofheart。Againsthisownwantofconsiderationalso。”Mypeopledonotconsider。”Asalsoagainsthimselfasalawlessinvaderofothermen’sfreedomofjudgment，followingoftruth，publichonour，andgoodname。AstheArabianwarriorsseethemselvesanddressthemselvesintheirswordsasinaglass，sodidValiant-for-truthseethethoughtsandintents，thejointsandthemarrowofhisowndisorderedsoulinhisJerusalemblade。Inthesheenofithecouldseehimselfevenwhenthedarknesscoveredhim；andwithitstwoedgesallhisafter-lifeheslewbothallrealerrorinothermenandallrealevilinhimself。”Thouhastdonewell，”saidGreathearttheguide。”Thouhastresisteduntoblood，strivingagainstsin。Thoushaltabidebyus，comeinandgooutwithus，forwearethycompanions。”
7。”Sir，”saidthewidowindeedtoValiant-for-truth，”sir，youhaveinallplacesshownyourselftrue-hearted。”Thefirsttimesheeversawthismanthatsheisnowseeingforthelasttimeonthissidetheriver，hisownmotherwouldnothaveknownhim，hewassohackedtopieceswiththeswordsofhisthreeassailants。
Butasshewashedthebloodoffthemangledman’sheadandfaceandhands，shesoonsawbeneathallhisbloodywoundsatrue，abrave，andagenerous-heartedsoldieroftheCross。Theheartisalwaystheman。Andthiswomanhadlivedlongenoughwithmentohavediscoveredthat。Andwithallhissearsshesawthatitwasatbottomthetruthofhisheartthathadcasthimintosomanybloodyencounters。Thereweremeninthatcompany，andmenneartherivertoo，withfarfewermarksofbattle，andevenofdefeat，uponthem，whodidnotgetthisnoblecertificateanditsaccompanyingchargeandtrustfromthisclear-eyedwidow。And，then，shehadneverforgot——howcouldshe？——hisexclamation，andalmostembraceofherasofhisownmother，whenheburstoutwithhiseyesfullofblood，”Why，isthisChristian’swife？What！andgoingonpilgrimagetoo？Itgladsmyheart！Goodman！Howjoyfulwillhebewhenheshallseeherandherchildrenenterafterhiminatthegatesintothecity！”HewouldhavebeenhackedahundredtimesworsethanhewasbeforethewidowofChristian，andthemotherofhischildren，wouldhaveseenanythingbutthemanliestbeautyinayoungsoldierwhocouldsaluteanoldwomaninthatway。Itgladdenedherhearttohearhim，youmaybesure，asmuchasitgladdenedhishearttoseeher。AndthatwasthereasonthatsheactuallysetGreathearthimselfaside，andleftherchildrenunderthisyoungman’sswordandshield。”Iwouldalsoentreatyoutohaveaneyetomychildren，”shesaid。Youngmen，hasanydyingmothercommittedherchildren，ifyouatanytimeseethemfaint，toyou？Haveyoueverspokensocomfortablytoanypoorwidowabouthersaintedhusbandthatshehaspassedbysomeofourforemostcitizens，andhasastonishedandoffendedherlawyersbyputtingastriplinglikeyouintothetrusteeship？Dideveranydyingmothersaytoyouthatshehadseenyoutobesotrue-heartedatalltimesthatsheentreatedyoutohaveaneyetoherchildren？
Speakingatthispointformyself，IwouldratherseemysonsotrustedatsuchanhourbysuchawomanthanIwouldseehimtheChancellorofHerMajesty’sExchequer，ortheGovernoroftheBankofEngland。Andsoto-nightwouldyou。
