Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/133

Rh 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 the most part of the rest of the way.

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

Chr. It is a wonder; but they got not that, though they missed it not through any good cunning of his: for he, being dismayed by 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. (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 those thoughts would swallow up all.

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 width grief, poor heart! I was told that be 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