Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/281

Rh do well." (3 John 5, 6.) Then Gains took his leave of them all, and his children, and particularly of Mr. Feeble-mind. He also 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 espiecl, 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 strong, but I, as you see, am weak; I choose, there fore, 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 a liberty to do. I do not yet know all the truth: I am a very ignorant Christian man. Sometimes, if I hear any 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; so that I know not what to do. "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.)

Great. But, brother, said Mr. Great-heart, I have it in commission to comfort the feeble-minded, and to support the weak. You must needs go along with us; we will wait for you; We will lend you our help; we will deny, ourselves of some things, both opinionative and practical, for your sake; we will not enter into doubtful disputations before you;—we will be made all things to you rather than you shall be left behind. (Rom.xiv. 1 Cor. vii.)

Now all this while they were at Gaius's door; and, behold. as they were thus in the heat of their discourse, Mr.