Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/287

Rh Indeed, we did rather beset the last than were beset by him. And thus it was: After we had been some time at the house of Gains mine host, and of the whole church, we were minded upon a time to take our weapons with us, and go and see if we could light upon any of those that were enemies to pilgrims; for we heard that there was a notable one thereabouts. Now Gains knew his haunt better than I, because he dwelt thereabout. So we looked, and looked, till at last we discerned the mouth of his care: then we were glad, and plucked up our spirits. So we approached up to his den; and, lo, when we same there, he had dragged, by mere force, into his net, this poor man, Feeble-mind, and was about to bring him to his end. But when he saw us, supposing, as we thought, he had another prey, he left the poor man in his house, and came out. So we fell to it full sore, and he lustily laid about him; but, in conclusion, he was brought down to the ground, and his head out off, and set up by the way-side, for a terror to such as should after practise such ungodliness. That I tell you the truth, here is the man himself to affirm it, who was as a lamb taken out of the mouth of the lion.

Feeble. Then said Mr. Febble-mind, I found this true, to my cost and comfort: to my cost, when he threatened to pick my bones every moment; and to my comfort, when I saw Mr. Great-heart and his friends, with their weapons, approach so near for my deliverance.

Holy. Then said Mr. Holy-man, There are two things that they have need to be possessed with who go on pilgrimage—sewage, and an unspotted life. If they have not courage, they can never hold on their way; and if their lives he loose, they will make the very name of a pilgrim stink.

Love. Then said Mr. Love—saints, I hope this caution is not needful among you. But truly there are many that go upon the road who rather declare themselves strangers to pilgrimage than strangers and pilgrims on the earth.