Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/78

74 the breast, and beat me down backward: so I lay at his foot as dead as before. So when I came to myself again, I cried him mercy: but he said, I know not how to show mercy; and with that he knocked me down again. He had doubtless made an arid of me, but that one came by, and bid him forbear.

Chr. Who was that that bid him forbear?

Faith. I did not know him at first; but as he went by, I perceived the holes in his hand and his side; then I concluded that he was our Lord. So I went up the hill.

Chr. That man that overtook you was Moses. He spareth none, neither knoweth he how to show mercy to those that transgress his law.

Faith. I know it very well; it was not the first time that he has met with me. It was he that came to me when I dwelt securely at home, and that told me he would burn my house over, my head if I stayed there.

Chr. But did not you see the house that stood there, on the top of that hill on the side of which Moses met you?

Faith. Yes, and the lions too, before I came at it: but for the lions, I think they were asleep, for it was about noon; and, because I had so much of the day before me, I passed by the porter, and came down the hill.

Chr. He told me indeed, that he saw you go by; but I wish that you had called at the house, for they would have showed, you so many! rarities, that you would scarce have forgot them; to the day of your death.—But pray tell me, did you meet nobody in the Valley of Humility?

Faith. Yes; I met With, one Discontent, who would willingly have persuaded me to go back again with him his reason was, for that the valley was altogether, without honour. He told me, moreover, that thereto go was the way to disobey all my friends, as Pride, Arrogancy, Self-conceit, Worldly glory, with others who he knew, as he said, would be very much-offended if I made such a fool of myself as to wade through this valley.