Christian. Did you meet no one in the valley of Humiliation?
Faith. Yes, I met with one Shame: but I think he bears the wrong name; for I could not get quit of him. He would never have done.
Christian. Why, what did he say to you?
Faith. He said, it was a low mean thing to mind religion; and that a tender conscience was an unmanly thing: that few of the mighty, or rich, or wise, regarded it; nor any of them, till they became fools; till they were persuaded to venture the loss of all, for no body knows what. He objected also, the base and low estate of most of those who minded religion; likewise their ignorance and want of learning, yea, of natural understanding. He said, It was a shame to sit whining under a sermon, and to come sighing and groaning home: that it was a shame to ask my neighbour forgiveness; to make restitution, if I had taken from any; and, above all, to renounce all the men of credit and reputation, and to consort only with the poor and base.
Christian. And what did you say?
Faith. I knew not what to say at first, till it came into my mind, That which is highly esteemed of men, is had in abomination with God. Then I saw what God says is best, is so, though all the men in the world are against it. Therefore they who are fools for Christ’s sake, are the wisest of men; and the poor man that loveth him, is richer than he who hath thousands of gold and silver. I then said with a loud voice, Shame, depart! Thou art an enemy to my salvation. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; neither of his ways, nor of his servants. I will confess them all before men. So shall he confess me before my Father which is in heaven.
Christian. Did you meet no body else in the valley?
Faith. No; for I had sunshine all the rest of the way, and also through the valley of the Shadow of Death.
As they went on, Faithful looking on one side, saw one walking at a distance. He was a tall man, and more comely at a distance than at hand. Faithful accosted him in this manner:
Faith. Friend, whither away? Are you travelling toward mount Zion?