This puts me in mind, said Christian, of what happened to a pilgrim here, whose name was Little-faith. At the entrance of this passage there comes down, from Broad-way Gate, a lane, called Deadman’s-Lane. This Little-Faith chanced to sit down there, and fell asleep. Three brothers, Faintheart, Mistrust, and Guilt, were just then coming down that lane as he awaked, and was getting up to go on his journey. They immediately called to him to stand, and bid him deliver what he had; which he not doing readily, Faintheart and Mistrust stepped up and took it from him. He then cried out, Thieves; on which Mistrust, with a great club, struck him on the head, and felled him to the ground: but just then hearing some that were upon the road, and fearing it might be one Great-Grace, they left Little-Faith to shift for himself, and fled away with all speed.
Hopeful. Doubtless these three fellows were mere cowards, or they would not so soon have run away. Methinks Little-Faith might have stood one brush with them, if he had yielded at last.
Christian. Few have found them cowards. They once set upon me; and though I was cloathed in armour of proof, I found it hard work to quit myself like a man. No man knows what a combat that is, but he that has been engaged in it himself.
Hopeful. Well, but they ran away as soon as they only supposed that Great-Grace was a coming.
Christian. No marvel; for he is the King’s champion. But all the King’s subjects are not his champions; nor can they, in the day of trial, do such feats of war as he.
Hopeful. I would I had been Great-Grace for their sakes.
Christian. If it had been he, he might have had his hands full. For I must tell you, although he can deal with them as long as he keeps them at sword’s point; yet if ever they get within him, it will go hard but they will give him a sore fall.
Besides, their King is always at their call, ready to come to their help. And of him it is said, The sword of him that layeth at him, cannot hold the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. Darts are counted as stubble. He laugheth at the shaking of the spear.
When therefore we hear of such robbers as these, it behoveth us to go out well harnessed, and be sure to have a good shield; for indeed if that be wanting, they fear us not at all: therefore he that hath skill hath said, Above all, take the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
’Tis good also that we desire the King, that he would go with us himself; and then we need not be afraid if thousands had set themselves against us round about: but without him the proud helpers shall fall under the slain.