Chris. But was you not afraid, good Sir, when you saw him come out with his club?
Great-heart. It is my duty, said he, to distrust my own ability, that I may have reliance on Him that is stronger than all.
Chris. But what did you think when he fetched you down to the ground at the first blow?
Great-heart. Why, I thought, quoth he, that so my Master himself was served, and yet he it was that conquered at the last.
Matt. When you all have thought what you please, I think God has been wonderful good unto us, both in bringing us out of this valley, and in delivering us out of the hand of this enemy; for my part, I see no reason why we should distrust our God any more, since he has now, and in such a place as this, given us such testimony of his love as this.
Then they got up and went forward. Now a little before them stood an oak; and under it, when they came to it, they found an old pilgrim fast asleep; they knew that he was a pilgrim by his clothes, and his staff, and his girdle.
So the guide, Mr. Great-heart, awaked him, and the old gentleman, as he lift up his eyes, cried out, What's the matter? Who are you? and what is your business here?
Great-heart. Come, man, be not so hot, here are none but friends: yet the old man gets up, and stands upon his guard, and will know of them what they were. Then said the guide, My name is Great-heart; I am the guide of these pilgrims, which are going to the Celestial Country.
Honest. Then said Mr. Honest, I cry you mercy; I feared that you had been of the company of those that some time ago did rob Little-faith of his money; but now I look better about me, I perceive you are honester people.
Great-heart. Why, what would, or could you have done, to have helped yourself, if we indeed had been of that company?
Hon. Done! why I would have fought as long as breath had been in me; and had I so done, I am sure you could never have given me the worst on it; for a Christian can never be overcome, unless he should yield of himself.
Great-heart. Well said, father Honest, quoth the guide; for by this I know thou art a cock of the right kind, for thou hast said the truth.
Hon. And by this, also, I know that thou knowest what true pilgrimage is; for all others do think that we are the soonest overcome of any.
Great-heart. Well, now we are so happily met, pray let me crave your name, and the name of the place you came from.
Hon. My name I cannot; but I came from the town of Stupidity; it lieth about four degrees beyond the City of Destruction.
Great-heart. Oh! are you that countryman, then? I deem I have half a guess of you; your name is Old
Honesty, is it not? So the old gentleman blushed, and said, Not Honesty, in the abstract, but Honest is my name; and I wish that my nature should agree to what I am called.
Hon. But, sir, said the old gentleman, how could you guess that I am such a man, since I came from such a place?