EXPERIENCE. Call her, call her; she shall assuredly have what we can help her to. So they called her, and said to her, Mercy, what is that thing thou wouldst have? Then she blushed and said, The great glass that hangs up in the dining room. So Sincere ran and fetched it, and, with a joyful consent, it was given to her. Then she bowed her head and gave thanks, and said, "By this I know that I have obtained favor in your eyes."
They also gave to the other young women such things as they desired, and to their husbands great commendations, for that they had joined with Mr. Great-heart, to the slaying of Giant Despair, and the demolishing of Doubting Castle.
About Christiana's neck, the Shepherds put a bracelet, and so they did about the necks of her four daughters; also, they put earrings in their ears, and jewels on their foreheads.
When they were minded to go hence, they let them go in peace, but gave not to them those certain cautions which before were given to Christian and his companion. The reason was that these had Greatheart to be their guide, who was one that was well acquainted with things, and so could give them their cautions more seasonably; to wit, even then when the danger was nigh the approaching.
What cautions Christian and his companion had received from the Shepherds, they had also lost, by that time had come when they had need to put them into practice. Wherefore, here was the advantage that this company had over the others.
From hence they went on singing, and they said,
Behold, how fitly are the stages set
For their relief, pilgrims have become!
And how they use receive without one let,
That makes the other life our mark and home!
What novelties they have to give us,
That we, though Pilgrims, joyful lives may live;
They do upon us, too, such things bestow,
That shows we Pilgrims are, wherever we go.
When they were gone from the Shepherds, they quickly came to the place where Christian met with one Turn-away, who dwelt in the town of Apostasy. Wherefore of him Mr. Great-heart, their guide, did now put them in mind, saying, This is the place where Christian met with one Turn-away, who carried with him the character of his rebellion at his back. And this I have to say concerning this man; he would hearken to no counsel, but once falling, persuasion could not stop him.
When he came to the place where the Cross and the Sepulcher were, he did meet with one that did bid him look there, but he gnashed with his teeth, stamped, and said he was resolved to go back to his own town. Before he came to the gate, he met with the Evangelist, who offered to lay hands on him to turn him back to the way. But this Turn-away resisted him, and having done much despite unto him, he got away over the wall, and so escaped his hand (Heb. 10:26-29).
Then they went on, and just at the place where Little-faith formerly was robbed, there stood a man with his sword drawn, and his face all bloody. Then said Mr. Great-heart, What art thou? The man made answer, saying, I am one whose name is Valiant-for-truth. I am a pilgrim and am going to the Celestial City. Now, as I was on my way, there were three men who beset me, and propounded unto me these three things: 1. Whether I would become one of them. 2. Or go back from whence I came. 3. Or die upon the place. To the first, I answered, I had been a true man a long season, and therefore it could not be expected that I now should cast in my lot with thieves (Prov. 1:10-14). Then they demanded what I would say to the second. So I told them that the place from whence I came, had I not found incommodity there, I had not forsaken it at all; but finding it altogether unsuitable to me, and very unprofitable for me, I forsook it for this way. Then they asked me what I said to the third. And I told them, My life cost more dear far, than that I should lightly give it away. Besides, you have nothing to do but put things to my choice; wherefore, at your peril be it, if you meddle. Then these three, to wit, Wild-head, Inconsiderate, and Pragmatic, drew upon me, and I also drew upon them.
So we fell to it, one against three, for the space of above three hours. They have left upon me, as you see, some of the marks of their valor, and have also carried away with them some of mine. They are, but just now gone. I suppose they might, as the saying is, have heard your horse dash, and so they betook themselves to flight.
GREAT-HEART. But here were great odds, three against one.
VALIANT. It is true, but little or more is nothing to him that has the truth on his side. 'Though a host should encamp against me,' said one, 'my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident' (Psa. 27:3). Besides, saith he, I have read in some records, that one man has fought an army. And how many did Samson slay with the jaw-bone of an ass?[283] (Judg. 15:15, 16).
GREAT-HEART. Then said the guide, Why did you not cry out, that some might have come in for your succor?
VALIANT. So I did, to my King, who, I knew, could hear and afford invisible help, and that was sufficient for me.
GREAT-HEART. Then said Great-heart to Mr. Valiant-for-truth, Thou hast worthily behaved thyself. Let me see thy sword. So he showed it to him. When he had taken it in his hand and looked thereon a while, he said, Ha! It is a right Jerusalem blade (Isa. 2:3).
VALIANT. It is so. Let a man have one of these blades, with a hand to wield it and skill to use it, and he may venture upon an angel with it. He need not fear its holding, if he can but tell how to lay on. Its edges will never blunt. It will cut flesh and bones, and soul and spirit, and all (Eph. 6:12-17; Heb. 4:12).
