HOPEFUL REBUKED. 148

than to sell them, as Esau did his birthright. You read not anywhere that Esau had
faith,—no, not so much as a little; therefore no marvel if, where the flesh only bears
sway (as it will in that man where no faith is to resist), he sells his birthright, and his
soul, and all, and that to the devil of hell; for it is with such as it is with the ass, who
in her occasions cannot be turned away.’ When their minds are set upon their
lusts, they will have them whatever they cost. But Little-Faith was of another temper :
his mind was on things divine; his livelihood was upon things that were spiritual and
from above: therefore to what end should he that is of such a temper sell his jewels
(had there been any that would have bought them), to fill his mind with empty things ?
Will a man give a penny to fill his belly with hay? or can you persuade the turtle-
dove to live upon carrion, like the crow? Though faithless ones can, for carnal lusts,
pawn, or mortgage, or sell what they have, and themselves outright to boot, yet they
that have faith, saving faith, though but a little of it, cannot do so. Here, therefore,
my brother, is thy mistake.

Horr. I acknowledge it; but yet your severe reflection had almost made me angry.

Curis. Why, I did but compare thee to some of the birds that are of the brisker
sort, who will run to and fro in untrodden paths with the shell upon their heads; but
pass by that, and consider the matter under debate, and all shall be well betwixt thee
and me.

Horr. But, Christian, these three fellows, I am persuaded in my heart, are but a
company of cowards: would they have run else, think you, as they did at the noise of
one that was coming on the road? Why did not Little-Faith pluck up a greater
heart? He might, methinks, have stood one brush with them, and have yielded when
there had been no remedy.

Curis. That they are cowards many have said, but few have found it so in the time
of trial. As for a great heart, Little-Faith had none; and I perceive by thee, my
brother, hadst thou been the man concerned, thou art but for a brush, and then to
yield. And, verily, since this is the height of thy stomach now they are at a distance
from us, should they appear to thee as they did to him, they might put thee to second
thoughts. But consider again, they are but journeymen-thieves; they serve under
the king of the bottomless pit, who, if need be, will come in to their aid himself, and

® T myself have been engaged as this Little-

his voice is as the roaring of a lion.®
Faith was, and I found ita terrible thing. These three villains set upon me; and I
beginning like a Christian to resist, they gave but a eall, and in came their master. I
would, as the saying is, have given my life for a penny, but that, as God would have

it, 1 was clothed with armor of proof. Ay, and yet, though I was so harnessed, I