HOW PILGRIMS SHOULD MEET THE ROBBERS. 145

in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men. Ie
‘mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted, neither turneth he his back from the sword.
The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth
the ground with fierceness and rage; neither believeth he that it is the sound of the
trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha! ha! and he smelleth the battle afar off,
the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.” ™

But for such footmen as thee and IJ are, let us never desire to meet with an enemy,
nor vaunt as if we could do better, when we hear of others that have been foiled, nor
be tickled at the thoughts of our manhood; for such commonly come by the worst
when tried. Witness Peter, of whom I made mention before: he would swagger, ay,
he would; he would, as his vain mind prompted him to say, do better and stand more
for his Master than all men; but who so foiled and run down by those villains as he?

When, therefore, we hear that such robberies are done on the King’s highway, two
things become us to do.

First, to go out harnessed, and to be sure to take a shield with us; for it was for
want of that, that he that laid so lustily at Leviathan could not make him yield; for,
indeed, if that be wanting, he fears us not at all. Therefore he that had skill hath
said, “ Above all, take the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the
fiery darts of the wicked.” ™

Secondly, it is good also that we desire of the King a convoy ; yea, that He will go
with us Himself, This made David rejoice when in the Valley of the Shadow of
Death; and Moses was rather for dying where he stood, than to go one step without
his God Oh, my brother, if He will but go along with us, what need we be afraid
of ten thousands that shall set themselves against us?” But, without Him, the proud
helpers fall under the slain.™

I, for my part, have been in the fray before now ; and though (through the goodness
of Him that is best) I am, as you see, alive, yet I cannot boast of my manhood. Glad.
shall I be if I meet with no more such brunts; though I fear we are not got beyond
all danger. However, since the lion and the bear have not as yet devoured me, I hope
God will also deliver us from the next uncircumcised Philistine.

Then sang Christian :

“ Poor Little-Faith ! hast been among the thieves?
Wast robbed? Remember this: whoso believes
And gets more faith, shall then a victor be
Over ten thousand ; else, scarce over three.”

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