FEARING PLAYS THE MAN AT VANITY FAIR. 261

two more. When he was come at Vanity Fair, I thought he would have fought with
all the men in the fair. I feared there we should both have been knocked on the
head, so hot was he against their fooleries. Upon the Enchanted Ground he was also
very wakeful. But, when he was come at the river where was no bridge, there again
he was in a heavy case. Now, now, he said, he should be drowned for ever, and so
never see that face with comfort that he had come so many miles to behold.

And here also I took notice of what was very remarkable: the water of that river
was lower at this time than ever I saw it in all my life: so he went over at last, not
much above wetshod. When he was going up to the gate, I began to take leave of
him, and to wish him a good reception above. So he said, “I shall, I shall.’ Then
parted we asunder, and I saw him‘no more.

Hon. Then it seems he was well at last ?

Great. Yes, yes; I never had a doubt about him. He was a man of choice spirit ;
only he was always kept very low, and that made his life so burthensome to himself
and so troublesome to others.” He was, above many, tender of sin: he was so afraid
of doing injuries to others, that he often would deny himself of that which was lawful,
because he would not offend.”

Hoy. But what should be the reason that such a good man should be all his days
so much in the dark?

Great. There are two sorts of reasons forit. One is, the wise God will have it 80;
some must pipe, and some must weep." Now Mr. Fearing was one that played upon
this bass. He and his fellows sound the sackbut, whose notes are more doleful than
the notes of other music are; though, indeed, some say the bass is the ground of music.
And, for my part, I care not at all for that profession which begins not in heaviness
of mind. The first string that the musician usually touches is the bass, when he
intends to put all in tune. God also plays upon this string first, when He sets the
soul in tune for Himself. Only here was the imperfection of Mr. Fearing: he could
play upon no other musi¢ but this till toward his latter end.

I make bold to talk thus metaphorically, for the ripening of the wits of young readers,
and because, in the book of the Revelation, the saved are compared to a company of
musicians, that play upon their trumpets and harps, and sing their songs before the
throne.”

Hon. He was a very zealous man, as one may see by the relation which you have
given of him. Difficulties, lions, or Vanity Fair he feared not at all; it was only sin,
death, and hell that were to him a terror, because he had some doubts about his interest

in that Celestial Country.