Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk1.djvu/259

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The Pilgrim's Progress.
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comfort, the name of your husband rings all over these parts of the world; his faith, his courage, his enduring, and his sincerity under all, have made his name famous.

Then he turned him to the boys, and asked of them their names; which they told him. And then said he unto them, Matthew, he thou like Matthew the public—not in vice, but in Virtue. Samuel, said he, he thou like Samuel the prophet—a man of faith and prayer. Joseph, said he, he thou like Joseph in Potiphar's houses—chaste, and one that flies from temptation. And James, he thou like James the Just, and like James the brother of our Lord. (Matt. x. 3. Ps. xcix. 6. Gen. xxxix. Acts i. 13, 14.) Then they told him of Mercy, and how she had left her own town and her kindred to come along with Christiana and with her sons. At that the old honest man said, Mercy, is thy name? by mercy thou shalt be sustained, and carried through all those difficulties that shall assault thee in thy way, till thou shalt come thither where thou shalt look: the Fountain of Mercy in the face, with comfort. All this while the guide, Mr. Great-heart, was very well pleased, and smiled upon his companion.

Now, as they walked along together, the guide asked the old gentleman if he did not know one Mr. Fearing, that came on pilgrimage out of his parts.

Hon. Yes, very well, said he, He was a man that had the root of the matter in him; but he was one of the most troublesome pilgrims that ever I met with in all my days.

Great. I perceive you knew him, for you have given a very right character of him.

Hon. Knew him! I was a great companion of his: I was with him, most an end: when he first began to think upon what would come upon. us hereafter, I was with him.

Great. I was his guide from my Master's house to the gates of the Celestial City.

Hon. Then you knew, him to he troublesome one.

Great. I did so; but I, could very well bear it, for men of