So they stayed there more than a month, and Mercy was given to Matthew to wife.

While they stayed here, Mercy, as her custom was, would be making coats and garments to the poor, by which she brought up a very good report upon the Pilgrims.

But to return again to our story. After Supper the lads desired a bed, for that they were weary with travelling. Then Gaius called to shew them their chamber, but said Mercy, I will have them to bed. So she had them to bed, and they slept well. But the rest sat up all night, for Gaius and they were such suitable company that they could not tell how to part. Then after much talk of their Lord, themselves, and their journey, old Mr Honest, he that put forth the riddle to Gaius, began to nod. Then said Great-heart, What Sir, you begin to be drowsy, come, rub up, now here's a riddle for you. Then said Mr Honest, Let's hear it.

Then said Mr Great-heart:

He that will kill, must first be overcome; Who live abroad would, first must die at home.

Hah, said Mr Honest, it is a hard one, hard to expound, and harder to practise. But come Landlord, said he, I will if you please, leave my part to you, do you expound it, and I will hear what you say.

No, said Gaius, 'twas put to you, and 'tis expected that you should answer it.

Then said the old Gentleman,

He first by Grace must conquered be,

That Sin would mortify;

And who, that lives, would convince me,

Unto himself must die.

It is right, said Gaius, good doctrine and experience teach this. For first, until grace displays itself, and overcomes the soul with its glory, it is altogether without heart to oppose sin. Besides, if sin is Satan's cords by which the soul lies bound, how should it make resistance before it is loosed from that infirmity?

Secondly, nor will any that knows either reason or grace, believe that such a man can be a living monument of grace that is a slave to his own corruptions.

And now it comes in my mind, I will tell you a story worth the hearing. There were two men that went on Pilgrimage, the one began when he was young, the other when he was old. The young man had strong corruptions to grapple with, the old man's were decayed with the decays of nature. The young man trod his steps as even as did the old one, and was every way as light as he. Who now, or which of them, had their graces shining clearest, since both seemed to be alike?

Honest: The young man's, doubtless. For that which heads it against the greatest opposition, gives best demonstration that it is strongest. Specially when it also holdeth pace with that that meets not with half so much, as to be sure old age does not.

Besides, I have observed that old men have blessed themselves with this mistake, namely, taking the decays of Nature for a gracious conquest over corruptions, and so have been apt to beguile themselves. Indeed old men that are gracious are best able to give advice to them that are young, because they have seen most of the emptiness of things. But yet, for an old and a young to set out both together, the young one has the advantage of the fairest discovery of a work of grace within him, tho the old man's corruptions are naturally the weakest.

Thus they sat talking till break of day. Now when the family was up, Christiana bid her son James that he should read a Chapter, so he read the 53rd of Isaiah. When he had done, Mr Honest asked, why it was said that the Saviour is said to come out of a dry ground, and also that he had no form nor comeliness in him?

Great-heart: Then said Mr Great-heart, To the First I answer, Because the Church of the Jews, of which Christ came, had then lost almost all the sap and spirit of Religion. To the second I say, the words are spoken in the person of the unbelievers, who because they want that eye that can see into our Prince's heart, therefore they judge of Him by the meanness of His Outside. Just like those that know not that precious stones are covered over with a homely crust, who when they have found one, because they know not what they have found, cast it again away as men do a common stone.

Well, said Gaius, now you are here, and since, as I know, Mr Great - heart is good at his weapons, if you please, after we have refreshed ourselves, we will walk into the fields to see if we can do any good. About a mile from hence there is one Slay-good, a Giant that doth much annoy the King's High-way in these parts; and I know whereabout his haunt is. He is master of a number of thieves. 'Twould be well if we could clear these parts of him.

So they consented and went, Mr Great-heart with his sword, helmet and shield, and the rest with spears and staves.

Interpretation:

According to Gaius, good doctrine and experience are very essential. About the spiritual lives of both young and old people, there is a good doctrine that we should learn here.

Old men have blessed themselves with this mistake, namely, taking the decays of Nature for a gracious conquest over corruptions, and so have been apt to beguile themselves. Indeed old men that are gracious are best able to give advice to them that are young, because they have seen most of the emptiness of things. But yet, for an old and a young to set out both together on pilgrimage, the young one has the advantage of the fairest discovery of a work of grace within him, though the old man's corruptions are naturally the weakest.

Elders Mr. Great-heart, Mr.Honest and Gaius took pains to guide pilgrims in the right path leading to the Celestial City and to teach them about the dangers that lurked in the land of the False Prophet, (Slay-the good the Giant)

Next.......Marriage of James.