there is not always grace where there is fear of hell; yet, to be sure, there is no grace where there is no fear of God.”  “Well said, James,” said Greatheart; “thou hast hit the mark, for the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; and, to be sure, they that want the beginning have neither middle nor end.”  But we shall here conclude our discourse of Mr. Fearing after we have sent after him this farewell:—­

         “It is because
   Then thou didst fear, that now thou dost not fear. 
   Thou hast forestalled the agony, and so
   For thee the bitterness of death is past. 
   Also, because already in thy soul
   The judgment is begun.  That day of doom,
   One and the same for this collected world—­
   That solemn consummation for all flesh,
   Is, in the case of each, anticipate
   Upon his death; and, as the last great day
   In the particular judgment is rehearsed,
   So now, too, ere thou comest to the Throne,
   A presage falls upon thee, as a ray
   Straight from the Judge, expressive of thy lot. 
   That calm and joy uprising in thy soul
   Is first-fruit to thy recompense,
   And heaven begun.”

FEEBLE-MIND

   “Comfort the feeble-minded.”—­Paul.

Feeble-mind shall first tell you his own story in his own words, and then I shall perhaps venture a few observations upon his history and his character.

“I am but a sickly man, as you see,” said Feeble-mind to Greatheart, “and because Death did usually knock once a day at my door, I thought I should never be well at home.  So I betook myself to a pilgrim’s life, and have travelled hither from the town of Uncertain, where I and my father were born.  I am a man of no strength at all of body, nor yet of mind; but would, if I could, though I can but crawl, spend my life in the pilgrim’s way.  When I came at the gate that is at the head of the way, the Lord of that place did entertain me freely.  Neither objected he against my weakly looks, nor against my feeble mind; but gave me such things as were necessary for my journey, and bade me hope to the end.  When I came to the house of the Interpreter I received much kindness there; and, because the Hill Difficulty was judged too hard for me, I was carried up that hill by one of his servants.  Indeed I have found much relief from pilgrims, though none were willing to go so softly as I am forced to do.  Yet, still, as they came on, they bid me be of good cheer, and said that it was the will of their Lord that comfort should be given to the feeble-minded, and so went on their own pace.  I look for brunts by the way; but this I have resolved on, to wit, to run when I can, to go when I cannot run, and to creep when I cannot go.  As to the main, I thank Him that loves me, I am fixed.  My way is before me, my mind is beyond the river that has no bridge, though I am, as you see, but of a feeble mind.”