After all the introductions are complete, the pilgrims continue on their way. The conversation turns to the discussion of another pilgrim. Great Heart asks Old Honesty if he has ever heard of a pilgrim named Mr. Fearing. Honesty says he has, and knew him very well, though he was one of the most troublesome pilgrims he ever met. Great Heart says Honesty has described Mr. Fearing very well, and Honesty replies, "Knew him! I was a great companion of his! I was with him almost to the end. When he first began to think of what would come upon us hereafter, I was with him." Great Heart also replies that he was with Mr. Fearing from his Master's house to the Gate of Celestial City.
Honesty says that Great Heart must have found him a very troubling case, and Great Heart replies that it's all part of his job, "I certainly did, but I could bear it very well, for men of my calling are often entrusted with the conduct of such as he." Honesty asks Great Heart to describe how Fearing fared under his guidance.
Great Heart describes Fearing as a man who was always afraid of coming short of wherever he had a desire to go. He was in the Swamp of Despondence for over a month, not even accepting a hand when offered by the other pilgrims who passed him by. At the Gate, he stood by, unwilling to knock while others entered before him. At last, he gathered the courage to knock, and was granted welcome and blessing, and was then sent on his way. At the Interpreter's house, he stood outside the door for a very long time, even though he had a Note of Necessity for the master which would have granted him full access to the comforts of the house. Great Heart, who was in the Interpreter's house at the time, saw him outside and brought him in, though with much difficulty. When inside however, the Interpreter treated him most lovingly.
Great Heart served as escort for Mr. Fearing upon leaving the Interpreter's House, and Fearing seemed to make better progress from then on. At the Cross and Tomb, he lingered, but in such a way as was appropriate to the beauty of the place. The Hill of Difficulty and the lions were no problem, as Fearing's fear was of not being accepted. At the house Beautiful, Great Heart pushes Fearing in before he is willing to go, and though he is embarrased in the presence of the ladies who live there, he does appreciate seeing the ancient things.
Going on from there, in the Valley of Humiliation, Fearing seemed to thrive. Great Heart says, "he went down as well as I ever saw a man do in my life, for he didn't care how little or how low he was as long as he could be happy at last. Yes, I think there was a kind of sympathy between that valley and him, for I never saw him better in all his Pilgrimage than when he was in that valley."
In the Valley of the Shadow of Death, Great Heart is afraid he is going to lose his man, however. Fearing is ready to die from fear. Great Heart cannot shake him from this fear, and is even afraid that his crying out will attract the enemy. Great Heart notes that the valley is unusually quiet for their passing however, a sign of grace from our Lord.
Wrapping up the story, Great Heart says that Mr. Fearing was unusually full of zeal at Vanity Fair, ready to fight with every man in the place. He is also very alert on the Enchanted Ground, but when he reaches the river separating him from Celestial City, he is afraid to cross. Great Heart notes that while Fearing is crossing the river, the water is low, as low as he has ever seen it in fact. The water is not even above Fearing's shoes. They part ways and Fearing is accepted into Celestial City.
Returning to the current conversation, Honesty expresses gladness that Fearing wound up well at last. Great Heart says, "I never had a doubt about him. He was a man of a choice spirit; only he was always kept very low, and that made his life so burdensome to himself and so troublesome to others."
Honesty notes that Fearing was a very earnest man, "He didn't fear difficulties, lions, or the Vanity Fair at all. It was only sin, death, and Hell that were a terror to him, and that was because he had some doubts about his share in that Celestial Country."
The others also relate how their lives are similar to Fearing, also noting some particular differences. Christiana also felt fearful in the beginning of her pilgrimage, but her fear inspired her to knock all the louder at the gate and get on in the way as quickly as possible. Mercy says that Fearing's experience pretty much matches hers, she has always been more afraid of the lake and the loss of a place in Paradise than of any other thing.
James adds "No fears, no grace, although there isn't always grace where there is the fear of Hell, yet, to be sure, there is no grace where there is no fear of God." Great Heart concludes the discussion, "Well said, James. You've hit the mark, for 'the fear of God is the beginning of Wisdom.' "
(to be continued)
Thoughts on this chapter
Have you ever known a Christian, perhaps in your church, who was so humble or so self-abasing, that it was a pain to be around them? The experience that Great Heart shares with us tells us that the best way to deal with such people is with extreme patience. Maybe we should be looking at them for wisdom instead of impatience. God has such people in the church for a reason, and while they may not be claiming all the grace and fullness God has for them, they are beloved of Him all the more for it.
The next segment of this chapter deals with another individual, SelfWill, and he is a completely different character, in every way, than Mr. Fearing.