the story of litte-faith

Then Christian said to Hopeful, "I recall now the story of Little-Faith (scroll down about 1/2 the page) who dwelt in the town of Sincere. The story is this: At the entering in at this passage, there comes down from Broadway Gate a lane called Dead Man's Lane; so-called because of the murders that are commonly done there; and this Little-Faith, going on pilgrimage as we do now, chanced to sit down there and fell asleep."

"Now, there happened at that time to come down that lane from Broadway Gate, three sturdy rogues, named Faint-Heart, Mistrust, and Guilt, three brothers; and they, espying Little-Faith,
came galloping up and with threats bade him stand and deliver his purse. But when he made to haste to do it (for he was loth to lose his money) Mistrust ran up to him and took from his pocket a bag of silver. Then he cried out, 'Thieves! thieves!' With that Guilt, with a great club, struck Little-Faith on the head, and felled him flat to the ground, where he lay bleeding as one that would bleed to death. All this while the thieves stood by."

"But hearing someone upon the road, and fearing it was Great-Grace that dwells in the city of Good-Confidence, they took to their heels and left this good man to shift for himself. Now, after a while Little-Faith came to himself and, getting up, made shift to scramble on his way. This was the story."

HOPEFUL. Did they take from him all that he had?

CHRISTIAN. No; the place where his jewels were they never found; so he kept them still. But he had scarce enough money to bring him to his journey's end; so he was forced to beg as he went, to keep himself alive, for his jewels he dared not sell, for if they were missing at the gate of the Celestial City, he would be shut out of an inheritance there.

HOPEFUL. But is it not a wonder they got not from him his certificate, by which, he was to be admitted at the Celestial Gate?

CHRISTIAN. It is a wonder; and it was more by good providence than by his effort, that they missed getting that good thing.

Then Christian sang:

"Poor Little-Faith! hast been among the thieves?

Wast robbed? Remember this: whoso believes

And gets more faith, shall then a victor be

Over ten thousand: else scarce over three."

This story comes from the book Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan, written while he was imprisoned (around 1675) for his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.