Besides, their King is always at their call, ready to come to their help. And of him it is said, _The sword of him that layeth at him, cannot hold the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood. Darts are counted as stubble. He laugheth at the shaking of the spear._ When therefore we hear of such robbers as these, it behoveth us to go out well harnessed, and be sure to have a good shield; for indeed if that be wanting, they fear us not at all: therefore he that hath skill hath said, _Above all, take the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked_. ’Tis good also that we desire the King, that he would go with us himself; and then we need not be afraid if thousands had set themselves against us round about: but without him _the proud helpers shall fall under the slain_. So they went on till they came to a place where they saw a way put itself into their way, which seemed to lie as straight as the other, insomuch that they knew not which to take. As they were standing to consider, a man of black flesh, but covered with a very light robe, came smiling to them, and lovingly asked, “Why do you stand here?” They answered, “We are going to mount _Zion_, but know not which of these ways to take.” “I am glad, said the man, you are of so good a mind. Few men are so wise as you. Follow me, my dear friends, and I will shew you the way. Such as you deserve to be honoured of all men.” So they followed him, till, by little and little the way turned, and their faces were set toward the city of _Destruction_. And before they were aware, they were got within the compass of a net, which he drew upon them and held them fast. The white robe then fell off the black man’s back; and they saw where they were, but could not escape. Then said _Christian_, I see my error now. Did not the shepherds tell us to beware of the flatterer? How true is that word, _A man that flattereth his neighbour, spreadeth a net for his feet_! _Hopeful._ They also gave us a note of direction about the way; but we forgot to read it, else we should have _kept ourselves from the paths of the destroyer_. Thus they lay bewailing themselves in the net, when they saw a shining one coming toward them, with a whip of small cords in his hand. He asked, What do ye here? They answered, We were led out of the way by a black man cloathed in white. He is a _flatterer_, said he, _a false apostle, Satan transformed into an angel of light_. So he rent the net, and said, “Follow me;” and led them back into the way they had left. Then he asked them, “Did not the shepherds on the mountains give you a note of the way? Why did you not read it? And did they not bid you beware of the flatterer?” They were speechless. So he commanded them to lie down, and chastised them sore, saying, _As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore and repent_.