In some measure, he had been "touched with the feeling of their infirmities." He could feel for those in the bonds of sin and despair, as bound with them.

Hence his power as a preacher; hence the wonderful adaptation of his great allegory to all the variety of spiritual conditions.

Like Fearing, he had lain a month in the Slough of Despond, and had played, like him, the long melancholy bass of spiritual heaviness.

With Feeble-mind, he had fallen into the hands of Slay-good, of the nature of Man-eaters: and had limped along his difficult way upon the crutches of Ready-to-halt.

Who better than himself could describe the condition of Despondency, and his daughter Much-afraid, in the dungeon of Doubting Castle?
Had he not also fallen among thieves, like Little-faith?
His account of his entering upon the solemn duties of a preacher of the Gospel is at once curious and instructive.