The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

kind of help which that country would offer. Besides, had his jewels
been missing at the gate of the Celestial City, he knew that he would be
excluded from an inheritance there — and that would have been worse
to him than the villainy of ten thousand thieves!”
HOPEFUL: "Why are you so short with me, my brother? Esau sold his
birthright for a bowl of lentil stew — and that birthright was his
greatest jewel. If he could do this — then why might not Little-faith
also?”
CHRISTIAN: "Esau indeed sold his birthright, and so do many others
besides — but by doing so, they exclude themselves from their chief
blessing, as despicable Esau did. There are differences between Esau
and Little-faith, and also between their conditions. Esau's belly was
his god — but not so with Little-faith. Esau's desire was his fleshly
appetite — but not so with Little-faith. Besides, Esau could see no
further than the fulfilling of his lusts, and said, 'Behold, I am at the
point of death — what good can this birthright be to me?' But Littlefaith,
though it was his lot to have but a little faith — was by his little
faith kept from Esau's base behavior. He prized his jewels, and would
not consider selling them.
"You nowhere read that Esau had faith — no, not so much as a little. As
he was controlled by his fleshly appetites, and had no faith to resist — it
is no wonder that he sold his birthright, and his soul and all, and that to
the devil of Hell. Like a wild donkey in heat, when people like Esau have
their minds set upon their lusts — they are determined to have them
whatever the cost.
But Little-faith was of another temperament — his mind was on divine
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