lambs sporting without fear, and little fawns bounding over the hills. And here also I beheld many birds of exquisite plumage and extraordinary note, such as certain ancient pilgrims are reported to have listened to with peculiar transport when travelling through these parts. These birds were heard answering each other from the high woodlands in sweet song, and their voices were wonderfully ravishing to such as silently walked in the shadowy dells beneath. I saw too, among these fields, many lovely cottages and quiet restingplaces, which God had prepared for certain aged pilgrims who loved and trusted in him.

These were under the charge of Charity, who had the care of providing them with such things as were necessary; and there the poor among men rejoiced in the Holy One of Israel. (Isaiah xxix. 19.) Here were also a variety of pleasing arbours, to which, in the cool of the day, the two venerable brothers, Divine and Human Knowledge, were accustomed to retire, together with Prudence, Piety, Charity, and the other damsels of the palace, for the purpose of taking their evening repast. Where while they temperately feasted upon the milk of the flock and the fruits of the garden, they held profitable discourse on subjects of high importance, to wit, how they might best fulfil the will of God, in relieving the wants of the poor, and in turning the simple to the wisdom of the just. And sometimes, in these hours of quiet leisure, Divine Knowledge would unfold the interesting secrets of prophecy, together with the mighty plans of Providence for bringing about the restoration of lost mankind, and the final glory of Christ's kingdom upon earth-and blessed were they who heard the gracious words that proceeded out of his lips. There was, moreover, present in these assemblies an aged matron, called Experience, whose tales of ancient times were at once very profitable and pleasant; and I per

ceived that all her discourse continually tended to prove one thing, namely, that, like King David, she had been young, and then was old, but had never seen the righteous forsaken, nor their seed begging their bread. (Psalm xxxvii. 25.)

The little children were permitted at these seasons to sit upon the moss at the feet of Charity, where while they listened with delight to that which was spoken, they thankfully partook of the food provided for them. After which they either played together upon the hills and lawns, rivalling the young fawns and lambs in their innocent gambols; or they walked with Piety in the solemn grove, where they were regaled with the music of its sacred songsters; or they performed some kind offices for the aged pilgrims, whose little cottages were scattered over these delightful regions. And at these times the gladness of their young hearts not only shone through their eyes, but very frequently expressed itself in such songs as these

"These are the joys he makes us know
In fields and villages below;

Gives us a relish of his love,

But keeps his noblest feast above."

CHAPTER XIII.

Now I saw, in my dream, that the King of kings permitted the children to remain in the palace Beautiful for a considerable length of time; where as they increased in stature, they grew in favour both with God and man. Two young damsels, called Decency and Order, had the special charge of them, and led them sweetly through the duties of every day. They were called up early every morning, and taught to devote the early part of the day to God; after breakfast, they spent a few hours with their tutors; at noon they were fed by Temperance; and in the afternoon they were taught by Prudence such useful works as are necessary to the economy of human life: after which they were directed by Charity to apply those works to such uses as shall be approved in that day when the Lord shall say to those on his right hand, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me." (Matt. xxv. 34-36.) Here also the children learned from Piety to perform the sweet work of praise; putting music to its best and highest use, namely, the setting forth the glory of God.

During the whole of this season which passed so pleasantly with the little pilgrims, Inbred-Sin, aware that all the inhabitants of the palace would rise up against him, if he should once dare to shew his face among them, kept himself carefully in the back ground; where it was his object to persuade the little ones that he was in a very weak and languishing state, and never likely to be in a condition to torment them again as he had formerly done. Yet at this very time, while he affected such extreme languor, he was scarcely less busy with his mischievous suggestions than in seasons of more apparent liveliness and vigour. It was now his way, when he could get at the children's ear unobserved, to flatter them upon their great attainments in virtue, and even to speak in high terms of their victory over himself, as well as of the esteem in which they were held throughout the palace. Thus he went on, secretly introducing poison into their hearts, and making even their good works the means of their transgressing: nevertheless, as his work was silently carried on, so its effects, for a season, were not discoverable.

I perceived then that, after awhile, it was signified to the children that they must continue their pilgrimage. Upon which Prudence, Piety, and Charity took them apart, and kissed them, and prayed with them, and shed over them many tears. "O my little sweet ones!" said Charity, "over whom we have so tenderly watched for these many months, guarding you from the assaults of that roaring lion who goeth about seeking whom he may devour, (1 Pet. v. 8.) think of the sorrow you will occasion us, if ever we should hear of your turning away from the paths of truth and holiness. Always remember, my children, the happy days you have enjoyed in the palace of the Virtues, with the blissful hours which you have spent in the fields of innocent pleasure; and know assu

redly that, on becoming the slaves of sin, you will taste of such happiness no more. For the ways of the wicked are full of trouble, their torment beginning even in this world: but the work of righteousness is peace; and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance for ever." (Isaiah xxxii. 17.)

Then I saw that Piety would needs pray with them; so making the little ones to kneel by her, she thus breathed out her requests: "O holy Father, we pray for these little ones, whom thou gavest us for a season. We are not in the world, but these must go into the world-O holy Father, keep them through thy name, that they may be one with thee. While we were with them, we kept them in thy name, and none of them is lost. We have given them thy word; and the world will hate them, because they are not of the world, even as we are not of the world. We pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as we are not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Father, we pray thee that these, the redeemed of thy blessed Son, may be with thee, where he is, that they may behold his glory which thou hast given him; for thou lovedst him before the foundation of the world: and, finally, we pray that the glory which thou gavest him, he may give also to them, that they may be one with thee, and with him." (John xvii.)

After this, Prudence informed the children that, as they advanced in their pilgrimage, they would come to a mighty city, which is the metropolis or royal city belonging to the prince of this world, the determined enemy of pilgrims. "That city," said she, "is called Vanity, and its inhabitants are the men of this world. There," added she, pilgrims, ever since the beginning of the world, have been exercised with various trials, in order,