mountain the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; he had set there the fir tree, and the pine, and the box together: on this mountain also grew the rose of Sharon, and the voice of the turtle never ceased from this peaceful land.

Thus the whole company went up as friends to the top of Mount Sabbath, where they employed themselves for a season in public prayer and praise in the temple of God. And while they were thus engaged, my ear was charmed with the sweet psalms and hymns which occasionally animated their sacred services, and which might be heard at a considerable distance. So, having spent a few hours in the heavenly exercise of prayer and praise, behold, the gates of the temple of God were again thrown open, when all the worshippers came out in order to return to their respective habitations. And I could not but remark what satisfaction and joy appeared in every countenance, while the little ones, in their holiday garb, ran innocently sporting among the flowers.

Now as each family returned to its cottage, behold, Christian-Cheerfulness would have the shepherds and the pilgrims to turn in with him, and to partake of that which was provided. So they turned in with him.

I saw then that a table being spread under a cedar tree in the old man's garden, his wife set on dinner. First, she brought forth a dish of all manner of wholesome vegetables: upon which the old man remarked, "A dinner of herbs where love is, is better than a stalled ox and hatred therewith." (Prov. xv. 17.) After that, she produced a dish of meat; together with milk and honey for the little ones. So, when she had set the dishes on the table, the shepherds would make her sit down; "And let the children," said they, "fetch what is wanted, as is becoming."

The good woman therefore sat down, while the children ran for what was required; and surely I never saw a happier party. For Christian-Cheerfulness was a man of so pleasant a conversation, that he entertained the company in a very agreeable manner; and particularly he amused the little ones, who were wonderfully taken with his pleasant discourse. But I perceived that the company never once forgot that they were conversing together on Mount Sabbath.

Dinner being over, the elder part of the company sat talking, while the little ones walked into the woods to gather flowers. Playful went with the young ones; but Humble Mind stayed with the elder ones, although he took no part in their conversation, well aware that it became him not to speak before his elders, unless first spoken to. So as the evening came on they all returned home to the shepherds' house.

Humble Mind and Playful remained many days with the shepherds; where Martha was as a mother to them, while little Grace and Truth were as their sisters. Every seventh day they went with the shepherds to Mount Sabbath, always spending a part of the day with Christian-Cheerfulness; who generally in the course of the week returned the friendly visit, accompanied by his wife.

Thus many weeks passed happily away at this place: nevertheless, when it was signified to the pilgrims that they must continue their journey, they murmured not-for they desired a better country, that is, an heavenly: God having prepared for them a city. (Heb. xi. 16.) But, before the pilgrims departed, the shepherds gave them a map of the road, bidding them particularly to beware of the Enchanted Ground.

Then asked the pilgrims, "What is the Enchant

ed Ground?"

"It is that state," answered the shepherds, "in

which the flesh, that is, the unrenewed part, frequently prevails so far as to make the pilgrim slothful and secure, neglecting for a season the exercise of grace. In some cases the renewed part strives vehemently against this stupifying distemper, applying at the same time for that assistance which is promised in temptation-but," continued the shepherds, "there have been instances, and those terrifying ones too, in which the flesh has prevailed to the destruction of both body and soul, and that at a very advanced period of the Christian profession." I heard then that the shepherds related several awful instances of pilgrims, who had apparently held a prosperous course as far as the Delectable Mountains on their way to Mount Zion, who nevertheless, were finally lost on the Enchanted Ground, upon the very confines of the promised land-thus affording an awful example to Christians, how dangerous it is to confide in their own strength.

"Awful, indeed!" said Martha: "and earnestly do I pray that we, profiting by the failure of these miserable persons, may walk in the strength of the Lord, and not in our own!"

Then said the shepherds, "A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool is confident." (Prov. xiv. 16.)

After which, the shepherd Watchful added this caution-"Exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end." (Heb. iii. 13, 14.)

So the shepherds, having kissed and blessed the little company, after conducting them a few steps on their journey, returned to the hills to take care of the flocks over which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers; while the pilgrims went on their

way.

CHAPTER XXI.

THEN looking after the pilgrims, I saw that Inbred-Sin was with them; and he walked as one planning mischief. But the pilgrims held pleasant discourse one with another, from time to time looking upon their books, and meditating upon the contents of them.

Now I observed, in my dream, that, after awhile, the pilgrims came to a place where a certain way put itself into the King's highway, which was to all appearance as straight and even as the highway itself. This was the place where certain pilgrims of old time had been turned aside by the flatterer. And here, just at the junction of the two roads, sat a company of persons dressed in pilgrims' habits, who were talking aloud and corrupting each other with flatteries: nevertheless, as they spoke a language nearly resembling that commonly used by pilgrims, Humble Mind and his sister, at the private suggestion of Inbred-Sin, felt an inclination to acknowledge them as brethren. Now these persons were of the number of those who love greetings in the market-place, and who make their prayers in the corners of the streets. So they called to the pilgrims, inviting them to join their company, and partake of such refreshments as they had.

But Martha said, "We are going for our lives to Mount Zion; and as we do not just now stand

in need either of refreshment or rest, and as the sun is still high in the heavens, we are unwilling to be delayed.”

"But," said they who were sitting by the wayside, "deny us not your company, which we believe will prove exceedingly edifying to us, and profitable to our salvation. For we know that you are persons highly favoured of the Lord: and because your fame has reached us from far, we are come hither on purpose to meet with you."

"Well,” said Inbred-Sin in the ear of the younger pilgrims, “this appears to be a goodly company, and their words are full of wisdom." But Martha said, "Meddle not with them that flatter with their lips." (Prov. xx. 19.) So the children, being influenced at that time by the Holy Spirit of God, hearkened to the voice of Martha, and passed on.

I heard then that those who sat by the way called after them aloud, uttering such cruel taunts and reproaches, as brought up the blood into the faces of the pilgrims. Upon which Humble Mind and Playful thanked Martha for her advice: "For," said they, "we being children, and foolishness being bound in our hearts, we should surely have entered into the society of those ensnaring strangers, had you not given us a caution."

Hence," said Martha, "the folly and sin of those who flatter young children: for if neither strength nor wisdom is to found in the heart of the most advanced and venerable pilgrim-how much less in that of a child!"

The pilgrims then went on till night, when they came to a grove of cedar trees beside a pool of water. This place appeared so exceedingly agreeable, that the travellers sat down upon the grass, and took of that which they had with them: after which they looked upwards and gave thanks.