grims, she called out the mistresses of the mansion themselves, Piety, Prudence, and Charity, who discoursed with them in many words, and heard an account of what they had met with by the way, and what they had seen at the house of the Interpreter. They also questioned them respecting their knowledge and approbation of what is contained in the statute book of the King, and what views they had of his character, and why they felt desirous of going to the Celestial City. They also inquired into their knowledge and practice of the rules which are to be observed by pilgrims in the way. So when they had received the answers of the pilgrims, and had conferred with each other, they told them that the account they had given of themselves was so far satisfactory, that, according to the rules of the house, they were to be received to its privileges; and desired them to walk in. But they informed the pilgrims also, that, notwithstanding all the caution they could use, some had been received there who had not proved true at last. To your own Master, said they, you must stand or fall. If you come in and partake of the privileges of this house, which are provided for true pilgrims only, and prove false in the end, the peril is your own.

Then I observed that the pilgrims entered the house both rejoicing and trembling. And when they were seated, the servant was desired to give to each a couple of figs and a cluster of raisins, for their present refreshment, till the stated meal should be prepared.

So Piety, Prudence, and Charity, sat down to converse with the pilgrims; and thus they began:

Piety. You have great occasion to be thankful to the Lord of the way, that he has brought you thus far on your journey. It is to be ascribed to his kind care of you, that you have not been drawn aside, and ruined forever.

Ardent. We have, indeed, great occasion for thankfulness: but I, most of all; for I have been on the point of destroying myself, by my rash and foolish conduct, more than once. Had not my brother Thoughtful been more considerate than I, Mr. Plausible would have persuaded us to exchange our copies of the King's statute book for some of his altered ones. And it was chiefly owing to my rashness that we were decoyed into the pretended house Beautiful, on the left hand, where we spent the last night.

Pi. Two are better than one. It is a great favor to a pilgrim to be furnished by the Lord of the way with a faithful companion. But had you not been told to beware of the arts of the three sisters, Hypocrisy, Carnal Policy, and Heresy?

Ard. We had been. But I little thought such fine-spoken people had been they.

Pi. If you had consulted your book, you would have found a caution against those who "by good words and fair speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple." You would have been taught also, to be on your guard against such as are forward to "proclaim every one his own goodness." You ought never to take any important step without humbly asking direction of the King, and carefully seeking that direction from his book. It is a sure and safe guide to every humble and teachable inquirer.

Ard. I have always found it so, when I have sought its counsel in that manner. But I was in such haste to find a place of entertainment, that I was not willing to take time for consideration or inquiry. My brother Thoughtful would have made inquiry, but I hurried him along against his better judg

ment.

Th. I consider my guilt the greater. If the King has given me a natural temperament more cautious than that of others, it is a greater crime in me to listen to a deceiver, and to turn aside out of the path, as I did last night, to my grief and shame.

Pi. You ought to humble yourselves for every departure from the right path, because you thus dishonor the Lord of the way, as well as bring guilt on your own souls. It is a great dishonor to the Lord of pilgrims, when his true friends turn out of the way. You can never humble yourselves too low before him on account of your sins against him. For therein consists the great evil of sin, that it is committed against your Lord and King. Your last night's adventure, however, may be an occasion of good to you, if you are disposed to make a right improvement of it. "We know that all things work together for good, to them that love the Lord of the way." This adventure ought to teach you to ponder the path of your feet, and to give more earnest heed to the things contained in the King's book.

Ard. I trust it will. But I wonder that the Lord of the way, since he knows how liable pilgrims are to be deceived, does not drive all his enemies from the pilgrims' path, that they may go on their way unmolested.

Pi. The Lord of the way does all things wisely and well. He knows it is best, that through much tribulation, pilgrims should enter the Celestial City. He has left many Canaanites in the land, to prove pilgrims by them, to know whether they will hearken unto the commandments of their King, and steadfastly walk in his ways.

Ard. Would it not be better, if the enemies of pilgrims were all openly such? They would not lead so many astray, if they did not put on so many specious disguises, profess to have so many good feelings, and use so many good words.

Pi. Our Lord knows what is best, and he is both able and inclined to do what is best. He doubtless has good designs to accomplish by all these things. If we do not know what they are now, we may know hereafter. It is written, "There must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you." If the enemies of pilgrims did not sometimes put on the guise of friends, profess to have many good feelings, and use many good words, the trial of the pilgrim's fidelity could not be so decisive.

Th. I should like to hear pointed out, some of the principal advantages which the true pilgrim may derive from meeting with so many who are not the true friends of the Lord of

the way.

Pi. One great advantage is, that it shows them more of their own hearts, and thus promotes their humility. When they see others do wickedly, they may see what they would have done, if divine grace had not made them to differ. When others solicit them to go out of the way, and they comply, or feel any disposition to comply, they may see how treacherous and deceitful their own hearts are, and how foolish it is to trust in themselves. Another advantage is, that it affords them an opportunity for the exercise of every Christian grace. The excellent character of the Prince Immanuel himself, could not have been seen, if he had not been surrounded with enemies, who gave him an opportunity to act out, and exemplify, for the imitation of his followers, every holy affection. When others treat us unkindly, it gives us an opportunity to exercise meekness, forbearance, gentleness, forgiveness, and kindness towards them, and submission to the will of our Lord and King, and confidence in him, and a patient waiting for him.

Another advantage is, that it teaches them where to put their trust. By being beset with enemies, from which no wisdom or strength of their own could deliver them, they may learn to look to Him who is able to deliver, and to feel their obligation to him when he does deliver. Another advantage is, that it teaches them to be more watchful. In proportion to the numbers, power and subtlety of our enemies, and our danger of falling a prey to them, is the need of watchfulness. It also makes them more active and diligent, and prompts to greater efforts in the cause of their Lord. They are naturally so slothful, that they seldom make any great efforts, till they are driven to it by necessity, and their dormant powers are

roused by a sense of danger. The noblest feats which were ever achieved by any of the servants of the King, were those which were performed in times of imminent danger from enemies. Another advantage which pilgrims derive from enemies is, that it helps them in the important work of self-examination. Enemies will often tell them of those faults which the mistaken kindness or the ill-judged partiality of friends conceal. Another advantage is, that it makes them more prayerful. Christian met with some enemies in the valley of the Shadow of Death, who did not regard the point of his sword, and against whom he could defend himself with no other weapon than all prayer. Another advantage is, that it leads them to a more careful study of the King's statute-book. Many neglect this, to their great disadvantage, till they are driven to it for direction, and help, and comfort, by the attacks of their enemies. But in this, every help is provided of which pilgrims stand in need, and directions given how to escape every danger and surmount every difficulty. Another advantage is, that it weans them more and more from this world, by convincing them most effectually, that pilgrims can have here no continuing city, but must fight, and struggle, and press on to the celestial gate. And in these ways, the enemies of pilgrims, by their efforts, greatly promote their growth in grace, and their preparation for their heavenly inheritance, which will thus be rendered more acceptable and valuable to them.

Ard. I am satisfied that the King does wisely and well in so ordering it that the pilgrim's path is beset with enemies. I think I shall never more be disposed to call in question his goodness in this.

Th. This shows clearly why it is so ordered that these enemies should so frequently come in the guise of friends, should sometimes seem to walk in the same path, and be admitted with pilgrims to the same house. A hypocrite can render many services to the true pilgrim, which an open enemy could not.

Pi. It shows also that pilgrims have no reason to be discouraged when their enemies become numerous and powerful. The enemies of pilgrims have no more power and influence, than what seems good in the sight of the King. And pilgrims may be certain that their Lord and King would not give so much power and influence to his and their enemies, unless it was to accomplish some great and good purpose by it. When they arrive at the Celestial City, they will doubtless see how all things have worked together for the glory of their King, and the best good of those that love him. And their enemies themselves will see that all their efforts have only conspired to

promote that cause which they so zealously labored to destroy; and that the King employed them thus, because he saw that they could not be employed in any other way, so much to the advancement of his glory.

Th. I thank you for these remarks. I feel myself greatly encouraged by them to persevere without weariness and without fainting in the pilgrim's path.

Pi. You will have need of all the encouragement which an habitual sense of the wisdom, power, and goodness of your King can afford; for the way is beset with dangers through all its course. But, blessed is he that shall endure unto the end.

Then I perceived that the company united in singing the following hymn:

"Awake our souls, away our fears,

Let every trembling thought be gone;
Awake and run the heavenly road,
And put a cheerful courage on.

"True, 'tis a strait and thorny road,
And mortal spirits tire and faint,
But they forget the mighty God
That feeds the strength of every saint.

"From Thee, the overflowing spring,

Our souls shall drink a fresh supply;
While such as trust their native strength,
Shall melt away, and droop, and die.

"Swift as an eagle cuts the air,

We'll mount aloft to thine abode;
On wings of love our souls shall fly,

Nor tire amidst the heavenly road."

By this time the table was spread, and after one had craved a blessing of the bountiful Giver of all good upon themselves and their refreshments, they sat down to a plain but wholesome repast. I observed, however, that although there were no elegancies or superfluities, yet there was an abundant supply of solid and nutritious food, of which the pilgrims partook, I thought, with the more lively relish, from their having fared so poorly the night before. So, after they had refreshed themselves, and one had given thanks, they sat down, and resumed their discourse.