is wont, and there came to the door one of the damfels, whose name was Humble-mind. To her the

porter faid, Go tell it within, that Christiana, the wife of Christian, and her children, are come hither on pilgrimage. She went in therefore, and told it. But, oh, what noise was there for gladness, when the damfel did but drop that word out of her mouth!

So they came with hafte to the porter, for Chriftiana ftood ftill at the door. Then fome of the moft grave faid unto her, Come in, Chriftiana, come in, thou wife of that good man; come in, thou bleffed woman, come in, with all that are with thee. So fhe went in, and the reft followed her, her children and companion. Now when they were gone in, they were had into a very large room, where they were bidden to fit down: here they fat down, and the chief of the house was called to fee and welcome the guests. Then they came in; and, understanding who they were, did falute each other with a kiss, faying, Welcome, ye veffels of the grace of God; welcome to us, your faithful friends.

Now, because it was fomewhat late, and because the pilgrims were weary with their journey, and also made faint with the fight of the fight and the terrible lions, therefore they defired, as soon as might be, to go to reft, Exod. xii. 31. Nay, faid those of the family, refresh yourselves with a morfel of meat, for they had prepared for them a lamb, with the accustomed fauce belonging to it, John i. 29.

For

For the porter had heard before of their coming, and had told it to them within. So when they had fupped, and ended their prayer with a pfalm, they defired to go to reft. But let us, faid Christiana, if we may be fo bold as to choose, be in that chamber in which my husband lay when he was here; fo they had them up thither, and they lay all in a room. When they were at reft, Chriftiana and Mercy entered into difcourfe about things which were con

venient.

Chrift. Little did I think once, when my husband went on pilgrimage, that I fhould ever have followed him..

Mercy. And as little did you think of lying in his bed, and in his chamber to reft, as now you do.

Chrift. Much lefs did I ever think of seeing his face with comfort, and of worshipping the Lord the King with him: yet now I believe I fhall.

Mercy. Hark! Don't you hear a noise?

Chrift. Yes, it is, as I believe, a noise of music, for joy that we are here.

Mercy. Wonderful! Music in the house, mufic in the heart, and music also in heaven, for joy that we are here Y.

There is joy among the angels of God over one finner that repenteth; there is likewise joy among the faints on earth, for if one member be honoured all the reft rejoice: this, St. John fays, was the reafon of his writing his first epiftle, that the children of God might have fellowship with them and with each other, and that their joy might be full.

Thus

Thus they talked a while, and then betook them felves to fleep. In the morning, when they were awaked, Chriftiana faid to Mercy,

Chrift. What was the matter that you laughed fo in your sleep to night? I suppose you was in a dream. Mercy. Indeed I was: and a sweet dream it was: but are you fure I laughed?

Chrift. Yes, you laughed heartily; but prithee, Mercy, tell me thy dream??

Mercy. I was dreaming that I fat, all alone in a folitary place, and was bemoaning the hardness of my heart. I had not fat there long, but methought many were gathered about me to fee me, and to hear what it was that I faid. So they hearkened, and I went on, bemoaning the hardness of my heart. At this fome of them laughed at me, fome called me fool, and fome began to thrust me about. With that, methought I looked up, and faw one coming with wings towards me: he came directly to me, and faid, Mercy, what aileth thee? Now when he

z This dream of Mercy is often realifed in the experience of God's children, who find that the presence of the God of Jacob can make the heart, that seemed as hard as a rock, like melting wax; and turn the flint ftone into a springing well. If Mercy was fweetly furprised with this dream, we are fure that nothing but the surprise of mercy can overcome the hardened finner's heart, who, expecting the stroke of justice, inftead of the executioner with a death warrant, finds a meffenger of peace, with a pardon free and full, revealing the grace, mercy, and love of God, through the redemption which there is in Jefus Chrift.

heard

heard me make my complaint, he faid, Peace be to thee: he alfo wiped mine eyes with his handkerchief, and clad me in filver and gold, Ezek. xvi. 8, 9, IO, II. He put a chain about my neck, and earrings in mine ears, and a beautiful crown upon my head. Then he took me by the hand, and faid, Mercy, come after me. So he went up, and I followed till we came to a golden gate. There he knocked, and, when they within had opened, the man went in, and I followed him up to a throne, upon which one fat, who faid to me, Welcome, daughter. The place looked bright and twinkling, like the stars, or rather like the fun; and there I thought that I faw your husband; fo I awoke from my dream. But did I laugh?

Christ. Laugh! ay, and well you might, to see yourself fo well off. You must give me leave to tell you, that it was a good dream; and as you have begun to find the first part true, so at last you will find the fecond. "God fpeaks once, yea twice, yet "man perceiveth it not, in a dream, in a vifion of "the night, when deep fleep falleth upon men, in "flumbering upon the bed," Job. xxxiii. 14, 15. We need not, when a-bed, lie awake to talk with God; he can visit us while we fleep, and cause us then to hear his voice. Our hearts oft-times wake when we fleep, and God can speak to the heart, either by words, by proverbs, by signs and fimilitudes, as well as if one was awake.

Mercy. Well, I am glad of my dream, for I hope,

1

ere long, to see it fulfilled, to the making me laugh again.

Christ. I think it is now high time to rife, and know what we must do.

Mercy. Pray, if they invite us to stay a while, let us willingly accept the proffer. I am the more willing to stay a while here, to grow better acquainted with these maids; methinks Prudence, Piety, and Charity, have very comely and fober counte

nances.

Christ. We fhall fee what they will do. So when they were up and ready, they came down, and asked one another of their reft, and if it was comfortable

or not.

Mercy. It was very good; one of the best night's lodgings that ever I had in my life.

Then faid Prudence and Piety, If you will be perfuaded to stay here a while, you fhall have what the houfe will afford. And that too with a very good will, faid Charity. They confented, and ftaid there a month or more, and became very profitable one to another.

Because Prudence would fee how Chriftiana had brought up her children, fhe afked leave of her to catechise thema: fo fhe gave her free consent: then

a It is one thing, to train up a child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, it is another thing to train him up in pharifaifm and felf-righteoufnefs. In catechifing children, let it ever be remembered, that it is not learning a scheme of

doctrines,