and pleasures from the days of your infancy until very lately? And now will you cast me aside for ever?"

"Nay, but," said Humble Mind, "if I separate not from you, I shall surely perish for ever: for the wages of sin is death. It was you, and such as you, who crucified the Lord of glory; and I know that nothing less will content you, than my absolute ruin both of body and soul."

"Nay," said Inbred-Sin, " you wrong me, Humble Mind: I am not what you think; I am your friend, your brother, nay, I am your very self. And would any man, think you, seek his own ruin? More than this, if I was evil-inclined in former days, it was because I knew no better; but I am now changed, and have received a new nature from the Lord of the gate which is at the head of the way. Therefore, Humble Mind, you have no occasion to fear me, any longer; I am become a servant of the High and Mighty One, I have submitted my will to his, I am anxious to obey his commandments, and am set upon doing his service. Therefore, do not be afraid, but treat me as your friend, and take me as the companion of your pilgrimage."

In this manner Inbred-Sin pleaded a long while, and that with so much importunity, that Humble Mind, at length, ceased to argue with him, or to esist him so Inbred-Sin took his place by his side as boldly and familiarly as ever.

Now, while I wondered how the little pilgrim would pursue his course with such a companion, I saw a man come into the King's highway, climbing over the wall, and with him came his sons, two boys about the age of Humble Mind.

This man's name was Mr. Lover-of-Novelty, and he was come to make trial of a pilgrim's life, having been told that it was a pleasant one. And such indeed it is, with all its troubles, to those who

are introduced to it by the right way; but to those who do not enter it by the gate which is at the head of the way, it is neither agreeable nor profitable. I am the door, saith Christ, and he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. (John x. 1.)

So Mr. Lover-of-Novelty, having entered the King's highway, presently espied Humble Mind, who was a little before him; and calling aloud to him, he invited him to join their company.

Now Humble Mind had no inclination to make any acquaintance with this man or his children, because he liked not the manner in which they had entered the Way of Salvation. Inbred-Sin, however, suffered not Humble Mind's better judgment to prevail, but insinuated that Mr. Lover-of-Novelty might be a good pilgrim, though he conformed not altogether to the ancient rules set down for pilgrims; and, moreover, he insisted that Humble Mind should accept his invitation. So he held him in debate till Mr. Lover-of-Novelty and his sons came up and joined them.

Then thought I-This Inbred-Sin is a bold one, and, as the ancient saying is, 'Give him an inch, and he will take an ell. A little while ago, he did not dare to shew his face; and now he is become so bold, and loud, and vehement, that he must have all things his own way; and this, too, on the King's ground, and in company with one of the chosen ones of the Lord. Then I recollected these words-If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry? (Luke xxiii. 31.)

It is true, that Humble Mind, being young and inexperienced, could not be supposed to have skill enough to contend with this child of hell: but it is well known, that neither age, wisdom, nor experience, have ever yet enabled any man to over

come his inward corruptions. He that would conquer Inbred-Sin, must contend with him, not in his own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit; he must watch unto prayer, and go forth in the strength of the Lord. God the Holy Spirit hath power sufficient to overcome and cast out this our inbred enemy; since it is his peculiar work to purify the heart, and to set it free from the dominion of sin.

I perceived then that Humble Mind had not gone far with Mr. Lover-of-Novelty and his sons, before they came to a little rising ground; from which, just before them, appeared the pastures of the shepherd Sincerity, an exceeding fair and lovely region, adorned with groves of tufted trees, shady fountains, and delicate flowers. This place was provided by the Lord of the way, for the reception of young pilgrims; and here the lambs of the Lord's flock dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods. (Ezek. xxxiv. 25.)

Now these delightful pastures of the shepherd Sincerity had proved so peculiarly beneficial to many young pilgrims, that the enemy of their Prince had long looked upon them with a very evil eye. And not only so; but, in order to divert the attention of youthful travellers from that attractive scene, he had planted a garden on the left hand, close by the way-side, on that very spot where these beautiful fields first present themselves to the view: and behold, he had adorned it with all kinds of fanciful decorations. He had also opened a door from it into the King's highway, where he stationed one Light-Mind, a fairlooking gay damsel, to entice young pilgrims into his garden.

I saw then, in my dream, that Mr. Lover-ofNovelty was mightily taken with the appearance of this garden on the left hand: and Humble Mind, too, thought it looked very pretty; for it

was ornamented with all manner of gay flowers, together with little pavilions made of filagree work. So they stopped before the garden-gate; when the damsel Light-Mind immediately opened it, and invited them to enter.

Now I observed that Mr. Lover-of-Novelty and his sons went in at once; but that Humble Mind made a kind of stand, and would know of the damsel, who she was? and whether the garden belonged unto the King? and wherefore she so pressingly invited him to come in?

To these questions the damsel thus answered:"This garden has been planted here for the advantage of young pilgrims. This is a place of refreshment and education. Here all kinds of desirable accomplishments are taught, and that in a manner the most easy and pleasing. We have also in this place all kinds of musical instruments," added the damsel, "with every other possible device to render study delightful. Only come in, and you shall speedily be taught every thing which can make you an agreeable and accomplished pilgrim."

Then answered Humble Mind, "I thank you for your invitation, but I am upon a journey of life and death. I am a poor sinner, travelling from the place of my birth, which was the Valley of Destruction, to the Celestial City."

The damsel then replied, "Wherefore should you be in such haste? have you not many years before you for this journey of which you speak? You are but a child; turn in here, and rest awhile, and when you are a little older, you may proceed with more confidence on your intended course."

Humble Mind. I know not how many years are before me, nor at what hour it may please God to require my soul: but what I most fear is, that, if I once turn knowingly out of the right way, I may never be able to discover it again. For this

I have found, that we cannot turn into the right way when we please, but must wait for the leadings of the Spirit of God: For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. (Rom. vii. 15.) Therefore I dare not come in, lest hereafter, like Esau, I should seek repentance with tears, and find it not. Then I saw that Light-Mind laughed, and said, "Who has filled your head, my son, with these grave conceits? There is a time for all things: youth is the time for pleasure, and old age for religion. Methinks it is a pity that so fine a boy, as you are, should not be taught every thing that might enable him to pass well through the world. Cannot a man serve God without being awkward and ignorant?"

In this manner Light-Mind pleaded and reasoned with Humble Mind. Neither was InbredSin quiet all this time; but while the damsel continued urging her request, he was gently drawing Humble Mind towards the gate of the garden, and whispering in his ear such things as he thought would add force to her arguments. So that, at length, through the open persuasions of the damsel, and the secret influence of Inbred-Sin, Humble Mind was sufficiently overcome to turn aside and follow Light-Mind into the garden.

Now I remarked that the walks in this garden were artfully disposed into a labyrinth; so that he who once set his foot therein could find no passage out again. Here also, among all kinds of vanities, were seen teachers of every superficial accomplishment, together with many children and young persons whom Light-Mind had beguiled from the right way. Then I saw that certain of these teachers of vanities came and spread forth their toys before Humble Mind, to wit, pencils and paints, maps and drawings, pagan poems and fabulous histories, musical instruments of various

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