Mercy. And you as little thought of lying in his Bed, and in his Chamber to Rest, as you do now. Christs Bosome is for all Pilgrims. I shall. Mercy. Chris. And much less did I ever think of seeing his Face with Comfort, and of Worshipping the Lord the King, with him, and yet now I believe Hark, don't you hear a Noise? Christiana. Yes, 'tis as I believe a Noise of Musick, for Musick. Mer. Wonderful! Musick in the House, Musick in the Heart, and Musick also in Heaven, for joy that we are here. Thus they talked a while, and then betook themselves to sleep; so in the morning, when they were awake, Christiana said to Mercy. Mercy did laugh in her sleep. a Dream? Chris. What was the matter that you did laugh in your sleep to Night? I suppose you was in Mercy. So I was, and a sweet Dream it was; but are you sure I laughed? Christiana. Yes, you laughed heartily; But prethee Mercy tell me thy Dream? Mercy's Mercy. I was a Dreamed that I sat all alone in a Solitary place, and was bemoaning of the hardness of my Heart. Now I had not sat there long, but methought many were gathered about me to see me, and to hear what it was that I said. So they hearkened, and I went on bemoaning the hardness of my Heart. At this, some of them laughed at me, some called me Fool, and some What her dream was. began to thrust me about. With that, methought I looked up, and saw one coming with Wings towards me. So he came directly to me, and said Mercy, what aileth thee? Now when he had heard me make my complaint; he said, Peace be to thee! he also wiped mine Eyes with his Hankerchief, and clad me in Silver and Gold; he put a Chain about my Neck, and Ear-rings in mine Ears, and a beautiful Crown upon my Head. Then he took me by the Hand, and said Mercy, come after me. So he went up, and I followed, till we came at a Golden Gate. Then he knocked, and when Ezek. 16. 8, 9, 10, II. they within had opened, the man went in and I followed him up to a Throne, upon which one sat, and he said to me, welcome Daughter. The place looked bright, and twinkling like the Stars, or rather like the Sun, and I thought that I saw your Husband there, so I awoke from my Dream. But did I laugh? 15. Christiana. Laugh! Ay, and well you might to see your self so well. For you must give me leave to tell you, that I believe it was a good Dream, and that as you have begun to find the first part true, so you shall find the second at last. God speaks once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not, Job 33. 14, in a Dream, in a Vision of the Night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumbring upon the Bed. We need not, when a-Bed, lie awake to talk with God; he can visit us while we sleep, and cause us then to hear his Voice. Our Heart oft times wakes when we sleep, and God can speak to that, either by Words, by Proverbs, by Signs and Similitudes, as well as if one was awake. Mercy. Well I am glad of my Dream, for I hope ere long to see it fulfilled, to the making of me laugh again. Christiana. I think it is now time to rise, and to know what we must do? Mercy glad of her dream. Mercy. Pray, if they invite us to stay a while, let us willingly accept of the proffer. I am the willinger to stay awhile here, to grow better acquainted with these Maids; methinks Prudence, Piety and Charity, have very comly and sober Countenances. Chris. We shall see what they will do. So when they were up and ready, they came down. And they asked one another of their rest, and if it was Comfortable, or not? Mer. Very good, said Mercy. It was one of the best Nights Lodging that ever I had in my Life. Then said Prudence, and Piety, If you will be perswaded to stay here a while, you shall have what the House will afford. They stay here some time. Prudence Charity. Ay, and that with a very good will said Charity. So they consented, and stayed desires to there about a Month or above: And became very Profitable one to another. And because Prudence would see how Christiana had brought catechise Christianas Children. up her Children, she asked leave of her to Catechise them : make my complaint; he said, Peace mine Eyes with his Har Silver and Gold; he put and Ear-rings in mine Head. Then he took Ezek. 16. 8, 9, 10, II. Crown upon my said Mercy, come after me. So he we till we came at a Golden Gate. Then . 理 That there needed no great matter omes, he finds her at her old work, hese things, said she, 'rudence said, Did I will never come sbands afore now, Mr. Brisk. 1 Tim. 6. 17, 18, 19. dost thou With that He forsakes her, and why. not tell thee Mercy in the practice of Mercy re Mercy in jected; While the Name of Mercy is liked. hey were such as did not like my them find fault with my Person: is little set by, any further ce, which is set forth by thy at can abide. no body will have me, I will be to me as a Nature, and to that I purpose Mercy's resolution. je. I had a Sister named these Churles; How Mercy's it because my Sister was egan, that is, served by her her Husband Husband. So she gave her free consent. Then she began at the youngest whose Name was James. Pru. And she said, Come James, canst thou tell who made thee? James Pru. Jam. Ghost. Jam. God the Father, God the Son, and Good Boy. And canst thou tell who saves thee? Pru. Good Boy still. But how doth God the Father save thee? Jam. By his Grace. Pru. How doth God the Son save thee? Jam. By his Righteousness, Death, and Blood, and Life. Jam. By his Illumination, by his Renovation, and by his Preservation. Then said Prudence to Christiana, You are to be commended for thus bringing up your Children. I suppose I need not ask the rest these Questions, since the youngest of them can answer them so well. I will therefore now apply my self to the Youngest next. Prudence. Then she said, Come Joseph, (for his Name was Joseph catechised. Pru. What is Man? Joseph. A Reasonable Creature, so made by God, as my Brother said. Pru. What is supposed by this Word, saved? Joseph. That man by Sin has brought himself into a State of Captivity and Misery. Pru. What is supposed by his being saved by the Trinity? Joseph. That Sin is so great and mighty a Tyrant, that none can pull us out of its clutches but God, and that God is so good and loving to man, as to pull him indeed out of this Miserable State. Pru. What is Gods design in saving of poor Men? Joseph. The glorifying of his Name, of his Grace, and Justice, &c. And the everlasting Happiness of his Creature. Pru. Who are they that must be saved? |