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air of this valley, that though few descend into it willingly, yet many have confessed, as is intimated above, that the happiest hours of their pilgrimage were passed in its peaceful retirement. This valley is shaded with all manner of trees which are agreeable to the sight or good for food. A clear stream of the water of the fountain of life winds its gentle and untroubled course through its whole extent; and daily, before sun-rise, manna is found thickly scattered over every part of it; moreover the voice of the heavenly dove is not seldom heard from the clefts of the rocks which inclose the valley on either side.

It was nearly dusk when the little pilgrims reached the bottom of the hill; where, on account of their present pain and vexation, they could neither enjoy the balmy air of the valley, nor find rest on the soft green turf which it spread beneath their feet. They, however, sat themselves down for a time; and, being greatly exhausted, they ate of the dried fruits with which the damsels of the palace Beautiful had supplied them. But their repast afforded them very little refreshment, because it was received with a discontented mind; so greatly did they regret losing the pleasures they had enjoyed in the palace Beautiful, and so deeply did they lament the meanness of their new situation -for Inbred-Sin had taught them to consider the palace Beautiful as a more honourable station in society than the valley they were now entering.

Then I looked again at these little pilgrims, and found them still sitting at the foot of the hill as the darkness began to cover them: and I marvelled to find how familiarly they allowed Inbred-Sin to converse with them, after appearing to keep him at such a distance in the palace Beautiful. But I considered not how exceedingly powerful an effect pious company produces upon the minds of young pilgrims, in restraining them from sin: neither did

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I then recollect how commonly our more gross inbred corruptions lie still and quiet, and seem, as it were, dead or extinguished, when they have no opportunity of working to any effect. Nor did it strike me at the moment, that this very Inbred-Sin, though he had not broken forth into any openly disgraceful act in the palace Beautiful, had nevertheless been effectually at work, to the injury of the little pilgrims, in filling them with spiritual pride and high thoughts of themselves-as now indeed too clearly appeared from their extreme abhorrence of the Valley of Humiliation. For they who are really humble love this valley, and would be thankful if it extended from one end to the other of their pilgrim's course.

So the little pilgrims sat hearkening to Inbred Sin, till, being overcome with weariness, they fell asleep. Then gazing on these sinful little ones, I seriously considered the state of man upon earth; how utterly lost he is to all that is good, and how apt to fall, even after having known the way of righteousness! And as I mused on these things, I felt a deep conviction that the salvation of man is all of grace; insomuch that he is unable in his own strength to take one effectual step towards it. Nay I clearly perceived that, even when considerably advanced in the Way of Salvation, the saint is as entirely dependent on his heavenly Parent, and as much in need of the daily supplies of his grace, as the tenderest babe in Christ. I now also comprehended many of those dark and mysterious providences which had beforetime so often tried my own weak faith; plainly discerning that it was necessary for the Lord occasionally to withdraw his support from his people, in order to make them sensible of their own nothingness and insufficiency, as well as to lead them to the exercise of a more absolute reliance upon himself. Moreover, I recollected having sometimes remarked, that great humiliations

generally follow states of high prosperity or singular exaltation among the saints on earth; just as the present state of darkness and dejection among these little pilgrims, with their stupid submission to the will of Inbred-Sin, had followed the prosperous and happy days lately spent in the palace Beautiful.

Now it came to pass, while I was lost in these meditations, that I suddenly perceived a light in the sky towards the east, whence presently a very bright form, yet clothed with a cloud in order to conceal a part of its dazzling glory, descended from the heavens, and drew near to the little pilgrims. On the appearance of this heavenly vision, I saw that Inbred-Sin concealed himself; but the little ones remained in a deep sleep, while the heavenly visitant addressed himself to Humble Mind, saying, "Lovest thou me, my son?"

I perceived then that Humble Mind started from his sleep, and looking up, said, "Who art thou, Lord?"

The other replied, "I am he that was wounded for thy transgressions, and bruised for thy iniquities. (Isaiah liii. 5.) For thy sake I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: Ihid not my face from shame and spitting." (Isaiah 1. 6.)

Then I saw that Humble Mind fell upon his knees, and lifting up his hands, cried, "My Lord and my God!"

Upon which the Holy One replied, "He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (Matt. x. 38.)

With that I perceived that the glorious vision faded from the view of the little pilgrim; and behold, the child lay awhile prostrate on the ground, bitterly weeping: for his heart smote him on account of his ingratitude to his Saviour; and he felt utterly unworthy of that special condescension

which had led the Prince of princes a second time to reveal himself to him, and plead with him, as it were, face to face. He lay, therefore, weeping and lamenting till dawn of day; when rising from the ground, and awaking his sisters, he reported to them what he had seen, and how he had thereby been made sensible of the pride and ingratitude of his heart.

Now I saw, in my dream, that these little ones were much affected when they heard the words of their brother; for it pleased the Lord to bless his report to their profit. And they said one to another, "We have indeed sinned grievously in hearkening to Inbred-Sin, and in presuming to murmur against the commands of our Lord."

So, when they had wept over each other for awhile, they arose from the ground; and having drank of the water which flowed in a pure clear stream by the way-side, and also washed themselves therewith, they filled their golden pots with the manna which, a little before sun-rise, appeared thickly scattered around them on the grass: then earnestly asking the Lord's blessing on their journey, they began to set forward along the Valley of Humiliation. And behold, Inbred-Sin followed upon their steps; for he would in no case suffer himself to be left behind, although the little pilgrims would most gladly have been quit of his company.

CHAPTER XIV.

I SAW then, in my dream, that, although the children began their day's journey in considerable sadness of heart, (being cast down by a strong sense of their late sin and ingratitude towards the Prince of princes,) yet as they advanced along the Valley of Humiliation they became more easy, till at length the expression of peace was entirely restored to their countenances. And I remarked that their eyes were directed more continually towards the splendid prospect before them, namely, the glories of Mount Zion rising faintly and indistinctly above the eastern horizon, than they had at any time been during the former part of their pilgrimage. Moreover, I marked that Inbred-Sin was as quiet in this vailey as ever I had seen him; although I observed that he sometimes uttered a low whining cry, which no doubt would have broken out into loud murmurs against the King of kings, if Humble Mind, who kept his late vision continually in remembrance, had not sharply rebuked him, pressing him closely with the following words of our Lord, to which he could offer no reply-Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. (Matt. xvi. 24, 25.)

Now after advancing a little way in the Valley of

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