trary tendency so far prevails in every person born into the world, as to deserve God's wrath and damnation. Wherefore no man is counted righteous before God, excepting and only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for his own works or deservings. That holy book therefore which I delivered to thee, doth set out unto us only the name of Jesus Christ, whereby men must be saved.' (Articles of the Church.) The Lord Jesus Christ hath mercifully opened a way for sinners unto salvation—He is the way, the truth, and the life; and no man cometh unto the Father but by him. (John xiv. 6.) Now I formerly pointed out to thee this way of salvation, which is thus described-Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life; and few there be that find it: but wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction; and many there be which go in thereat." (Matt. vii. 13, 14.)

I heard then that Evangelist spake of Mr. Worldly-Prudence and his followers. "These are the men," said he, "who think themselves wiser than their Maker, and who turn aside many young persons from the right way, in order to fill them with such knowledge as only puffeth up, and tendeth to destruction. They take the sling and the stone from the hand of the youthful pilgrim, and put on him the armour of Saul; they rob him of his Bible, and fill his mouth with the words of man's wisdom: so that more young pilgrims are destroyed by this Worldly-Prudence, than by thousands of the open enemies of our Lord."

In this manner spake Evangelist; after which I saw, in my dream, that he again put into Humble Mind's hand the Book of God, bidding him beware, and never again part with it: "For it shall be," said he, "a lamp unto thy feet, and a light unto thy path." (Psalm cxix. 105.)

So Humble Mind received the book; and, pla

cing it in his bosom, he gave his hand unto Evangelist, saying, "God be merciful to me a sin

ner!"

Then Evangelist took the hand of the child, and drew him forward towards the gate which led from the school-yard.

Now I perceived that, when those scholars who were in the yard saw Humble Mind going out from among them in the hand of Evangelist, they raised such a hue and cry, that the master and his assistants, with all those who were in the schoolhouse, came running out to see what was the

matter.

I heard also that there arose a very warm and vehement dispute between Mr. Worldly-Prudence and Evangelist; wherein Mr. Worldly-Prudence maintained that he was one of the best friends of young pilgrims, and that the object of his instructions was to bring them so far acquainted with the writings of the best and wisest of the ancients as might give them a decided advantage in arguing with the enemies of religion.

In reply to which, Evangelist read from his book the following passage-" I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (1 Cor. i. 19, 20.)

Upon which, I heard that Mr. Worldly-Prudence charged Evangelist with enthusiasm and folly, saying that he was the friend of indolence and ignorance, a hater of learning, and a despiser of all the wisdom of past ages.

At this the whole school brake forth into loud taunts and scoffs; whereat Humble Mind trembled exceedingly, more especially as Inbred-Sin began, at the same time, to whisper in his ears such things as filled him with shame, and brought

Nevertheless,

the blood up into his cheeks. through the secret help of God, he drew not his hand from Evangelist, but kept close to him, till that divine instructor had conveyed him out of the school-yard, and brought him to a place from whence the gate which leadeth to salvation might clearly be distinguished.

By this time Humble Mind had got out of the sound of the scoffings and blasphemies of his late companions in Mr. Worldly-Prudence's school. Notwithstanding which, his mind was as yet by no means at ease: since no sooner had he begun to move towards the Way of Salvation, than such a strife arose betwixt him and Inbred-Sin, as would surely have proved too much for him, had not the child received assistance from on high, although he knew it not. Inbred-Sin first sprang upon his back, where he lay like a drag upon a wheel; so that the boy could hardly advance at all. I saw then, that Humble Mind tried to shake him off; but as fast as he freed himself from him in one part, this tormentor fixed upon some other: now hanging on him by one limb, and now by another; sometimes taking him by the hair of the head; sometimes twitching him by the back, sometimes by one elbow, sometimes by the other; but still, as it were, in a sly and underhand way, though without rest or intermission: for, as I said before, one of the qualities of this family of Inbred-Sin, is, that they know not what it is to be fatigued or weary. In spite, however, of the tormentor, Humble Mind, being led by Evangelist, proceeded towards the gate which is at the head of the Way of Salvation. Then said Evangelist to the child, "My son, what seest thou?"

Humble Mind. I see a light, which grows brighter and brighter as I look thereon."

Evangelist. I am well pleased that thou art enabled to discern that light. Blessed art thou: for

D

flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but thy Father which is in heaven. (Matt. xvi. 17.) This is the root and offspring of David, the bright and morning star; (Rev. xxii. 16.) the leading star which hath brought many to Zion.

Then Evangelist rejoiced in spirit, and said, “I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight." (Matt. xi. 25, 26.) So Evangelist kissed the boy; and bidding him hasten to the gate, and there knock boldly for admission, he withdrew himself from the eyes of the child.

Now I saw, in my dream, that, when he which was sent from God, to wit, Evangelist, had departed, Inbred-Sin immediately faced about; and coming before the little pilgrim, began openly and without disguise to impede him in his way. And first, he would have him to stand still while he argued with him; and so pressing was he, that the boy, for quietness' sake, stood still to hear what he had to say. Then began he to plead and argue with Humble Mind, and that after such a fashion as I had never witnessed before. He assured him, that, if he persevered in following the counsel of Evangelist, he would become the laughing-stock of all the country; that he would lose all the good things of this world, and be generally considered as a fool and a madman. And when he found that these arguments would not prevail, he was for having Humble Mind just to go back and take a handsome leave of his master and his schoolfellows: "For who knows," said this arch tempter, "but God may give you power to persuade a few of your old playmates to come on pil grimage with you?-and thus you may become the instrument of saving some whom you love." He spake unto him also of his sisters, and those of his

father's house, earnestly pleading with him to turn back for the purpose of securing their company. Thus Inbred-Sin sought to entice and entangle Humble Mind through the affection he bore to his earthly friends. But when this would not do, (for Humble Mind was too hot upon his journey to be thus put by,) Inbred-Sin shifted his ground again, and asked him how he could think of appearing before the Lord of the gate, clothed in those filthy rags, and with Inbred-Sin as his companion? "for," added he, spitefully, "wherever thou goest I will follow thee, Humble Mind, and will be thy torment and thy shame; for I am thy brother, the son of thy mother, and I have had dominion over thee ever since thou wast born, and now will I bring thee to disgrace in the presence of thy King."

I perceived then that, when Inbred-Sin became thus outrageous, Humble Mind trembled exceedingly, neither had he power for some time to look towards the shining light. After awhile, however, he recovered himself so far as to recollect the book which Evangelist had given him. So he plucked it out of his bosom, and read these words-I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. vii. 21-25.)

When he had read these words, he was comforted; and crying mightily unto God, he pressed forward, overthrowing Inbred-Sin to clear the way before him. So he hastened towards the gate, and Inbred-Sin followed swiftly behind him.