that he trembled exceedingly, while the water stood in cold drops upon his forehead.

Now when this new messenger first appeared, I perceived that Inbred-Sin hid himself in Humble Mind's bosom. But after awhile he began to look up; till, by degrees, gathering courage, he sprang from his place, and flying at the throat of Conviction-of-Sin, griped and squeezed him after such a fashion, that I verily thought he would have utterly destroyed him-the other however exerting himself manfully, they continued struggling and fighting till sun-rise; each party in their turn, as they obtained the superiority, attacking poor Humble Mind in so vehement a manner, that I feared the poor boy would have been killed between them. But, as I have just intimated, when the sun arose the contest ceased, Conviction-of-Sin then spreading his wings, and mounting upwards; for Conviction-of-Sin is of heavenly birth, and unto him it may truly be said, Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest. (Psalm xciv. 12.) Humble Mind was left lying on his bed, sorely distressed, and bitterly lamenting.

So

After this I saw, in my dream, that it began to be noised abroad in those parts, that Convictionof-Sin had visited Humble Mind; and thus the neighbours discoursed thereupon:-"What is this Conviction-of-Sin, which is come unto the child? What sin can this little boy have been guilty of? But that same Evangelist, who turned the heads of his father and mother, is, it seems, frequently meddling with him; so that, unless we can hit upon some method of diverting his thoughts from the communications of that enthusiast, the boy will never be good for any thing as long as he lives."

Then one neighbour said to another, “ Come, let us go and talk with this boy, and try to put other thoughts in his head: for, if this Evangelist and his counsels prevail in our streets, what will

become of the honour of our town; or how shall we preserve our credit among men?"

So the neighbours agreeing together, they came to Humble Mind's house; where, having knocked at the door, they speedily obtained entrance, and found the children preparing to be gone: for the pain and anguish which Humble Mind had suffered from the attacks of Conviction-of-Sin rendered it altogether impossible for him to rest in the place where he was.

Accordingly, on rising from his bed, he had opened his mind to his sisters, in spite of InbredSin who vehemently opposed him, declaring his determination, by God's help, to set out on pilgrimage. He had also, through the divine blessing, obtained his dear sisters' consent to accompany him: so that when the neighbours arrived, they found the three children preparing to be gone.

Now I perceived that there arose a very vehement dispute between the children and the neighbours who were come to dissuade them from going on pilgrimage; and behold, Inbred-Sin very resolutely sided with the neighbours, applauding and seconding their carnal reasonings.

The neighbours represented to the little ones, that the profession of a pilgrim was a profession as despicable as it was unprofitable; since nothing could be gained by it, while much might be lost: "for," continued they," he that stays at home, and does his duty, is in as sure a way of salvation as he that forsaketh all to follow his own fancy."

Now Humble Mind knew not every argument proper to be used against this false reasoning of his neighbours, on account of his youth and inexperience; but he made answer to the best of his ability, and said, "I have not only been made to know my sins, but am convinced that I can do nothing to save myself, all my best actions being

marred and spoiled by sin. I find therefore that the assistance of one who is both able and willing to save me, is absolutely necessary to my deliverance; and to such a deliverer I must fly. I do not however presume to judge or decide for other people: there may, perhaps, be some, who do not stand in such need of a Saviour as I do; but, for my own part, I have been made to know that I am dead in trespasses and sins."

"And these little ones, thy sisters," said the neighbours, "what have they done, that they should be exposed to all the hardships of a pilgrim's life?"

To this Humble Mind replied, "I have heard it said, and have also read in my book, that we are all born in sin; and that, unless our nature is changed, and a right spirit renewed within us, we must all surely perish. It appears, then, that the youngest among us stands in as much need of a Saviour as those who have committed more actual offences; and hence it becomes the duty of every child, as soon as he has any discernment, to enquire after this Saviour. On this account, there

fore," continued Humble Mind, “I, who esteem myself the chief of sinners, am, with God's help, about to leave all things, in order to seek the way of salvation pointed out in this Holy Book, which I hold in my hand."

I perceived then, that, when the neighbours saw the firmness of Humble Mind, after ridiculing and mocking him, they proceeded to loud abuse, invectives, and threatenings: but Conviction-of-Sin had dealt with Humble Mind to such purpose, that his determination respecting going on pilgrimage was not to be shaken. Nevertheless, the little girls were much terrified by the harsh language of their neighbours; and their trouble was not a little increased by the whisperings of Inbred-Sin, who would have it that they were running them

selves into a thousand needless snares and troubles, by giving heed to the advice of Evangelist.

Now I saw, in my dream, that, when the neighbours perceived that they could prevail nothing, they took counsel aside one with another; and this was the purport of their consultation—

This

There dwelt in those parts a certain schoolmaster, one who was countenanced by the king of the country, even the prince of this world; and one who stood high in favour with all the chief inhabitants and honourable men of the land. schoolmaster, whose name was Worldly-Prudence, was descended from an ancient family, and could boast of a long line of ancestry, all of whom had been employed by the prince of this world in the instruction of youth. He was a person of a venerable appearance, and knew how to make himself agreeable to all ranks and orders of men, having wit at will, and arguments always ready to support his opinions. He was well skilled in ancient learning, had much to say in favour of human wisdom, and could speak largely of the dignity of the human mind: but if he did not utterly despise religion, as some confidently assert, he at least gave it but a secondary and inferior place in all the concerns of life.

Now as this schoolmaster was held in general respect and fear by the children of the land, it was proposed by the neighbours, when they discovered Humble Mind's unyielding inclination to a pilgrim's life, that this schoolmaster should be brought to him and his sisters; "for," said they, "the children will assuredly acknowledge his authority, although they despise our arguments."

So they made haste; and when they had found Mr. Worldly-Prudence, they brought him to Humble Mind's house. Then I hearkened to what should pass between the schoolmaster and Humble Mind, confidently expecting that Mr. Worldly.

Prudence would begin to rail at religion and pour contempt upon a pilgrim's life; because I knew that he was in the service of the prince of this world. But I was mistaken; for he went more cautiously to work, opening the conversation by speaking highly of the religion of Christ, and praising those men who faithfully devoted themselves to his service. And having thus thrown Humble Mind off his guard, he proceeded in a more direct manner to the accomplishment of the business he had undertaken, namely, to turn the child from that way of salvation, which Evangelist had pointed out.

"Have you been informed, my son," said Mr. Worldly-Prudence, addressing himself to Humble Mind, that this way into which you are so rashly and hastily determined to set your foot, is a way abounding in all manner of snares and dangers; and that if you go unprepared to meet these dangers, you must inevitably perish?"

"I know, Sir," replied Humble Mind, "that the way of the pilgrim is thickly set with dangers, and that I am weak, and unprovided with any means of self-defence: but Evangelist has taught me, to trust in Him for help, who will assuredly bring me through every trial.'

"The Lord our God," said Mr. Worldly-Prudence," as Evangelist has taught you, will no doubt ultimately become our Saviour: but this consideration is by no means to prevent us from exerting ourselves in the use of those powers which God has given us for the promotion of his glory, and for our own preservation. In the way which Evangelist has persuaded you to take, you will meet with thieves, with wild beasts, with giants, and dragons; with adversaries who will ridicule and scoff at you; with some who will endeavour to shake your faith by learned and wily arguments; and others who will endeavour to mislead you by cunning misrepresentations.