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te accustomed sauce belonging thereto (f); for the porter had heard before of their coming, and had told it to them within: So when they had supped, and ended their prayer with a psalm, they desired they might go to rest. But let us, said Christiana, if we may be so bold as to choose, be in that 'chamber that was my husband's, when he was here: (See Part I. p. 58.) So they had them up thither, and they lay all in aroom. When they were at rest, Christiana and Mercy entered into discourse about things that were convenient.

Christ. Little did I think once, when my husband went on pilgrimage, that I should ever have followed bin

Mercy. And you as little thought of lying in his bed, and in his chamber to rest, as you do now.

Chrift. 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 I shall. Mercy. Hark! Don't you hear a noise?

Chrift. Yes, it is, as I believe, a noise of music, for joy that we are here.

Mercy. Wonderful music in the house, music in the heart, and music also in heaven, for joy that we are here!

Thus they talked awhile, and then betook themselves to sleep. So in the morning, when they were awaked, Christiana said to Mercy,

Christ. What was the matter that you did laugh in your sleep last night? I suppose you was in a dream.

Mercy. So I was, and a sweet dream it was; but are you sure I laughed ?

Chrift. Yes, you laughed heartily; but, prithee, Mercy, tell me thy dream.

Mercy. I was dreaming that I sat all alone in a solitary place, and was bemoaning of the hardness of my heart.

(f) Exod. xii. 31. John i, 29,

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 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 handkerchief, and clad me in silver and gold (g). He put a chain about my neck, and ear-rings mine cars, and a beautiful crown upon my hea 1. Then he took me by the hand, and said, Mercy, come after me. So he went up and followed ti we came at a golden gate. Then he knocked, and, when 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 I saw your husband there; so I awoke from my dream. But did I laugh?

Christ. Laugh! av, and well you might, to see yourself so well. For you must give me leave to tell you, that 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; in a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumbering upon the bed (h)." We need not, when a-bed, to 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.

(g) Ezek. xvi, 8, 9, 10, 11, (k) Job xxxii. 14, 15..

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Mercy. Well, I am glad of my dream, for I hope, ere long, to see it fulfilled to the making me laugh again.

Christ. I think it is now high time to rise, and to know what we must do.

Mercy. Pray, if they invite us to stay awhile, let us willingly accept the proffer. I am the willinger to stay awhile here, to grow better acquainted with these maids: methinks Prudence, Piety, and Charity, have very comely and sober countenances.

Christ. 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.

Mercy. Very good, said Mercy; it was one of the best night's lodgings that ever I had in my life.

Then said Prudence and Piety, If you will be persuaded to stay here awhile, you shall have what the house will afford.

Char. Ay, and that with a very good will, said Charity. So they consented and staid there about a month or above, and became very profitable one to another. And because Prudence would see how Christiana had brought up her children; she asked leave of her to catechise them; so she gave her free consent: then she began with the youngest, whose name was James.

Prudence. And she said, Come, James, canst thou tell me who made thee?

James. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.

Prud. Good boy. And canst thou tell who saved thee?

James. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.

Frud. Good boy still. But how does God the Father save thee?

James. By his grace.

Prud. How does God the Son save thee?

James. By his satisfaction and intercession.

Prud. How does God the Holy Ghost save thee? James. By his illumination, by his renovation, and by his preservation.

Then said Prudence to Christiana, you are to bet 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 myself to the next youngest.

Prud. Then she said, Come, Joseph, (for his name was Joseph) will you let me catechise you? Joseph. With all my heart.

Prud. What is man?

Joseph. A reasonable creature, made so by God, as my brother said.

Prud. What is supposed by this word, saved? Joseph. That man, by sin, has brought himself into a state of captivity and misery.

Prud. 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 his clutches but God; and that God is so good and loving to man, as to pull him indeed out of this miserable state.

Prud. What is God's design in saving poor man? Joseph. The glorifying of his name, of his grace, and justice, &c. and the everlasting happiness of his

creatures.

Prud. Who are they that must be saved?

Joseph. Those that accept of his salvation.

Prud. Good boy, Joseph; thy mother has taught. thee well, and thou hast hearkened unto what she hath said unto thee..

Then said Prudence to Samuel, who was the eldest Son but one,

Prud. Come, Samuel, are you willing that I should catechise you?

Samuel. Yes, forsooth, if you please.

Prud. What is heaven?

Sam. A place and state most blessed, because God dwelleth there.

Prud. What is bell?

Sam. A place and state most woeful, because it is the dwelling place of sin, the devil, and death. Prud. Why wouldst thou go to heaven?

Sam. That I may see God and serve him, without weariness; that I may see Christ, and love him everlastingly, that I may have the fulness of the Holy Spirit in me, that I can by no means here enjoy.

Prud. A very good boy also, and one that has learned well

Then she addressed herself to the eldest, whose name was Matthew, and she said to him, Come, Matthew, shall I also catechise you?

Matthew. With a very good will.

Prud. I ask then, if there was ever any thing that had a being antecedent to or before God?

Mait. No, for God is eternal; nor is there any thing, excepting himself, that had a being, until the beginning of the first day: "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is."

Prud. What do you think of the Bible?

Matt. It is the holy word of God.

Prud. Is there nothing written therein but what you understand?

Matt. Yes, a great deal.

Prud. What do you do when you meet with places therein that you do not understand?

Matt. I think God is wiser than I. I pray also that he will please to let me know all therein that he knows will be for my good.

Prud. How believe you as touching the resurrection of the dead?

Matt. I believe they shall rise the same that was buried the same in nature, though not in corrup tion. And I believe this upon a double account:

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