death, as we have abundant reason to believe from her orderly and even course, as well as from the delight she took in communing with her God. She must then have been a true member of Christ-for the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine;' John xv. 4:-and therefore is her salvation sure.

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"Now understand, my children," continued he, "that our mystical union with our great Head, is not destroyed by death; but we are as near to Christ, and as much a part of him, when lying in the grave and in the dust, as when living on the earth. For it is written- Whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord; whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.' Rom. xiv. 8, 9. In this grave, therefore, and under this little white stone, lies a part of the mystical body of Christ, a member belonging to the divine Head. All that remained of sin and corruption in this mortal body is now destroyed- for except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.' John xii. 24. But the better part of this your dear sister remains; and at the last day, when the trumpet shall sound, she will be raised up, and joined for ever to her glorious Head. "When Christ, who is her life, shall appear, then shall she also appear with him in glory.' Col. iii. 4. For while in the flesh she received forgiveness of sins through the Redeemer; and having been justified by him, she will be also glorified, Rom. viii. 30, and shall stand with him to judge the world. 1 Cor. vi. 2. Therefore, my dear children, grieve no more

for your beloved Peace, but rejoice that she was enabled to fight the good fight of faith; and abide ye in the Lord Jesus Christ, that, when he shall appear, ye may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming:' 1 John ii. 28: and that ye may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are his children." 1 John iv. 17.

Now it was time for the children to depart. So Mrs. Bountiful prepared for them such things as she thought might serve for their refreshment by the way; while Mr. Orthodox, taking them aside, knelt down with them and prayed, saying, "Plead thou the cause of these little ones, O Lord, with those that oppose them, and fight thou against them that fight against these. For the eyes of these pilgrims are unto thee, O God the Lord, and in thee is their trust. Let the souls of these thy servants be precious in thy sight. Leave them not, neither forsake them, O God of our salvation! Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but thou deliverest them out of all. The Lord conduct these youthful travellers safely on their way, and bring them at length to his holy hill of Zion, even to the place which he loveth. Praise the Lord!"

Thus prayed the holy Mr. Orthodox: after which he rose up and kissed the children. Then Humble Mind and his sister being fully prepared for their journey, Mr. Orthodox and his wife thought it proper to see them safe out of the town. So having passed the populous part of the city and reached the skirts of the town, Mr. Orthodox and Mrs. Bountiful again kissed the young pilgrims, and returned to their house.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Now it came to pass, when Mr. Orthodox and Mrs. Bountiful had taken their leave of the little pilgrims at the gates of Vanity, (for it suited not the convenience of these excellent persons to accompany them further upon their journey,) that Humble Mind and Playful proceeded along the suburbs for some time, weeping as they went: and Inbred-Sin was with them.

I had remarked that Inbred-Sin kept himself very quiet in the house of Mr. Orthodox. Not that he had refrained from his secret whisperings and evil suggestions; but that he had taken care to avoid every open breach of decency or good manners: insomuch, that notwithstanding their former experience of his deceit on like occasions, the young pilgrims were inclined to hope, and almost to believe, that he was really becoming weaker, and that they should never again be so harassed by him as in former days. And thus many persons, far more experienced and advanced than these little pilgrims, have frequently been deceived with respect to their victory over sin; when, by certain outward circumstances, such as the failure of health, the influence of holy society, or some other restraining consideration, they have experienced a temporary relief from the tormentings of their inbred corruptions: till being thrown off their guard by vainly supposing themselves no longer liable to the baneful influence of their sinful tendencies, they have presently fallen again into the snares of the enemy. So great is the deceivableness of sin; and on this account it is, that the Lord

of pilgrims exhorts his people to watch continually. But to return to the little pilgrims.

I hoped to have seen them presently freed from the suburbs of Vanity. But I perceived, much to my surprise, that those suburbs extended themselves along the Way of Salvation to a great distance, and that, like the city itself, they were set forth with all manner of enticing delights; especially with summer-houses and pleasure-gardens, abounding with fruit of various kinds-not such as grew in the Interpreter's garden, or in the fields of innocent pleasure; but fruits of an intoxicating and poisonous tendency, and partaking of the nature of that tree whereby our first parents acquired the knowledge of evil.

Now the odour of the fruits and flowers which grew in these gardens seemed to be particularly sweet and exhilarating to Inbred-Sin; for he no sooner began to snuff it, than he stepped forward, and walking in a line with the little pilgrims, (a liberty which I had not observed him to take during the whole time of their residence in the house of Mr. Orthodox,) he began to give his opinion in a very free and familiar manner. And this he did without asking permission, well knowing that such a request would only have put the little pilgrims upon their guard; whereas it was probable that on taking them by surprise, he might carry his point, as many an unhappy point has been carried. So, stepping forward, he began to speak with an impudent and unblushing face; for Inbred-Sin cannot blush, neither can he be disconcerted or diverted from his purpose: and hence it is said, that they who are ruled by him, to wit, the children of this world, are wiser than the children of light.'

Luke xvi. 8. First, he began to compliment and congratulate the little pilgrims upon their escape from the dangers of Vanity. And this he did through deceit; that lulling their fears to sleep, he might the more easily succeed in beguiling their minds. For, although they had passed safely through the high places and chief streets of the city, he was well aware that many snares and dangers awaited them in the suburbs and outskirts of Vanity. "You have," said he, addressing himself to them both, "fought a good fight, and obtained a great victory; nothing therefore now remains but to give thanks for this victory."

To this Humble Mind replied, "Let us at least wait till we are got wholly clear of this city of Vanity, before we sing the song of triumph."

"But," said Inbred-Sin, "are you not already clear of the city? We see nothing here but gardens and summer-houses-places to which the inhabitants of the town retire to refresh themselves in the summer-season with innocent pleasures and rural sports. Surely here can be no snares laid for pilgrims, nor any employments or pleasures in which they may not innocently partake."

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"I desire to know no pleasures," returned Humble Mind, except such as are to be found in the presence and service of him who was nailed to the cross for my salvation; but as for the pleasures of the world, I will have nothing to do with them. These are the pleasures for which thousands and tens of thousands, of immortal creatures, being ensnared by such as you, thou child of hell, have given up the favour of their heavenly Father and the love of their Re

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