a map of the road, bidding them particularly to beware of the Enchanted Ground.

Then asked the pilgrims, "What is the Enchanted Ground?"

"It is that state," answered the shepherds, "in which the flesh, that is, the unrenewed part, frequently prevails so far as to make the pilgrim slothful and secure, neglecting for a season the exercise of grace. In some cases the renewed part strives vehemently against this stupifying distemper, applying at the same time for that assistance which is promised in temptationbut," continued the shepherd, "there have been instances, and those terrifying ones indeed, in which the flesh has prevailed over the spirit unto the destruction of both, and that at a very advanced period of the Christian warfare." I heard then that the shepherds related several awful instances of pilgrims who had come as far as the Delectable Mountains on their way to Mount Zion, maintaining through all their course a very fair and becoming profession; who, nevertheless, were finally lost on the Enchanted Ground, upon the very confines of the promised landthus affording an awful example to Christians, how dangerous it is to confide in their own strength.

"Awful, indeed!" said Martha: "and earnestly do I pray, that we, profiting by the failure of these miserable persons, may walk in the strength of the Lord, and not in our own!"

Then said the shepherds, "A wise man feareth and departeth from evil: but the fool is confident." Prov. xv. 16.

After which the shepherd Watchful added this caution" Exhort one another daily, while it is called to-day; lest any of you be hardened

through the deceitfulness of sin. For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end." Heb. iii. 13, 14.

So the shepherds, having kissed and blessed the little company, after conducting them a few steps on their journey, returned to the hills to take care of the flocks over which the Holy Ghost had made them overseers: while the pilgrims went on their way.

CHAPTER XXI.

THEN looking after the pilgrims, I saw that Inbred-Sin was with them; and he walked as one planning mischief. But the pilgrims held pleasant discourse one with another, from time to time looking upon their books, and meditating upon the contents of them.

Now I observed in my dream, that, after awhile, the pilgrims came to a place where a certain way put itself into the King's highway, which was to all appearance as straight and even as the King's road itself. This was the place where certain pilgrims of old time had been turned aside by the flatterer. And here, just at the junction of the two roads, sat a company of persons dressed in pilgrims' habits, who were talking aloud and corrupting each other with flatteries: nevertheless, as they spoke a language nearly resembling that commonly used by pilgrims, Humble Mind and his sister, at the private suggestion of Inbred-Sin, were inclined to acknowledge them as brethren. Now these persons were of the number of those who love

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greetings in the market-place, and who make their prayers in the corners of the streets. they called to the pilgrims, inviting them to join their company, and partake of such refreshments as they had.

But Martha said, "We are going for our lives to Mount Zion; and as we do not just now stand in need of refreshment or rest, and as the sun is still high in the heavens, we are unwilling to stand still."

"But," said they who were sitting by the way-side, "deny us not your company, which we believe will prove exceedingly edifying to us, and profitable to our salvation. For we know that you are persons highly favoured of the Lord: and because your fame has reached us from far, we are come hither on purpose to meet with you."

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"Well,” said Inbred-Sin in the ear of the younger pilgrims, "this appears to be a good! company, and their words are full of wisdom." But Martha said, Meddle not with them that flatter with their lips.' Prov. xx. 19. So the children, being influenced at that time by the Holy Spirit of God, hearkened to the voice of Martha, and passed on.

Then I heard that those who sat by the way called after them aloud, uttering such cruel taunts and reproaches, as brought up the blood into the faces of the pilgrims. Upon which Humble Mind and Playful thanked Martha for her advice: "For," said they, "we, being children, and foolishness being bound in our hearts, we should surely have entered into the society of those ensnaring strangers, had you not given us a caution."

"Hence," said Martha, "the folly and sin of

those who flatter young children: for if neither strength nor wisdom is to be found in the heart of the most advanced and venerable pilgrimhow much less in that of a child!"

The pilgrims then went on till night, when they came to a grove of cedar trees beside a pool of water. This place appeared so exceedingly agreeable, that the travellers sat down upon the grass, and took of that which they had with them: after which they looked upwards and gave

thanks.

Now I saw, in my dream, that while they sat on the grass enjoying the sweet solitude of the place, behold, two pilgrims advanced towards them along the King's highway; of whom one was an aged woman, and the other a boy about the age of Humble Mind. So they sat still till the pilgrims came up, when they addressed them thus; If you come in the name of the Saviour, we cordially bid you welcome."

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Then the pilgrims modestly saluted Martha, meekly speaking of themselves as unprofitable servants, yea, the chief of sinners. But Martha, observing their white robes and the mark on their foreheads, was satisfied that they were true pilgrims: so pressing them to join their company, they thankfully accepted the invitation. The name of the old woman was Ruth, and that of the boy, her son, was Plain Sense.

I saw then that the younger pilgrims presently fell asleep: but while they slept, Ruth and Martha conversed with each other for a considerable time after sun-set. Ruth informed Martha that she was an inhabitant of a certain country called Darkland, lying to the north of the village of Family-Love, in the Valley of Destruction, where she had lived in total ignorance of her Saviour

till within a few months past. "And there," said she, "I should still have lived in the same miserable state, had it not pleased the Lord to make my little son, who is my only child, the means of persuading me to leave my all for the Saviour's sake. But now," continued she, "I humbly trust, although I came not into the vineyard till the last hour of the day, that, through the free grace and unsearchable merits of the Redeemer, I shall be counted worthy, though utterly worthless in myself, to enter the kingdom of heaven."

To this Martha returned, "Through faith only are we counted worthy, and not on account of our own works or deservings. Abraham 'believed in the Lord, and it was counted to him for righteousness. Gen. xv. 6. And unless the righteousness of Christ be imputed to us by faith, we must all utterly perish.

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I heard then that Ruth informed Martha how her little son was brought to the knowledge of the truth by reading the Holy Book of God, which had been delivered to him by one of those servants of the Lord who now go to and fro into the dark corners of the earth to publish his word. Moreover, she told her how unwilling she had been to receive the Gospel at first, and that she had even obstinately shut her ears against it. "Nevertheless," continued she, "I was at length brought to the knowledge of my sin and my need of a Saviour:-and now having advanced thus far on my way, behold, here I stand before you this day as a miracle of grace."

"Let us then," said Martha, "give glory to God for all that he has done for us; and let us humbly confess that it is of his own super