The relation is given under the form of a dream, the various incidents of which are so contrived, as to show how incessantly sin assaults even those who are truly devoted to God, and what unhappiness it causes them from the beginning to the end of their days.

Through the whole of this dream, the present life is compared to a Pilgrimage, which signifies a journey undertaken for some pious purpose. And in every part of it especial care has been taken, distinctly to mark the straight and only way to the kingdom of heaven, namely, the Lord Jesus Christ, who himself hath said, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.'

Now as nuts and almonds are hidden under rough shells, and as honey is concealed in the bells and cups of flowers; so there is a hidden meaning in every part of my allegory, which I hope you will be enabled to draw forth for your profit. In the mean time, my dear children, I pray God to seal instruction upon your hearts, and fill you with that heavenly wisdom, whose price is far above rubies.

I will just add, that this little work was composed in the East Indies, during the year 1814.

THE

INFANT'S PROGRESS.

CHAPTER I.

ONE night as I lay upon my bed, I dreamed a dream.

Methought I was sitting upon some high place; it might be a cloud; and beneath, at my feet, I saw a very large plain, called the Plain of Destruction, in which were all the towns, and villages, and dwelling-places of the men of the world, with their kings' houses, and the temples of their gods.

Some of these places possessed many external advantages, and were not unpleasant to look upon; for God maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.' Matt. v. 45. Nevertheless, no man could remain in safety in any of the habitations of this plain;, because, from time to time, the earth opened and there came out fire and smoke, hell itself lying close underneath: it is therefore properly termed the Plain of Destruction. Moreover, occasionally, dreadful storms of thunder and lightening broke over the plain; and I saw. some as they travelled through the country stricken with thunderbolts from heaven-' For the Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that

did understand and seek God: but they are all gone aside, they are altogether become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Psalm xiv. 2, 3.

Now, while I looked, behold, a certain person appeared clothed in white, and bearing in his hand the Book of God. This person's name was Evangelist; and being sent from God, he went from city to city, and from house to house, warning men to flee from the wrath to come. And these were the words with which he addressed them" Ye are all sinful, ye are all unclean; ye have departed from the service of the Lord your Maker, and are under the condemnation of hell: nevertheless, the Lord hath prepared for you a way to escape; 'for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."" John iii. 16.

I saw, then, that to such as were willing to inquire further into this matter, being content to turn their backs upon the world, and to take Christ for their portion, Evangelist pointed out certain hills at a great distance, over which there was stretched, straight as an arrow, and as far as the eye could reach, a narrow path, which had so upward a tendency, that I could not distinguish the further end of it, by reason of the glory and brightness which were cast thereon from the heavens. Now at the entrance of this path there was a narrow pass or cut in the hills, where a little gate was placed; the Lord Jesus Christ himself mercifully provided this way for the escape of sinful men, and setting before them an open door, which no man can shut.' Rev. iii. 8. So I continued to look on Evangelist,

and, behold, he went to the door of a small house in a certain little village, and, as his manner was, he knocked thereat.

The name of this village was Family Love. Many parts of it lay in ruins, having been destroyed by the tempests and the heaving of the earth: nevertheless, what remained thereof was exceeding fair and lovely, so that in all the plain I saw not such another village.

Now, as I before said, Evangelist knocked at the door; when presently one coming and opening the door, he entered in.

In this house dwelt a certain young man with his wife and three little children. And I saw in my dream that Evangelist delivered his message to the young man and his wife, saying, "Flee from the wrath to come.

These young people then put certain questions to Evangelist, saying, "Whither shall we flee? and who shall help us?"

Upon which Evangelist gave them a book, and bade them read therein. So they opened the book, and read these words: 'Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.-I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.' John xiv. 1-3. 6.

Then said the young man, "Where shall we find him of whom this is written?"

In answer to which, Evangelist opened his mouth and taught them many things concerning

the Lord Jesus Christ: how God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.' 1 Tim. iii. 16. And behold, while Evangelist yet spake, the Holy Spirit of God entered their hearts, and they cried out, as with one voice, 'Lord, we believe: help thou our unbelief.' Mark ix. 24.

Evangelist then pointed out to them the means of escape, even the little door which the Lord had opened at the head of the way; and behold a very bright light issued from thence. Then, said Evangelist, "Keep that light in your eye, and go up directly to it; and when ye come to the door, knock without fear. Christ is the door: by him if any man enter in, he shall be saved.'"

X. 9.

John

So while I continued to look, the man and his wife began to put themselves in readiness for their journey; and I saw that they busied themselves in teaching their little ones such things as they had themselves learned from Evangelist. But, while they lingered, Evangelist hastened them, saying, "Escape for your lives; for the time is short."

To which they replied, "Must we leave our little ones behind?"

Then answered Evangelist, "It is the will of God, that, for the trial of faith, you should give up these little ones for awhile. For every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life." Matt. xix. 29. Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive, saith the Lord.'" Jer. xlix. 11.