ble Mind forbear to blush: but Prudence rebuked her, and spake to this purpose-" When my sister Piety admonished us to have nothing more to do with our old man, she meant that it behoved us to shun him, and to fly from him: but, alas! though we would willingly have no more to say to him, we must not hope that he will so easily be restrained from having any thing more to do with us. O my child! how little, as yet, are you acquainted either with the deceitfulness of your own heart, or with the subtile devices of Inbred-Sin! Be assured however of this, that Inbred-Sin is never more to be feared, than when he would make you believe that you are in no danger from him."

Playful was now ashamed, and remained silent -while Piety entered further into discourse with the children, explaining unto them that, unless a man be born again, that is, born of the Spirit, he cannot see God. After which she caused Humble Mind to read aloud our Lord's conversation with Nicodemus on the subject of regeneration, recorded in the third chapter of St. John's Gospel. Moreover, I saw that she made him kneel down and pray that the Lord would open the eyes of his understanding, in order to a due comprehen sion of this matter. And this she did, because herein is a great mystery, which they of this world cannot receive, a doctrine altogether despised and rejected of men, and which Christians themselves do not thoroughly understand, although they feel and know it to be true,-namely, how the old and sinful nature is destroyed in them that believe, while a new and heavenly nature is imparted to them.

Now I saw that Piety daily used great pains to make these little ones acquainted with this important doctrine: sometimes taking them apart into her closet and praying with them; at other times leading them by the hand when she walked out

into the fields, and discoursing with them freely upon the new nature of man, when born again in Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Among other statements, she represented to them, that the heart of the old man is continually full of abominable conceits with every kind of evil thought; while the heart of him who is born again and become a new creature, abounds in love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. (Gal. v. 22, 23.) Moreover, she took especial pains to make the children comprehend that this work of regeneration is, for the most part, a slow or progressive work, and that the old nature will continue to contend with the new until the work of grace be finished at the hour of death. Nor did she fail to point out that to which every Christian should carefully attend, namely, the necessity of supporting the new nature day by day, with heavenly food, in order to its growth and improvement; just as the natural body is fed by the fruits of the earth, in failure of which it grows weak and faint and at length expires.

Thus Piety continued unweariedly to instruct the little pilgrims: insomuch that after they had been for a short space at the palace Beautiful, it was judged necessary to introduce them to certain other teachers, of whom I shall speak more particularly in the next chapter.

CHAPTER XII.

Now I saw, in my dream, that, when the little pilgrims had remained for a season in the palace Beautiful, the damsels took them, one morning, by the hand and led them through a long and shady cloister into a very large library, formed of various ranges of apartments of very ancient architecture, and filled with the works of the most esteemed writers, both ancient and modern, sacred and profane. Here was no sound of voices to be heard, but all was hushed and quiet, inviting to study and contemplation. And in one of the largest of these apartments two very venerable men were sitting at one table, before whom were spread many books, which they were busied in examining; and behold, from time to time, they seemed to consult one another, and, as it were, to compare notes one with the other.

Then said Piety to the children, " Behold those venerable persons! they are brothers; and he that looketh most fresh and comely, is the elder by many years-for he is immortal, and time hath no power over him."

May 1," said Humble Mind, " presume to ask their names and characters?"

Piety. These brothers are the sons of one mother; whose name is Wisdom. The elder is called Divine Knowledge, and his age cannot be computed for although he looks so hale and comely,

he was in existence before the foundation of the world. The name of the younger is Human Knowledge; and as his birth-place was this earth, so he partakes of the infirmity and imperfection of all earthly things. Hence you see that he is much more wrinkled and broken down with age than his elder brother.

"The Father Almighty," continued Piety, "sent Divine Knowledge from his dwelling-place on high, to be a guide and comfort to fallen man; and Human Knowledge was charged never to lose sight of this his elder brother, nor ever to engage in any undertaking, except in conjunction with Divine Knowledge. But," continued Piety, "notwithstanding the strict injunctions laid upon these brethren by the Most High, mankind have, in almost every age of the world, prevailed in their attempts to separate them. And even now," continued she, "the sons of men may be divided into two classes; those who, like Mr. Worldly-Prudence, pay divine honours to the younger brother; and those who, utterly despising the younger, pretend the highest esteem for the elder. But," continued she, "they that judge wisely, give the highest honour to the elder without despising the younger, and take delight in seeing them labour hand in hand, each occupying his proper place, in the blessed work of instructing the ignorant."

Now I saw, in my dream, that, when the damsel Piety had thus spoken, she led the children up to the ancient brothers, introducing them as little ones who were humble, and willing to be instructed. So after laying their hands upon them, and blessing them, the sages caused them to occupy places at their feet.

On that very day therefore they began to study under the direction of these venerable teachers: and from thenceforward, while they remained in the palace Beautiful, they went daily at a certain

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hour into the library, there to receive such instruction as was adapted to their age and condition. And now Humble Mind was made to understand wherein Mr. Worldly-Prudence's system of education was defective, to wit, in that he did not make the Book of God the basis and groundwork of his plan, using heathen authors only as auxiliary lights, and their works as books of reference. And thus he not only bewildered and lost himself amid the mazes of heathen darkness and heathen morality, but became the means of misleading multitudes of others.

In receiving the instructions of these venerable men the little pilgrims spent many hours every day; and whenever they had discovered extraordinary assiduity, I saw that they were allowed by the damsels of the palace to enjoy the fields or gardens of innocent pleasure. These gardens are the peculiar gift of the Lord of lords to the damsels the Virtues, and by him rendered inexpressibly delightful; in order that the saints upon earth, being sometimes permitted to take the air in them, might have some little foretaste of those joys which are reserved for them in heaven, through the merits of him in whom is their trust. These gardens are near adjoining to the palace Beautiful, and the damsels of that house have the sole charge of them, with express command from the Most High, that none enter therein, or eat of their fruit, but such as love him and seek to do his will.

Now I looked, and behold, there was nothing wanting in these gardens that could render them desirable, such as mossy fountains and curious waterfalls, blooming parterres and fragrant groves, verdant uplands and shadowy glens, with every variety that could delight the eye or ravish the fancy. Here were specimens of certain lovely flowers of Paradise, which had escaped the general destruction made by sin. Here were young