come into the King's highway, climbing over the wall, and with him came his sons, two boys about the age of Humble Mind.

This man's name was Mr. Lover-of-Novelty, and he was come to make trial of a pilgrim's life, having been told that it was a pleasant one. And such indeed it is, with all its troubles, to those who are introduced to it by the right way; but to those who do not enter it by the gate which is at the head of the way, it is neither agreeable nor profitable. "I am the door,” saith Christ, "and he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber." John x. 1.

So Mr. Lover-of-Novelty, having entered the King's highway, presently espied Humble Mind, who was a little before him; and, calling aloud to him, invited him to join their company.

Now Humble Mind had no inclination to make any acquaintance with this man or his children, because he liked not the manner in which they had entered the Way of Salvation. Inbred-Sin, however, suffered not Humble Mind's better judgment to prevail, but insinuated that Mr. Lover-of-Novelty might be a good pilgrim, though he conformed not altogether to the ancient rules set down for pilgrims; and, moreover, he insisted that Humble Mind should accept his invitation. So he held him in debate till Mr. Lover-of-Novelty and his sons came up and joined them.

Then thought I-This Inbred-Sin is a bold one, and, as the ancient saying is, "Give him an inch, and he will take an ell." A little while ago, he did not dare to show his face; and now he is become so bold, and loud, and vehement, that he must have all things his own way; and this, too, on the King's ground, and in company with one of the chosen ones of the Lord. Then I recollected these words-"If they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?" Luke xxiii. 31.

It is true, that Humble Mind, being young and inexperienced, could not be supposed to have skill enough to contend with this child of hell: but it is well known, that neither age, wisdom, nor experience has ever yet enabled any man to overcome his inward corruptions. He that would conquer Inbred-Sin must contend with him, not in his own strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit; he must watch unto prayer, and go forth

in the strength of the Lord. God the Holy Spirit hath power sufficient to overcome and cast out this our inbred enemy; since it is his peculiar work to purify the heart, and to set it free from the dominion of sin.

I perceived then that Humble Mind had not gone far with Mr. Lover-of-Novelty and his sons, before they came to a little rising ground; from which, just before them appeared the pastures of the shepherd Sincerity, an exceedingly fair and lovely region, adorned with groves of tufted trees, shady fountains, and delicate flowers. This place was provided by the Lord of the way for the reception of young pilgrims; and here the lambs of the Lord's flock "dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods." Ezek. xxxiv. 25.

Now these delightful pastures of the shepherd Sincerity had proved so peculiarly beneficial to many young pilgrims, that the enemy of their Prince had long looked upon them with a very evil eye. And not only so; but, in order to divert the attention of youthful travellers from that attractive scene, he had planted a garden on the left-hand, close by the way-side, on that very spot where these beautiful fields first present themselves to the view and behold, he had adorned it with all kinds of fanciful decorations. He had also opened a door from it into the King's highway, where he stationed one Light-Mind, a fair-looking gay damsel, to entice young pilgrims into his garden.

I saw then, in my dream, that Mr. Lover-of-Novelty was mightily taken with the appearance of this garden on the left-hand and Humble Mind, too, thought it looked very pretty; for it was ornamented with all manner of gay flowers, together with little pavilions made of filagree work. So they stopped before the gardengate; when the damsel Light-Mind immediately opened it, and invited them to enter.

Now I observed that Mr. Lover-of-Novelty and his sons went in at once; but that Humble Mind made a kind of stand, and would know of the damsel, who she was? and whether the garden belonged unto the King? and wherefore she so pressingly invited him to come in?

*

To these questions the damsel thus answered:"This garden has been planted here for the advantage of young pilgrims. This is a place of refreshment and education. Here all kinds of desirable accomplishments are taught, and that in a manner the most easy and

pleasing. We have also in this place all kinds of musical instruments," added the damsel," with every other possible device to render study delightful. Only come in, and you shall speedily be taught every thing which can make you an agreeable and accomplished pilgrim.”

Then answered Humble Mind, "I thank you for your invitation, but I am upon a journey of life and death. I am a poor sinner, travelling from the place of my birth, which was the Valley of Destruction, to the Celestial City."

The damsel then replied, "Wherefore should you be in such haste? have you not many years before you for this journey of which you speak? You are but a child; turn in here, and rest a while, and when you are a little older, you may proceed with more confidence on your intended course.

Humble Mind. I know not how many years are before me, nor at what hour it may please God to require my soul: but what I most fear is, that, if I once turn knowingly out of the right way, I may never be able to discover it again. For this I have found, that we cannot turn into the right way when we please, but must wait for the leadings of the Spirit of God; "For that which I do, I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I." Rom. vii. 15. Therefore I dare not come in, lest hereafter, like Esau, I should seek repentance with tears, and find it not.

Then I saw that Light-Mind laughed, and said, "Who has filled your head, my son, with these grave conceits? There is a time for all things: youth is the time for pleasure, and old age for religion. Methinks it is a pity that so fine a boy as you are should not be taught every thing that might enable him to pass well through the world. Cannot a man serve God without being awkward and ignorant ?"

In this manner Light-Mind pleaded and reasoned with Humble Mind. Neither was Inbred-Sin quiet all this time; but while the damsel continued urging her request, he was gently drawing Humble Mind towards the gate of the garden, and whispering in his ear such things as he thought would add force to her arguments. So that, at length, through the open persuasions of the damsel, and the secret influence of Inbred-Sin, Humble Mind was sufficiently overcome to turn aside and follow Light-Mind into the garden.

Now I remarked that the walks in this garden were artfully disposed into a labyrinth; so that he who once set his foot therein could find no passage out again. Here also, among all kinds of vanities, were seen teachers of every superficial accomplishment, together with many children and young persons whom Light- Mind had beguiled from the right way. Then I saw that certain of these teachers of vanities came and spread forth their toys before Humble Mind, to wit, pencils and paints, maps and drawings, pagan poems and fabulous histories, musical instruments of various kinds, with all the gaudy fopperies of modern learning. Whereupon Inbred-Sin insisted that Humble Mind should take possession of these things; which indeed he himself was so greedily disposed to do, that he filled his pockets and his bosom therewith, overloading himself in such a manner that he dropped the book which Evangelist had given him among the rubbish of the place, without perceiving that he had lost it.

Immediately upon this, Inbred-Sin gathered strength and courage; so that, taking Humble Mind by the hand, he led him along the mazy windings of this garden, still farther and farther from the Way of Salvation: while Humble Mind, being puffed up with the fine things he had gotten, adverted not to the situation in which he was placed. He continued therefore till towards evening, strolling about the garden, amusing himself with the baubles it presented, and playing with the children and young people who were there assembled.

Now I beheld that, at the back of the garden, there was a howling wilderness full of wild beasts, which used to come in the night and commit dreadful ravages in the place; there being no secure fence or wall between the garden and the wilderness. So about sunset the beasts began to howl in a frightful manner; till all who were in the garden, being filled with consternation, fled some one way, some another-but there was no place of security to be found in the whole garden.

Hereupon Humble Mind became sensible of the fault he had committed in leaving the right way, even the Way of Salvation. He then looked about for some passage by which he might return: but, alas! he could find none; and the dark night was coming on apace. At length I heard that he broke out in angry reproaches

against Inbred-Sin, which the other as angrily retorted; so that their words ran very high on both sides.

You

And first Humble Mind spake. "Oh, child of hell!" said he, "to what have you now brought me! have beguiled me from my straight, my safe, and pleasant path, into this forbidden place; where I am in danger every moment of being devoured by wild beasts. Oh, Inbred-Sin! you will never be content till you have plunged me, soul and body, into hell.”

In answer to this, Inbred-Sin replied, "Am I not a part of yourself? am I not indeed your own self? How then can you reproach yourself?"

To this Humble Mind answered, "I well know that you are a part of myself; I know that you were born with me, and bred with me: and, more than this, I fear that I shall never get quit of you, till we go down together into the grave."

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Nay, but," said Inbred-Sin, "are not the things which I have shown you very excellent, and worthy of the most serious attention ?"

Humble Mind. But, if I should gain the whole world, and lose my own soul, what would it profit me? Matt. xvi. 26

"As for the welfare of the soul," said Inbred-Sin, "I am not so much concerned about that."

"But are you not afraid of hell-fire ?" asked Humble Mind.

Inbred-Sin. I love to indulge my own longings—the things in this garden please me.

Humble Mind. You are, I see, no better than a brute. Inbred-Sin. What I am, you are: if I am even a devil incarnate, you are the same.

Humble Mind answered, "I know that I am exceedingly vile, and altogether filthy, and that no good thing dwelleth in me: nevertheless I will not submit to your control.; since He who died for me upon the cross intended thereby to deliver me from your dominion. So, take my defiance."

"We shall soon see which is the stronger," said Inbred-Sin. So they rushed together; and Inbred-Sin showed himself mighty in war. There was no beating him off. Although Humble Mind did his utmost, he could by no means prevail; because, as I said before, Inbred-Sin was a stranger to fatigue. He required no time to take breath or gather strength, but heaped blow