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idea of virtue, that ye pretend that mere man is capable of attaining even to the smallest degree of it. Man, when assisted by the Holy Spirit of God, becomes a new creature, and is enabled to produce such good works, as the natural man cannot in any wise perform; for, by nature we are very sinful, and very weak, and can do no good thing. Now the Virtues which dwell on this mountain are charity, or love, mercy, hope, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; these Virtues dwell together, are in perfect harmony, are supported by spiritual bread from heaven, and are never separated. Through the assistance of God the Holy Spirit (a privilege purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ, who is God the Son) many believers have been enabled to attain to great eminence in virtue; although, in all their attainments, human frailty ever mingleth its corruptions. But the natural man, whose motives of action are self-advancement and the love of glory, never can attain unto these virtues: inasmuch as strife and ambition are the irreconcileable enemies of charity, of joy, of peace, of longsuffering, of meekness, and of temperance; neither can they ever abide with them."

At this the Bramhun and the Mussulmaun doctor looked very angry: but while they were considering with themselves how they should gainsay the Christian's arguments, the fakeer, who had provided himself with certain pebbles from the brook, began to throw them at the pilgrims, saying, "What are these fellows who presume to dictate to us?" And at the same time he poured forth such a torrent of abuse and blasphemy, that Nazareenee and Bartholomew were glad to withdraw, and to get out of hearing.

They removed therefore to some distance, where a fair palm tree spread her broad leaves to shelter

them from the rays of the sun; and there, kneeling on the grass, they prayed for their fellow-travellers: while they, on the other hand, having spent their rage in abusing the Christians and blaspheming their God, set forth, in a spirit of vain glory, to mount the hill.

Now I saw, in my dream, that they did not take the straight road, which is the King's highway, because of its steepness and difficulty; choosing rather a broad path which wound about to the left. There, for a while, I lost sight of them, on account of the curvings of the road: but presently again I espied them standing on the edge of a terrific precipice, from whence they were disdainfully vociferating to the pilgrims below; and their words were full of self-confidence and contempt of the Most High. But behold, even while they were uttering their boastings and their blasphemies, the feet of one of them slipped, and he, catching hold of the others to save himself, dragged them down with him into the deep below, where they were all dashed to pieces.

At this horrible accident the pilgrims were filled with terror, most unfeignedly lamenting the fate of these unhappy men: after which they called earnestly upon God to uphold them in the way, lest they also should stumble and fall" for," said the pilgrim Bartholomew, we by nature differ in no wise from these poor men."

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I saw then, in my dream, that, after they had prayed awhile, and called upon God, a messenger came to them from on high, presenting to each of them a strong staff called faith, and bidding them, as they ascended the hill, to lean upon those staves, and their steps would be secure. So they took the staves in their hands, and the heat of the day being past, they began to ascend the hill, rejoicing in him whose hand was their support.

On looking again after the pilgrims, I perceived that they went labouring up the hill, in the narrow way, even the way of salvation: and the bill being at first very steep, the sweat ran down the pilgrims' backs. Nazareenee was here ready to faint; but observing his fellow, who was an older man than himself, advancing steadily forward, he could not for shame be the first to cry, Stop. So they went on, sometimes climbing on their hands and knees, and sometimes walking, yet always, as I saw, holding fast by their staves.

Now after awhile, the ascent became more gentle; and the pathway, instead of being stony, was spread with tender grass and flowers. Moreover, the woods on each side, as they advanced, appeared more and more beautiful, while the singing of the birds therein made them delightfully vocal: so that the old pilgrim observed that he had never in his travels seen the like.

Then said Nazareenee, “I see that the face of nature itself laughs and rejoices where the Virtues have their dwelling."

"Yes, verily," replied the old pilgrim, “the earth did not produce thorns and thistles till our father Adam brought sin into the world: and when the kingdom of Christ shall become universal, the desert shall then blossom as the rose; instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree.” (Isaiah lv. 13.)

By this time, the sun was set; but the moon appearing in the brow of the night, the pilgrims proposed that they should continue their journey, being impatient to reach their appointed restingplace. Now there was no fear of evil beasts in that mountain; so the travellers went on all night, the air being cool and refreshing, and the way straight before them. And as the morning broke they

could distinguish on the very summit of the hill right before them, the tope of trees, under whose shade the sages were accustomed to pass their midday hours in social converse, not far from their respective cells, which were formed in the side of the hill, adorned with fragrant shrubs and flowering creepers. So the pilgrims hastened forward, and reached the summit of the hill just at sunrise, when the sages were stepping forth from their houses to meet, as their custom was, to their moruing devotions.

CHAPTER VIII.

Shewing how the Pilgrims, after sojourning with the Sages, descended into the Valley of Humiliation; and how the Lord for a while hid his Face from them, as a Trial of their Faith.

"And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."John xvi. 22.

Now I saw, in my dream, that, when the sages perceived the pilgrims at a little distance, they sent one of their number to receive them, and conduct them to a place where they might bathe their bodies and change their clothes. So the sage came forth to meet them, giving them his hand, and welcoming them to those unfrequented heights. After which he led them to a bath, clear as crystal, and shaded by trees; where, having sanctified and cleansed themselves with the washing of water by the word, he presented them with fragrant oil, wherewith to anoint themselves: whereupon they were sweetly refreshed, and came forth rejoicing. Then I saw that the sage led them to his brethren, who all graciously saluted the pilgrims, saying, "Glorify God, from whom ye have received strength to reach this favoured place."

Here the pilgrims were ravished with delight at

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