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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 them."

I saw then, that, after they had prayed awhile, and called upon God, a messenger came to them from on high, presenting each of them with 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 hill 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 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."

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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 mid-day 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. The pilgrims therefore hastened on their way, and reached

the summit of the hill just at sun-rise, when the sages were stepping forth from their houses to meet, as their custom was, at their morning 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.

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"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 raiment. 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 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 wondrously delighted with all they saw and heard; and more especially with the amiable inhabitants of the place-for the sages were beautiful as well as holy, without spot or blemish, dwelling together in divine harmony, every one having talents and perfections different in kind and degree from his brethren; yet forming together a society, so orderly, so complete, and blessed, that nothing was wanting to its perfection, since all that is true, all that is honest, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, all that is of good report, is to be found in the dwellings of the Virtues. The place of their abode was airy, beautiful, and quiet, being far removed from all the stir and bustle of the world; where they were nourished with the bread of heaven, and secretly initiated into all the mysteries of the kingdom.

Man, as hath been often before remarked, is utterly vile, and incapable of accomplishing any good work. His natural depravity mingles with and discovers itself in all he does; so that his very best attempts, unassisted by the Spirit of God, to acquire a holy state of mind, or to perform virtuous deeds, must be altogether ineffectual; according to that which is written, Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (Matt. vii. 16.) Hence appears the vanity of all those pretensions to perfection, which are held out by yogees, sunyasses, and fakeers; by hermits and dervises; by monks and saints: and hence, all their penances, ceremonies, and observances, must needs be wholly ineffectual to their purification, or the acquirement of virtuous inclinations. But the Engel opens to us the true way of purification. We learn from Scripture, that those who by faith have received Christ, and who abide in him, obtain daily assistance and strength to do well. I am the true vine, saith our Lord, and

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