CHAPTER XI.

Now it was a custom, and had been so, as I found, from time immemorial, for such of the Lord's servants as were stationed along the way for the reception and assistance of pilgrims, to hold communication by letter with each other, concerning the affairs of pilgrims: by which means all the pilgrims on the road were well known in all those places, and a vigilant watch was maintained, lest any of them should fall into the hands of the enemy.

In consequence of this established rule, the damsels at the palace Beautiful having about this time received a letter from the Interpreter, giving them notice that certain little pilgrims were upon the road, they sent forth a faithful servant, called Discipline, to meet them, and bring them up the hill Difficulty. Discipline therefore set forth, and sought the children up and down. At length receiving information that they were in Mrs. Indulgence's house, he went immediately thither, and demanded of her how she dared to detain those chosen little ones under her unholy roof?

At this Indulgence trembled, well knowing that Discipline came not without authority: so she delivered up the children into his hands.

Then Discipline spake sternly to them, and asked them what they did there? Moreover, he took his rod and corrected them; after which he drove them before him into the right way: neither did he spare them till he had brought them almost to the top of the hill Difficulty; and it was wonderful how he made them exert themselves. At first they cried and complained piteously; but as they ascended higher and higher, they went on with so much briskness, that although Discipline followed them up close behind, yet he forebore to use his scourge as he had done: till at last I perceived that, instead of employing the rod, he encouraged them to proceed by the kindest words he could use.

The sun was about to set when they came within view of the palace Beautiful: nevertheless the loveliness of the place was plainly to be discerned; while

the freshness and sweetness of the mountain air produced a very reviving effect upon the weary children. Now I saw that there were lions chained on either side of the way which led to the palace: but these creatures took no notice of the pilgrims as they passed; though the children trembled when they saw them, and looked very pale.

So Discipline led them up to the gate of the palace; where I saw that the children turned to him and thanked him for having brought them to that place, and for all the assistance with which he had favoured them. Nay, I perceived that they kissed the hand which held the rod of correction, yea, and the very rod itself. And herein were the words of the wise man verified-Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Prov. xxii. 15.

Upon this Discipline smiled, and said, "I am the servant of the Most High, and have been employed by him to bring many pilgrims to this place. But without the aid of his Holy Spirit, I can accomplish nothing: give, therefore, the glory to God. For such is the condition of man, since the fall of Adam, that he has no power of himself to come to this abode of the Virtues; nay, nor even so much as to desire to do so, without God's help."

So after ringing the bell, behold, the gate was presently opened by Mr. Watchful, the porter. Now the old porter smiled on observing the little pilgrims before his gate; and laying his hands upon their heads, he thus spake: What! more fruit of your labours, Mr. Discipline? You are by far the most successful of all our agents: for by your means I have the pleasure of opening the gates of this palace to many fair little travellers, who would never, I am sure, have reached this place without your help.

"I had not brought you these, Mr. Watchful," returned Discipline, “without God's help. I am but an instrument in his hands, and a very mean one too: therefore to God be all the glory."

"Very true," answered Mr. Watchful; "Paul planteth, Apollos watereth; but God gives the increase. 1 Cor. iii. 6.

By this time, one of the damsels of the house

having heard the porter's bell, was come to the door. The damsel's name was Humility; and she was one of the many lovely virgins who dwell there together in sweet harmony and love. Of these, Prudence, Piety, and Charity are considered as the chief; but there are several younger branches of this family who are not less lovely than their elder sisters. Humble Mind then delivered to the damsel Humility the note which he had received from the Intepreter, and which she immediately carried to those within. Whereupon the little pilgrims were called in, while Mr. Discipline went about other work.

Then such of the damsels as had received orders to introduce little pilgrims, took them by the hand, and led them first into the hall, which was a noble apartment, where were ranged upon pedestals near the walls, many marble statues, exceedingly beautiful and in fine proportion, representing the most holy and beloved of God among the children of men. There were such as through faith had subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness had been made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women who had received their dead raised to life again: and others who had been tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they may obtain a better resurrection. Here were the statues of such as had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheep-skins, and goat-skins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth; Heb. xi. 33-38:-all of them suffering for the love which they bore to God. Here also were the memorials of many pious and holy young persons, to whom God had given grace to serve him in spirit and in truth.

"And there were those who passed life's blooming year Beside the mournful couch of parents dear;

Renouncing all the joys of early days

To serve their God, and mind his strictest ways."

Here also were representations in marble, of parents who, through the love they bear to their Redeemer, had yielded up their dying infants to him that made them, crying out, “Lord, Lord, thy will be done!" and rejoicing in the full assurance that their little sweet ones were delivered from a vain and evil world. All these, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided better things for them; Heb. xi. 39, 40:even an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for them. 1 Pet. i. 4.

Through this hall the damsels led the little ones into a fair parlour, where sat Prudence, Piety, and Charity, with other virgins of the family. Each of these fair maidens was busied about some appropriate good work; and as they wrought with their hands, they beguiled the time in speaking to each other in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Eph. v. 19. But upon the little pilgrims being brought in, imme diately ceasing from their work, and suspending their song, they gathered around them. First, Charity kissed them; then Piety gave them her blessing; while Prudence brushed the dust from their white garments. And one welcomed them, and another welcomed them, saying, "Blessed are you, ye chosen ones of the Lord."

So they were made to sit down, and a dish of wholesome food was set before them; of which they ate heartily: for their exercise under Mr. Discipline's management had made them very hungry. Then having prayed with the family, they were put to bed in a chamber called Peace: where they presently fell into a deep sleep.

Now it is not to be supposed, because the little pilgrims were safely lodged in the palace Beautiful, that they were also set free from the importunities of Inbred-Sin. No: for as that wicked one came with us into the world, so he will go out of the world with us. I had turned my eye upon him, from time to time, ever since the children were driven from the house of Indulgence. When Mr. Discipline set them a-running, I saw that Inbred-Sin kept close in with them; not indeed by running with them, but,

as I had often seen him do before, by hanging upon them, and that so heavily, that the children were forced to drag him with great difficulty up the hill. And though he got many strokes from Mr. Discipline's rod, yet he never loosed his hold; but the more Discipline applied the rod, the more he clung and held fast; giving the poor children many a sore pinch, and many a painful twitch. On coming towards the top of the hill, where the way became easier, I saw that he ceased pulling and twitching, and went on quietly behind the children; keeping, however, quite close to them. He accompanied them also into the palace, drawing himself, however, as much as possible, from the notice of the damsels of the palace; and when the children went to bed, he went with them. Nevertheless, he kept himself very quiet all night; and in the morning, just about the time that he expected the children to arise, he laid himself all along on the floor, like one dead or fainting. And there he was when Humble Mind and his sisters, being awakened by the sweet singing of the birds before their window, got up, and began to dress themselves.

Now the children, being busily engaged in conversation, never heeded Inbred-Sin, till he began to make a low kind of moaning. Whereupon Playful perceiving him, said, "why here lies Inbred-Sin like one half dead. Well, well, I hope that Mr. Discipline has at last mastered him with his scourge; for he got many hearty stripes yesterday."

Then Humble Mind turned to look at him; and little Peace actually began to touch him, to see if he was really dead.”

"No, no," said Humble Mind, "he is not dead; for I believe that he will never die till we die, and that we shall never get quit of him till we sink into the grave."

"But," said Playful, "he cannot move; I think that both his legs and his arms are broken. Though he may not be absolutely dead, yet the blows he received may have broken all his bones, and taken away his strength.

"Well, well, I wish it may be so," answered Humble Mind; and then at least he will not torment