We should flee the first temptations to ungodliness.

not considering that that little does but embolden them to venture on more, every glass they pour down, depriving them of so much of their resolution and strength to resist; and when they come to be doubtful whether they shall let this one glass more go down, they throw down the fence of their soul, their reason, and expose her to be polluted by the height of debauchery and folly, letting in to their unguarded breasts a flood of vain passions with their superfluity of drink; thus, by little and little, the poor soul suffers shipwreck. In such a case, the only remedy is, to flee the first occasions and temptations, to stop the avenues of the soul, to set a guard upon the senses, and to retain the imagination within its proper limits. A man ought not so much as to fancy that company pleasant or delightful, by keeping of which he runs the hazard of his soul's health; much less ought he to follow them and court them; nay, rather let him refuse when courted by them: 'tis much better to be thought ill-natured and uncomplaisant to others, than to be really so to one's self, by ruining myself to oblige my acquaintance.

Charity. There are some souls that are naturally so affable and courteous, so soft and pliant, that they comply oftentimes with company, more through the flexibleness and sweetness of their own disposition, than out of any real inclination to debauchery; nay, while they loathe the drink, they cannot forbear obliging their unreasonable companions. This is a great weakness; and though it may be capaple of admitting some excuse on the account of that sweetness of temper from whence it flows, yet 'tis nevertheless dangerous, and therefore must not be pailiated, lest in so doing we turn advocates for vice.

Prudence. If you please, let us break off our dis

The economy of the palace Beautiful.

course for the present, and go to dinner, which is now ready, for the bell rings.

So they all arose, and went into the refractory, or dining-room, where were more virgins of that society waiting for their coming, who all welcomed Tender-conscience to the house, every one saluting him with a particular congratulation, and then they sat down in exquisite order and silence. After the divine blessing was invoked, one of the virgins, whose name was Temperance, carved out for the rest, for that was her office: while another of them, named Decency, waited at the table. Here was no loud laughter to be heard, no offensive nor unseemly jests broached, but a modest cheerfulness crowned the entertainment; they had plenty with. out riot, variety without extravagance, and frugality and bounty seemed to hand in the dishes together: they ate to nourish nature, not to prompt lust or cloy the appetite, and they rose from the table lightsome and well refreshed, having returned thanks to the sovereign giver of all good gifts, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, for refreshing them with his good creatures.

Then one of the virgins, named Health, proposed to the company that it would be convenient and pleasant to take the air of the garden after dinner; to which they all readily consented, and Discretion, Prudence, Piety, Charity, and Temperance, took Tender conscience along with them unto a mount which gave him a lovely prospect of the country round about; and there they sat down under the shade of a broad-spreading sycamore, and fell afresh into discourse. Tender-conscience being desirous to learn the reason of their living thus in society together, and to know the rule and manner of their life, Piety thus replied:

Piety. When we were young, and living at home with our friends we were daily exposed to innume

Piety gives an account of the sisterhood.

rable vanities and follies, and were carried away by the flood of custom: yet, being religiously inclined from our childhood, we, by degrees as we grew up, began to grow sick of our carnal education, and to despise the vanities and fooleries of the world, and sought for a place were we might be free of them, and were we might serve the Lord both night and day in all holiness and purity of life: so after much inquiry, and diligent search, at length we were informed that a certain holy woman, named Religion, had built her house in this place, and she, being an especial favourite of the King of this country, was permitted to gather together a certain number of virgins, who were willing to renounce the world, and live in this retirement with her, having a particular charter granted them, whereby they should for ever be free of certain taxes, imposts, and homages, which the other subjects were obliged to pay, on condition they would make it their business to observe such and such laws and statutes as the aforesaid holy woman, Religion, should prescribe unto them, and to live in true obedience to her commands all the days of their life; whereupon we were presently inflamed with a fervent desire to see this woman, and, if possible, to come and live with her, (I speak for us all, because I have heard the rest of my companions here own the same inclinations as myself had;) so we consulted no longer with flesh and blood, but immediately resolved to wait upon her, and declare our intentions, hoping to find fa your in her eyes, and to be admitted into her society, which we did accordingly; and having made her a visit, and heard her heavenly voice, we were ravished more than ever, and grew impatient, till we were taken into the house. At length, our wishes were fulfilled, our desires granted, and here we have lived ever since, and would not change our life for

The laws and rules of the palace.

the whole world; for this woman is of a sweet temper, all her laws are pleasant, her yoke is easy, and her burden is light.

Charity. Not that we condemn all those who do not live in such a state, or just according to our rules; for, without doubt, many do live mixed with the rest of the world, yet keep themselves unspotted from the vices of the world; but they are exposed to greater danger, they run the risk of more temptations than we; for here, one spirit and soul, as it were, animates us all; holiness and purity are all that we aim at, and we mutually encourage one another, assist one another, and forward one another in the practice of it. We have no cares to embitter us, nor vain pleasures to debauch us; we have no honours to tempt us to ambition, nor riches to make us covetous; all our ambition is to approve ourselves blameless in the sight of God, and all the riches we covet, are those that never fade away, the gifts and graces of the Holy Ghost.

Tender. But I suppose you have some particular laws and rules to which you are obliged to conform yourselves, which I should be glad to know.

Piety. Yes, we have so, and I will acquaint you with them in the best manner 1 can.

1. We are obliged to rise every morning before the sun, and then we join all together in prayer and praises to the great God of heaven, thanking him for his past blessings, aud imploring his future favour and protection over us.

2. Then every one goes to his proper business, as belongs to their office, till the time of refreshment, and so again till dinner.

3. We are obliged to entertain all pilgrims that are travelling towards the Heavenly Country, provided they shew their pass, or give such an account of themselves as may be thought equivalent.

Temperance in eating and drinking.

4. At the close of the day we are obliged to join again all in prayer and praises, as in the morning.

5. We are obliged to keep and maintain the King's armoury, and to furnish all pilgrims with weapons and armour of proof, against all dangers and disasters whatsoever.

These are the general and most important laws of our society; but besides these, we have many particular rules of less note, though very good, and in a manner necessary to our well-being; all of which will be too tedious to rehearse.

Temperance. Only give me leave to insist upon the statute of moderation in eating and drinking, which we are straightly charged to keep under severe penalties, which I suppose you had forgot.

Piety. 'Tis true, indeed, I had forgotten to mention it, and am very glad of that forgetfulness, since I have thereby given you an opportunity of discoursing more at large upon that subject, who are best able to do it, as being appointed the particular interpreter of this statute; therefore pray inform the pilgrim about it.

Temperance. This statute of moderation in eating and drinking, is grounded on this consideration, that Adam fell by eating the forbidden fruit. The first sin that ever was committed in the world by mankind, was eating. Now, though it be not certain whether it proceeded from some natural contagion in the fruit which Adam ate, or from the venomous breath of the serpent that recommended it to Eve, or some other hidden cause, yet we are sure, that whereas Adam was before in the full perfection of human nature, (being the lively image of the glorious God; his soul being full of the beams of eternal light, his understanding clear and serene as the morning, his will regular and obedient to his reason, his body in perfect vigour and health,