The Interpreter's Proverbs. cause supper as yet was not ready, Christiana again desired that the Interpreter would either show, or tell of, some other things that were profitable.' Then the Interpreter began, and said: "The fatter the sow is, the more she desires the mire; the fatter the ox is, the more gamesomely he goes to the slaugh ter; and the more healthy the lusty man is, the more prone he is unto evil. There is a desire in women to go neat and fine; but it is a comely thing to be adorned with that which in God's sight is of great price. It is easier to watch a night or two, than to sit up a whole year together: so it is easier for one to begin to profess well, than to hold out as he should to the end. Every ship-master, when in a storm, will willingly cast that overboard which is of the smallest value in the vessel; but who will throw the best out first? None but he that feareth not God. One leak will sink a ship, and one sin will destroy a sinner. He that forgets his friend, is ungrateful unto him; but he that forgets his Saviour, is unmerciful to himself. He that lives in sin, and looks for happiness hereafter, is like him that soweth cockle, and thinks to fill his barn with wheat or barley.- If a man would live well, let him fetch his last day to him, and make it always his company keeper. Whisperings, and censorious thoughts, prove that sin is in the world. If the world, which God sets light by, is counted a thing of that worth with men, what is heaven which God commend. eth? If this life, which is attended with so many roubles, is so unwillingly let go by us, what should the life be that is above? Every body will cry up the goodness of men; but who is there, that is, as he should be, affected with the goodness of God?- We seldom sit down to meat, but we eat, and leave. So there are in Jesus Christ, more merit ▾ Pray, and you will get at that which yet lies unrevealed. The withered Tree. and righteousness than the whole world has need of." When the Interpreter had done, he took them out into his garden again, and had them to a tree, whose inside was all rotten and gone, and yet it grew and had leaves. Then said Mercy, "What means this?" "This tree," said he, "whose outside is fair, and whose inside is rotten, is that to which many may be compared that are in the garden of God; who with their mouths speak high in behalf of God, but will do nothing for him; whose leaves are fair, but their hearts good for nothing but to be tinder for the devil's tinderbox." Now supper was ready, the table spread, and all things set on board; so they sat down and did eat, when one had given thanks. The Interpreter did usually entertain those that lodged with him with music at meals; so the minstrels played. There was also one that did sing, and a very fine voice he had. His song was this: The Lord alone is my support, And he that doth me feed; Whereof I stand in need?b z "The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd, Eccles. xii. 11. We may consider the holy maxims here attributed to the Holy Spirit, as axioms founded upon the holy Scriptures, enforcing such principles as faithful pastors should enjoin on those who compose their congregations. There appears a design in these observations to instruct female Christians especially; and therefore their attention is called to the directions of the apostle Peter in reference to their dress, 1 Pet. iii. 3-5. Women in all ages have been remarked as desiring to go neat and fine; but Christian women should be mainly solicitous to be "adorned with a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." a Some professors appear amiable, spiritual, and excellent, in public,-in the company of serious Christians, and at the table of the Lord,-who in private are quite different, seeking all their gratification in sensual pleasure, and indulging in every abomination. In public they are "angels :" in private, "devils." The abundant provision made in the gospel for the entertain Christiana's Reasons for going on Pilgrimage. When the song and music were ended, the Interpreter asked Christiana, what it was that at first did move her thus to betake herself to a pilgrim's life. Christiana answered, "First, the loss of my husband came into my mind, at which I was heartily grieved; but all that was natural affection. Then, after that came the troubles and pilgrimage of my husband into my mind, and also how like a churl I had carried it to him as to that. So guilt took hold of my mind, and would have drawn me to despond, but that opportunely I had a dream of the well-being of my husband, and a letter sent by the King of that country where my husband dwells, to come to him. The dream and the letter together so wrought upon my mind, that they forced me to this way." INTER. But met you with no opposition before you set out of doors? CHR. Yes, from a neighbour of mine, one Mrs. Timorous: she was akin to him that would have per ment and gratification of believers, seems to be intended by the description here given of the entertainment which the Holy Spirit usually affords to them who take up their abode in the church of Christ. Cheerful company, music, and singing, are a suitable representation of the happiness enjoyed in public worship by those who "joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ," Rom. v. 11. Such a state of mind is well expressed by the poet Tate ; "Fear him, ye saints, and you will then Have nothing else to fear; Make you his service your delight, It is probable that our author intended also to express his approbation of singing the praises of God in public worship, a practice which was but little used among the Baptists, and which had been but lately introduced into the congregation at Bedford. The song which one with a fine voice sung for the entertainment of these pilgrims, was to celebrate the providential care of God over his people; and the performance of this under the immediate direction of the Interpreter, intimates that it was according to the Scriptures. I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also," 1 Cor. xiv. 15. "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you chly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalnis and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord," Coloss. iii. 15, 16. Mercy's Reasons for going on Pilgrimage. suaded my husband to go back for fear of the lions. She also befooled me, for, as she called it, my intended desperate adventure; she also urged what she could to dishearten me from it, the hardship and troubles that my husband met with in the way; but all this I got pretty well over. But a dream which I had of two ill-looking ones, who I thought did plot how to make me miscarry in my journey, greatly troubled me: yea, it still runs in my mind, and makes me afraid of every one that I meet, lest they should meet me to do me a mischief, and turn me out of my way. Yea, I may tell my Lord, though I would not have every body know it, that between this and the gate by which we got into the way, we were both so sorely assaulted, that we were obliged to cry out murder; and the two that made this assault upon us, were like the two that I saw in my dream. Then said the Interpreter, "Thy beginning is good; thy latter end shall greatly increase." So he addressed himself to Mercy, and said unto her, " And what moved thee to come hither, sweetheart?" Then Mercy blushed and trembled, and for a while continued silent. INTER. Then said he, Be not afraid; only believe, and speak thy mind. MER. Then she began, and said, Truly, Sir, my want of experience is that which makes me covet to be in silence, and that also which fills me with fears of coming short at last. I cannot tell of visions and dreams, as my friend Christiana can; nor know I what it is to mourn for my refusing the counsel of those that were good relations. INTER. What was it then, dear heart, that prevailed with thee to do as thou hast done? MER. Why, when our friend here was packing up to be gone from our town, I and another went accidentally to see her. So we knocked at the door and went in. When we were within, and saw what she was doing, we asked her what was her meaning She The Pilgrims retire to rest. replied, she was sent for to go to her husband; and then she told us how she had seen him in a dream, dwelling in a beautiful place, among immortals, wearing a crown, playing upon a harp, eating and drinking at his Prince's table, and singing praises to him for bringing him thither, &c. Now methought while she was telling these things unto us, my heart burned within me. And I said in my heart, If this be true, I will leave my father and my mother, and the land of my nativity, and will, if I may, go along with Christiana. So I asked her farther of the truth of these things, and if she would let me go with her; for I saw now, that there was no dwelling, but with the danger of ruin, any longer in our town. But yet I came away with a heavy heart; not for that I was unwilling to come away, but for that so many of my relations were left behind. And I come with all the desire of my heart, and will go, if I may, with Christiana, unto her husband and his King. INTER. Thy setting out is good, for thou hast given credit to the truth; thou art a Ruth, who did, for the love she bare to Naomi, and to the Lord her God, leave father and mother, and the land of her nativity, to come out and go with a people that she knew not before. The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. (Ruth. ii. 11.) Now supper was ended, and preparation was made for bed; the women were laid singly alone, and the boys by themselves. Now when Mercy was in bed, she could not sleep for joy, for that now her doubts of missing at last were removed farther from her than ever they were before. So she lay blessing and praising God, who had such favour for her. с They who are acquainted with the manner in which persons are received into congregational churches, by giving a verbal account of their experience, will immediately recognize in this part of the narrative a perfect resemblance to that practice. Christia a grave matron, appears to have felt no difficulty in complying b 12 2 Q |