would not every Body know it, that between this and the Gate by which we got into the Way, we were both fo forely affaulted, that we were made to cry out Murder; and the two that made this Affault upon us, were like the two that I faw in my Dream.

Then faid the Interpreter, Thy Beginning is Good, thy latter End fhall greatly increase.

So he addreffed himself to Mercy, AQuestion put and said unto her, And what moved thee to Mercy. to come hither, Sweet-heart?

Mercy. Then Mercy blufhed and trem

bled, and for a while continued filent.

Inter. Then faid he, Be not afraid, only believe, and fpeak thy Mind.

Mercy. Then he began, and faid, Truly, Mercy's AnSir, my want of Experience is that which wer makes me covet to be in Silence, and that also that fills me with Fears of coming fhort at laft. I cannot tell of Vifions and Dreams, as my Friend Chriftiana can: Nor know I what it is to mourn for my ' refufing of the Counsel of thofe that were good Relations.

Inter. What was it then, Dear Heart, that hath prevailed with thee to do as thou haft done?

Mercy. Why, when our Friend here was packing up to be gone from our Town; I and another went accidentally to fee her. So we knocked at the Door, and went in. When we were within, and feeing what he was doing, we asked her what was her Meaning? She faid, she was fent for to go to her Husband; and then fhe up and told us how he had feen

him

him in a Dream, dwelling in a curious 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 fhe was telling thefe Things unto us, my Heart, burned within me. And I faid 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 Chriftiana.

So. I asked her farther of the Truth of thefe Things, and if he would let me go with her; for I faw 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 fo many of my Relations were left

behind.

And I come with all the Defire of my Heart, and will go, if I may, with Chrifiiana, unto her Hufband, and his King.

Inter. Thy Setting out is Good, for thou haft given Credit to the Truth; thou art a Ruth, who did for the Love fhe 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 the knew not before, Ruth 2. 11. 12. The Lord recompence thy Work, and full Reward be given thee of the Lord God of Ifrael, under whofe Wings thou art come to truft.

Now Supper was ended, and Prepara tion was made for Bed; the Women were

Bed.

laid fingly alone, and the Boys by them- They undress felves. Now when Mercy was in Bed, themselves for fhe could not fleep for Joy, for that now Mercy's good her Doubts of miffing at laft, were re- Night's Reft. moved farther from her than ever they were before. So fhe lay bleffing and praifing God, who had fuch Favour for her.

In the Morning they rofe with the Sun, and prepared themselves for their Departure; but the Interpreter would have them tarry a While, for, faid he, you must orderly go from hence. Then faid he to the Damfel that firft opened unto them, Take them and have them into the Garden to the Bath, and there wash them and make them clean from the Soil, which they have gathered by Travelling. Then Innocent the Damfel took them, and led them into the Garden, and brought them The Bath of to the Bath; fo fhe told them, That Sanctification, there they muft wash and be clean, for

fo her Master would have the Women to do, that called at his Houfe as they were going on Pilgrimage. Then they went in They wash in and washed, yea, they and the Boys and it. all; and they came out of that Bath, not only fweet and clean, but also much enlivened and strengthened in their Joints. So when they came in, they looked fairer a deal, than when they went out to the Washing.

When they were returned out of the Garden from the Bath, the Interpreter took them, and looked upon them, and faid unto them, Fair as the Moon. Then he called for the Seal, wherewith they used to be fealed that are washed in his Bath. T

So

They are cloathed.

True Humi

lity.

So the Seal was brought, and he fet his Mark upon them, that they might be known in the Places, whither they were yet to go: Now the Seal was the Contents and Sum of the Paffover which the Children of Ifrael did eat, Exod. 13. 8, 9, 10. when they came out of the Land of Egypt; and the Mark was fet between their Eyes. This Seal greatly added to their Beauty, for it was an Ornament to their Faces. It also added to their Gravity, and made their Countenance more like them of Angels.

Then faid the Interpreter again to the Damfel that waited upon the Women, Go into the Veftry, and fetch our Garments for these People: So fhe went and fetched out white Raiment, and laid it down before him; fo he commanded them to put it on. It was fine Linen, white and clean. When the Women were thus adorned, they seemed to be a Terror one to the other; for that they could not fee that Glory each one in herself, which they could fee in each other. Now therefore they began to esteem each other better than themselves. For you are fairer than I am said one; and you are more comely than I am, faid another. The Children also stood amazed, to fee into what Fashion they were brought.

The Interpreter then called for a ManServant of his, one Great-Heart, and bid him take Sword and Helmet, and Shield, and take these my Daughters, faid he, conduct them to the House called Beautiful, at which Place they will reft next.

So