how much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth? They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever, without any regarding it.' Job iv. 14-20.

So this Conviction-of-Sin stood before Humble Mind, and laid all his sins in order before him; while Humble Mind trembled exceedingly, and the water stood upon his forehead, so exceedingly was he alarmed. Now when this new messenger first appeared, I perceived that Inbred-Sin hid himself in Humble Mind's bosom; but after awhile he began to look up; and so, by degrees, gathering courage he sprang from his place, and flying at the throat of Conviction-of-Sin, griped and squeezed him after such a fashion, that I verily thought he would have utterly destroyed him: but the other exerting himself manfully, they continued struggling and fighting till sunrise; each party in their turn, as they gained the mastery, attacking poor Humble Mind, insomuch that I saw the boy was almost killed between them. But, as I before said, when the sun arose, the contest ceased, Conviction-of-Sin then spreading his wings, and mounting upwards; for Conviction-of-Sin is of heavenly birth, and unto him it may be truly said, 'Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest.' Psalm xciv. 12. So Humble Mind was left lying on his bed, sorely bruised, and bitterly lamenting.

Now I saw in my dream that it began to be noised abroad in those parts, that Conviction-ofSin had visited Humble Mind; and thus the neighbours discoursed thereupon:-"What is this Conviction-of-Sin, which is come unto the child? What sin can this little boy have been

guilty of? But that same Evangelist, who turned the heads of his father and mother, is, it seems, frequently meddling with him; so that, unless we can hit upon some method of diverting his thoughts from these matters, he will never be good for any thing as long as he lives."

Then one neighbour said to another, "Come, let us go and talk with this boy, and try to put other thoughts in his head; for, if this Evangelist and his counsels prevail in our streets, what will become of the honour and credit of our town, or how shall we be esteemed among men?"

So the neighbours agreed together, and came to Humble Mind's house; where, having knocked at the door, they were speedily let in, and found the children preparing to be gone; for the pain and anguish which Humble Mind suffered from the blows of Conviction-of-Sin were such as rendered it impossible for him to rest in the place where he was.

Accordingly, on rising from his bed, he had opened his mind to his sisters, in spite of InbredSin, who vehemently opposed him, declaring his determination, by God's help, to set out on pilgrimage. He had also, through the divine blessing, obtained his dear sisters' consent to accompany him: and thus, when the neighbours arrived, they found the three children preparing to be gone.

Now I perceived that there arose a very vehement argument between the children and the neighbours who were come to dissuade them from going on pilgrimage; and, behold, InbredSin sided with the neighbours, and took part in their carnal reasonings.

The neighbours represented to the little ones,

that the profession of a pilgrim was a despicable profession, and that it was also an unprofitable one, inasmuch as nothing was to be gained by it, but much to be lost: "for," said they, "he that stays at home, and does his duty, is in as sure a way of salvation as he that forsaketh all and followeth Christ."

Now Humble Mind knew not every argument proper to be used against this false reasoning of his neighbours, on account of his youth and inexperience; but he made answer to the best of his ability, and said, "I have been made to know my sins, and I perceive that I can do nothing to save myself, all my best actions being marred and spoiled by sin. I find therefore that the assistance of one who is both able and willing to save me, is absolutely necessary to my deliverance; and to such a deliverer I must fly. But I do not presume to judge or decide for other people: there may, perhaps, be some, who do not stand in such need of a Saviour as I do; but, for my part, I have been made to know that I am a miserable sinner."

"And these little ones, thy sisters," said the neighbours, "what have they done that they should be exposed to all the hardships of a pilgrim's life?"

Then spake Humble Mind, "I have heard it said, and have also read in my book, that we are all born in sin; and that, unless our nature is changed, and a right spirit renewed within us, we must all surely perish. It appears, then, that the youngest among us stands in as much need of a Saviour as those who have committed more actual offences; and hence it becomes the duty

of every child, as soon as he has any discernment, to inquire after this Saviour. On this account, therefore," continued Humble Mind, "I, who esteem myself the chief of sinners, am, with God's help, about to leave all things, in order to seek the way of salvation pointed out in this Holy Book, which I hold in my hand."

I perceived then, that when the neighbours saw the firmness of Humble Mind, that they first began to ridicule him, to scoff, and to jeer; and from thence they proceeded to loud abuse, invectives, and even threatenings; but Convictionof-Sin had dealt with Humble Mind to such purpose, that his determination respecting going on pilgrimage was not to be shaken. Nevertheless, the little girls were much terrified by the harsh language of their neighbours; and their trouble was not a little increased by the whisperings of Inbred-Sin, who would have it that they were running themselves into a thousand needless snares and troubles, by giving heed to the advice of Evangelist.

Now I saw, in my dream, that when the neighbours perceived that they could prevail nothing, they took counsel aside one with another, and this was the purport of their consultation

There dwelt in those parts a certain schoolmaster, one who was countenanced by the king of the country, even the prince of this world; and one who stood high in favour with all the chief persons and honourable men of the land. This schoolmaster, whose name was WorldlyPrudence, was descended from an ancient family, and could boast of a long line of ancestry, all of whom had been employed by the prince of this world in the instruction of youth. He was a

person of a venerable appearance, and knew how to make himself agreeable to all ranks and orders of men, having wit at will, and arguments always ready to support his opinions. He was well skilled in ancient learning, had much to say in favour of human wisdom, and could speak largely of the dignity of the human mind: and if he did not utterly despise religion, which some assert he did, he at least gave it but a secondary and inferior place in all the concerns of life.

Now as this schoolmaster was held in general respect and fear by the children of the land, it was proposed by the neighbours, when they saw that they could not prevail with Humble Mind to give up all thoughts of a pilgrim's life, that this schoolmaster should be brought to him and his sisters, "for," said they, "the children will acknowledge his authority, although they despise our arguments.

So they made haste; and when they had found Mr. Worldly-Prudence they brought him to Humble Mind's house. Then I hearkened to what should pass between the schoolmaster and Humble Mind, expecting that Mr. Worldly-Prudence would begin to rail at religion and a pilgrim's life, because I knew that he was in the service of the prince of this world. But I was mistaken; for he went more cautiously to work, and opened the conversation by speaking highly of the religion of Christ, and praising those men who faithfully devoted themselves to his service. And having thus thrown Humble Mind off his guard, he proceeded in a more direct manner to the accomplishment of the business he had undertaken, namely, to turn the child from that