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taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.' Matt. x. 38.

With that I perceived that the glorious vision faded from the view of the little pilgrim; and behold, the child lay awhile prostrate on the ground, bitterly weeping: for his heart smote him on account of his ingratitude to his Saviour; and he felt utterly unworthy of that special condescension which had led the Prince of princes a second time to reveal himself to him, and plead with him, as it were, face to face. So he lay weeping and lamenting till day-dawn; when rising from the ground, and awakening his sisters, he reported to them what he had seen, and in what manner he had been made sensible of the pride and ingratitude of his heart.

Now I saw in my dream, that these little ones were much affected when they heard the words of their brother; for it pleased the Lord to bless his report to their profit. And they said one to another, "We have indeed sinned grievously in hearkening to this Inbred-Sin, and in presuming to murmur against the commands of our Lord."

So, when they had wept over each other for awhile, they arose from the ground; and having drank of the water which flowed in a pure clear stream by the way-side, and also washed themselves therewith, they filled their golden pots with the manna which, a little before sun-rise, appeared thickly scattered around them on the grass: then earnestly asking the Lord's blessing on their journey, they began to set forward along the Valley of Humiliation. And behold, Inbred-Sin followed upon their steps; for he would in no case suffer himself to be left behind,

although the little pilgrims would most gladly have been quit of his company.

CHAPTER XIV.

I SAW then, in my dream, that, although the children began their day's journey in considerable sadness of heart, (being cast down by a strong sense of their late sin and ingratitude to the Prince of princes,) yet as they advanced along this Valley of Humiliation they became more easy, till at length the expression of peace was entirely restored to their countenances. And I remarked that their eyes were directed more continually towards the splendid prospect before them, namely, the glories of Mount Zion, rising faintly and indistinctly above the eastern horizon, than they had ever been during the former part of their pilgrimage. Moreover, I marked that Inbred-Sin was as quiet in this valley as ever I had seen him; although I observed that he sometimes uttered a low whining cry, which no doubt would have broken out into loud murmurs against the King of kings, if Humble Mind, who kept his late vision continually in mind, Itad not sharply rebuked him, pressing him closely with the following words of our Lord, to which he could offer no reply Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.' Matt. xvi. 24, 25.

Now when the young pilgrims had advanced a little way in the Valley of Humiliation, they

were enabled to discover that it abounded with beauties, such as they had never seen in all their travels. The brook of water, of which we have spoken before as for the most part winding its course near to the Way of Salvation, seemed, as it were, to linger among these delightful meadows, and to show itself more full and clear than in any other part of the pilgrim's path. Many flowers grew in these fields, and especially on the margin of the brook. These were, for the most part, flowers of humble growth and delicate appearance-flowers of the valley, which could not live on higher grounds, or endure the rough winds to which such situations are generally exposed.

I heard then that the little pilgrims began to discourse with each other as they walked along. And thus spake Humble Mind: "Dear sisters, though yesterday I came down the hill with such an ill will, yet I am now inclined to think that the Valley of Humiliation is the safest, and perhaps the happiest place for a poor sinner on earth. I am ashamed when I think of the high thoughts I once had of myself; and that not only before I became a pilgrim, but since: and even yesterday how was my heart filled and puffed up with spiritual pride! I call it spiritual pride, continued he, because I was not proud of any thing external, but rather of what I thought the good and prosperous state of my soul. Now indeed I see my folly; and I thank God for opening my mind, and showing me that he who has by his sins brought the Son of God to the cross, can never have any cause of glorying, except in that cross itself." "But, brother," said Playful, there is one thing which I wish to understand-I observe

that every holy person, when talking on the subject of man's salvation, is accustomed to speak of the death of Christ our Lord as if he had died for him or her only, and not for the whole world."

To this Humble Mind answered, "It is very proper that each one should do so; because, if you, or I, or any other person, had been the only transgressor of all the sons of Adam, the Lord must have died for that one person, if that one person was to be saved. Therefore, as far as you, or I, or any other individual of the sons of Adam, is concerned, every sinner is guilty of the death of Christ our Lord, and must lay to his own account every trial which he endured." Here Playful began to look grave; while Peace answered, Brother, I now see my heavy guilt in having put to shame and to death that Holy and Blessed One, who is the chief among ten thousand; and I feel how becoming humility is to such a wretch as I am."

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I saw then that Humble Mind drew his book from his bosom, and read these words- When men are cast down, then thou shalt say, There is lifting up; and he shall save the humble person.' Job xxii. 29. He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.' Psalm ix. 12. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.' James iv. 10. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.' Luke xiv. 11.

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Thus the little pilgrims went on their way, refreshing themselves with holy discourse and divine meditation till noon-day, when they came to a garden or plantation of nuts, where the ripe fruit hung upon the trees. Then said Humble Mind, "See what the Lord has provided for us!" So they sat down, and gathered, and ate

of the nuts; moreover, they drank of the water of the brook: and being refreshed they went on their way.

Then looking for Inbred-Sin, I saw him sculking behind, and appearing like one meditating mischief: nevertheless he kept himself quiet, and, for the present, said not a word. For, as I before observed, the skill of this Inbred-Sin often discovers itself in keeping altogether quiet and out of sight, until some favourable opportunity offer for making an attack with advantage. And on the other hand, herein lies the wisdom of the saints, to be continually upon the watch, and, as it were, armed for the battle. Therefore is it said to the saints, Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.' Mark xiv. 38. But these little pilgrims, like too many others even of superior age and greater experience, seldom feared Inbred-Sin when he was quiet; and, therefore, as he did not particularly inconvenience or trouble them at this time, they were glad enough to let him alone.

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Now I saw, in my dream, that the little ones, having slept peacefully that same night in the Valley of Humiliation, continued their journey in the morning. But I perceived that, after journeying all day, towards night-fall the valley seemed to sink lower and lower, and to become more and more narrow. It appeared also in this place less verdant; there were fewer flowers, and the brook no longer wound its course near the pilgrim's path. Then said Humble Mind, "Methinks we are leaving the pleasanter part of this valley behind us, while that which lies before seems even more gloomy than the spot on which we now stand."

"Let us then," said Playful, "go back a little

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