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The ADVANTAGES and DISADVANTAGES of the MARRIAGE STATE; as entered into with religious or irreligious persons: represented under the similitude of a dream. By J. JOHNSON.

FANCIED myself travelling in the eastern parts

I in city

Babylon, where I was much amused in viewing the curiosities of the place, as the tower, the wall, the gates, the streets, the palace, the river, the images in the plain of Dura, &c. I observed the city, and it appeared in different views. In one part the people were entirely taken up in revellings, feastings, diversions, splendid appearances, and enjoying themselves. In the other part they were more reserved, and were much taken up in a demure dress and behavior; in the decency of their houses and streets, and in the regularity of their towers and fortifications, &c. But without any appearance of dangers, alarms, or molestations, they seemed all entirely at ease.

Howbeit, when I had almost satiated myself with gazing at the particular shows, I thought to take a prospect of the whole city together. So I walked to a rising ground belonging to it, but a little retired from the crowd; where I saw a booth, which I took to be built on purpose for the conveniency of taking pros-pects, and I went directly to it. And at the door I saw an old man, of whom I inquired if he had ever a prospect-glass, whereby I might be favored with a full view of that royal city, which I supposed to be the metropolis of the world. He told me if I pleased to take a deliberate observation, I might perhaps have different apprehensions of that splendid city than I had at present. For he assured me it was so full of intestine perplexity, caused by envy, malice, excess, and corruption, that the inhabitants had no real satisfaction in themselves, and it was only by those extravagencies and amusements which I had seen, they kept themselves from perpetual distraction. He then fetched out

his prospective, and told me, if I pleased he would shew me the situation of the place; whereby I might be convinced that its condition was not so happy, nor its glory so majestic, as I imagined. So I took a distinct view on the south side; and the foundation of the place appeared to be built upon nothing but bogs and quicksands, which could not possibly sustain the buildings; but ere long they must inevitably sink. I again took a view on the north side, and I found the foundation was all bituminous and sulphurous matter, interspersed with subterraneous fire, which appeared ready in a moment to break forth into flames. He then bid me look to the east; and I saw a very formidable army approaching the city, with full power and commission to destroy it; and they spread themselves around with fury, like the roaring of the sea. And there was a trembling upon all the hills, the rivers, the trees, and the fields round about; but all the inhabitants of the city continued in a stupefaction.

When I had beheld and deliberated on these things, it filled me with such astonishment as almost caused my bowels to turn within me. Such was my disappointment, and the horror that seized me, that I thought I was neither able to bear the sight, nor fly from it, nor stand my ground. And I asked the old man if I might lodge all night in that booth. But he told me it was not a place for lodging, nor would any person in his right mind think it safe to sleep so near the city: but if I pleased, I might come in and rest myself a little. And when I entered, I found four young men very carefully perusing a map; seeming to make very particular remarks, and diligent observations, and would sometimes earnestly inquire the old man's judgment, to inform them of the meaning of some things. Whereupon Linquired what piece it was that so much attracted their attention. They told me it was the map of Babylon and Canaan, with all the roads between the two places. And they having had a full prospect of the same things which I had just now beheld; and

being determined to leave their native country, and travel to the latter place, was the reason of their present inquiries. And the old man being a native of Canaan, and acquainted with both countries, as well as the roads from one to the other, they frequently applied to him for instruction in things difficult.

These four young men appeared so like each other, in their apparel, their speech, and behaviour, as well as some of their features, that I verily took them all to have been own brothers; and knew not any thing to the contrary, until I became acquainted with a certain person who had some knowledge of the places where they were born, and of the register-books. He informed me that two of them were sons of the bond-woman, but the other two were sons of the free woman.

So I observed them, and they all made preparations with seeming vigorous resolution for their proposed journey. And amongst other consultations with the old man (their instructor) they earnestly craved his advice, whether it were expedient for each of them to take along with him a female companion? Which he very cheerfully encouraged them to do, provided they were such as were disposed to go the same way, and had their hearts engaged to seek the same country along with them. But otherwise he admonished them, by all means, to avoid such companions as had no knowledge of, or delight in, the way they designed to travel.

He pointed out to them many difficulties in the way, where the company of strangers would be of very dan gerous consequence-told them the need they would find of strengthening and encouraging in the way, rather than hindering and discouraging; and reasoned much upon the evil that would attend, in many res pects, such companions as took no delight in the way; and compared it with the advantages they might expect in the company of such as took pleasure, and would endeavor to animate them therein. He further informed them in many instances, what bad effects, travellers, who had formerly gone that way, had found

from disagreeable companions. And that, to prevent the like inconveniencies, the king of the country had made a law, That none of his subjects should join with strangers to be companions in that journey. And therefore he earnestly cautioned (whatever they did) to be exceeding careful in their choice.

I waited to see what influence this advice would 'have upon the minds of these young men. But I observed, that, at the first, none of them seemed to relish his council: for they had all either contracted some acquaintance with, or placed their fancy upon, maids who were natives of Babylon, to whom their hearts were very inclinable. But the more they appeared engaged in their affections, the more their instructor insisted on the dangers and pernicious consequences, which were most certain to attend their having such companions. And withal told them, the king had appointed one to attend them in their journey, whose name was Self-Denial; without whose company it would be impossible ever to reach the borders of Canaan. And that to chuse a stranger for a companion, would be such an insult to him, at the first setting out, as might cause misunderstanding all the way. For his part, he told them, that to pretend to travel to Canaan, and to chuse a Babylonian for a companion, was such a contradiction, that he could not but very much doubt the sincerity of their hearts. For if it was possible at all for a sincere traveller to chuse such a companion; (as he would not be too bold in his assertions) yet he was very certain it could not be, so long as they continued in the right use of their reason. And he must discharge his conscience in giving them timely admonition, &c.

I observed the event of these consultations; and I found the eldest son of the bond-woman could not be moved by all these arguments. But resolutely chose one who was an utter stranger to the paths, nor had any delight in, or desire thereto. And when he had covenanted with her, she proved so averse to going

along with him, and so reluctant to his pursuing his intended journey, that she prevailed upon him to desist from his purpose. So he settled with her in Babylon; and they were both there when the city was destroyed, and perished together in the ruins.

But the younger brother (son of the bond-woman) took a little more regard to the counsel given him, and seemed more heedful in his choice; and, in a slight manner, sought to get a companion that would be willing to go along with him. So at last he met with one who appeared compliable to his desire, though she had no knowledge of the way, nor any desire to it, only it seemed a matter indifferent; and therefore as he was inclined to undertake the journey, she would compliment him with her company.

This pleased the young man very well, as he thought he should both gratify himself in the choice of a companion, and also act conformable to his guide's directions. But he did not consider, that while her mind was possessed with such indifferency, her company must needs be very unprofitable-however, they joined hands. And she (as good as her word) complimented him with her company; and they set out both together, as if they would proceed on the journey. But her indifferent mind soon prevailed so as to cool his warm affections, and caused their advances to be very slow. They would frequently sit down in the shade, and sometimes divert themselves with trifles, and often turn aside out of the way; which made their progress very small. And this manner of loitering prevailed more and more, until at last they came to a low valley by the brink of the river Euphrates, where they turned aside and fell asleep; and while they slept, there arose a swell in the river, and the flood swept them both

away.

As for the younger son of the free woman, when he had heard the admonitions, they made some deep impressions on his mind, and filled him with some awful apprehensions. For he was convinced of the perni

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