a man that stuck very close to the world. So he came once or twice, or more, to Mercy, and offered love unto her. Now, Mercy was of a fair countenance, and therefore the more alluring. Her mind also was to be always busying of herself in doing; for when she had nothing to do for herself, she would be making of hose and garments for others, and would bestow them upon them that had need. And Mr. Brisk, not knowing where or how she disposed of what she made, seemed to be greatly taken, for that he found her never idle. I will warrant her a good housewife, quoth he to himself. Mercy then revealed the business to the maidens that were of the house, and inquired of them concerning him, for they did know him better than she. So they told her, that he was a very busy young man, and one that pretended to religion; but was, as they feared, a stranger to the power of that which is good.

Mercy inquires of the maids concern. ing Mr. Brisk.

Nay, then, said Mercy, I will look no more on him; for I purpose never to have a clog to my soul.

Talk betwixt Mer. cy and Mr. Brisk.

Prudence then replied, That there needed no great matter of discouragement to be given him; her continuing so as she had begun to do for the poor would quickly cool his courage. So the next time he comes, he finds her at her old work, a-making of things for the poor. Then said he, What! always at it? Yes, said she, either for myself or for others. And what canst thee earn a-day? quoth he. I do these things, said she, “That I may be rich in good works, laying a good foundation against the time to come, that I may lay hold on eternal life."* Why, pr'ythee, what dost thou with them? said he. Chothe the naked, said she. With that his countenance fell. So he forbore to come at her again; and when he was asked the reason why, he said, that "Mercy was a pretty lass, but troubled with ill conditions."

He forsakes her, and why.

Mercy in the prac

When he had left her, Prudence said, Did I not tell thee that Mr. Brisk would soon forsake thee? tice of mercy reyea, he will raise up an ill report of thee; for, not- jected, while Merwithstanding his pretence to religion, and his seem-cy in the name of Mercy is liked. ing love to Mercy, yet Mercy and he are of tempers

so different, that I believe they will never come together.

Mercy. I might have had husbands before now, though I spoke not of it to any; but they were such as did not like my conditions, though never did any of them find fault with my person. So they and I could not agree.

· 1 Tim. vi. 17–19.

Prud. Mercy in our days is little set by, any farther than as to its name: the practice which is set forth by thy conditions, there are but few that can abide.

tions.

Well, said Mercy, if nobody will have me, I will Mercy's resolu- die a maid, or my conditions shall be to me as a husband; for I cannot change my nature; and to have one that lies cross to me in this, that I purpose never to admit of as long as I live. I had a sister named Bountiful, that was married to one of these churls; but he and she could never agree: but because my sister was resolved to do as she had begun, that is, to show kindness to the poor, therefore her husband first cried her down at the Cross, and then turned her out of his doors.

How Mercy's sister was served by

her husband.

Prud. And yet he was a professor, I warrant you.

Mercy. Yes, such a one as he was, and of such as he, the world is now full; but I am for none of them all.

Matthew falls sick.

Gripes of con

Now Matthew, the eldest son of Christiana, fell sick, and his sickness was sore upon him, for he was much pained in his bowels, so that he was with it at times pulled, as it were, both ends together. There dwelt also, not far from thence, one Mr. Skill, an ancient and well-approved physician. So Christiana desired it, and they sent for him, and he came. When he was entered the room, and had a little observed the boy, he concluded that he was sick of the gripes. Then he said to his mother, What diet has Matthew of late fed upon? Diet, said Christiana, nothing but what is wholesome. The physician answered, This boy has been tampering with something that lies in his maw undigested, and that will not away without means; and I tell you he must be purged, or else he will die.

science.

The physician's judgment.

Samuel puts his mother in mind of the fruit his

brother did eat.

Then said Samuel, Mother, what was that which my brother did gather up and eat, so soon as we were come from the gate that is at the head of this way? You know that there was an orchard on the left hand, on the other side of the wall, and some of the trees hung over the wall, and my brother did pluck and eat.

True, my child, said Christiana, he did take thereof and did eat; naughty boy as he was; I chid him, and yet he would eat thereof.

Skill. I knew he had eaten something that was not wholesome food; and that food, to wit, that fruit, is even the most hurtful of all. It is fruit of Beelzebub's orchard: I do marvel that none did warn you of it: many have died thereof.

Then Christiana began to cry; and she said, O naughty boy and O careless mother, what shall I do for my son!

Skill. Come, do not be too much dejected; the boy may do well again, but he must purge and vomit.

Chr. Pray, sir, try the utmost of your skill with him, whatever

it costs.

Skill. Nay, I hope I shall be reasonable.

So he made him a purge, but it was too weak: 'twas said it was made of the blood of a goat, the ashes of a heifer, and with some of the juice of hyssop, &c.* When Mr. Skill had seen that that purge was too weak, he made him one to the pur- The Latin I borrow. pose: 'twas made ex carne et sanguine Christi ;†

The boy loath to

(you know physicians give strange medicines to their patients :) and it was made into pills, with a promise or two, and a proportionable quantity of salt. Now, he was to take them three at a time, fasting, in half a quarter of a pint of the Tears of Repentance.‡ When this potion was prepared and brought to the boy, he was loath to take it, though take the physic. torn with the gripes, as if he should be pulled in pieces. Come, come, said the physician, you must take it. It goes against my stomach, said the boy. I must have you take it, said his mother. I shall vomit it up again, said the boy. Pray, sir, said Christiana to Mr. Skill, how does it taste? It has no ill taste, said the doctor; and with that she touched one of The mother tastes the pills with the tip of her tongue. Oh, Matthew! it and persuades said she, this potion is sweeter than honey. If thou him.

lovest thy mother, if thou lovest thy brothers, if thou lovest Mercy, if thou lovest thy life, take it. So with much ado, after a short prayer for the blessing of God upon it, he took it; and it wrought kindly with him. It caused him to purge, it caused him to sleep, and rest quietly; it put him into a fine heat, and breathing sweat, and did quite rid him of his gripes. So in a little time he got up, and walked about with a staff, and would go from room to room, and talk with Prudence, Piety, and Charity, of his distemper, and how he was healed.

So, when the boy was healed, Christiana asked Mr. Skill, saying, Sir, what will content you for your pains and A word of God in care to and of my child? And he said, You must the hand of faith. pay the Master of the College of Physicians according to rules made in that case, and provided. §

But, sir, said she, what is this pill good for else?

Skill. It is a universal pill; it is good against all the diseases • Heb. x. 1-4. † John vi. 54-57. Heb. ix. 14. + Zech. xii. 10. Heb. xiii. 11-15.

The pill a universal remedy.

that Pilgrims are incident to; and, when it is well prepared, will keep good time out of mind.

Chr. Pray, sir, make me up twelve boxes of them; for, if I can get these, I will never take other physic.

Skill. These pills are good to prevent diseases, as well as to cure when one is sick. Yea, I dare say it, and stand to it, that if a man will but use this physic as he should, "it will make him live for ever? "* But, good Christiana, thou must In a glass of the · Tears of Repent- give these pills no other way but as I have prescribed; for, if you do, they will do no good. So he gave unto Christiana physic for herself and her boys, and for Mercy'; and, bid Matthew take heed how he ate any more green plumbs, and kissed them, and went his way.

ance.

It was told you before, that Prudence bid the boys, that if at any time they would, they should ask her some questions that might be profitable, and she would say something to them.

Of physic.

our palates ?

Then Matthew, who had been sick, asked her why, for the most part, physic should be bitter to

Prud. To show how unwelcome the word of God, and the effects thereof, are to a carnal heart.

Of the effects, of physic.

Matth. Why does physic, if it does good, purge

律

and cause to vomit?

Prud. To show that the Word, when it works effectually, cleanseth the heart and mind; for, look, what the one doth to the body, the other doth to the soul.

Of fire and of the sun.

Matth. What should we learn by seeing the flame of our fire go upward, and by seeing the beams and sweet influences of the sun strike downward?

Prud. By the going up of the fire, we are taught to ascend to heaven by fervent and hot desires. And by the sun's sending his heat, beams, and sweet influences downward, we are taught that the Saviour of the world, though high, reacheth down with his grace and love to us below.

Of the clouds.

Matth. Where have the clouds their water?
Prud. Out of the sea.

Matth. What may we learn from that?

Prud. That ministers should fetch their doctrine from God.

Matth. Why do they empty themselves upon the earth?

Prud. To show that ministers should give out what they know of God to the world.

Matth. Why is the rainbow caused by the sun?

⚫ John vi. 50.

Prud. To show that the covenant of God's grace is confirmed to us in Christ.

Matth. Why do the springs come from the sea to us through the earth?

Prud. To show that the grace of God comes to us through the body of Christ.

Matth. Why do some of the springs rise out of the tops of high hills?

Y

Prud. To show that the spirit of grace shall spring up in some that are great and mighty, as well as in many that are poor and low. IT M

Matth. Why doth the fire fasten upon the candle of the candle.

wick?

Prud. To show that, unless Grace doth kindle upon the heart, there will be no true light of life in us.

Matth. Why are the wick and tallow and all spent to maintain the light of the candle?

Prud. To show that body and soul and all should be at the service of, and spend themselves to maintain in good condition that grace of God that is in us.

Matth. Why doth the Pelican pierce her own Of the pelican.

breast with her bill?

Prud. To nourish her young ones with her blood, and thereby to show, that Christ the Blessed so loved his young, his people, as to save them from death by his blood.

Matth. What may one learn by hearing the cock

to crow.

1

Of the cock.

Prud. Learn to remember Peter's sin, and Peter's repentance. The cock's crowing shows also that day is coming on; let then the crowing of the cock put thee in mind of that last and terrible Day of Judgment.

The weak may

Now, about this time, their month was out; wherefore they signified to those of the House, that 'twas convenient for them to up and be going. Then said Joseph to his mother, It is proper that you forget not to send to the house of Mr. Interpreter, to pray him to grant that Mr. Great-heart should be sent unto us, that he may be our conductor the rest of our sometimes call the way. Good boy, said she, I had almost forgot! strong to prayers. So she drew up a petition, and prayed Mr. Watchful, the porter, to send it by some fit man to her good friend Mr. Interpreter; who, when it was come, and he had seen the contents of the petition, said to the messenger, Go tell them that I will send him,

When the family where Christiana was saw that they had a