pay the Master of the College of Physicians according to rules made in that case, and provided.5 But, Sir, said she, what is this pill good for else? THE PILL AN REMEDY. Skill. It is an universal pill; it is good against all the diseases 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." IN A GLASS OF THE ANCE. But, good Christiana, thou must 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. 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. Then Matthew, who had been sick, asked OF PHYSIC. her why, for the most part, physic should be bitter to our palates? Prud. To shew 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 and cause to vomit ? 5 Heb. xiii. 11-15. 6 John, vi. 50. Prud. To shew 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 upwards, and by seeing the beams and sweet influences of the sun strike downwards? 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. Matth. Where have the clouds their water? Prud. Out of the sea. OF THE CLOUDS. 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 shew that ministers should give out what they know of God to the world. Matth. Why is the rainbow caused OF THE RAINBOW. by the sun? Prud. To shew that the covenant of God's grace is confirmed to us in Christ. Matth. Why do the springs come OF THE SPRINGS. from the sea to us through the earth? Prud. To shew 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? Prud. To shew 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. OF THE CANDLE. Matth. Why doth the fire fasten upon the candle-wick ? Prud. To shew 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 shew 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 OF THE PELICAN. her own breast with her bill? Prud. To nourish her young ones with her blood, and thereby to shew, that Christ the Blessed so loved young, his people, as to save them from death by his blood. his Matth. What may one learn by hearOF THE COCK. ing the Cock to crow? Prud. Learn to remember Peter's sin, and Peter's repentance. The Cock's crowing shews also that day is coming on; let then the crowing of the cock put thee in mind of that last and terrible Day of Judge ment. Now, about this time, their month was out; wherefore they signified to those of the House, that t' was 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 THE WEAK MAY to grant that Mr. Great-heart should be sent unto us, that he may be our conductor the rest of our way. Good THE STRONG to boy, said she, I had almost forgot! So PRAYERS. 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. THEY PROVIDE THEIR WAY. When the family where Christiana was saw that they had a purpose to go forward, they called the whole house together, to give thanks to their King for sending of them such profitable guests as these. Which done, they said unto Christiana, And shall we not shew thee something, as our custom is to do to Pilgrims, on which thou mayst meditate when thou art upon the way? So they took Christiana, her children, and Mercy, into the closet, and shewed them one of the apples that Eve ate of, and that she also did give unto her husband, and that for the eating of which they were both turned out of Paradise,7 and asked her what she thought that was? Then Christiana said, It is food or poison; I know not which. So they opened the matter to her, and she held up her hands, and wondered.8 Then they had her to a place, and shewed her Jacob's Ladder. Now, at EVE'S APPLE. A SIGHT OF SIN JACOB'S LADDer. that time, there were some Angels ascending upon it.9 So Christiana looked and looked to see the Angels go up: so did the rest of the company. Then they were 7 Gen. iii. 6. 8 Rom. vii. 24. X 9 Gen. xxviii. 12. IS TAKING. GOLDEN ANCHOR. going into another place to shew them something else; but James said to his mother, Pray bid them stay here a little longer, for this is a curious sight.1 So A SIGHT OF CHRIST they turned again, and stood feeding their eyes with this so pleasing a prospect. After this they had them into a place where did hang up a golden Anchor: so they bid Christiana take it down; for, said they, you shall have it with you;2 for t' is of absolute necessity that you may lay hold of that within the veil, and stand steadfast, in case you should meet with turbulent weather; so they were glad thereof. Then OF ABRAHAM OF- they took them, and had them to the FERING UP ISAAC. Mount upon which Abraham our father offered up Isaac his son, and shewed them the altar, the wood, the fire, and the knife; for they remain to be seen to this very day.3 When they had seen it, they held up their hands, and blessed themselves, and said, Oh! what a man, for love to his Master, and for denial to himself, was Abraham! After they had shewed them all these things, Prudence took PRUDENCE'S them into a dining-room, where stood a VIRGINALS. pair of excellent Virginals; so she played upon them, and turned what she had shewed them into this excellent song, saying, Eve's apple we have shewed you; Of that be you aware! You have seen Jacob's ladder too, Upon which Angels are. An Anchor you received have; But let not these suffice, Until with Abraham you have gave 1 John i. 14. 2 John i. 15. Heb. vi. 19. 3 Gen. xxii. 9. |