in them. To look only to the Temple, -to speak only of the Prince, to desire only the water, was the state of few; and though it was given to me to enjoy it for a season, I found that the impression soon faded" through my infirmity, and that I was myself in danger of becoming once more contented at the gate.

X

At first, however, my whole soul was absorbed in what I had seen, and every thought and desire of my heart was towards the Temple. I sought solitude and meditation while working at my

t Whom having not seen, ye love, in whom though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. 1 Peter i. 8.

" And I said, this is my infirmity. Ps. lxxvii. 10. x My soul cleaveth unto the dust; quicken thou me, according to thy word. Ps. cxix. 25.

y As the hart panteth after the water-brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? Ps. xlii. 1, 2.

path. Every moment seemed wasted, that did not conduct me nearer to the

grove. But in fact, I was living already there, by anticipation," for my heart was in the Temple, and my thoughts realized the presence of the Prince.b

Sometimes I went forth beyond the gate, in the hope of usefulness, but it was always painful to me. The persons who thronged the walls, were generally assembled in separate crowds, occupied with different subjects of discussion.d

z Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off. Is. xxxiii. 17.

a But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus. Heb, xii, 22-24. b My soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Ps. cxliii. 6.

c Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. Ps. cxix. 136.

d Though I speak with the tongues of men and of

Surely, I thought, they are so earnest in conversation, they can only be speaking of the Temple. I approached and listened. A large number of persons were consulting whether it would not be advisable to pull down the walls, and build them farther advanced into the world, enclosing large tracts of waste land, and commons. Another party was considering that a circular barrier was not so good as a square one would be. A third assembly was agreeing that it would be advisable to build the wall of glass. Some persons looking on, who could not perceive that there was any wall at all, g

angels, and have not charity, (love) I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1 Cor. xiii. 1.

e

They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. Rom. x. 2.

f Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart. 2 Kings x. 16, 31.

They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness. Ps. lxxxii. 5.

(which was the case with many,) thought they were mad to be so earnest in these matters; and for myself, I could not but wonder, that those who had never seen the inside of the wall, should suppose themselves capable of mending it. I took the liberty of informing them, that there was a strong bank on the other side, which would secure it from any attempts at alteration; and asked if they had not better come in first, and settle these matters afterwards. But they were too wise in their own conceits to listen to me. They had a map of the kingdom, divided by lines into different

i

k

h Evil men understaud not judgment: but they that seek the Lord understand all things. Prov. xxviii. 5.

The gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matt. xvi. 18.

k Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? I Cor. i. 20.

1

compartments; and it was a matter of dispute, which spot was the safest to be in, and which of the lines were the most

correct.

I certainly heard them with astonishment, since I knew assuredly, that all were safe,m if they were within the walls; and that these disputers without, were as certainly, not safe." Alas! thought I, who can teach man wisdom! will it be always thus ?°

I returned into the blessed enclosure,

1 Is Christ divided? 1 Cor. i. 13.

m Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal: The Lord knoweth them that are his. 2 Tim. ii. 19.

"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? Gal. iii. 1,

• If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 1 Cor. iii. 18.