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Inter. So he said: These two lads are figures; Passion, of the men of this world; and Patience, of the men of that which is to come: for, as here thou seest, Passion will have all now, this year; that is to say, in this world; so are the men of this world: they must have all their good things now: they cannot stay till next year, that is, until the next world, for their portion of good. That proverb, A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, is of more authority with them than are all the divine testimonies of the good of the world to But, as thou sawest that he had quickly lavished all away, and had presently left him nothing but rags, so will it be with all such men at the end of this world."

come.

Chr. Then said Christian," Now I see that Patience has the best wisdom, and that upon many accounts : 1. Because he stays for the best things. 2. And also because he will have the glory of his, when the other has nothing but rags."

VALOUR.

I SAW also, that the Interpreter took him again by the hand, and led him into a pleasant place, where was built a stately palace, beautiful to behold; at the sight of which Christian was greatly delighted: he saw also upon the top thereof, certain persons walking, who were clothed all in gold.

Then said Christian, “May we go thither ?"

Then the Interpreter took him, and led him up

toward the door of the palace; and behold, at the door stood a great company of men, as desirous to go in, but durst not. There also sat a man at a little distance from the door, at a table side, with a book, and his inkhorn before him, to take the name of him that should enter therein: he saw also, that in the door-way stood many men in armour, to keep it, being resolved to do to the men that would enter what hurt and mischief they could. Now was Christian somewhat in amaze: at last, when every man started back for fear of the armed men, Christian saw a man of a very stout countenance come up to the man that sat there to write, saying, "Set down my name, Sir;" which, when he had done, he saw the man draw his sword, and put a helmet upon his head, and rush toward the door upon the armed men, who laid upon him with deadly force: but the man, not at all discouraged, fell to cutting and hacking most fiercely. So, after he had received and given many wounds to those that had attempted to keep him out (Acts xiv. 22.), he cut his way through them all, and pressed forward into the palace: at which there was a pleasant voice heard from those that were within, even of those that walked upon the top of the palace, saying,

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Eternal glory thou shalt win!

So he went in, and was clothed with such garments as they.-Then Christian smiled, and said, "I think verily I know the meaning of this!"

Archbishop Leighton.

(FROM HIS COMMENTARY.)

THE SHORTNESS OF MAN'S LIFE.

1 PETER IV. 7.

THE whole duration of the world is not considerable, and to the Eternal Lord that made it, and hath appointed its period, a thousand years are but as one day. We think a thousand years a great matter, in respect of our short life; and more through our short-sightedness, that look not through this to eternal life. But what is the utmost length of time, were it millions of years, to a thought of eternity! We find much room in this earth; but, to the vast heavens, it is but as a point. Thus, that which is but small to us—a field, or little inclosure-a fly, had it skill, would divide it into provinces, in proportion to itself.

To each man, the end of all things is, even after our measure, at hand; for when he dies, the world ends for him. Why should our hearts cleave to those things from which we shall so quickly part; and from which, if we will not freely part, and let them go, we shall be pulled away; and pulled with the more pain,

the closer we cleave, and faster we are glued to them?

This the Apostle St. Paul casts in seasonably, though many think it not seasonable at such times, when he is discoursing of a great point of our life, Marriage; to work Christian minds to a holy freedom both ways, whether they use it or no; not to view it, nor any thing here, with the world's spectacles, which make it look so big and so fixed, but to see it in the stream of time, as passing by, and no such great matter. The fashion of this world passeth away, лaрáуε (1 Cor. vii. 31.), as a pageant or show in a street, going through, and quickly out of sight. What became of all the marriage-solemnities of kings and princes of former ages, which they were so taken up with in their time? When we read of them described in history, they are as a night-dream, or a day-fancy, which passes through the mind and vanishes!

Oh, foolish man! that hunteth such poor things, and will not be called off till death benight him, and finds his great work not done, yea, not begun; no, nor seriously thought of. Your building, your trading, your lands, your matches, and friendships, and projects, when they take with you, and your hearts are after them, say, But for how long all these? Their end is at hand; therefore be sober, and watch unto prayer. Learn to divide better; set apart more hours for it, and fewer for them: for it, and none of it for them. fail you so quickly, prevent them.

your whole heart Seeing they will

Become free;

lean not on them till they break, and you fall into the pit.

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It is reported of one, that, hearing the 5th of Genesis read, "So long lived"- and yet the burden still, They died,"-Seth lived 912 years, and he died; Enos 905, and he died; Methuselah 969, and he died, he took so deep the thought of death and eternity, that it changed his whole frame, and set him from a voluptuous to a most strict and pious course of life. How small a word will do much, when God sets it into the heart! But sure this one thing would make the soul more calm and sober in the pursuit of present things, if their term were truly computed and considered. How soon shall youth, and health, and carnal delights, be at an end! How soon shall statecraft, and king-craft, and all the great projects of the highest wits and spirits, be laid in the dust! This casts a damp upon all those fine things. But, to a soul acquainted with God, and, in affection, removed hence already, no thought so sweet as this: it helps much to carry it cheerfully through wrestlings and difficulties, through better and worse: they see land near, and shall quickly be at home: that is the way. The end of all things is at hand;—an end of a few poor delights, and the many vexations of this wretched life; an end of temptations and sins, the worst of all evils; yea, an end of the imperfect fashion of our best things here;-an end of prayer itself, to which succeeds that new song of endless praises!

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