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R.Riley delf

J. Saunders sculp

SECRET'S VISIT TO CHRISTIANA.

London Published by J.Parsons, O&"12,1795 •

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HE GIVES HER A LETTER FROM THE KING.

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ceeded, and said, CHRISTIANA, here is also a letter ' for thee, which I have brought from thy husband's King;' so she took it and opened it, but it smelt after the manner of the best perfume'. Also it was written in letters of gold. The contents of the letter were these: that the King would have her do as did • CHRISTIAN her husband; for that was the only way ⚫ to come to his city, and to dwell in his presence with joy for ever.' At this the good woman was quite overcome: so she cried out to her visitor, Sir, ' will you carry me and my children with you, that we may also go and worship the King?'

Then said the visitor, CHRISTIANA, the bitter is before the sweet. Thou must through troubles, as he did that went before thee, enter this celestial city. Wherefore I advise thee to do as did CHRISTIAN thy husband: go to the WICKET-GATE yonder over the plain; for that stands in the head of the way up which thou must go, and I wish thee all good speed. Also I advise thee, that thou put this letter in thy bosom: that thou read therein to thyself, and to thy children, until they have got it by heart; for it is one of the songs that thou must sing while thou art in this house of thy pilgrimage: also this thou must deliver in at the far gate.

Now I saw in my dream, that this old gentleman, as he told me this story, did himself seem to be greatly affected therewith. He moreover proceeded, and said, So CHRISTIANA called her sons together, and began thus to address herself unto them: My sons, I have,

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SHE IS VISITED BY TWO NEIGHBOURS.

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as you may perceive, been of late under much ⚫ exercise in my soul about the death of your father;

not for that I doubt at all of his happiness; for I < am satisfied now that he is well. I have been also much affected with the thoughts of mine own estate and yours, which I verily believe is by nature miserable. My carriage also to your father in his distress is a great load to my conscience: for I hardened • both my heart and your's against him, and refused to go with him on pilgrimage.

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The thoughts of these things would now kill me outright, but for that a dream which I had last night, and but that for the encouragement this stranger has given me this morning. Come, my children, let us pack up, and be gone to the gate that leads us to that celestial country, that we may see your father, and be with him and his companions in peace, according to the laws of that land.'

Then did her children burst out into tears, for joy that the heart of their mother was so inclined. So the visitor bid them farewell: and they began to prepare to set out for their journey.

But, while they were thus about to be gone, two of the women that were CHRISTIANA's neighbours came up to her house, and knocked at her door. To whom she said as before. At this the women were stunned; for this kind of language they used not to hear, or to perceive to drop from the lips of CHRISTIANA. Yet they came in but behold, they found the good woman a preparing to be gone from her house.

TO WHOM SHE DECLARL HER INTENTION.

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So they began and said, Neighbour, pray what is your meaning by this?'

CHRISTIANA answered and said to the eldest of them, whose name was Mrs. TIMOROUS, I am ⚫ preparing for a journey.' (This TIMOROUS was daughter to him that met CHRISTIAN upon the hill of DIFFICULTY, and would have had him gone back for fear of the lions'.)

TIM. For what journey, I pray you?

CHR. Even to go after my old husband.-And with that she fell a weeping.

TIM. I hope not so, good neighbour; pray, for your poor children's sake, do not so unwomanly cast away yourself.

CHR. Nay, my children shall go with me, not one of them is willing to stay behind.

TIM. I wonder in my heart, what or who has brought you into this mind!

CHR. Oh, neighbour, knew you but as much as I do, I doubt not but that you would go along with me.

TIM. Pr'ythee, what new knowledge hast thou got, that so worketh off thy mind from thy friends, and that tempteth thee to go nobody knows where?

Then CHRISTIANA replied, I have been sorely afflicted since my husband's departure from me; but especially since he went over the river. But that which troubleth me most, is my churlish carriage to him, when he was under his distress. Besides, I am now as he was then; nothing will serve me, but going on pilgrimage. I was a dreaming last night, that I saw

I P. i. 43, 44.

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