Tina VIRGINS | READ TO CHRISTIAN. 73

‘“Where am I now? Is this the love and care
Of Jesus, for the men that pilgrims are,
Thus to provide that I should be forgiven,
And dwell already the next door to heaven?”

So in the morning they all got up; and after some more discourse, they told him that
he should not depart till they had shown him the rarities of that place. And first they
had him into the study, where they showed him records of the greatest antiquity ; in
which, as | remember in my dream, they showed him first the pedigree of the Lord
of the hill, that He was the son of the Ancient of Days, and came by an eternal
generation. Here also were more fully recorded the acts that He had done, and the
names of many hundreds that He had taken into his service; and how he had placed
them in such habitations that could neither by length of days nor decays of nature be
dissolved.

Then they read to him some of the worthy acts that some of His servants had done ;
as, how they had subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped
the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out
of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight the armies
of the aliens.”

They then read again in another part of the records of the house, where it was
shown how willing their Lord was to receive into His favor any, even any, though
they in time past had offered great affronts to His person and proceedings. Here also
were several other histories of many other famous things, of all which Christian had a
view ; as of things both ancient and modern, together with prophecies and predictions
of things that have their certain accomplishments, both to the dread and amazement
of enemies, and the comfort and solace of pilgrims.

The next day they took him and had him into the armory, where they showed him
all manner of furniture which their Lord had provided for pilgrims; as sword, shield,
helmet, breast-plate, all-prayer, and shoes that would not wear out. And there was
here enough of this to harness out as many men for the service of their Lord as there
be stars in the heaven for multitude.

They also showed him some of the engines with which some of His servants had
done wonderful things. They showed him Moses’ rod; the hammer and nail with
which Jael slew Sisera; the pitchers, trumpets, and lamps too, with which Gideon put
to flight the armies of Midian. Then they showed him the ox’s goad wherewith
Shamgar slew six hundred men. ‘They showed him also the jaw-bone with which

Samson did such mighty feats. They showed him, moreover, the sling and stone
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