So he went on his way, rejoicing that he had escaped the snare; and carrying along with him this motto, "The Lord is my portion," enjoying great fatisfaction in his own mind; saying to himself, if my king fees it good for me to walk alone, I know he will bless that state unto me; but if it be for my good to enjoy a companion, I know his goodness will provide one for me, without my going out of the way to find one.

But as he was thus going on his way, he observed a young virgin, who was walking the fame road, and he began to defire to be favoured with her company, but thought it advisable to be very deliberate, because many seem to walk the fame road, which only go part of the way, and then turn off into some other path. Therefore he diligently observed, whether the closely attended to the right way. So he perceived her to take fomething out of her bosom, and diligently peruse it for a while, and then put it into her bosom again, and pursue the strait path; whereupon he went up to her, and inquired where she was bound. She told him she was setting her face towards Zion. He asked her, what it was she had been perusing? And she shewed him, that it was the map of the road, which she took along with her for her guide. He then began to inquire further, who she was, and whence she came. She told him, she was by birth a Chaldean; by education and conversation a Babylonian; but the king of Ifrael had fent for her, to go forth and seek a better country. He also asked, what expectations or encouragement she had in taking such a journey. She told him, she had the king's word, to make her an inhabitant in his royal palace, when she arrived at the upper Bethel; and to grant her fufficient defence, and sustenance all the way thither. He asked if she could be fully fatisfied in the king's veracity. She told him the frauds and jealousfies of Babylon had made fuch impressions upon her mind, that the had found it very difficult to believe him that could not lie; but his majesty had condescended to give her the strongest demonstrations of his fidelity; fo that now she was con

1

vinced she had no reason to doubt of his goodness, for he had confirmed his promise with an oath, and had given her to fee, that, in his own records, it was fealed with blood; and the counterpart he had written upon her breast, and fealed it in characters of life; and hitherto she had found his word verified to her, in strongly defending and abundantly supplying her, fo that the could set to her feal, that he was true. Then she alfo asked him divers questions, relating to his travels and enjoyments; and he likewise answered her, in a free and fatisfactory manner; so that their affections began to grow warm towards each another. It was a very comfortable interview; and their minds were refreshed by each other's conversation.

And they appeared so agreeable one to another, that he began to think they might be pleasant and profitable companions all the way. But, at first, he retired for a while to deliberate on the conversation that had paffed already. When the more he thought of her diligence, in the pursuit of her journey, and her fixed fatisfaction concerning the end of it; her understanding in those things laid down for the guiding her experience in the way; and the delight she appeared to take in meditating on, and converfing about the joys of the city of habitation, &c. the more he was satisfied that she was a prince's daughter, travelling to the royal palace. And when he had lifted up his eyes to heaven, and earnestly befought the Most High God for direction; and a blessing upon further converfation, he came again into her company. And, after some further discourse, he asked the reason of her walking on her journey alone. She told him she found but few travelling the same road, and she did not think it expedient to turn aside or neglect her way for any company in the world. If the met with company, fuch as delighted in the ways of wisdom, she took pleasure therein; for by such company her heart was refreshed, and the thought herself strengthened in her journey thereby. But otherwise the chose rather to be alone, at leifure to divert herself in exam

1

ining her map; viewing the springs by the way, with the fruit-trees and sweet flowers; hearing the finging of birds; and meditating on the glories of her prince, and the joys she should have in his presence, &c. So that as company was pleasant when she could enjoy it, the delights in the way supplied the want of company when alone. And upon the whole, she neither was anxious to have company, nor had any averfion against it; her defire being to enjoy that only which might be most conducive to forward her in the right way.

Then he proposfed, that since they had found each other's conversation comfortable and useful, it was his opinion, it might be for their mutual advantage to join together, and engage to keep company all the way.She told him it was not for persons of their profeffion to do any thing rafhly; she would deliberate on it. So she retired and proftrated herself before the king her father, telling him the matter, imploring wisdom to direct, declaring herself willing to enjoy or to be denied any thing, fo it were according to his will, and might be for his honour. He told her she had already been informed, and well knew, what manner of persons they must be with whom it would be expedient for king's daughters to keep company; therefore, if the found the perfon to be one of the blood-royal, and endued with princely qualities, she was at her full liberty, and moreover by him it should be esteemed honourable. So when these two lovers met again, and had deliberately confulted between themselves all fuch things as they conceived necefsary relating to such an engagement; and had duly considered the king's statutes thereupon; and jointly petitioned his majesty's prefence with them, and his bleffing on their undertaking, they joined hands with great fatisfaction and serenity of mind; rejoicing to fee themselves preserved from so many snares, and thus happily joined together by a divine hand.

I then observed these two happy companions purfuing their journey: And here I faw verified an ancient counsel; (an help-meet). For they were fincere friends, VOL. II. No. 3.

E

pleafant companions, faithful partners, and useful affiftants to each other. If they met with difficulties in the way, they would take each other by the hand to support them. In dangers, they would counsel, and stand by one another. If beset with enemies, one would watch while the other flept. If one was fick, the other would comfort with cordial. If one was indisposed in mind, the other would divert with some sweet song, or difcourse concerning the pleasant land. If one was at a lofs concerning any part of the way, the other would assist in searching and explaining the directions. If one was ready to turn aside, the other would caution and admonish the danger. If one was employed in any fervice, the other would be ready to affift therein. If one found a refreshing spring by the way, would call the other to come and drink. If one found any refreshing fruit, sweet spices, or delightful flowers, would pluck and bring them to the other. If one heard any joyful tidings, would come rejoicing and tell the other. If one had any pleasant prospects of the kingdom, would endeavour to shew them to the other. If one was favoured with an audience of the king, would also remember and intercede for the other. And if one was blessed with any special favours, the other would congratulate, and rejoice on the occafion.

Then I was convinced, that two are better than one; and yet it was very manifest, that they were no more twain. For I knew not whether to call them two fouls dwelling in one body, or one foul inhabiting two bodies; but it appeared very confpicuous that two were become

one.

So I continued observing this united pair advancing in their way, for they greatly contributed to help each other forward; many difficulties they surmounted, and many rich blessings they enjoyed as they travelled in the

At last they arrived at a pleasant hill in view of the land of promife, full of delights, refreshing fruits, pure streams, and defirable entertainments. Here they farst set down and rested in a delightful arbour, bleffing God, and congratulating one another in confideration of their enjoyments. Then they went and refreshed themselves among the fruits and fountains. And afterwards they afcended to a tower, where was a large profpective glass, from whence they looked back upon Babylon, and faw it all in flames, and the country turned to burning pitch. Then they gave praise and glory to God for their wonderful deliverance, as well as for all the deliverances they had in the way. Then they took a profpect of the land before them, and faw Jerufalem, the royal palace, the goodly mountain of Lebanon, the clusters of Eshcol, and all the rivers flowing with milk, and the hills dropping down sweet wine. Then they looked below to the streams of Jordan, and beheld the great high prieft in his shining robes, waiting to carry them over. They also heard the inhabitants on the other fide triumphing, finging, and thouting for joy. Then they also, with emulation, lifted up their voices in fongs of praise, and transports of joy, to him that is, and that was, and that is to come; which raised my mind to fuch an ecstacy, that I awoke, and behold it was a dream.

But the thing was certain and the interpretation thereof fure.

ON HATING AND CURSING ENEMIES.

[From President EDWARDS' Observations.]

T was not a thing allowed of under the Old Testament, nor approved of by the Old Testament faints, to hate personal enemies, to wish ill to them, to wish for revenge, or to pray for their hurt, except it was as prophets, and as speaking in the name of the Lord. So that there is no inconfiftence between the religion of the Old Teftament and the New, in this respect. The apostle Paul himself doth thus imprecate vengeance on his enemies; 2 Tim. iv. 14. " Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil; the Lord reward him according to his works." Revenge, or a defire of it, was forbidden by