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lar hypocrisy, and of my unparalleled sufferings through it, might deter others, lest they also come into union with such a tormentor; for there are four, if not five of my dear brothers and sisters, that have had, if not now, a sneaking kindness for the Hagarenes, unless this disaster of mine has had the desired effect, which I shall pray for with my dying breath.

Shepherd. If this sickness ends in the death of Little Faith, or, if you survive him, you will not do justice to his memory, nor to the King's seed,

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you let the life of Little Faith be buried in oblivion. I would publish the whole narrative.

Steward. To tell you the truth, I have minuted down the greatest part of the circumstances, and of the conversation that has passed between us on the subject, and thought I would leave the manuscript for others to do as they pleased with after my decease.

Shepherd. I am not fond of that, lest, in revising or correcting, they alter the circumstances. You are a living witness of the whole matter; and are able to defend the narrative, in case any of the Hagarenes should take up the pen, and attempt to disprove it.

Steward. But then there are several circumstances, such as her not being a virgin when Little Faith took her, &c. &c. that might give an offence, if made public.

Shepherd. Those very things are mentioned. in the records of Zion, and Mara is condemned

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by the same for her deception. Secret things belong to the King; but what is revealed belongs to us, and to our children. The whole counsel of the King is to be declared: if it gives offence to any, it will give it to them whom it may concern. Hypocrites, fortune-hunters, wanton professors, harlots, whoremongers, and all who are really guilty, will doubtless find fault with it, and call it the produce of a bad spirit; just as the pharisaical tribe derided the King, when he protested against covetousness, Luke xvi. 14. But Israelites indeed, and the real daughters of Sarah, will receive no damage by it, nor take offence at it. Pray, have you attended Little Faith constantly since his illness?

Steward. The night before I heard of his illness, I had the following dream. I saw a man on a sick-bed, who seemed to labour under much distress of soul; and, while I stood pitying the sick man, I heard a voice say to him, "My servant Job shall pray for you," Job xlii. 8. Upon the hearing of which I awoke; and, behold, it was a dream! But, while I was considering the matter, these words occurred to my mind with some degree of warmth, "Come over into Macedonia, and help us." I immediately rose from my bed, dressed myself, and went down into the Steward's room; and, while I was pondering in my mind what the vision and the text should mean, behold, a man knocked at the door! I went and opened it; and said to him, 'Pray, what wantest thou?

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or, whom seekest thou?' He replied, with tears in his eyes, I am servant to one of the Royal Family, namely, to Little Faith, who is now extremely ill, having kept his bed for many days. His recovery is doubtful; and the physician has ordered him to a lodging at the foot of Tabor, for the benefit of the air; thinking that spot to be the most likely to be conducive to his health, as the air is as much the reverse of the air of Sinai, the place of my master's nativity, as can be. As for his native country, he has been too partial to that also; for it has never contributed either to his health, peace, or happiness. His highness strictly charged me, by verbal message, to come to the Palace, and to inform the Steward of his Majesty's household of his illness, and intended removal.' I then said to him, 'I am the Steward.' He then replied, that his Highness desired his unfeigned love and duty to his Royal Father; and begged, as a favour, that the Steward might accompany him in his present journey, and attend him during his illness.

Shepherd. I should have looked upon every circumstance thus concurring, to be of Divine. appointment, in the behalf of Little Faith: for, when we see the leadings or footsteps of Providence before us, we may gather assuredly that the King is gone forth, and therefore we may boldly venture to go after him. When the good Shepherd goes before, the sheep must follow after.

Steward. I informed his Majesty of the matter; and immediately went, and accompanied Little

Faith in his journey; gathering assuredly that the King had called me to that work.

Shepherd. Pray, what sort of a lodging has Little Faith got?

Steward. A sweet place, and in a most delightful air; far enough from the desart, his old highly favoured spot: and therefore I am in hope that he will recover of this disease.

Shepherd. Have you visited him constantly during his illness?

Steward. Constantly; and I find great freedom of speech with him. My mouth is open to Little Faith, my heart is enlarged, and I have a comfortable persuasion that he will be delivered some way or other. Sometimes he Sometimes he appears to be very happy for a whole day together. The King seems to engross the whole of his affections; and then there seems to be such a bar between his heart and Mara, as he thinks will end in a gulf fixed, which will keep them apart to all eternity. But, when a sight and sense of his folly recoils on his mind, it sinks him again. And thus, he says, he shall rise and fall in the balance of the sanctuary, till the atonement operate powerfully, and then he shall come to a settled state.

Shepherd. Sins against knowledge, light, and love, are attended with the most aggravating circumstances. The reflections of such souls return with the keenest sensations. Base ingratitude to the best of benefactors covers the face with shame and confusion, and strikes the ungrateful child dumb.

Steward. Little Faith acknowledges this; and says that, if the King forgives him, he never shall forgive himself, his crimes are so complicated. Absenting himself from the Chapel Royal, and going to countenance the Hagarites, was in effect bidding them God speed, when he knew the damnable errors that they held had procured him so many stripes before. Scraping acquaintance with such a set of desperate characters, and making my body,' said he, which is a member of Christ, the member of an harlot, for sure I am that I am joined to an harlot, and such, says the King, are one flesh,' 1 Cor. vi. 15, 16.

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Shepherd. My time is expired. The new sheep lately added to the flock will be looking about them for water.

Steward. I thought when the sheep were in the fat vallies, that they might go to the still waters, and drink when they would.

Shepherd. When they are first brought to the fold, they are very thirsty, and at those times the rivers and streams are generally accessible; but, in process of time, the keenness of their hunger and thirst abates, and then I am obliged to draw water for them. What little they can get for themselves, over and above what the shepherd draws, will not suffice.

Steward, Our interviews, now, must be short; for I have proposed to visit Little Faith every day, or every other day, during his stay at Tabor, unless I should see a conspicuous change for the

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