My Bible now opened at the first chapter of John, and I read the 17th verse. "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by JESUS CHRIST." "Well," thought I, "if grace and truth came by JESUS CHRIST'in those days, and grace is a gift, of course, by JESUS CHRIST, why may not the same grace, be given in our day, though it be in smaller portions? We are saved by grace, the scripture does not say much grace, or little, it only says, Grace: a gift that comes from Christ; for, surely it does come even now, so many years after CHRIST's incarnation. Yet how extraordinary! how wonderful! I must have read these words, and repeated these verses, and heard the chapters many and many a time; yet never did I really try to find out their true meaning! But O, if grace can be had now! O if I could 'obtain mercy, and find grace!"

Suddenly, my eye was attracted to the 29th verse. "The next day, John seeth JESUS coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.” "Which taketh away," said I, "JESUS taketh away the sin of the world; if JESUS took away the sin of the world then, he can do the same now, if He pleases." I knelt down in rapture, and clasping my hands, said aloud, "O GOD, by grace men are saved. It was Thy gift when that verse was written; Thou hast the same power now. Thy Grace brings salvation. O let it bring me salvation! Men obtained mercy and found

Grace. Let me obtain mercy and find Grace. Grace and truth come by JESUS CHRIST. and truth come to me.

O for JESUS CHRIST's sake, let Grace The blood of the Lamb of God taketh

away all sin, Suffer it to take away mine."

My soul was in an agony of earnestness, as I then poured out my poor broken petition. The tears streamed from my eyes, my bosom heaved with sobs, and my spirit was broken and cast down, with a deep sense of my own wants, my vileness, and my sins. As I prayed, I sometimes lifted up my eyes to the heavens, and then I shut them, pressing my hand on them, to exclude all visible objects. My thoughts a little composed, at length I looked before me, and to my wonder and joy, I suddenly beheld a village or town, at an inconsiderable distance. I got up, and springing towards it, almost immediately found my course checked by a very lofty, narrow, iron grated DOOR, fastened to the two high rocks on either side. I took courage and knocked;

a voice from a cleft in the rock answered, "Come in beloved of the Lord." I attempted to pass, as the gate flew open, but I could not, so narrow was the opening. I tried sideways, but in vain. I endeavoured to creep in on my hands and knees, but I found this too impracticable. The voice called out, "By the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified. But if while we seek to be justified by CHRIST, we ourselves also are found sinners, is, therefore, CHRIST the minister of sin? GOD forbid. For thou, through the law art dead to the law, that thou mightest live unto GOD. Frustrate not then the grace of God; for if righteousness come by the Law, then CHRIST is dead in vain. (Gal. ii.) Count then all things but dung, that thou mayest win CHRIST, and be found in Him, not having thine own righteousness which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of CHRIST, the righteousness which is of GOD by faith. (Phil. iii.) For by Grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast. (Eph. ii.) Take away therefore, the filthy garments from thee which are all as an unclean thing, and all Thy righteousness as filthy rags. (Isa. lxii.) Behold I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment."

At this generous invitation, my heart melted. But it was hard! Oh how hard it was, to strip off those rags of mine which I so doated on. I cried, and wept, and prayed, and at length as evening was drawing in I drew off the" mantle" of my alms-giving; and then, with many sighs, I pulled off the "chains and mufflers" of my virtues; and then I tried to pass the narrow, narrow entrance. But, no; the mouth of the LORD had spoken it. So with bitter tears, I drew off" the changeable suits of my apparel " of pride, the "veil and hood" of vanity, and self love; and then again, I tried to pass; but, no, my two pockets contained, the world in one, the Bible in the other; I heard a voice in a serious tone proclaim, "Ye cannot serve GoD and Mammon: what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? The friendship of the world is enmity with GOD, whosoever, therefore, will be the friend of the world is the enemy of GOD." These words pierced my heart; I took up my precious Bible, and flung down my Gazetteer: with a call for mercy and strength, I tore off my fond linen

"rags of righteousness," and I stepped out of my "shoes" of selfdependence, when I passed the gateway with ease, and to my amazement, the very next moment was plunged over head and ears into the CRIMSON FOUNTAIN close in the gate, which fountain I had never once perceived, nor thought of.

CHAPTER III.

Light and joy communicated to Magdalena-She steps out of the FountainWonders of Redeeming Love-Praises and Thanksgiving—Her new attire-Abraham Oldpath meets her-Conducts her up the High WayEnd of the Law Town illuminated - Conversation with Abraham about the New Kingdom-The New Birth-Arrival at the Sign of the Good Samaritan Inn-Eliezer the Steward-View from the Bedroom by moonlight-The Supper-The heavenly music in the Great Hall-Magdalena's Bed, and deep Sleep.

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as a

LET those persons, who have, like me, suffered the fierceness and terror of the righteous Law of GOD, as applied in its holiness and spirituality to their guilty souls, for nearly two months, fire, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock to pieces," (a) describe the heavenly blessings of JESUS when found, "CHRIST the end of the Law, for righteousness to every one that believeth." () For my part I leave the description to other pens. But O my soul, when thou wast plunged in that "fountain opened to the house of David for sin and for uncleanness," () how supremely happy wast thou to find thy guilt taken off thy conscience, thy vast load of sins off thy back, and the exceeding awe, and dread, and horror, and apprehensions of the wrath of GOD all gone and removed, when thou didst plunge in that blessed fount of blood! O thou poor soul, to GOD be the praise for driving thee to that fount, for thou hadst staid till Dooms-day, waiting for power to strip thee of thy filthy rags of dead-works, unless Thy tender SAVIOUR had given it to thee, and upheld thee in the fount, and given thee sight to per

(a) Jer. xxxiii. 29.

(b) Rom. x. 4.

(c) Zech. xiii. 1.

ceive the steps in the fount, so as to emerge; washed, sanctified, and saved, by the washing of regeneration, in the renewing of the Spirit, by the HOLY GHOST!

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And now issued forth the command as the sinner rose, and she said, "Father! I have sinned against heaven and in Thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called Thy child.'' Bring forth the best robe, and put it on her."(«) And the robe of dazzling white was thrown over me, as I ascended the steps; "and a ring on her finger, and shoes on her feet; for this my child was dead and is alive again; was lost and is found!" "O the condescension of God to us earth-worms! Othe wonders of redeeming love!" said I, again and again, as I felt an unknown joy, and love, and peace, beaming on every faculty of my mind from the vivid rapture and warmth of my soul. "O, who is to describe what is indescribable? and, who is to comprehend what is incomprehensible? The peace of GOD which passeth all understanding. Who can sound the depths of love which are bottomless? Who can speak the 'joy which is unspeakable, and full of glory?'(e) O'I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my GoD; for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation; He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.'() 'Sing, then, O heavens, and be joyful, O earth, and break forth into singing, O mountains; for the LORD hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted." "(e)

:

After having offered up my praises in the acceptable words of the Most High, I walked forward, being provided with beautiful and pleasant" shoes of the preparation of the gospel of peace ;' which were covered over "with badgers' skins, and with fine linen a white embroidered robe, and a silk mantle: bracelets upon my hands; a chain on my neck; a jewel on my forehead, and ear rings in mine ears."() And, thus, I girded up my robe with a curious girdle of the LORD; (9) and my beauty was the comeliness which the LORD put upon me.(^) Then catching up a word here and there, as I remembered it, in the 145th Psalm, I uttered my broken sentences of praise.

(a) Luke xv. 32.

(e) Isaiah xlix. 18.

(b) Phil. iv. 7. (ƒ) Ezekiel xvi. 12.

(c) 1 Peter i. 8.

(d) Isaiah lxi. 10. (g) Isaiah xlv. 5.; Job xii. 18. (h) Ezra xvi.

I had not walked far in the shades of evening, when a person, with a lantern, advanced to me, and said, "My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest; for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman." "(a)

I was too happy to be alarmed; therefore, I replied to the stranger, who by the light of the lamp, I found was a venerable old man, clad in a camel's hair garment and a leathern girdle about his loins, and shod with sandals, "Who are you, my kind friend, thus graciously proffering your valuable services?"

"Daughter," replied he, " my name is ABRAHAM OLDPATH, When people here are first brought to the knowledge of the LORD, my business, in this Kingdom, and more especially near this gate, is to shew them something of the road they have to travel. I generally meet them here by order of my LORD and King; if at night, with my lantern; if by day, with my map of the road. Yonder is the town, something above a mile off; we will walk, if it please you, and have a little discourse by the way."

"Most willingly, reverend father," answered I; " and we will talk of our blessed LORD. But, first, tell me, what is the name of the town so well lighted up, which His goodness hath provided for travellers ?"

"The name is END-OF-THE-LAW TOWN, or CHRIST," answered Abraham; "for the Prince of Glory has set His name upon it. He calls the law, the school-master, to drive the poor soul into this beautiful place; and glad enough is every one when he has once passed the narrow gate, and is arrived here."

"Glad !" exclaimed I. "Glad is too small a word, Mr. Oldpath, to express the rapturous delight one feels at such a marvellous change from sorrow to joy, from terror to ease, from blackness of doubt and fear to the brightness of certainty and hope. But now, be pleased to tell me what part of the world I am in? I have been a great traveller, but I am sure I never was in this part before."

"You are now," said Abraham, "in a kingdom not of the

(a) Ruth iii. 1, 11.