Page:Advantages and disadvantages of the marriage-state.pdf/18

18 When he had thus reasoned with himself he made a full pause, appeared in a strong agitation of mind, and a paleness arose in his face. I heard him sigh, and say to himself, "Whither has my mind been roving!' Then, trembling, he lift up his eyes to heaven, and earnestly cried, "O God of all grace, deliver me from temptation."—And from that time, he never would regard any of the damsels of the city, but said, he would wait until he should find a true companion, and till then, he would walk alone. 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 satisfaction in his mind, saying to himself, "If my King see it good for me to be 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 going on his way, he observed Miranda, a young virgin, who was walking the same road, and began to be favoured with her company, but thought it advisable to be very deliberate, (Prov. iv. 26.) He observed whether she closely attended to the right way: so he perceived her taking something out of her bosom diligently perusing it for a while, then put it into her bosom again, and peruse the