Page:Advantages and disadvantages of the marriage-state.pdf/19

19 straight path. Whereupon he went up to her, and enquired where she was going? She told him, to Zion.—He asked her what she had been perusing? She shewed him, it was the Map of the Road, (viz. the ,) which she took along with her for her guide. He then began to enquire who she was, and whence she came? She told him, she was by birth a Chaldean, by education and conversation a Babylonian, but was now seeking a better country.—He asked what expectation or encouragement she had in taking such a journey? She told me, she had the King's Word, (Heb. vi. 17.) to make her an inhabitant in his Royal Palace, when she arrived at the Upper Bethel, (Rev. xxi. 24. Isaiah xxxiii. 16.) and to grant her sufficient defence and sustenance all the way thither.—He asked, if she could be fully satisfied in the King's veracity? She told him, the frauds and jelousies of Babylon had made some impressions on her mind; that she had found it very difficult to believe Him that could not lie, but His, had condescended to give her the strongest demonstrations of his fidelity; so that now she was convinced she had no reason to doubt his goodness, for he had confirmed his promise with an oath, and had given her to see that, in his own records, it was sealed with blood; that hitherto she had