Page images
PDF
EPUB

Shepherd. True, sir; without the exercise of faith infidelity cannot be subdued, nor the adversary routed; for this fight is emphatically called "The good fight of faith." Pray, how long did Little Faith continue under his affliction?

Steward. But a little while; for the nurses cherished him, and fed him with warm milk from the cow, Isai. vii. 21, 22. Others gave him love apples, Cant. ii. 5. The young princesses brought him new wine, and bade him "drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more," Prov. xxxi. 6, 7. Others petitioned the King. In short, all the young princes and princesses that were at the lodge got round him, and lent their friendly aid to him. But the infidelity of Little Faith had like to have been an overmatch for them all. However, he is come to, and gone forth again in company with the rest of the King's children; and I suppose they will keep on feasting from house to house till every mite be spent; and then they will all come home, some half starved, others with their coats put off, and some with great rents and slits in their clothes. And then I shall have work enough; and, perhaps, this is the case already: therefore I must be off.

Shepherd. When shall you have another leisure opportunity?

Steward. I know not, for I have generally the most work on my hands when days of festivity are over; for, at such times, I have not only their food and apparel to look to, but physic is wanted

also, and more skill is required in using of it than I ever was master of. Therefore, as I cannot with certainty fix any particular day, I will, when opportunity offers, call on you at the tent: and, if you are at home, I shall be glad; and, if not, I have my walk for my pains. But I cannot tell when it will be, whether next week, or a month hence.

Shepherd. Whenever you come, let it be on a Thursday evening, if possible. But, if you cannot call on me next week, I shall not be at leisure for several weeks after; for, as the dogdays are coming on, it is likely to be very hot. And it is required of shepherds to be watchful at those seasons, for nothing can be more dangerous among a flock of sheep than a mad dog.

Steward. Dumb dogs are bad enough; greedy dogs, Isai. lvi. 10, 11, are worse; but mad dogs, 2 Pet. ii. 16, are the worst of all. Farewell: I leave both the shepherd and the flock to the Chief Shepherd's care.

Shepherd. Sir, I thank you: I heartily wish you the same fare; and hope that Wisdom will direct and support you when this working and purging time comes on.

DIALOGUE THE EIGHTH.

Steward. Well, Shepherd, how do you do? I am glad to see you.

Shepherd. I am as glad to see you; for, in very deed, I suspected that you were either ill, or dead; and began to doubt whether I should ever see you again in these lower regions, for it is above three months since we had the last interview.

Steward. I know it is a good while; but I did not know that it was quite so long, for I do not observe days and months. I have had plenty of employ, and many ups and downs since I saw you last.

Shepherd.

"Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward." Pray, how comes Little Faith on? Is he on the mount, in the nursery, or is he feasting and making merry still?

Steward. Little Faith came home the next day after I parted with you last. I just saved my distance, for he and a number of the children were to dine and sup at the palace the next day: therefore you may easily guess how I was hurried in the morning!

Shepherd. Did he come into the Steward's room, to ask how you did?

Steward. No; but, when dinner went up, I saw where he was, and how he did. All sat mute; it was a silent meeting, not a cheerful countenance upon any of them; and, as for Little Faith, he appeared the worst of all. When the dinner was served up, they sat and other, but could not fall to.

looked at one anNothing of the first

or second course seemed to suit: however, when the dessert came, some of them partook of that; but, as for Little Faith, he did very little more than taste of it.

Shepherd. Pray, what was the matter with Little Faith? How came he so dejected and bowed down?

Steward. Pride, pride, you may be sure: pride always goes before the destruction of a sinner, and a haughty spirit before the fall of a

saint.

Shepherd. One would have thought that Little Faith had been exercised with troubles sufficient to have humbled him.

Steward. Pride often steals in by a way, and in a manner, by which it is least suspected. Every one of the seed royal is fond of nursing, cherishing, and dandling, a young heir: for you must know that, in our family, every real child is an heir, and a joint heir; an heir-apparent to the throne, and in one sense a joint heir with his Majesty, and that by propitious grant; as it is written, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne."

Shepherd. This is enough to lay a child under the strongest ties of filial affection, and to excite gratitude in the superlative degree; which the depraved powers of the human soul, though immortal, are incapable of, unless influenced by the sensible operations of Eternal Divinity.

Steward. It is true: but, when once a young heir appears in the image of his Majesty, and begins to lisp out his warm expressions of love and tender affection to his royal Father, and to appear in the garb of true royalty, all the young ones of the King's seed begin to admire and caress him; and, if any one is under the black rod, he is sure to be applied to, as a mediator or intercessor: his garments are admired, his simplicity is extolled, his company is courted, and his conversation highly approved. And this was the case with Little Faith: his wisdom was deemed won' derful, his penetration singular, his discernment profound, his conversation savoury, and his brilliant appearance to exceed all that was ever born in the palace royal,

Shepherd. I wonder that Little Faith had not concealed himself in a corner equally as secure as he formerly had thought himself when in the sand bank: for he that is so dotingly fond of retirement in trouble, generally inclines that way when out of it. "The heart knoweth his own bitterness, and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy."

« PreviousContinue »