“ So I walked to a rising ground a little retired from the crowd, where I saw a booth, which I took to be built on purpose, for the conveniency of taking prospects, and went directly to it; and at the door I saw an old man, of whom I enquired; if he had ever a prospect glass, whereby I might be favoured with a full view of of the royal City, which I supposed to be the metropolis of the world. ”

“ But the more they appeared engaged in their affections, the more their instructor insisted on the danger and pernicious consequences which would attend their having such companions; and withal told them, the king had appointed one to attend them in their journey, whose name was Self denial, without whose company, it would be impossible ever to reach the borders of Canaan; and that to choose a stranger for a companion, would be such an insult to him at the first setting out, as might cause a misunderstanding all the way. ”

“ For his part, he told them, that to pretend to travel to Canaan, and to choose a Babylonian for a companion, was a contradiction; that he could not doubt the sincerity of their hearts, for if it was possible for a sincere traveller to choose such a companion, yet he was very certain, it could not be so long as they continued in the right use of their reason; and he must discharge his conscience in giving them timely, admonition. ”

“ And on the other hand, as she formerly was a Babylonian, though now blessed with new principles, the old tincture still remains in my nature, which, like so much tinder, is ready to kindle with Babylonish fire; wherefore, the greater excellencies she is accomplished with, the greater influence she will have to draw me into perpetual danger of departing from the living God. ”

“ A. Have I any reason to expect to be made happy by a person who is an utter stranger to the things wherein my happiness consists? Or can I expect to find usefulness in the way, from that which cannot be enjoyed or obtained without going out of the way? Besides, what qualification she'is endued with, or however valuable accomplishments she is possessed of, it never will be her inclination to employ those excellencies to assist others in a way she herself hath no delight in, (Psalm lxxxiv. 1712.) ”

“ Q. But have I not reason to hope, that a person of her refined qualities may be endued with such blessings, as to make a suitable companion for me in my journey?
A. A person may be accomplished with all the excellencies of Babylon, so as to appear superior to many of the citizens; but if these be only the accomplishments of their own country, they can only make a gradual difference between them and the most abject peasant, whereas there is a specific difference between a Babylonian and Israelite. ”

“ So, when these two lovers met again; having deliberately consulted between themselves all such things as they conceived necessary relating to such an engagement, considering the King's statutes thereupon, and jointly petitioned his Majesty's presence with them, and his blessing on their undertaking, they joined hands with great satisfaction and serenity of mind, rejoicing to see themselves preserved from so many snares, and thus happily united by a divine hand, (Gen. ii. 4.) ”