lately passed myself; but there were many other duties connected with my office which at first I did not understand.y

a

One day a person came to me, and said, that he had been ten years in the kingdom, but had never got beyond the gate, or drank the water, except under the walls. He heard that there was a temple in the centre where the prince lived, and he asked me to show him the way to it. But how could I do this

y Be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Eph. v. 17.

z I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am argued with. (See Marg.) Hab. ii. 1.

a

They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward. Jer. 1. 5.

b Oh send out thy light and thy truth; let them lead let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Ps. xliii. 3.

me,

when I did not know it myself? I could only tell him to consult the guide book.d

As soon as he was gone, I began to make enquiries about this temple, of which I had heard, but never before thought of reaching. I found a great

g

variety of opinions respecting it, and much confusion in men's minds on the subject. Most of them thought it was

Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Ps. cxix. 18.

d For the commandment is a lamp, and the law is light. Prov. vi. 23.

e Cause me to know the way, wherein I should walk. Ps. cxliii. 8.

f Call upon me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jer. xxxiii. 3.

If any man shall do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God. John vii. 17.

h That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; the eyes of your

better to remain at the walls and work, than attempt to penetrate into the kingdom, though they confessed that it was seldom the prince was ever met, except near the temple. But then they thought it time enough to see him when their work was done. I could not help perceiving, that in many cases there was an apprehension that making a path to the centre, would be harder work than what at present occupied them, and not so distinguished and applauded amongst

understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought, in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand, &c. Eph. i. 17, 18, 19, 20.

i He that taketh not his cross and followeth after

me, is not worthy of me. k They that are Christ's

the affections and lusts.

Matt. x. 38.

have crucified the flesh, with Gal. v. 24.

m

men. Numbers knew so little about the temple, that they thought it visionary, and merely a sort of allegorical illustration of working. Some had not heard of it at all. For my part, I was seized with such a desire" to be nearer the prince, that I diligently searched the guide book, to see if there were any directions that would help me, and then I perceived, to my no small surprise, that many of the exhortations which I had formerly thought referred only to

1 Whose praise is not of men, but of God. Rom. ii. 29.

m O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. Luke xxiv. 25.

n

I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for thy commandments. Ps. cxix. 131.

• Teach me to do thy wil!, for thou art my God; thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Ps. cxliii. 10.

P Wherewithal shall a yonug man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. Ps. cxix. 9.

D

q

passing the gate, were in fact, addressed to those who had passed, in order that they might reach the temple. How it was that I never observed this before, I know not, but it seemed quite a new light to me.t

I cannot express how my mind glowed with hope," as I read of the glory of the temple, which saints might even now enjoy. It was with a burst of delight that I satisfied myself the way was open

a Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth. John xvii. 17.

r

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Col. iii. 1, 2.

s Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. James iv. 8.

t Light is sown for the righteous. Ps. xcvii. 11.

u In whom also, after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. Eph. i. 13, 14.