ottish Covenanting girl as a married wife which always
rises up before my mind when I think of Mercy's matronly days. That
picture might hang in Bunyan's own peculiar gallery, so beautiful is the
drawing, and so warm and so eloquent the colouring. Take, then, this
portrait of one of the daughters of the Scottish Covenant. "She was a
woman of great worth, whom I therefore passionately loved and inwardly
honoured. A stately, beautiful, and comely personage; truly pious and
fearing the Lord. Of an evenly temper, patient in our common
tribulations and under her personal distresses. A woman of bright
natural parts, and of an uncommon stock of prudence; of a quick and
lively apprehension in things she applied herself to, and of great
presence of mind in surprising incidents. Sagacious and acute in
discerning the qualities of persons, and therefore not easily imposed
upon. [See Mr. Brisk's interviews with Mercy.] Modest and grave in her
deportment, but naturally cheerful; wise and affable in conversation,
also having a good faculty at speaking and expressing herself with
assurance. Being a pattern of frugality and wise management in household
affairs, all such were therefore entirely committed to her; well fitted
for and careful of the virtuous education of her children; remarkably
useful in the countryside, both in the Merse and in the Forest, through
her skill in physic and surgery, which in many instances a peculiar
blessing appeared to be commanded upon from heaven. And, finally, a
crown to me in my public station and pulpit appearances. During the time
we have lived together we have passed through a sea of trouble, as yet
not seeing the shore but afar off."

"The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. What,
my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? Who
can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Her
children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth
her. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth
the Lord, she shall be praised."

MR. BRISK

"Be ye not unequally yoked."--_Paul_.

There were some severe precisians in John Bunyan's day who took the
objection to the author of the _Pilgrim's Progress_ that he sometimes
laughed too loud.

"One may (I think) say, both he laughs and cries,
May well be guessed at by his watery eyes.
Some things are of that nature as to make