burden to the king?" And hardly had I with a trembling voice read
the words, when I perceived an awful stir in the congregation; for
all applied the words to the state of the church, and the
appointment of his grace the Commissioner. Having paused after
giving out the text, the same fearful and critical silence again
ensued, and every eye was so fixed upon me, that I was for a time
deprived of courage to look about; but heaven was pleased to
compassionate my infirmity, and as I proceeded, I began to warm as
in my own pulpit. I described the gorgeous Babylonian harlot riding
forth in her chariots of gold and silver, with trampling steeds and
a hurricane of followers, drunk with the cup of abominations, all
shouting with revelry, and glorying in her triumph, treading down in
their career those precious pearls, the saints and martyrs, into the
mire beneath their swinish feet. "Before her you may behold
Wantonness playing the tinkling cymbal, Insolence beating the drum,
and Pride blowing the trumpet. Every vice is there with his
emblems; and the seller of pardons, with his crucifix and triple
crown, is distributing his largess of perdition. The voices of men
shout to set wide the gates, to give entrance to the queen of
nations, and the gates are set wide, and they all enter. The
avenging gates close on them--they are all shut up in hell."

There was a sough in the kirk as I said these words; for the vision
I described seemed to be passing before me as I spoke, and I felt as
if I had witnessed the everlasting destruction of Antichrist, and
the worshippers of the Beast. But soon recovering myself, I said in
a soft and gentle manner, "Look at yon lovely creature in virgin-
raiment, with the Bible in her hand. See how mildly she walks
along, giving alms to the poor as she passes on towards the door of
that lowly dwelling--Let us follow her in--She takes her seat in the