a little desire began at first to awaken in her heart to go to the city too.  Till, having once set her face to go up, one thing after another worked together to lead her up till she, too, had her life full of those invitations and experiences and interests and occupations and enjoyments that make Mercy’s name so memorable, and her happy case such an example and such an inspiration, to all God-fearing young women especially.

5.  John Bunyan must be held responsible for the strong dash of romance that he so boldly throws into Mercy’s memoirs.  But I shall postpone Mr. Brisk and his love-making and his answer to another lecture.  I shall not enter on Mercy’s love matters here at all, but shall leave them to be read at home by those who like to read romances.  Only, since we have seen so much of Mercy as a maiden, one longs to see how she turned out as a wife.  I can only imagine how Mercy turned out as a wife; but there is a picture of a Scottish 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.”