st, inexpressibly rare and delightful and
beautiful. I was a little stranger, which at my entrance into the
world was saluted and surrounded with innumerable joys. My knowledge
was Divine. . . . My very ignorance was advantageous. I seemed as one
brought into the Estate of Innocence. All things were spotless and
pure and glorious: yea, and infinitely mine, and joyful and precious.
I knew not that there were any sins, or complaints or laws. I dreamed
not of poverties, contentions or vices. All tears {325} and quarrels
were hidden from mine eyes. Everything was at rest, free and immortal.
I knew nothing of sickness or death or rents or exaction, either for
tribute or bread. In the absence of these I was entertained like an
Angel with the works of God in their splendour and glory, I saw all the
peace of Eden; Heaven and Earth did sing my Creator's praises, and
could not make more melody to Adam, than to me. All Time was Eternity,
and a perpetual Sabbath. Is it not strange, that an infant should be
heir of the whole World, and see those mysteries which the books of the
learned never unfold?

"The corn was orient and immortal wheat, which never should be reaped,
nor was ever sown. I thought it had stood from everlasting to
everlasting. The dust and stones of the street were as precious as
gold; the gates were at first the end of the world. The green trees
when I saw them first through one of the gates transported and ravished
me, their sweetness and unusual beauty made my heart to leap, and
almost mad with ecstasy, they were such strange and wonderful things.
The Men! O what venerable and reverend creatures did the aged seem!
Immortal Cherubims! And young men glittering and sparkling Angels, and
maids strange seraphic pieces of life and beauty! Boys and girls
tumbling in the street, and playing, were moving jewels. I knew not
that they were born or should die. But all things abided eternally as
they were in their proper places. Eternity was manifest in the Light
of the Day, and something infinite behind everything appeared; which
talked with my expectation and moved my desire. The city seemed to
stand in Eden, or to be built in Heaven. The streets were mine, the
temple was mine, the people were mine, their clothes and gold and
silver were mine, as much as their sparkling eyes, fair skins and ruddy
faces. The skies were mine, and so were the sun and moon and stars,
and all the World was mine; and I the