Prud. By the going up of the fire we are taught to ascend to heaven by fervent and hot desires; and by the sun's sending his heat, beams, and sweet influences downwards, we are taught that the Saviour of the world, though high, reacheth down with his grace and love to us below.
Matt. Where have the clouds their water?
Prud. Out of the sea.
Matt. What may we learn from that?
Prud. That ministers should fetch their doctrine from God.
Matt. Why do they empty themselves upon the earth?
Prud. To shew that ministers should give out what they know of God to the world.
Matt. Why is the rainbow caused by the sun?
Prud. To shew that the covenant of God's grace is confirmed to us in Christ.
Matt. Why do the springs come from the sea to us, through the earth?
Prud. To shew that the grace of God comes to us through the body of Christ.
Matt. Why do some of the springs rise out of the tops of high hills?
Prud. To show that the spirit of grace shall spring up in some that are great and mighty, as well as in many that are poor and low.
Matt. Why doth the fire fasten upon the candle-wick?
Prud. To shew that unless grace doth kindle upon the heart there will be no true light of life in us.
Matt. Why is the wick and tallow, and all, spent to maintain the light of the candle?
Prud. To shew that body and soul, and all, should be at the service of, and spend themselves to maintain, in good condition, that grace of God that is in us.
Matt. Why doth the pelican pierce her own breast with her bill?
Prud. To nourish her young ones with her blood, and thereby to shew that Christ the blessed so loveth his young, his people, as to save them from death by his blood.
Matt. What may one learn by hearing the cock crow?
Prud. Learn to remember Peter's sin, and Peter's repentance. The cock's crowing shews also that day is coming on; let then the crowing of the cock put thee in mind of that last and terrible day of judgment.
Now, about this time, their month was out; wherefore they signified to those of the house that it was convenient for them to up and be going. Then said Joseph to his mother, It is convenient that you forget not to send to the house of Mr. Interpreter, to pray him to grant that Mr. Great-heart should be sent unto us, that he may be our conductor the rest of our way. Good boy, said she, I had almost forgot. So she drew up a petition, and prayed Mr. Watchful, the Porter, to send it by some fit man, to her good friend Mr. Interpreter; who, when it was come, and he had seen the contents of the petition, said to the messenger, Go tell them that I will send him.