If you live hereabouts, pray direct a ſtranger in his loſt way, where he may find a habitation to reſt his wearied limbs till morning, it being now the dead of the night. Pretty youth, ſaid the farmer, for ſo thou appear to me, you have about two miles to Maidſtone, where you may meet with Inns for your accomodation.
And to oblige a courteous ſtranger if you do go with me, I will ſend my ſervant to conduct you thither. I thank you kindly replied the ſtranger, I am weary, and would willingly find nearer reſt, which if you can procure me, I promiſe you ſhall not go unrewarded. Sweet youth, ſaid the farmer, I fear my habitation is too ordinary for ſuch a gueſt, but nevertheleſs, I’ll make you an offer of it, did I not fear my wife who is of a turbulent temper, would affront; or diſpleaſe you. Nothing ſhall diſpleaſe me, ſaid the ſtranger, ſo that I deſire I may be lodged in your houſe till morning when I muſt go about my maſter’s buſineſs. Why are you a ſervant? replyed the farmer, as for that ſaid the ſtranger, you ſhall know e’er we part. Then they went together, and the farmer gave him a hearty welcome to his houſe, offering him all the civilities the ſame could afford, he, the ſtranger refuſed eating or drinking, only deſired a little diſcourſe with the farmer, who granting the ſtranger’s requeſt, they both ſat down, and the farmer taking the firſt occaſion, and ſaid, I remember juſt now you was ſaying that you was a ſervant, I would deſire to know Who is your maſter? if it be no offence. The maſter I ſerve ſaid the ſtranger, is a good and gracious Lord, moſt holy righteous and juſt, his poſſeſſions are large, his tenants many, his ſervants numerous, his ſervice eaſy, his wages bountiful, his ways are wonderous, his love is immence, his
