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| - Reader, in this Book is set forth a tedious pilgrimage, through the many dangerous hazards of the wilderness of this world, to the heavenly Canaan of eternal rest and peace: In which, tho’ under the Similitude of a Dream, is lively represented the state of our christian warfare; wherein fighting valiantly under the banner of Christ, the great captain of our salvation, we shall assuredly overcome our spiritual enemies, and be victorious conquerors over those temptations that beset frail human nature, and would hinder us from leaving in good time, the city of Destruction (which is this world, and its fruitless pleasures, cares, and incumbrances) to journey towards the heavenly Jerusalem, which is the true centre of our endless happiness, in the fruition of unspeakable and soul-ravishing joys, that know no date nor consumption. This has been in the former, as well as present age, a way of writing that has been extreamly taking, representing to the mind things that command our serious thoughts and attention, and work more upon the minds of men, than if delivered in plainer terms; however, to the discerning christian there is nothing in this that is obscure and difficult to understood, nothing but what is grounded upon sacred truths, and the mercies of God in Jesus Christ, held forth to us by his assured word. It is a piece so rare and transcending what has hitherto been publish’d of this kind, that I dare, without any further apology, leave it to the censure of all mankind, who are not partial or biased. And so, not doubting but it will render comfort and delight, I subscribe myself, as heretofore, Your soul’s hearty well-wisher, and fellow-labourer In the vineyard of our Lord Jesus, J.B. To his worthy Friend, the Author of The Third Part of the Pilgrim’s Progress, Upon Perusal thereof, &c. THO’ many things are writ to please the age Amongst the rest, for this I dare engage, Where virtue dwells, it will acceptance find, And to your pilgrim, most that read, be kind, But all to please, would be a task as hard, As fro the winds from blowing to be barr’d. The pious christian in a mirrour here May see the promis’d land, and without fear Of threaten’d danger, bravely travel on Until his journey he has safely gone, And does arrive upon the happy shore, Where joys increase, and sorrow is no more. This is a DREAM not fab’lous, as of old, In this express the sacred truths are told That do to our eternal peace belong And after mourning change unto a song Of glorious triumphs, that are without end, If we but bravely for the prize contend. No Pilgrimage like this can make us blest, Since it us brings to everlasting rest. So well in every part the scene is laid, That it to charm the reader, may be said With curious fancy, and create delight, Which to an imitation must invite. And happy are they, that through stormy seas, And dangers, seek adventures like to these; Who sell the world for this great pearl of price, Which, once procur’d, will purchase Paradise: He who in such a bark does spread his sails, Need never fear at last those prosp’rous gales, That will conduct him to a land where he Shall feel no storms, but in a calm shall be; Where, crown’d with glory, be shall sit and sing Eternal praise to his redeeming king, Who conqu’ring death despoil’d of his sting. So wishes your faithful friend, B.D. These Lines are humbly Recommended to the READER; [Written upon the Perusal of this Book, & c.] IN reading of this Book, I plainly find, The thoughts are suited to the author’s mind: For he who virtue loves, of virtue speaks, And the strong chain of vice with courage breaks; What here at first seem’d clouded, soon reveals The pilgrim’s joys, which he no more conceals; But till he tires his patience and his love, To travel tow’rds the kingdom that’s above, Some interposing fears have time to reign; But those by faith expell’d his soul again Clears up, and like the bow that paints the skies After a shower, (on which mankind relies As a sure pledge, the deluge shall no more Make all one boundless sea without a shore) Gives certain hopes that heaven’s anger’s past, And he his lot in a bless’d Land has cast. You write so plainly, that the weakest mind, Under similitudes may comfort find. A guide you give, that by the hand does lead Those pilgrims that the heavenly roads do tread, And tells them always where the danger is; How to step over, or to wisely miss The stumbling-blocks that satan daily lays To overthrow them that mind not their ways: So being bruis’d against rocks of despair, Or doubt, or fear they know not how nor where, They faint and languish in the middle way, Or back to Egypt haste without delay, Preferrring darkness to the glorious day They were approaching. This book has my voice, And is, of all in this kind, the most choice; Peruse it well, and you will find it reach From earth to heav’n, in what it well does teach: If you’d be blest, then mind what it does preach. L.C.
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