THE

PREFACE

TO THE

Chriftian Reader.

Readan

erous

Ha

ind

this Book is is set forth a tedious Pilgri Image, through the many dange zards of the Wilderness of this world, to the Heavenly Canaan of eternal Rest and Peace: In which, the under the Simihtude of a Dream; is lively represented the State of our Chriftian Warfare, wherein fighting Valiantly under the Banner of Chrift, the great Captain of our Sulvation, we ball affuredly overcome our Spiritual Enemies be victorious Conquerors over those Fen tions that befet frail human Nature, and would hinder us from leaving in good the City of Destruction (which is this World. and its fruitless Pleasures, Cares, and 1cumbrances) to journey towards the Heavenly Jerufalem, which is the truc Centre of our endless Happiness, in the Fruition of unspeckA3

me

able and Soul-ravishing foys, that know no Date nor Confummation.

This has been in the former, as well as present Age, a Way of Writing that has been extremely taking, representing to the Mind Things that command our most serious Thoughts and Attention, and work more upon the Minds of Men, than if delivered in plainer Terms; however, to the discerning Chriftian, there is nothing in this that is abfcure and difficult to be understood, nothing but what is grounded upon Sacred Truths and the Mercies of God in Jesus Chrift beld forth to us by his affured Word.

It is a Piece so rare end transcending That 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 biaffed. And so, no doubting but it will render Comfort and De light, I Subscribe myself, as heretofore,

Your Soul's hearty Well-wisher, and Fellow
Labourer in the Vineyard of our Lord Jefus,

J. B.

To

To his worthy Friend, the Author of The Third Part of the Pilgrim's Progress, upon Perufal thereof, &c.

THO many Things

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 for the Winds from blowing to be barr'd.
The pious Christian in a Mirroir here
May see the promis'd Land, and without Fear
Of threaten'd Danger, bravely travel on
Until his Journey he has fafely gone,
And does arrive upon the happy Shore,
Where Foys 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 faid

A4

With

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 fell the World for this great Pearl of Price,
Which, once procur'd, will purchase Paradise:
He who in fuch a Bark does spread his Sails,
Need never fear at last those profprous 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, he shall fit and fing
Eternal Praise to his Redeeming King,
Who conquring Death defpoiled of his Sting.

So wishes your faithful Friend,

}

B. D.

These

These Lines are humbly Recommended to the READER;「Written upon tha Perufal of this BOOK, &

K

I plainly find the Author's Mind:

V Reading of this BOO The Thoughts are fuited to th For he who Virtue love, of Virtue Speaks, And the strong Ghain of Vice with Courage breaks; What here at first seem'd.clouded, foon reveals The Pilgrim's Jus, which be no more conc.als But till he tiressbis Patience and his Love, Ts travel tow'rds the Kingdom that's above, Some interposing Fears Fe have Time to to reign; But these by Faith expeli'd, his Soul again Clears up, and like the Biw that prints the Skies, After a Shower, (on which Mankind relies As a fure Pledge, the Deluge shailan 22 m Make all ore boundless Sea without a Shore) Gives certain Hopes. that Heaven's 's. Anger's post, And be a bless'd Land has caft.

bis Lot

tin

more

You write fo plaint, that the weakest Mind,

Under Similitudes, may Gomfort sind.

A Guide to you, that by the Hawd ases lead

These Pilgrims that the heavenly Read does tread