Reader,

Ove

N this Book is fit forth a tedious Pilgri mage, through the many dangerous Hazards of the Wilderness of this World, to the Heavenly Canaan of eternal Reft and Peace In which, the under the Similitude of a Dream, is lively reprefented the State of our Chriftian Warfare, wherein fighting Jahantly under the Bunner of Chrift, the great Captain of our Sulvation, all affuredly overcome our Spiritual Enemies and be victorious Conquerors over thofe Kentions that befet frail human Nature, and would hinder us from leaving in good Time, the City of Destruction (bibis this World and its fruitless Pleafures, Cares, and acumbrances) to journey towards the Heavensy Jerufalem, which is the true Centre of our endless Happiness, in the Fruition of unfpeik

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

སྙ

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

S

It is a Piece fo rare and tranfcending what has hitherto been publifb'd of this Kind, that I dare, without any further Apology, leave it to the Cenfure of all Mankind, who are not partial or biaffed. And fo, 10 doubting but it will render Comfort and De light, I fubfcribe myself, as heretofore,

not

Your Seul's hearty Well-wifher, 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 are writ to please the Ag
Amongst the reft, for this I dare engage
Where Virtue dwells, it will Acceptance find
And to your Pilgrim, moft that read, be kind,
But all to pleafe, would be a Task as hard,
As for the Winds from blowing to be barr`d.
The pious Chriftian in a Mirroir here
May fee 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 increafe, and Sorrow is no more.
This is a DREAM not fab lous, as of old;
In this Exprefs the Sacred Truths are told
That do to our eternal
eace 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 bleft,
Since it us brings to everlasting Reft.
So well in every Part the Scene is laid,
That it to charm the Reader may be faid
A 4

[u] With curious Fancy, and create Delight, Which to an Imitation must invite.

E

And happy are they, that through ftormy Seas,
And Dangers, Jeek Adventures like to thefe;
Who fell the World for this great Pearl of Price,
Which, once procur'd, will purchase Paradife:
He who in fuch a Bark does fpread his Sails,
Need never fear at last thofe profprous Gales
That will conduct him to a Land where he
Shall feel no Storms, but in a Calm fhall be;
Where, crown'd with Glory, he shall fit and fing
Eternal Praife to his Redeeming King,
Who conquring Death defpoiled of his Sting.

So wifhes your faithful Friend,

B. D.

Thefe

3d 10

"Thefe Li

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are humbly Recommended to the READER; Written upon the Perufal of this BOOK,

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Gusticia

FN Reading of this BOOK, Iplainly find, The Thoughts are fuited to the Author's Mind: For he who Virtue kue of Virtue Speaks, And the trong Chain of Vice with Courage breaks; What here at first feem'd clouded, foon reveals The Pilgrim's ass which he no terre cone als But till he tires his Patience and his eve Is travel towards the kingdom that's above, Some interpofing Fears have Time to reign But thefe by Faith expell'd, his Saul again Clears up and like the Baw that paints the Skies, After a Shriver, (on which Mankind relies As a fure Pledge, the Deluge fhail na mare Make all one boundless Sea without a Shore) Gives certain Hopes that Heaven's, Anger's poft, And he his Lot in a blefs'd Land has cast."," You write fe plainly, that the weakest find, Under Similitudes,

A Guide to you, Comfort and

NEX

that by the Hand does lead

Thefe Pilgrims that the heavenly Read does tread,

A 5