JOHN BUNYAN'S ADVERTISEMENT

TO THE READER.

1

SOME say the PILGRIM'S PROGRESS is not mine,

Infinuating as if I would shine
In name and fame by the worth of another,
Like some made rich by robbing of their brother :
Or that so fond I am of being fire,
I'll father bastards, or, if need require,
I'll tell a lye in print to get applaufe :
I scorn it; John such dirt-heap never was,
Since God converted him. Let this suffice
To lhew why I my Pilgrim patronize.

It came from mine own heart; fo to my head,
And thence into my finger's tickled;
Then to my pen, from whence immediately
On paper I did dribble it daintily.

Manner and matter too were all mine own,
Nor was it unto any mortal known,
Till I had done it. Nor did any then
My books, by wits, by tongues, or hand or pen
Add five words to it, or write half a line ;
Therefore, the whole, and every whit is mine.

Also for this, thine eye is now upon,
The matter in this manner came from none
But che fame heart, and head, fingers, and pen,
As did the others, Witness all

g00. Ten:
or none in all the world, without a
'an say that this is mine, excepting i.
I write not this of

any oftentation,
Nor 'cause I feek of men their comment on;
I do it to keep them from such surmise,
As tempt them will my name to fcandalize:
Witness my name, if anagram'd to thee,
The letters make, Nu hony in a B.

JOHN BUNYAN.

, 17 they 26 E.5

THE metit of Mr. John Bunyan's History of

the Holy War is so universally known and acknowledged by Christians of all denominations, thát to bestow any encomium upon it here would be both absurd and unnecessary; all Mr. Bunyan's productions, particularly the following History of the Holy War, and his Pilgrim's Progress, have met with general approbation; few compositions have been fo well received, and fewer indeed have kept their ground so long.

Such being therefore the great fame and merit of this work, it was presumed a New Edition, at this time, would be highly acceptable to all lovers of intrinsic worth; it was therefore determined to present the public, as soon as possible, with the defired acquisition, and it was further resolved, as the Writings of this great Author are for the chief part allegorical and figurative, to fübjoin fuch neceffary Notes, as may not only explain those paffages which appear dark, but point out the feveral beauties of the Author, and shew, in a full and clear manner, the fpiritual end and design of the work itself. Likewise, by these Notes and illustrations readers will be induced to pay greater attention, and consequently from this New Edition, derive greater benefit and entertainment.

This Edition will likewise be found the most complete of any now extant, several inaccuracies being removed, and many observations added;

it is also presumed that from its size, it will be far preferable to its gigantic or diminutive rivals, it being certainly more adapted for convenience, than any hitherto offered to the public.

It is the duty of all, possessed of capability, to rescue from oblivion the valuable productions of every excellent author.---And no author deserves attention more than the present, which is proved by the high estimation in which his compositions are held, and the great fpiritual benefits which have resulted from them.---We trust therefore that our present labour will meet with that general satisfaction from the public, which the former Editions, without even the benefit of explanatory notes, have so eminently experienced ; it is however necessary to observe, that no additions or fúperfluous comments is made, which is not abfolutely requisite, in order that readers should attend more closely, and understand more clearly the doctrinal, practical, experimental, and moral design of this truly pious and wonderful Writer,

The great popularity and utility of this most excellent composition, sufficiently evince the absolute necessity and propriety of a re-publication, and on account of the particular accuracy and illustrative notes of the present Edition, there is little doubt, but through these evident advantages it will have an indisputable claim to superiority, and consequently find a place in the Library of every christian family.

Το Τ Η Ε

THE READER.

ȘTIS

"IS strange to me, that they that love to tell

Things done of old, yea, and that do excel
Their equals in Historiology,
Speak not of Mansoul's wars, but let them lie
Dead like old fables, or such worthless things
That to the reader no advantage brings :
When men, let them make what they will their own,
Till they know this, are to themselves unknown.

Of stories I well know there's divers sorts,
Some foreign, some domestic; and reports
Are thereof made, as fancy leads the writers;
(By books a man may guess at the inditers.)

Some will again of that which never was,
Nor will be, feign (and that without a cause),
Such matter, raife such mountains, tell such things
Of men, of laws, of countries, and of kingsi
And in their story feem to be so sage,
And with such gravity cloath every page,
That though their frontispiece says all is vain,
Yet to their way disciples they obtain.

But, readers, I have fomewhat else to do,
Than with vain stories thus to trouble you ;
What here I fay some men do know so well, True Chrifi
They can with tears of joy the story tell.

The town of Mansoul is well known to many,
Nor are her troubles doubted of by any,
That are acquainted with those Histories

The Scriptures: That Mansoul and her wars anatomize. (a)

Then lend thine ear to what I do relate
Touching the town of Mansoul, and her state

e;
How she was loft, took captive, made a flave;
And how against him set, that should her fave;
Yea, how by hoftile ways she did oppose
Her Lord, and with his enemy did close :
For they are true, he that will them deny,
Must needs the best of records vilify.
For my part, I myself was in the town,
Both when 'twas set up, and when pulling down;
I saw Diabolus in it's poffeflion,
And Mansoul also under his oppression.
Yea, I was there when she own'd him for lord,
And to him did submit with one accord,

When

ans.

(a) The quick’ning Spirit gives light and life through the word.

When Mansoul trampled upon things divine,
And wallowed in filth as doth a swine:
When the betook herself unto her arms,
Fought her EMANUEL, and despis’d his charms; His counsels.
Then I was there, and forely griev'd to see
Diabolus and Mansoul so agree.

Let no man, then, count me a fable-maker,
Nor make my name or credit a partaker
Of their derision; what is here in view,
Of mine own knowledge I dare say is true. (a)

I saw the Prince's armed men come down
By troops, by thousands, to besiege the town;
I saw the captains, heard the trumpets sound,
And how his forces cover'd all the ground:
Yea, how they set themselves in battle 'ray,
I shall remember to my dying day.

I saw the colours waving in the wind,
And they within to mischief how combin'd
To ruin Mansoul, and to take away
Her Primum Mobile without delay.

Her soul.
I saw the mounts cast up against the town,
And how the slings were plac'd to beat it down.
I heard the stones fly whizzing by my ears;
(What's longer kept in mind, than got in fears ?)
I heard them fall, and saw what work they made,
And how old Mors did cover with his thade Death.
The face of Mansoul, and I heard her cry,
Woe worth the day, “in dying I shall die!"

I saw the battering-rams, and how they play'd
To beat up Ear-gate; and I was afraid,
Not only Ear-gate, but the very town
Would by those battering-rams be beaten down.

I saw the fights, and heard the captains shout,
And in each battle saw who fac'd about :
I saw who wounded were, and who were slain,
And who, when dead, would come to life again.

I heard the cries of those that wounded were
(While others fought like men bereft of fear);
And while the cry, Kill, kill, was in mine ears,
The gutters ran not fo with blood as tears.

Indeed the captains did not always fight, But when they would moleft us day and night; They cry, Up, fall on, let us take the town, Keep us from fleeping, or from lying down.

Lufts.

I was

(a) Here follows the blessedness of experimental religion. See Mr. TIMOTHY PRIESTLEY's New EXPOSITION OF the BIBLE.