Come, let my carper to his life now look, That in his best things there are worse lines too. That they will take my meaning in these lines Come, Truth, although in swaddling-clouts I find, The use of parables, in which lay hid That gold, those pearls, and precious stones, that were Worth digging for, and that with greatest care. Let me add one word more: O man of God! Art thou offended? Dost thou wish I had Of this my method, so I no abuse In application; but all that I may 2. I find that men (as high as trees) will write Truth, cursed be they, and the craft they use 3. I find that holy writ, in many places, Truth's golden beams: nay, by this method may That pulls the strong down, and makes weak ones stand. It shews too who set out for life amain, If by its counsel thou wilt ruled be; Art thou for something rare and profitable? Art thou forgetful? Wouldest thou remember This book is writ in such a dialect As may the minds of listless men affect: Nothing but sound and honest gospel strains. Wouldst thou divert thyself from melancholy? Wouldst read thyself, and read thou know'st not what, JOHN BUNYAN. |