Page:The pilgrims progress as originally published by John Bunyan ; being a facsimile of the first edition (1878).djvu/22

Rh Come, Truth, although in Swadling-clouts, I find

Informs the Judgement, rectifies the Mind,

Pleases the Underſtanding, makes the Will

Submit; the Memory too it doth fill

With what doth our Imagination pleaſe;

Likewiſe, it tends our troubles to appeaſe.

Sound words I know Timothy is to uſe;

And old Wives Fables he is to refuſe,

But yet grave Paul, him no where doth forbid

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'' Put forth my matter in an other dreſs, Or that I had in things been more expreſs? Three things let me propound, then I ſubmit To thoſe that are my betters, (as is fit)

1. I find not that I am denied the uſe Of this my method, ſo I no abuſe Put on the Words, Things, Readers, or be rude In handling Figure, or Similitude, In application; but, all that I may, Seek the advance of Truth, this or that way: ''Denyed, did I ſay? Nay, I have leave,'' (Example too,and that from them that have God better pleaſed by their words or ways, Then any man that breatheth now adays,) Thus to expreſs my mind, thus to declare Things unto thee, that excellentest are.

Rh