xlvi The Author's Apology. The Highest Wisdom: No; he rather stoops, Be not too forward, therefore, to conclude The prophets used much by metaphors (Dark figures, allegories,) yet there springs, To his poor one I dare adventure ten, That they will take my meaning in these lines Far better than his lies in silver shrines. Come, Truth, although in swaddling-clouts I find, With what doth our imagination please; Sound words, I know, Timothy is to use, And old wives' fables he is to refuse; The Author's Apology. That gold, those pearls, and precious stones, that were Let me add one word more: O man of God! Put forth my matter in another dress? Put on the words, things, readers, or be rude In application; but all that I may Seek the advance of truth, this or that way. 2. I find that men (as high as trees) will write Which way it pleases God; for who knows how, 3. I find that holy writ, in many places, Use it I may then, and yet nothing smother Truth's golden beams: nay, by this method may That pulls the strong down, and makes weak ones stand. This book, it chalketh out before thine eyes The man that seeks the everlasting prize; xlvii xlviii The Author's Apology. It shows whence he comes, whither he goes; you What he leaves undone; also what he does: It shows too who set out for life amain, Art thou for something rare and profitable? 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? Dost thou love picking meat? Or wouldst thou see Wouldst read thyself, and read thou know'st not what, And yet know whether thou art blest or not, JOHN BUNYAN. |