xii PRE FА СЕ. plaining the Allegory, as the Author himself did in writing it. The Second Part of the Pilgrim's Progrefs is beautiful and excellent, though not equal to the First. Should this Key to the First Part meet with Acceptance, a Key to the Second shall follow it, in the fame Mode. A KEY K E Y то THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. A LETTER I. MONG the various Bleffings of early Piety, I account it not the leaft, that the young Chriftian poffeffes Vigour of Mind to fearch after Knowledge, and Strength of Memory to retain his Acquifitions. I confider my dear SYNTYCHE as willing to improve thefe Advantages, and congratulate him on the Profpect of the Benefits he may derive from a Knowledge of Divine Things acquired in early Youth. I chearfully accede to the Proposal of making the Pilgrim's Progress the Subject of my Correspondence with you: and as, to all Appearance, much of the Path of Life, and confequently much of the Path to Glory, remains yet for you to tread; you have done wifely in choofing this Subject: For, whenever it fhall please God to lead you into Situations, and exercife you with Trials, analogous with thofe of BUNYAN'S Pilgrim, your Memory will furnish you with excellent Things, fuitable to your Cafe. We are exhorted to be Followers of them who through Faith and Patience inherit the Promifes. Permit me therefore to recommend to you, the Man of GoD, whose Riddle we are to expound, as an emminent Pattern of Fidelity to GoD and his own Conscience in the Sight of GOD. He was thoroughly perfuaded in his own Mind, and worshipped GoD according to that Conviction; leaving his Brethren who differed from him in Opinion, in quiet Poffeffion of their own Principles; he cultivated in his own Heart, the most affectionate and benevolent Sentiments towards them. I earneftly recommend to SYNTYCHE to avoid all Bigotry, and at the fame Time to be at Pains to know what is Truth, and act with Confiftency according to his Principles. This Man of GOD fuffered twelve Years imprisonment for Nonconformity to the Forms of Religion established by Law, for as to the doctrinal Articles of the Eftablishment, it does not appear that he deviated from them. The Prifon was the Den "where he laid him down to Sleep," and dreamed this precious Dream: easy and calm under his Sufferings for CHRIST, he employed his compelled Retirement from public Labours, in preaching by his Pen. Thefe beautiful Excurfions of fanctified Fancy, fully fhew a Mind at reft, and fully prove that BUNYAN, like another Peter, could fleep foundly in a Prison. His Bonds were not the Bonds of an evil Doer, but the Bonds of the Gospel. To fuffer Bonds and Imprisonment for CHRIST, though honourable, and in respect to the Reward promifed, glorious; is nevertheless bitter to the Flefh, and repugnant to our natural love of Liberty. It is impoffible we can choose it but as the Alternative of not denying our Mafter. Jesus therefore advises his Difciples to fly from City to City, to avoid Perfecution; but where it could not be avoided without Sa crifices crifices unworthy of the Servant of CHRIST, Rejoice with me SYNTYCHE, that our Lot The RAGGED, BURDENED MAN, turning |