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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 another 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.
Denied, did I say. Nay, I have leave, (Example too, and that from them that have God better pleased, by their words or ways, Than any man that breatheth now-a-days,) Thus to express my mind, thus to declare Things unto thee that excellentest are.
2. I find that men as high as trees will write Dialogue-wise; yet no man doth them slight For writing so. Indeed, if they abuse Truth, cursed be they, and the craft they use To that intent; but yet let truth be free To make her sallies upon thee and me, Which way it pleases God: for who knows how, Better than he that taught us first to plough, To guide our minds and pens for his designs.
And he makes base things usher in divine.
3. I find that holy writ, in many places, Hath semblance with this method, where the cases Do call for one thing to set forth another: Use it I may then, and yet nothing smother Truth’s golden beams: nay, by this method may Make it cast forth its rays as light as day.
And now, before I do put up my pen, I’ll show the profit of my book; and then Commit both thee and it unto that hand That pulls the strong down, and makes weak ones stand.
This book it chalketh out before thine eyes 8 John Bunyan Pilgrim's Progress
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