Page:The Pilgrim's Progress, the Holy War, Grace Abounding Chunk3.djvu/120

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A CONTINUATION

OF

THE LIFE OF BUNYAN.

BEGINNING WHERE HE LEFT OFF, AND CONCLUDING WITH THE TIME AND MANNER OF HIS DEATH AND BURIAL.

Reader,—The painful and industrious author of this book has already given you a faithful and very moving relation of the beginning and middle of the days of his pilgrimage on earth; and since there yet remains somewhat worthy of notice and regard which occurred in the last scene of his life, the which for want of time, or for fear some over-censorious people should impute it to him an earnest coveting of praise from men, he has not left behind him in writing. Wherefore, as a true friend and long acquaintance of Mr. Bunyan's, that his good end may be known as well as his evil beginning, I have taken upon me, from my knowledge, and the best account given by other of his friends, to piece this to the thread too soon broken off, and so lengthen it out to his entering upon eternity.

He has told your at large of his birth and education; the evil habits and corruptions of his youth; the temptations he struggled and conflicted so frequently with; the mercies, and deliverances he found; how he came to take preaching of the gospel; the slanders, re-