THE AUTHOR'S APOLOGY FOR HIS BOOK. 25

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, curséd 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 who taught us first to plough,
To guide our minds and pens for His design ?
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
The man that seeks the everlasting prize ;

It shows you whence he comes, whither he goes ;
What he leaves undone, also what he docs

It also shows you how he runs and runs

Till he uato the gate of glory comes.

It shows, too, who set out for life amain,

As if the lasting crown they would obtain ;

Here also you may sce the reason why

Shey lose their labor, and like fools do die,

This book will make a traveller of thee,

If by its counsels thou wilt ruléd he:

It will direct thee to the Holy Land,

If thou wilt its directions understand :
Yea, it will make the slothful active be;
The blind also delightful things to see.

Art thou for something rare and profitable?

Or wouldst thou see a truth within a fable?
Art thou forgetful? Or wouldst thou remember
From New Year’s Day to the last of December ?
Then read my fancies : they will stick like burrs,
And may be, to the helpless, comforters,

This book was writ in such a dialect
As may the minds of listless men affect :

It seems a novelty, and yet contains

Nothing but sound and honest Gospel strains,
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