A30152:20
The holy city, or, The new-Jerusalem wherein its goodly light walls, gates, angels, and…The holy citie, or, The new-Jerusalem wherein its goodly light walls, gates, angels, and…
The holy city, or, The new-Jerusalem wherein its goodly light walls, gates, angels, and the manner of their standing, are expounded : also, her length and breadth, together with the golden measuring-reed, explained, and the glory of all unfolded : as also, the numerousness of its inhabitants, and what the tree and water of life are, by which they are sustained / by John Bunyan ...The holy citie, or, The new-Jerusalem wherein its goodly light walls, gates, angels, and the manner of their standing, are expounded : also, her length and breadth, together with the golden measuring-reed, explained, and the glory of all unfolded : as also, the numerousness of its inhabitants, and what the tree and water of life are, by which they are sustained / by John Bunyan ...
London: printed for Francis Smith, 1669
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
MY second Word is to my wise and learned Reader.
Sir, I suppose in your reading of this DISCOURSE, you will be apt to blame me for two things: first, because I have not so beautified my Matter with acuteness of Language as you could wish or desire: Secondly, Because also I have not given you, either in the Line, or in the Margin, a Cloud of Sentences from the Learned FATHERS, that have according to their Wisdom (possibly) handled these Matters long before me.
Sir, I suppose in your reading of this DISCOURSE, you will be apt to blame me for two things: first, because I have not so beautified my Matter with acuteness of Language as you could wish or desire: Secondly, Because also I have not given you, either in the Line, or in the Margent, a Cloud of Sentences from the Learned FATHERS, that have according to their Wisdom (possibly) handled these Matters long before me.
To the first, I say, The Matter indeed is excellent and high; but for my part, I am weak and low; it also ⟨image 6⟩deserveth a more full and profound Discourse than my small parts will help me to make upon the matter: But yet, seeing the Lord looketh not at the outward appearance, but on the Heart; neither regardeth high swelling words of vanity, but pure and naked Truth; and seeing also that a Widows Mite being all, even Heart as well as substance, is counted more, and better, then to cast in little out of much, and that little too perhaps the worst: I hope, my little being all, my Farthing (seeing I have no more) may be accepted and counted for a great deal in the LORD'S Treasury. Besides, Sir; Words easy to be understood do often hit the Mark; when high and learned ones do only pierce the Air: He also that speaks to the weakest, may make the Learned understand him; when he that striveth to be high, is not only for the most part