To the Reader
TO THE READEE.
Protidential leadings are often pleasing to observe.
The reappearing of " The Plaik Mak's Pathway to Heaten" came about ou this wise.
" Bunyan's Grace A man in Christ, reading Abounding to the Chief of Sinners," came upon the following:— "Presently after this, I changed my condition into a married state, and my mercy was to light upon a ynfe whose father was counted godly.
This woman and I, though we came together as poor as might be (not having s(i much household stniF as a dish or spoon betwixt us ' The . Plain Man's both), yet this she had for her part, ' The Practice of Piety,' which Pathway to Heaven,' and her father had left her when he died.
In these two books I would sometimes read with her; wherein I also found some things that were somewhat pleasing to me; but all this while I met with no conviction.
She, also, would be often telling me what a godly man her father was, and how he would reprove and correct vice, both in his house and among Ms neighbours; and what a strict and holy life he lived in his days, both in word and deeds.
. Wherefore, these books, with the relation, though they did not reach my heart, to awaken it about my sad and sinful state, yet they did beget within me some desires to reform my vicious life, and fall in very eagerly with the religion of the time-s, to ^"it, to go to church twice-a-day, and that too with the foremost; and there would very devoutly both say and sing as others did, yet retaining my wicked life."
To see this book, " The Plain Man's Pathway to Heaven," the reader felt a great desire.
IV,
TO THE EEADEE.
When tlie desire was forgotten, unexpectedly he ahghted upon an old copy, in black letter, without the title-page, and a leaf.
The desire came to remembrance, and the book was eagerly purchased.
Years rolled away, and the book had been to the uttermost parts of the earth, and back again.
That God had directed John Bunyan to write the "
Pilgrim's Progress," in allegory, through the means of this book, appeared not at all improbable; and as savoury meat was in it which is agreeable to the taste of many, a republication, for the good of the " household," was fondly entertained.
It was not so favourable to do this abroad; but, returning home again, Mr. Wilson kindly undertook to bring it forth in a new dress.
Efforts not a few were made to find another copy, but in vain; and the Prospectus informed subscribers that, " although it is minus the title-page, and one leaf, yet all the gold is preserved."
A friend in England wrote that he had an incomplete copy, in plain type, and sent the same, containing the dedication by the author, and the leaf awanting.
Another servant of Christ also wrote that he had the book, and sent a copy of the title-page.
Thus, from three copies, it now appears entire.
The Lord, the God of Israel add his blessing— "To feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood,"
Amen, In an edition of the " Plain Man's Pathwa^y," published in 1704, it is stated to be the fortieth edition, and that, upon a computation, one hundred thousand copies of this work had been sold.
At a more recent date, we learn that it was again reprinted as the forty-Srst edition;