The parable of the pilgrim written to a friend by Symon Patrick ...

An Advertisement.

THE Reader may be pleased to know that this Pilgrim hath dwelt for some time in the service of a Private Friend, (to whose uses and occasions he was particularly addressed) and there hath been so well entertain'd, that he was not ambitious of any higher preferment. But he met with a person so charitable, and who proved also such a friend to him; that he was thought worthy to be ad∣vanced to a more publick imployment, and would not be permitted to remain any longer in that private at∣tendance. In obedience therefore to the commands he received, he comes now abroad, and offers his assi∣stance to any that shall think good to make use of it: being grown also bigger since he went thither, and so of better ability to serve more then one. In plain words (for those I most affect; and if you meet with so much as any Metaphorical expressions in the Book, it is but seldome, and only to comply with the Title) this Dis∣course was writ with a respect to the necessities of a particular person: who imagined that others might possibly reap some benefit by it, and therefore desired it might not lye in a private hand. But it being neces∣sary to transcribe the Papers that they might be read by the Printer; it was thought withall adviseable that some things should be inlarged to make them better understood, and others added to render the usefulness of the Treatise (if it can have any) of greater extent. Only this must be remembred, that a regard was still had to the needs of that Person (which yet are such

as all pious Souls generally labour withall) and there∣fore it must not be expected that every case which can occurr in Christian life, should here be handled. And indeed that would have swelled this Discourse to over great a bulk, and required very long consideration; or else it is like it had been attempted.

It must be noted also, that it was thought fit to make the distance but short between the Pilgrims parting with his Guide and their meeting again; because that would still have too much inlarged this Treatise, to describe particularly, his behaviour in the whole course of an Holy Life, for which that would have been the proper place.

There are some things also may seem a little strange which are said to have hapned to the Pilgrim; but you are to remember that God puts good thoughts into our minds more wayes then one; and to know that the substance of what is reported is not a Contrivance, but a real Truth.

And now it would argue great unexperience of the world to expect, that this Pilgrim should not meet with some, whose curiosity he cannot humour; and others whose sowreness nothing can please. But he that sends him abroad will be abundantly satisfied if he become useful to any well-disposed Soul, who shall have a mind to bear him company to Jerusalem. And if he chance to meet with any that shall only study to cavil, and pick a quarrel with him; He is prepared beforehand to take no notice at all of it, nor to be more troubled at their incivility; then a devout Hermite is at the ug∣ly faces, which the Creatures who something resemble men make at him, as he is walking through the desarts.