Preface

The text in this edition is as nearly as possible that of the eighth, which was corrected by Bunyan himself a few weeks before his death. The text of ‘A Relation’ is that of the first edition of 1765. A few minor changes have been introduced for the convenience of the reader. The use of capital letters has been considerably modified, and the orthography has been in places modernized. In some few instances the Scripture references have been added to quotations where they did not appear in the original. It must be remembered that Bunyan often quoted Scripture inexactly, and it has not been deemed necessary to make all his quotations follow the text of the Authorized Version.

The text in this edition is as close as possible to that of the eighth edition. Bunyan himself corrected the eighth edition a few weeks before his death. The text of ‘A Relation’ comes from the first edition of 1765. A few minor changes have been made for the reader’s convenience. Capitalization has been changed considerably, and spelling has been modernized in places. In a few instances, Scripture references have been added to quotations where they did not appear in the original. Readers should remember that Bunyan often quoted Scripture inaccurately. It has not been considered necessary to make all his quotations match the text of the Authorized Version.

The marginal summary is not part of the original, but has been prepared for this edition in order that it may correspond with the Society’s editions of the ‘Pilgrim’s Progress.’ [^7]

The marginal summary is not part of the original. It was prepared for this edition to match the Society’s editions of ‘Pilgrim’s Progress.’ [^7]

The illustrations have been prepared for this work by Mr. Harold Copping, whose illustrations to the ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ have justly attracted much attention.

Mr. Harold Copping prepared the illustrations for this work. His illustrations for ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ have deservedly attracted much attention.