John Bunyan (28 November 1628 – 31 August 1688 / Elstow, Bedfordshire, England.)

When understand my meaning by my words,
How sense of mercy unto faith affords

Both grace to sanctify, and holy make
That soul that of forgiveness doth partake.

Thus having briefly showed you what is
The way of life, or sanctity, of bliss,

I would not in conclusion have you think,
By what I say, that Christian men should drink

In these my words with lightness, or that they
Are now exempted from what every day

Their duty is. No, God doth still expect,
Yea, doth command, that they do not neglect

To pray, to read, to hear, and not dissent
From being sober, grave, and diligent

In watching, self-denial, and with fear
To serve him all the time thou livest here.

Indeed I have endeavoured to lay
Before your eyes the right and only way

Pardon to get, and also holiness,
Without which never think that God will bless

Thee with the kingdom he will give to those
That Christ embrace, and holy lives do choose

To live, while here all others go astray,
And shall in time to come be cast away.