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The Plain Man's Pathway to Heaven
The plain mans path-way to heaven Wherein every man may clearly see, whether he shall be saved or damned. Set forth dialogue-wise, for the better understanding of the simple: By Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God at South-Shoobery in Essex. Corrected and amended: with a table of all the principal matters; and three prayers necessary to be used in private families thereunto added.The plaine mans path-way to heauen Wherein euery man may cleerely see, whether he shall be saued or damned. Set forth dialogue-wise, for the better vnderstanding of the simple: By Arthur Dent, preacher of the vvord of God at South-Shoobery in Essex. Corrected and amended: vvith a table of all the principall matters; and three prayers necessarie to be vsed in priuate families thereunto added.
London: printed by Melchiside Bradwood for Edw. Bishop, 1607London: printed by Melchiside Bradwood for Edvv. Bishop, 1607
The plain mans path-way to Heaven.The plaine mans path-way to Heauen.
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.
Antile. Yet for all this, you shall not make me believe, that whoredom is so heinous a matter. You make more of it then it is.
Antile. Yet for all this, you shall not make me beleeue, that whoredome is so hainous a mattter. You make more of it then it is.
Theol. True indeed. For you, and such as you are, will believe nothing against your lusts, and fleshly delights: and that is the cause why you are deaf on this ear. I will therefore add a word or two more (out of the oracles of God) to that which hath vin spoken. The wise king saith: He that committeth Adultery with1 women, destroyeth his own soul: and so is accessory to his own death, which is no small matter. For we use to say, if a man hang himself, drown himself, or any manner of way make away himself: that he was cursed ⟨p. 60⟩of God, that Gods hand was heavy against him, that the devil ought him a shame, and now he hath paid it him. And all the country rings of such a strange accident, when, and where it falleth out: and the Crowner of the Country doth sit upon it. How much more may all the world wonder at this, that a man should destroy his own soul, and wittingly and willingly cast away himself for ever! Now the holy Ghost saith: the Adulterer doth such an act, giveth such a venture, and willingly murdereth himself. Oh, therefore woe unto him, that ever he was borne. For sure it is that great Crowner of heaven, that crowns whom he will crown, shall one day sit upon it, and give judgement. Moreover, as the Adulterer sinneth against his soul: so also he sinneth against his body after a special manner, as witnesseth the2 Apostle. Also he sinneth against his goods and outward estate: as the holy man Job testifieth, saying: Adultery is a fire, that devoureth to3 destruction, and it will root out all our increase. Furthermore he sinneth against his name. For the Adulterer shall find a wound