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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.
so teasous, so chary, so tender is he of them. The angels must comfort Jacob. The whale1 must rescue Jonah. The ravens must feed Elijah. The Sun and Moon must stay for Joshua: The Sea must divide it self, that Moses and ⟨p. 117⟩his people may pass through. The fire must2 not burn the three children. The Lions may not devour Daniel. All the creatures must change their nature, rather then Gods children should not be holpen and delivered. Oh therefore how great is the happiness of Gods chosen! Who can express it? who can utter it? They know not their own happiness: it is hid from them. Afflictions do cloud it; troubles do overshadow it; crosses do dim it: and there is an interposition of the earth, betwixt their sight and it. But this is most certain and sure, that the best is behind with the children of God: all the sweet is to come. Their happiness doth not appear in this world. Their life is3 hid with Christ in God. When Christ shall appear, then shall they also appear with him in glory. It doth not yet appear, what they shall4 be: but when he cometh, they shall be made like unto him. Their names are already taken, and entered into the book of life: and one day, they shall be crowned. One day it shall be said unto them: Come ye blessed, &c. One day, they shall enjoy his presence, where is fullness of joy; and at whose right hand, there is pleasure for evermore. Psal. 16. Therefore let all Gods secret ones rejoice, sing and be merry. For howsoever in this world they be contemned, trodden under the foot, made no bodies, ⟨p. 118⟩and walk as shadows; being counted as the very rags of the earth, and the abjects of the world: yet the time will come, when their happiness and felicity shall be such, as never entered into the heart of man, it is endless, unspeakable, and unconceivable.