A20202:391
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.
Theol. That every man (of what condition soever) is bound in conscience to hear and read the word of God, hath been showed, and proved in the beginning of our conference. But as for your five wits, they will not serve your turn in these matters: though you had fifteen wits. For all the wit, reason, and understanding of natural men, in Gods matters, is but blindness, and mere foolishness. The Apostle1 saith, that the wisdom of the most wise in this world, is not only foolishness with God; but indeed very enmity against God. And again, he saith, that the natural man (with all his five wits) understandeth not the things of the Spirit2 of God; because they are spiritually discerned. Most prudently to this point speaketh Elihu, saying: There is a spirit in man; but the3 inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding.
Theol. That euery man (of what condition soeuer) is bound in conscience to heare and reade the word of God, hath béen shewed, and proued in the beginning of our conference. But as for your fiue wits, they will not serue your turne in these matters: though you had fiftéene wits. For all the wit, reason, and vnderstanding of naturall men, in Gods matters, is but blindnesse, and méere foolishnesse. The Apostle1 saith, that the wisedome of the most wise in this world, is not onely foolishnesse with God; but indéed very enmitie against God. And again, he saith, that the naturall man (with al his fiue wits) vnderstandeth not the things of the Spirit2 of God; because they are spiritually discerned. Most prudently to this point speaketh Elihu, saying: There is a spirit in man; but the3 inspiration of the Almightie giueth vnderstanding.