A20202:638
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.
Phila. I think this question would gravel a great number: and few there be that can answer it aright.
Phila. I thinke this question would grauell a great number: and few there be that can answer it aright.
Theol. It is most certain. I do know it by lamentable experience, that not one of an hundred can soundly and sufficiently answer this question: none, indeed, but only those, in whom the new work is wrought, & do by the inward work of the spirit feel Christ to be theirs. I have talked with some, which are both witty, sensible, and learned: who notwithstanding ⟨p. 255⟩when they have been brought to this very point and issue, have stuck sore at it, & staggered very much. And howsoever they might by wit and learning shuffle it over, and in a plundered sort, speak reason: yet had they no feeling of that which they said, and therefore no assurance: and consequently as good never a whit, as never the better. It is the sanctifying spirit, that giveth feeling in this point. And therefore, without the feeling of the operation of the same spirit, it can never be soundly answered. Thus then, I do close up this whole matter: As the vine branch cannot live and bring forth fruit, except it abide in the Ume: no more can we, except we abide in Christ, and be truly grafted into him by a lively faith. None can have any benefit by him, but they only which dwell in him. None can live by Christ, but they which are changed into Christ. None are partakers of his body, but they which are in his body. None can be saved by Christ crucified, but they which are crucified with Christ. None can live with him being dead, but those which die with him being alive. Therefore let us root down-ward in mortification, that we may shoot upward in sanctification. Let us die to sin, that we may live to righteousness: Let us die while we are alive, that we may live when we are dead.
Theol. It is most certaine. I doe know it by lamentable experience, that not one of an hundred can soundly and sufficiently answer this question: none, indéed, but only those, in whom the new worke is wrought, & do by the inward worke of the spirit féele Christ to be theirs. I haue talked with some, which are both witty, sensible, and learned: who notwithstanding