A20202:777
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. It appeareth indeed, that errors be infinite, & objections innumerable, & that there is no end of mens cavilling against Gods sacred ⟨p. 301⟩truth. It is good for us therefore to be throughly settled in the truth, that we be not entangled or snarled with any cavils, or sophistications whatsoever. But I do verily think (notwithstanding all his objections, and exceptions) that he doth in his conscience desire, with Balaam, to die the death of the righteous, and to be as one of them, whom he seemeth to despise.
Phila. It appeareth indeed, that errors be infinite, & obiections innumerable, & that there is no end of mens cauilling against Gods sacred ⟨p. 301⟩truth. It is good for vs therefore to bee throughly setled in the truth, that wee be not entangled or snarled with any cauils, or sophistications whatsoeuer. But I doe verily thinke (notwithstanding all his obiections, and exceptions) that he doth in his conscience desire, with Balaam, to die the death of the righteous, and to be as one of them, whom he seemeth to despise.
Theol. I am so persuaded too. For this is the triumph that virtue hath over vice, that, where she is most hated, there she is often desired and wished for. And this is the great punishment, that God bringeth upon the wicked; Virtutem ut videant, intabescantque relictâ, as saith the Poet; That they shall see virtue and pine away having no power to follow it.
Theol. I am so perswaded too. For this is the triumph that vertue hath ouer vice, that, where she is most hated, there she is often desired and wished for. And this is the great punishment, that God bringeth vpon the wicked; Virtutem vt videant, intabescantque relictâ, as saith the Poet; That they shall see vertue and pine away hauing no power to follow it.