A20202:794
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. This is affirmed by our Lord Jesus concerning that rich worldling, who, when he felt the world come in upon him with full stream, said he would pull down his barns and build greater, and say to his soul; Soul,1 thou hast much goods laid up for many years: Live at ease, eat, drink, and take thy pastime. But our Saviour calleth him fool, for flattering himself in security, and promising unto himself long life. Moreover he plainly told ⟨p. 308⟩him, that the same night, he should make a hellish and miserable end. Note, I pray you, how Jesus Christ, the fountain of all Wisdom, calleth this man a fool; and yieldeth a reason thereof: to wit, because he gathered riches to himself, and was not rich in God; he had great care of this life, and none at all for that which is to come. So then it followeth, that all such are right fools indeed, and may be Chronicled for fools, (how wise soever they be taken and reputed in the world) which have much care for their bodies, and none for their souls: great care for this life, and little for that which is to come. Well, let all such profane worldlings, as dream and dote of long life, (and therefore defer the day of their repentance and conversion unto God) take heed by this mans example, that they reckon not without their Host, and be suddenly snatched away in the midst of all their pleasures, and jollities; as Job 2saith: Some die in their full strength, being in all ease and prosperity. Their breasts run full of milk: and their bones run full of marrow. We see therefore, how dangerous a thing it is for men to flatter and sooth up themselves with hope of long life.
Theol. This is affirmed by our Lord Iesus concerning that rich worldling, who, when he felt the world come in vpon him with full streame, said he would pull downe his barnes and build greater, and say to his soule; Soule,1 thou hast much goods laid vp for many years: Liue at ease, eate, drinke, and take thy pastime. But our Sauiour calleth him foole, for flattering himselfe in security, and promising vnto himselfe long life. Moreouer hée plainely tolde ⟨p. 308⟩