A20202:803
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. Most certain it is, that the evil example of Ministers, and especially of Preachers, is very dangerous, & offensive: for thereby thousands are hardened in their sins. For men will say, Such a Minister, and such a Preacher, doth thus, and thus, and therefore why may not we do so too? They are learned, and know the word of God: therefore, if it were evil, I hope they would not do it. For they should be lights to us, and give us good examples. Therefore, sith they do such things, we cannot tell what to think, or what to say to the matter: they bring such simple folk as we are, into a mammering.
Phila. Most certaine it is, that the euill example of Ministers, and especially of Preachers, is very dangerous, & offensiue: for thereby thousands are hardned in their sins. For men will say, Such a Minister, and such a Preacher, doth thus, and thus, and therefore why may not we doe so too? They are learned, and know the word of God: therfore, if it were euil, I hope they would not doe it. For they should be lights to vs, and giue vs good examples. Therefore, sith they do such things, we cannot tell what to thinke, or what to say to the matter: they bring such simple folke as we are, into a mammering.
Theol. Oh that I could, with the Prophet Jeremiah, quake and shake to think of these matters! Oh that I could mourn as a Dove, in penning of it! Oh that I had in the wilderness a cottage, and could with Job be a brother to the Dragons, and a companion to the Ostriches, whilst I have any thoughts of those things▪ Oh that I could weep & mourn without sin, before I yield you an answer ï For weep indeed ⟨p. 316⟩I may: but answer, I cannot. Alas (with much grief I speak it) all is too true, that you say. And herein the people have a vantage against us: if I may call it vantage. But let this be mine answer: If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. Blind guides1 and blind people, shall perish together. If because we are wicked, they will be more wicked, then both they and we shall burn in hell fire together. Then let them reckon their gains, and see what they have got. They have small cause so to triumph over us. For, thereby their market is never a whit amended: let them take this for answer. And let us that are the Ministers of Christ, and Preachers of the Gospel, look narrowly to our selves, and make straight steps to our feet. For if we tread never so little awry, we may see how many eyes are upon us. Let us therefore with David pray continually, Order my goings, O Lord, that my footsteps slip not. For when my foot slipped, they rejoiced against me. And as for the people, let them follow the examples of those, which walk unblameably (as God be thanked, some such there be) and let them fly the examples of such as are offensive. So shall God have more glory, & they more peace in their own hearts. Thus have we heard, what a wide gate is opened into hell, by the evil example of Ministers,