A20202:908
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.
Phil. Now, as you have declared, what course is best to be followed of your part, which are the Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel; so I pray you show, what is best to be done of us, which are the people of God.
Phil. Now, as you haue declared, what course is best to be followed of your part, which are the Ministers and Preachers of the Gospell; so I pray you shew, what is best to be done of vs, which are the people of God.
Theol. The best counsel that I can give you if it were for my life, is, to be much exercised in the word of God, both in the hearing, reading, and meditation thereof: and also to purchase, unto your self the sincere ministry of the Gospel, and to make conscience to live under it, esteeming your self happy if you have it, though you want other things: and unhappy if you have it not, though you have all other ⟨p. 336⟩things. For it is a peerless pearl, an incomparable Jewell. For the purchasing whereof, we are advised by our Lord Jesus, to sell all that we have, rather then to go without it. Again,1 our Saviour Christ giveth the same counsel, to the Church of Laodicea, in these words: I counsel2 thee, to buy of me gold tried by the fire, that thou mayest be rich: and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that thy filthy nakedness do not appear: and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see. Where you see, the word of God is compared to most precious gold, whereby we are made spiritually rich: and to glittering attire, wherewith our naked souls are clothed: and to an eyesalve, wherewith our spiritual blindness is cured. We are advertised also by Jesus Christ whose counsel is ever the best, that we should buy these things, whatsoever they cost us. The same counsel also giveth wise Solomon, saying, Buy the truth: but sell it not. So then you see,3