A20202:933
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. Well now as you have declared unto us the terror, the suddenness, the end, & the manner of Christs coming to judgement; so lastly show unto us, the right use of all these things.
Phil. Well now as you haue declared vnto vs the terror, the suddennes, the end, & the manner of Christs comming to iudgement; so lastly shew vnto vs, the right vse of all these things.
Theol. S. Peter telleth and teacheth us the1 right use of all: for saith he; Seeing all these things must be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to be, in all holy conversation & godliness? As if he should say; Sith the heavens shall pass away with a noise, the Elements shall melt with heat, & the earth, with the works that are therein, shall be burnt up: sith also the coming of Christ shall be with great terror, to a fearful end, & in fearful manner; O how ought we to excel in goodness! So then S. Peter telleth us, that the true use of all is this: that hereby we be brought nearer unto God, even to be more obedient to his will, & to walk in all his commandments, ⟨p. 362⟩making conscience of all our ways, and studying to please God in all things, and to be fruitful in all good works, living soberly, justly, & holily in this present evil world, and showing forth the virtues of him which hath called us out of darkness to this marvellous light; so that we may be prepared against the day of his appearing, that it may not take us tardy. For our life ought to be a continual meditation of death. We should always live as if we should die, or that our bed should be our grave: we must live continually, as if Christ should come to judgement presently. As it is reported of a godly man in the Primitive church; that whether he eat or drank, or whatsoever he did, he thought always he heard the trumpet of the Lord, with these words; Arise ye dead, and come unto judgement. Put case it were certainly known, that Christ would come to judgement the next Midsummer-day; Oh what an alteration would it make in the world, how would men change their minds & affections! who would care for this world! who would set his heart unto riches! Who would regard brave apparel! Who durst deceive or oppress! who durst be drunk! Who durst swear, lie, and commit adultery! Nay, would not all men give up themselves to the obedience of God? would not all serve him diligently? would