A20202:947
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.
Asune. I regard not your flatteries, I believe God; I believe his word. I believe those things which M. Theologus hath alleged out of the holy scriptures, pointing me both to the chapter, and the verse: and whether it be more meet that I should believe the Scriptures, or your soothings, judge you. No, no: Now I do clearly see by the glass of Gods law, that my state is wretched and miserable. For I have lived in sin and ignorance all the days of my life, being utterly void of all Religion, and true knowledge of God. I am not the man indeed that you and others take me for. For though ⟨p. 373⟩outwardly I have lived honestly to the worldward, yet inwardly I have not lived religiously to Godward.
Asune. I regard not your flatteries, I beleeue God; I beleeue his word. I beleeue those things which M. Theologus hath alleaged out of the holy scriptures, pointing me both to the chapter, and the verse: and whether it bee more meet that I should beleeue the Scriptures, or your soothings, iudge you. No, no: Now I doe clearely see by the glasse of Gods law, that my state is wretched and miserable. For I haue liued in sinne and ignorance all the daies of my life, being vtterly void of all Religion, and true knowledge of God. I am not the man indeed that you and others take me for. For though ⟨p. 373⟩outwardly I haue liued honestly to the worldward, yet inwardly I haue not liued religiously to Godward.
Antile. Tush, tush, now I see you are in a melancholy humour. If you will go home with me I can give you a speedy remedy: for I have many pleasant and merry books, which if you should hear them read, would soon remedy you of this melancholy passion. I have the Court of Venus, the Palace of pleasure, Bevas of Southampton, Ellen of Rummin; The merry Jest of the Friar and the Boy; The pleasant story of Clem of the Clough, Adam Bell, and William of Cloudesley; The odd tale of William Richard, and Humphrey; The pretty conceit of John Splinters last Will and Testament; which all are excellent and singular books against heart-qualms; and to remove such dumpishness, as I see you are now fallen into.