B02626:226
The plain mans path-way 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.
London: printed by Ja. Young for G. Lathum, 1643
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 I say they are far from that plainness, simplicity, and modesty, which hath been in former ages: our fore-fathers knew no such things. It is recorded of William Rufus, 1sometime King of this land, that when his Chamberlain on a time brought him a new pair of hose, he demanded of him what they cost: who answered, three shillings: Whereat the King, being somewhat moved, commanded him to prepare him a pair of a mark. If Kings were then thought to exceed, that bestowed a mark upon a pair of hose, what is it to be thought of many mean men in these our days (yea such as have no living, and are scarce of any good calling) which bestow as much upon a pair as the King did upon two, when he was thought most of all to exceed? But alas, alas, we have passed all bounds of modesty and measure; there is no he with us. Our Land is too heavy of this sin. For the pride of all Nations, and the follies of all countries are upon us; how shall we bear them? And as ⟨p. 45⟩for these new fashions, the more new they be, the more foolish, and as foolish they that use them. For with our new fashions we are grown clean out of fashion. If we had as many fashions of our bodies as we have of our attire, we should have as many fashions as fingers and toes. But vain men and women do apparently show their vain minds, by following so greedily such vain toys and fashions.
Theol I say they are far from that plainnesse, simplicity, and modesty, which hath been in former ages: our fore-fathers knew no such things. It is recorded of William Rufus, 1sometime King of this land, that when his Chamberlain on a time brought him a new pair of hose, he demanded of him what they cost: who answered, three shillings: Whereat the King, being somewhat moved, commanded him to prepare him a pair of a mark. If Kings were then thought to exceed, that bestowed a mark upon a pair of hose, what is it to be thought of many mean men in these our dayes (yea such as have no living, and are scarce of any good calling) which bestow as much upon a pair as the King did upon two, when he was thought most of all to exceed? But alas, alas, we have passed all bounds of modesty and measure; there is no hee with us. Our Land is too heavie of this sinne. For the pride of all Nations, and the follies of all countries are upon us; how shall we bear them? And as