B02626:237
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.
Phil. I pray you then set down some rules for apparel out of the Scriptures.
Phil. I pray you then set downe some rules for apparell out of the Scriptures.
Theol. I may well set down what I will: but surely most men and women will do what they list. For verily it may be thought, that many of this age have forsworn God and his word, and all goodness. For they are come to this point, let God say what he will, they will do what they list. For as the Prophet saith, They have made a covenant with hell, and with death, and are grown to an agreement, Isaiah 28.15. And I do verily think, if God himself should come down from heaven in his own person, and dissuade men and women from this vanity of apparel, yet would they still use it, as it were in despite of God, and as it were to anger him the more. For they are so extraordinarily enamoured, and so immoderately delighted with it, and do so continually, and altogether dote on it, and are so wood-mad of it, that they will have ⟨p. 51⟩it, though men and Angels, and all the world say nay: nay, which is more, though they should go to the Devil quick with it. And therefore it is but lost labour to speak against it, preach against it, or write against it. It is but even to plough the sea, or knock at a deaf mans door; for there is no hope of any reformation. Only this we gain, that the world is reproved and convicted of sin. And these things shall stand in a record against them, in the last day: so that they may say, they had a fair warning, and that there was a Prophet among them.
Theol. I may well set down what I will: but surely most men and women will doe what they list. For verily it may be thought, that many of this age have forsworne God and his word, and all goodnesse. For they are come to this point, let God say what he will, they will doe what they list. For as the Prophet saith, They have made a covenant with hell, and with death, and are grown to an agreement, Esay 28.15. And I doe verily think, if God himselfe should come downe from heaven in his own person, and disswade men and women from this vanity of apparell, yet would they still use it, as it were in despight of God, and as it were to anger him the more. For they are so extraordinarily enamoured, and so immoderately delighted with it, and doe so continually, and altogether dote on it, and are so wood-mad of it, that they will have