B02626:276
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. Now indeed you have sufficiently branded the vice of adultery, and laid out the ugliness thereof, that all men may behold it stark naked, and abhor it. If any man (notwithstanding all this) will venture upon it, he may be said to be a most desperate monster. For what doth he else, but (as it were) put his finger into the Lions mouth, and (as it were) take the Bear by the tooth? and they may well know what will follow, and what they may look for. Let all men therefore in time take heed to themselves, and to their own souls, as they will answer it at their uttermost peril at the dreadful day of judgement, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed. But now one thing resteth; to wit, that you should show us the special roots and causes of adultery.
Phil. Now indeed you have sufficiently branded the vice of adultery, and laid out the uglinesse thereof, that all men may behold it stark naked, and abhorre it. If any man (notwithstanding all this) will venture upon it, hee may be said to be a most desperate monster. For what doth hee else, but (as it were) put his finger into the Lions mouth, and (as it were) take the Beare by the tooth? and they may well know what will follow, and what they may look for. Let all men therefore in time take heed to themselves, and to their own soules, as they will answer it at their uttermost perill at the dreadfull day of judgement, when the secrets of all hearts shall bee disclosed. But now one thing resteth; to wit, that you should shew us the speciall roots and causes of adultery.
Theol. There be five special causes of it: The first is our natural corruption: for the very spawn and seed of all sin is our corrupt nature: and this, of all other, is a most inherent sin, as witnesseth the Apostle James, saying,1 When lust hath conceived, ⟨p. 64⟩[…] ⟨p. 65⟩[…] ⟨p. 66⟩