B02626:278
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.
And therefore another saith, Eschew idleness, 1and cut the very sinews of lust. The fourth cause of Adultery, is wanton apparel: which is a minstrellesse, that pipes up a dance unto whoredom. But of this enough before. The fifth and last cause of adultery, ⟨p. 66⟩[…] ⟨p. 67⟩[…] ⟨p. 68⟩is the hope of impunity, or escaping of punishment. For many being blinded and hardened by Satan, think they shall never be called to any account for it: and because they can blear the eyes of men, and carry this sin so closely under a cloud, that it shall never come to light, they think all is safe, and that God seeth them not. And therefore Job saith,2 The eye of the adulterer waiteth for the twi-light, and saith, No eye shall see me. And in another place,3 How shall God know? Can he judge through the dark cloud? But verily, verily, though the adulterer do never so closely and cunningly convey his sin under a canopy, yet the time will come, when it shall be disclosed to his eternal shame. For God will bring every work to judgement, 4with every secret thought, whether it be good or evil. 5For he hath set our most secret sins in the sight of his countenance. 6And he will lighten the things that are hid in darkness, and make the counsels of the heart manifest. For this cause Job saith,7 When I sin thou watchest me, and wilt not purge me from my sin.