B02626:296
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. The first is an eager and sharp set desire of getting. Therefore the holy Ghost saith,1 He that hasteth to be rich shall not be unpunished. 2And again, An heritage is hastily gotten at the beginning: but the end thereof shall not be blessed. 3The heathen man also saith, No man can be both justly and hastily rich. The second is a pinching and niggardly keeping of our own: that is, when men (being able to give) will hardly part with any thing, though it be to never so holy and good use. And when at last, with much ado, for shame they give something, it cometh heavily from them (God wot) and scantly. The third is the neglect of holy duties: that is, when mens minds are so taken up with the love of earthly things, that they begin to slack and cool in matters of Gods worship. The fourth and last is a trusting in riches, and staying upon them, as though our lives were maintained by them, or did consist only in them: which thing our Lord Jesus flatly denieth, ⟨p. 73⟩saying, Though a man have abundance, 4yet his life consisteth not in the things that he hath. These then are four evident signs and tokens whereby we may certainly discern, that mens hearts and entrails are infected with covetousness.
Theol. The first is an eager and sharp set desire of getting. Therefore the holy Ghost saith,1 Hee that hasteth to be rich shall not be unpunished. 2And againe, An heritage is hastily gotten at the beginning: but the end thereof shall not be blessed. 3The heathen man also saith, No man can be both justly and hastily rich. The second is a pinching and niggardly keeping of our owne: that is, when men (being able to give) will hardly part with any thing, though it be to never so holy and good use. And when at last, with much adoe, for shame they give something, it cometh heavily from them (God wot) and scantly. The third is the neglect of holy duties: that is, when mens mindes are so taken up with the love of earthly things, that they begin to slack and cool in matters of Gods worship. The fourth and last is a trusting in riches, and staying upon them, as though our lives were maintained by them, or did consist only in them: which thing our Lord Iesus flatly denyeth,