B02626:347
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.
Therefore I say again, and again, If we would consider these things, and lay them to heart, they would nip covetousness on the head, and drive it quite out of our hearts. Let us consider therefore, that God provided for man before man was: then how much more will he provide for man now that he is? Is he our Father, and will he not provide for us? Is he our King, and will he not regard us? Is he our shepherd, and will he not look to us? Hath he provided heaven for us, and will he not give us earth? Hath he given us his Son Christ, and shall he not with him give us all things? Doth he provide for his enemies, and will he not provide for his friends? Doth he provide for whoremongers, and will he neglect his chosen? Doth he send his rain, and cause the sun to shine upon the unjust, and shall he not upon the just? Doth he provide for them which are not of the family, and will he not provide for his own family? Will a man feed his hogs, and not care for his servants? Or will he care for his servants, and not regard his own children? Oh, then let us consider these reasons: let us remember, that ⟨p. 108⟩our heavenly Father hath as great care for the preservation of his creatures, as once he had for their creation. Let us therefore remember, that he which giveth the day, will provide for us the things of the day. Let us remember, that God always giveth for sustentation, though not for satiety. Let us remember,1 that God will not famish the souls of the righteous. Let us remember how God never faileth his. For who ever trusted in the Lord, and was confounded?
Therefore I say again, and againe, If wee would consider these things, and lay them to heart, they would nip covetousnesse on the head, and drive it quite out of our hearts. Let us consider therefore, that God provided for man before man was: then how much more will hee provide for man now that hee is? Is hee our Father, and will hee not provide for us? Is he our King, and will he not regard us? Is hee our shepherd, and will hee not look to us? Hath hee provided heaven for us, and will hee not give us earth? Hath hee given us his Sonne Christ, and shall hee not with him give us all things? Doth hee provide for his enemies, and will hee not provide for his friends? Doth hee provide for whoremongers, and will hee neglect his chosen? Doth hee send his rain, and cause the sunne to shine upon the unjust, and shall hee not upon the just? Doth he provide for them which are not of the family, and will hee not provide for his owne family? Will a man feed his hogges, and not care for his servants? Or will hee care for his servants, and not regard his own children? Oh, then let us consider these reasons: let us remember, that