B02626:361
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. Yes verily: and (out of doubt) so far forth as God seeth good for them. For it is written, Great are the troubles of the righteous, 1but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Saint Peter saith,2 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation. As if he should say, He is well beaten to it, and well seen and experienced in it, so as he can do it easily, and without any trouble at all. It is said of Joseph, being in prison, That when his appointed time was come, 3and the counsel of the Lord had tried him, the King sent and loosed him, the Ruler of the people delivered him. And again the Scripture saith,4 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth them, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. And in another place, the Lord himself saith, concerning the righteous man,5 Because he hath loved ⟨p. 129⟩me, therefore I will deliver him. I will exalt him, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me in trouble, and I will hear him. I will be with him in trouble: I will deliver him, and glorify him. 6So also saith Eliphas the Temanite, He shall deliver thee in six troubles, and in the seventh the evil shall not touch thee. Come, my people, saith the Lord,7 enter thou into my Chambers, and shut the doors after thee: hide thy self for a very little while, until the indignation pass over. And the Prophet saith,8 Upon Mount Zion shall be deliverance, and it shall be holy: and the house of Jacob shall possess their hereditary possessions. Almost innumerable places of the Scriptures might be alleged to this purpose; but these may suffice. Therefore let us know for a certainty, that so sure as trouble and affliction are to the children of God; so sure also is deliverance out of the same. As we may write of the one, and make reckoning of it, as sure as the coat on our back; so may we also in Gods good time, write of the other, and make full account of it, as sure as the Lord is true. Abraham was in trouble, but delivered. Job in trouble, but delivered. David in great trouble, but delivered. The three children in the furnace, but delivered. Daniel in the