B02626:374
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. I see now you have very well profited in the knowledge of God and true Religion. You have spoken soundly, and like a man of knowledge in Gods matters. For the common sort of people think indeed, that all Religion consisteth in the outward service of God, though their hearts be far from him. To whom God may justly say,1 This people draweth near me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Of whom also God may justly take up all his just complaints of his people Israel and Judah, which are so frequent in all the Prophets: to wit, That he did abhor their sacrifices, loath their oblations,2 detest their incense, despise their new moons, disdain their rains, lambs, and goats; accounting them all but as mans blood, dogs blood, swines blood; and all because ⟨p. 143⟩their hands were full of blood; because they executed not justice and judgement in the gate; because they were not obedient to his will; because their hearts were not with him; because they used, or rather abused, all these things as shelters for their sins.
Theol. I see now you have very well profited in the knowledge of God and true Religion. You have spoken soundly, and like a man of knowledge in Gods matters. For the common sort of people thinke indeed, that all Religion consisteth in the outward service of God, though their hearts be farre from him. To whom God may justly say,1 This people draweth neere mee with their lips, but their hearts are farre from mee. Of whom also God may justly take up all his just complaints of his people Israel and Judah, which are so frequent in all the Prophets: to wit, That hee did abhorre their sacrifices, loath their oblations,2 detest their incense, despise their new moones, disdaine their rains, lambs, and goats; accounting them all but as mans bloud, dogs bloud, swines bloud; and all because ⟨p. 143⟩their hands were full of bloud; because they executed not justice and judgement in the gate; because they were not obedient to his will; because their hearts were not with him; because they used, or rather abused, all these things as shelters for their sins.