B02626:388
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 do not say so: I do not ⟨p. 152⟩say you should do nothing else. For God doth allow you, with a good conscience, and in his fear, to follow the works of your calling, as hath been said before. But this I condemn in you and many others, that you will give no time to private prayers, reading and meditation in Gods word, neither morning nor evening; neither before your business, nor after. And although you have often vacant time enough, yet you will rather bestow it in vanity: and idle prattling, and gossiping, than in any good exercise of Religion. Which doth plainly show, that you neither delight in holy things, neither is there any true fear of God before your eyes.
Theol. I do not say so: I do not ⟨p. 152⟩say you should doe nothing else. For God doth allow you, with a good conscience, and in his feare, to follow the workes of your calling, as hath beene said before. But this I condemn in you and many others, that you will give no time to private prayers, reading and meditation in Gods word, neither morning nor evening; neither before your busines, nor after. And although you have often vacant time enough, yet you will rather bestow it in vanity: and idle pratling, and gossipping, than in any good exercise of Religion. Which doth plainely shew, that you neither delight in holy things, neither is there any true feare of God before your eyes.
Antil. I tell you plainly, we must tend our business, we may go beg else; we cannot live by the Scriptures. If we follow Sermons, we shall never thrive. What? do you think every man is bound to read the Scriptures? Have we not our five wits? Do we not know what we have to do? you would make fools of us belike. But we are neither drunk nor mad.
Antil. I tell you plainly, we must tend our businesse, we may goe beg else; we cannot live by the Scriptures. If wee follow Sermons, we shall never thrive. What? do you thinke every man is bound to reade the Scriptures? Have we not our five wits? Doe wee not know what we have to doe? you would make fooles of us belike. But we are neither drunke nor mad.