B02626:412
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. You, and such as you are, will believe no more of the Word of God, than will stand with your fantasy. ⟨p. 160⟩But, whatsoever you believe, or believe not, the Word of God standeth sure: and no jot of it shall ever be proved false. But this I will say unto you, because you think it so small a matter to swear by Creatures; That the more vile and base the thing is which you swear by, the greater is the oath: because you ascribe that unto a base creature, which is only proper to God: namely, to know our hearts, and be a discerner of secret things. For whatsoever a man sweareth by, he calleth it as a witness unto his conscience, that he speaketh the truth, and lieth not: which thing only belongeth unto God. And therefore in swearing by creatures, we do rob God of his honour. Therefore to swear by the cross of the money, or by bread, or by mouse foot, or the fire, which they call Gods Angel, or any such like, is a robbing of God of his honour, and an ascribing of that to the creature, which is proper only to the Creator.
Theol. You, and such as you are, will beleeve no more of the Word of God, than will stand with your fantasie. ⟨p. 160⟩But, whatsoever you beleeve, or beleeve not, the Word of God standeth sure: and no jot of it shall ever bee proved false. But this I wi•l say unto you, because you think it so small a matter to sweare by Creatures; That the more vile and base the thing is which you sweare by, the greater is the oath: bicause you ascribe that unto a base creature, which is onely proper to God: namely, to know our hearts, and bee a discerner of secret things. For whatsoever a man sweareth by, hee calleth it as a witnesse unto his conscience, that he speaketh the truth, and lyeth not: which thing onely belongeth unto God. And therefore in swearing by creatures, we do robbe God of his honour. Therefore to sweare by the crosse of the money, or by bread, or by mouse foote, or the fire, which they call Gods Angel, or any such like, is a robbing of God of his honour, and an ascribing of that to the creature, which is proper only to the Creator.