B02626:490
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.
Go to the Pismire, O sluggard, behold her ways, and be wise: For she, having no guide, task-master, nor ruler, prepareth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. And in good sooth it is wonderful to observe, what infinite pains, and unwearied labour, this silly creature taketh in Summer, that she may be well provided for against Winter. Let us therefore learn wisdom from her example: and let us set before our eyes the looking-glass of all Creatures. Let us consider how the birds fly, the fishes swim, the worms creep, the heavens turn, the elements move, the sea ebbeth and floweth uncessantly: yea the earth it self, which is the most heavy and unwieldy creature of all other, yet never ceaseth his working, bringeth forth his burden in Summer, and labouring inwardly all the Winter, in concocting, and digesting his nourishment for the next spring. Thus we see how all creatures are diligently and painfully exercised in their kinds. And therefore it is a great shame for us to live idly carelessly, and dissolutely. Let us therefore learn once (at last) to fly sloth, and every one to live faithfully, ⟨p. 193⟩diligently, and industriously in our several callings. So shall we both keep Satan at the staves end, and also much sin out of our souls, which otherwise idleness will force in upon us.
Go to the Pismire, O sluggard, behold her waies, and be wise: For shee, having no guide, task-master, nor ruler, prepareth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. And in good sooth it is wonderfull to observe, what infinite paines, and unwearied labour, this silly creature taketh in Summer, that she may be well provided for against Winter. Let us therefore learne wisedome from her example: and let us set before our eyes the looking-glasse of all Creatures. Let us consider how the birds flye, the fishes swimme, the wormes creep, the heavens turne, the elements move, the sea ebbeth and floweth uncessantly: yea the earth it selfe, which is the most heavie and unweildy creature of all other, yet never ceaseth his working, bringeth forth his burden in Summer, and labouring inwardly all the Winter, in concocting, and digesting his nourishment for the next spring. Thus wee see how all creatures are diligently and painfully exercised in their kinds. And therefore it is a great shame for us to live idlely carelesly, and dissolutely. Let us therefore learne once (at last) to flie sloath, and every one to live faithfully, ⟨p. 193⟩