B02626:503
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.
Phil. And all little enough. For they are steeped in their sin, and the stain of it is soaked into them, as it will hardly ever be washed out. True ⟨p. 200⟩it is that you said, that these cruel oppressing blood-suckers are the most pernicious and pestilent vermin that creep upon the face of the earth; and yet I think there were never moe of them then in these days. For now the wicked world is full of such as do sundry ways bite, pinch, and nip the poor, as we see by every days lamentable experience. But you can speak more of it then I: therefore, I pray you, lay open the sundry kinds of oppression used in these days.
Phil. And all little enough. For they are steeped in their sinne, and the staine of it is soked into them, as it will hardly ever be washed out. True ⟨p. 200⟩it is that you said, that these cruell oppressing bloud-suckers are the most pernicious and pestilent vermine that creep upon the face of the earth; and yet I thinke there were never moe of them then in these dayes. For now the wicked world is full of such as doe sundry waies bite, pinch, and nip the poore, as we see by every dayes lamentable experience. But you can speake more of it then I: therefore, I pray you, lay open the sundry kinds of oppression used in these daies.
Theo. 1There is oppression by usury. Oppression by bribery. Oppression by racking of Rents. Oppression by taking excessive fines. Oppression in bargaining. Oppression in letting of le•ses. Oppression in letting of houses. Oppression in letting of grounds. Oppression in binding poor men to unreasonable covenants. Oppression in thrusting poor men out of their houses. Oppression in hiring poor mens houses over their heads. Oppression in taking of fees. Oppression by Lawyers. Oppression by Church-officers. Oppression by engrossers. Oppression by fore-stallers. Oppression of the Church.