B02626:557
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. You have very largely laid open this last token of vengeance: to wit, that God at the first doth but beat us upon the coat, but if we continue in sin, he will whip us on the bare skin: and if men will not yield at the first gentle strokes, then he will strike harder and harder, till he have broken our stout stomachs, and made out great hearts come down. Therefore it is good yielding at the first: for we shall get nothing by our sturdiness against him. We do but cause him to double his strokes, and strike us both side-long and over-thwart: for he cannot endure that we should gruntle against him with stubborn sullenness. But now to the point. Sith there are so many presages and fore-signs of Gods wrath, I pray you show what it is that stayeth the execution and very downfall of the same.
Phil. You have very largely laid open this last token of vengeance: to wit, that God at the first doth but beat us upon the coat, but if wee continue in sinne, he will whip us on the bare skin: and if men will not yeeld at the first gentle strokes, then hee will strike harder and harder, till hee have broken our stout stomackes, and made out great hearts come downe. Therefore it is good yeelding at the first: for wee shall get nothing by our sturdinesse against him. Wee doe but cause him to double his strokes, and strike us both side-long and over-thwart: for hee cannot endure that wee should gruntle against him with stubborne sullennesse. But now to the point. Sith there are so many presages and fore-signes of Gods wrath, I pray you shew what it is that stayeth the execution and very downfall of the same.
Theol. The prayers and tears of the faithful are the special means that stay the hand of God from striking of us. For the prayers of the righteous are of great force with him: even able to do all things. S. James saith,1 that the prayer of a righteous man availeth much, if it be fervent: and bringeth the example of Elijah to prove ⟨p. 233⟩it. For, saith he, Though Elijah was a man subject to the like passions that we be, yet was he able by his prayers both to open and shut the heavens.