B02626:608
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. They spring from the imperfection of our regeneration, and from that strife which is in the very mind of the elect, between faith and infidelity. For these two do mightily fight together in the most regenerate, and strive to over-master and over-shadow one another. By reason whereof sometimes it cometh to pass, through the prevailing of unbelief, that the most excellent servants of God may fall into fits and pangs of despair, as Job and David in their temptations did. And even in these days also some of Gods children at some times are shrewdly hindled this way, and brought very low, even unto deaths door: but yet the Lord in great mercy doth recover them both from total and final despair. Only they are humbled and tried by these sharp fits for a time, and that for their great good. For as we use to say, that an ague in a young man is a sign of health; so these burning fits of temptations in the elect, for the most part, are signs of Gods grace and favour. For if they were not of ⟨p. 265⟩God, the Devil would never be so busy with them.
Theol. They spring from the imperfection of our regeneration, and from that strife which is in the very mind of the elect, between faith and infidelity. For these two doe mightily fight together in the most regenerate, and strive to over-master and over-shadow one another. By reason whereof sometimes it cometh to passe, through the prevailing of unbeliefe, that the most excellent servants of God may fall into fits and pangs of despaire, as Job and David in their temptations did. And even in these dayes also some of Gods children at some times are shrewdly hindled this way, and brought very low, even unto deaths doore: but yet the Lord in great mercy doth recover them both from totall and finall despaire. Onely they are humbled and tried by these sharp fits for a time, and that for their great good. For as we use to say, that an ague in a young man is a signe of health; so these burning fits of temptations in the elect, for the most part, are signes of Gods grace and favour. For if they were not of ⟨p. 265⟩God, the Divell would never be so busie with them.