B02626:633
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.
Antil. You would make a man mad. You put me out of my faith: you drive me from Christ. But if you go about to drive me from Christ, I will never believe you. For I know we must be saved only by him.
Antil. You would make a man mad. You put mee out of my faith: you drive mee from Christ. But if you goe about to drive me from Christ, I will never beleeve you. For I know we must be saved onely by him.
Theol. I go not about to drive you from Christ, but to drive you to Christ. For how can I drive you from Christ, seeing you never came near him? How can I drive you out of Christ, seeing you were never in him? But this is it that deceiveth you and many others, that you think you believe in Christ, because you say you believe in Christ: as though faith consisted in words; or as though a man had saith, because he saith so. If every one that faith he hath faith, therefore hath faith; and every one that saith he believeth in Christ, doth therefore believe; then who will not have faith? who will not believe? But in very deed, your faith, and the faith of many others, is nothing else but mere imagination. But all this while you have not answered my question touching your particular knowledge of Christ.
Theol. I goe not about to drive you from Christ, but to drive you to Christ. For how can I drive you from Christ, seeing you never came neere him? How can I drive you out of Christ, seeing you were never in him? But this is it that deceiveth you and many others, that you thinke you beleeve in Christ, because you say you beleeve in Christ: as though faith consisted in words; or as though a man had saith, because hee saith so. If every one that faith he hath faith, therefore hath faith; and every one that saith hee beleeveth in Christ, doth therefore beleeve; then who will not have faith? who will not beleeve? But in very deed, your faith, and the faith of many others, is nothing else but meere imagination. But all this while you have not answered my question touching your particular knowledge of Christ.