B02626:65
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. Did Adam then lose his nature, and destroy it by his fall? or is our ⟨p. 7⟩nature taken away by his fall?
Theol. Not so: our nature was corrupted thereby, but not destroyed: for still there remaineth in our nature, reason, understanding, will, and affections, and we are not as a block or a stock; but by Adams disobedience we are blemished, maimed, and spoiled of all ability to understand aright, or to will and do aright: as it is written;1 We are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves: but our sufficiency is of God. And again:2 It is God which worketh in you both the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure. And as concerning the other point,3 St. James saith, That all men are made after the similitude of God: meaning thereby, that there remain some relics and parts of Gods image even in the most wicked men: as reason, understanding, &c. so that our nature was not wholly destroyed.
Theol. Not so: our nature was corrupted thereby, but not destroied: for still there remaineth in our nature, reason, understanding, will, and affections, and we are not as a blocke or a stocke; but by Adams disobedience we are blemished, maimed, and spoiled of all ability to understand aright, or to will and doe aright: as it is written;1 Wee are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves: but our sufficiency is of God. And again:2 It is God which worketh in you both the will and the deed, even of his good pleasure. And as concerning the other point,