B02626:691
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. Now you would shuffle up all together, as though you were as good as the best, and as though there were no difference of sinners? but you must learn to know that there is a great difference of sinners. For there is the penitent and the impenitent sinner; the careful and the careless sinner; the sinner whose sins are not imputed, and the sinner whose sins are imputed; the sinner that shall be ⟨p. 290⟩saved, and the sinner that shall be damned. For it is one thing to sin of frailty, another thing to live in it, dwell in it, and trade in it, and (as the holy Ghost speaketh) to suck it in, as the fish sucketh water,1 and to draw it unto us with cart-ropes and cords of vanity. To conclude therefore; there is as great difference betwixt a sinner and a sinner, as betwixt light and darkness. For though Gods children be sinners in respect of the remnants of sin within them, yet the Scriptures call them just and righteous, because they are justified by Christ, and sanctified by his grace and holy Spirit. And for this cause it is that S. John saith, He that is borne of God sinneth not, 1 John 4.6.
Theol. Now you would shuffle up all together, as though you were as good as the best, and as though there were no difference of sinners? but you must learne to know that there is a great difference of sinners. For there is the penitent and the impenitent sinner; the carefull and the carelesse sinner; the sinner whose sins are not imputed, and the sinner whose sins are imputed; the sinner that shall be ⟨p. 290⟩saved, and the sinner that shall be damned. For it is one thing to sin of frailty, another thing to live in it, dwell in it, and trade in it, and (as the holy Ghost speaketh) to suck it in, as the fish sucketh water,1 and to draw it unto us with cart-ropes and cords of vanity. To conclude therefore; there is as great difference betwixt a sinner and a sinner, as betwixt light and darknesse. For though Gods children be sinners in respect of the remnants of sin within them, yet the Scriptures call them just and righteous, because they are justified by Christ, and sanctified by his grace and holy Spirit. And for this cause it is that S. John saith, Hee that is borne of God sinneth not,