B02626:772
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. You are in a great error: for this doctrine is part of Gods revealed Truth, which he would have known to his people. And in good sooth, it is of very great and comfortable use to the Children of God, against all the assaults of the Devil, and temptations of desperation whatsoever. For when a man hath once ⟨p. 313⟩in truth felt, by the effects, that God hath chosen him to life, then though the Devil lye sore at him, and the conscience of sin and his own frailties do vehemently assault him; yet he knoweth certainly, that the eternal purpose and counsel of God is immutable, and that because his salvation is not grounded upon himself, or his own strength, but upon the unchangeable decree of GOD, which is a foundation immovable, and always standing sure and firm: therefore do the Devil and sin what they can, yet he shall be upheld in righteousness and truth, and even (as it were) borne up in the arms of God even to the end. For whom God loveth, to the end he loveth them. Moreover, when once the Lords people perceive (by their sanctification and new birth) both that the Lord hath rejected and reprobated so many thousand thousands, and made choice of them to be heirs of his most glorious Kingdom, being in themselves of the same mould and making that others are, and that he hath done all this of his free grace and undeserved mercy towards them: oh how doth it ravish their hearts with the love of him! Again, how frankly and cheerfully do they serve him! how willingly and faithfully do they obey ⟨p. 314⟩him! Yea, how are they wholly rapt, and inflamed with the desire of him! For it is the persuasion and feeling of Gods love towards us, that draweth up our love to him again; as St. John saith, 1. John 4. We love him, because he hath love us first. Moreover, it is said of Mary Magdalen, 1that she loved much, because much was forgiven. For after she felt her many & great sins freely pardoned, her affections were kindled with the love and obedience of Christ. So likewise the Church in the Canticles, 2after she had been in the banqueting house of all spiritual grace, and felt the banner of Christs love displayed upon her, forthwith she was rape therewith, and cried out (as it were in a swoon) that she was sick of love.