B02626:785
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. This is set down in the 29. Chapter of Deuteronomy, where the Lord saith thus, When a man heareth the words of this curse, and yet flattereth himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, although I walk according to the stubbornness of mine own heart, thus adding drunkenness to thirst (that is, one sin to another) the Lord will not be merciful unto him, but the wrath of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and every curse that is written in this book shall light upon him, and the Lord shall put out his name from under Heaven. Here we see how the mighty God ⟨p. 319⟩doth thunder down upon such as go on in their sins, presuming of his mercy, and saying in their hearts, If I may have but a Lord have mercy upon me three hours before death, I care not. But it is just with God, when these three hours come, to shut them up in blindness, and hardness of heart, as a just plague for their presumption. Therefore the Prophet David, seeing the grievousness of this sin, prayeth to be delivered from it:1 Keep me, O Lord (saith he) from presumptuous sins, let them not reign over me. Let all men therefore take hood of presumptuous sins. For though God be full of mercy, yet will he show no mercy to them that presume of his mercy. But they shall once know, to their cost, that justice goeth from him as well as mercy.
Theol. This is set downe in the 29. Chapter of Deuteronomie, where the Lord saith thus, When a man heareth the words of this curse, and yet flattereth himselfe in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, although I walke according to the stubbornnesse of mine owne heart, thus adding drunkenness to thirst (that is, one sinne to anot•er) the Lord will not be mercifull unto him, but the wrath of the Lord and his jealousie shall smoake against that man, and every curse that is written in this booke shall light upon him, and the Lord shall put out his name from under Heaven. Here we see how the mighty God ⟨p. 319⟩doth thunder downe upon such as goeon in their sins, presuming of his mercie, and saying in their hearts, If I may have but a Lord have mercy upon mee three houres before death, I care not. But it is just with God, when these three houres come, to shut them up in blindnesse, and hardnesse of heart, as a just plagne for their presumption. Therefore the Prophet David, seeing the grievousnesse of this sinne, prayeth to be delivered from it: