The plain mans path-way to heaven

Theol. This is indeed a very broad gate into hell. For the Scripture saith,¹ Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of such a one. And again, The fool is wiser in his own eyes, ²then seven men that can give a sensible reason. The holy Ghost we see affirmeth, that such as are puffed up with an overweening of their own gifts, are farthest of all other from the Kingdom of Heaven. For they despise the wisdom of God to their own destruction. They hold scorn to be taught: they will say they know as much as all the Preachers can tell them. For what can all the Preachers say more then this? We are all sinners, we must be saved by Christ, we must do as we would be done to. There is no more, but do well, and have well, &c. Alas poor souls, they look •loft, they are desperately hoven up with conceitedness, not knowing that they are poor,³ naked, blind, and miserable. These men trust altogether to their own wit, learning, policy, riches, and great reputation in the ⟨p. 325⟩world. And because all men crouch to them, and clap their hands at them, therefore they swell like Turki••-Cocks, set up their feathers and draw their wings upon the ground with a kind of snuff and disdain of all men, as if they were the only wights of the world. Moreover when men do praise them for their natural gifts, soothe them, and applaud them, then it is a wonder to see how they streak themselves, as though they would forthwith take their flight, and mount unto the clouds. But let all insolent and conceived men hearken unto the woe that is pronounced against them by the eternal King of glory, saying, Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, ⁴and prudent in their own sight. Again, let them hearken to the counsel of God, which saith, Trust unto the Lord with all thine heart, ⁵but lean not unto thine own wisdom. Be not wise in thine own eyes, but fear God, and depart from evil. These silly conceited fools think that because they have the cast of this life, and can cunningly compass the things of this world and go through stitch with them, therefore they can compass heaven also by their fine wits, and deep devices: but alas, poor wretches, they