B02626:860
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.
Asun. Well: now I do plainly see, that I have been deceived, and am not in so good estate before God, as I thought I had been. Moreover, I see that thousands are out of the way, which think they are in a good case before God: whereas indeed they are in blindness, and in their sins. But Lord have mercy upon us. I do now plainly see, that I am far from keeping the Commandments: and I think no man doth keep them.
Asun. Well: now I do plainly see, that I have been deceived, and am not in so good estate before God, as I thought I had been. Moreover, I see that thousands are out of the way, which thinke they are in a good case before God: whereas indeed they are in blindnesse, and in their sinnes. But Lord have mercie upon us. I doe now plainly see, that I am farre from keeping the Commandements: and I thinke no man doth keep them.
Theol. You may swear it, I warrant ⟨p. 343⟩you. For neither Saint Paul, David, or the Virgin Mary could ever keep any one of the Commandments. I am glad you begin to see into the Law of God, and to have some taste that way. For as a mans knowledge and in-sight is into the Law, so is hi• knowledge and in-sight into himself. He that hath a deep in-sight into the Law of GOD, hath also a deep in-sight into himself. He that hath no in-sight into the Law, can have no in-sight into himself. For the Law is that glass, wherein we do behold the face of our souls before GOD. The Apostle saith, By the Law cometh the knowledge of sin. Therefore those which are altogether ignorant of the Law, and never behold themselves in this glass, do commit an hundred sins a day, which they know not of; and therefore are not grieved for them. For how can a man be grieved for that which he knoweth not? But now further, I pray you to give me leave to ask you some moe questions of the principle• of Religion, to the end, that you, knowing and feeling your ignorance, may be humbled therewith, bewail i• in time, and seek after the true knowledge of God. But yet, by the way, I will ask Antilgon a question or two; because I desire to understand