B02626:899
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. If a man be outwardly blind, we do pity him, and say, There ⟨p. 350⟩goes a poor blind man; but if he be both blind and deaf, do we not more pity him, and say, Oh in how miserable a case is that man! but if he be both blind, deaf, and dumb, do we not most of all pity him, and say, Oh that man is in a most woeful taking, and in a most pitiful plight! How much more then are they to be pitied, which, as concerning their souls, are both blind, deaf, and dumb: For the diseases of the soul are far more dangerous and more to be pitied then those of the body. Would it not pity a mans heart to see a poor sheep in a Lions mouth, whilst he teareth him, rendeth him, and pulls out his guts? Even such is the case of ignorant men in the claws of the Devil. For the Devil hath them under him, rideth them at his pleasure, and teareth their souls in pieces. Oh that we had eyes to see these things, hearts to feel them, and affections to be throughly moved with them, even unto mourning and tears!
Theol. If a man bee outwardly blind, wee do pitty him, and say, There ⟨p. 350⟩goes a poore blind man; but if hee be both blind and deafe, doe we not more pity him, and say, Oh in how miserable a case is that man! but if hee be both blind, deaf, and dumb, do we not most of all pity him, and say, Oh that man is in a most wofull taking, and in a most pitifull plight! How much more then are they to be pitied, which, as concerning their souls, are both blind, deafe, and dumb: For the diseases of the soule are farre more dangerous and more to be pitied then those of the body. Would it not pity a mans heart to see a poore sheepe in a Lions mouth, whilest hee teareth him, rendeth him, and puls out his guts? Even such is the case of ignorant men in the clawes of the Divell. For the Divell hath them under him, rideth them at his pleasure, and teareth their soules in pieces. Oh that wee had eyes to see these things, hearts to feele them, and affections to be throughly moved with them, even unto mourning and teares!