B02626:902
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.
Phil. Then I p rceive by your speech that the case of all ignorant and profane men is fearful in the sight of God, and that all good men are to pity them, and to pray for them.
Phil. Then I p rceive by your speech that the case of all ignorant and profane men is fearfull in the sight of God, and that all good men are to pity them, and to pray for them.
Theol. If two blind and deaf men should walk in a •••ten path that leads to a great deep pond, wherein they are like to be drowned if they go forwards, and two men far off should whoop unto them, and will them not ⟨p. 352⟩to go forward lest they be drowned, yet they neither seeing any man, nor hearing any man, go forward, and are drowned: were not this a lamentable spectacle to behold? Even so is it with all the ignorant, blind, and deaf souls of the world, for they cast no perils, but walk on boldly to destruction. And though the Preachers of the Gospel whoop never so loud unto them, or give them never so many warnings and caveats to take heed, yet they, being inwardly blind, see nothing, & spiritually deaf, hear nothing, and therefore go on forward in their sins and ignorance, till they suddenly fall into hell pit. Put case also two great Armies should pitch a field, and fight a main battle upon a plain, and that some man should stand upon the top of a mountain hard by, and behold all, and should see with his own eyes how thousands, and ten thousands went to wrack, and fell down on every side as thick as hail, the whole plain swimming in blood: and should also hear the groaning of soldiers wounded, and the doleful sighs and groanings of many Captains & Colonels giving up the ghost: were not this a most woeful spectacle? Even so, when we do clearly see Satan wound and murder thousand ⟨p. 353⟩thousand souls, is it not a far more tragical and lamentable sight? and ought it not even to kill our hearts to behold it? but (alas) men have no eyes to see into these things. And yet certain it is, that Satan doth continually, and in most fearful manner massacre innumerable souls. Thus have I showed you the woeful estate of profane and ignorant men.