B02626:920
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. It were an infinite thing to enter into all particulars: but briefly do this; First, seek God earnestly in his Word, pray much, in all things give thanks: eschew evil, and do good: fear God and keep his commandments: reform your self and your household: love virtue and virtuous men: keep company with the godly, and avoid the society of the wicked. Live soberly, justly, and holily in this present evil world. Speak always gracinication. Recompense no man evil for evil, but recompense evil, with good. Be courteous and pitiful towards all men. Take heed of swearing, cursing, and banning. Beware of anger, wrath, and bitterness. Praise your friend openly, reprove him secretly. Speak no evil of them that are absent, nor of the dead. Speak evil of no man: speak always the best, or at least not the worst. Reverence Gods Name, and keep his Sabbaths. Avoid all the signs of condemnation, and labour ⟨p. 366⟩[…] ⟨p. 367⟩[…] ⟨p. 368⟩after all the signs of salvation. Above all things take heed of sin, for that is the very out-throat of the soul, and of all goodness. Tremble therefore, and sin not: for if you sin, mark what followeth: Six great dangers in sin. God seeth. His Angels bear witness. The Conscience pricketh. Death threateneth. The Devil accuseth. Hell devoureth. You see then that sin is no scarecrow or jesting matter. Every sin that a man committeth is as a thorn thrust deep into the soul, which will not be got out again, but with many a sigh, and many a sorrowful Oh, oh. Every sin is […] Iron,1 and the point of a Diamond, upon the conscience, and shall in the last day (when the Book shall be opened) accuse us, and give in evidence against us.2 If a man commit sin with pleasure, the pleasure posseth away, but the conscience and sting of the […] abideth, and tormenteth deadly: but if a man do well, though with labour and painfulness, the pain passeth away, yet the conscience of well-doing remaineth with much comfort. But the best end of sin is always repentance, if not in this life, then with we ⟨p. 369⟩