B02626:941
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. Proceed to speak of the torments of Hell.
Theol. Concerning the torments of Hell I do note three things, which I will briefly speak of, and they be these: The extremity, perpetuity, and remedilessness thereof. First, touching the extremity thereof: it standeth specially in these three things: First, that it is a separation from all joy and comfort of the presence of God. Secondly, that it is an eternal fellowship with the Devil and his Angels. Thirdly, it is a feeling of the horrible wrath of God, which shall seize upon body and soul, and shall feed on them (as fire doth upon pitch and brimstone) for ever. The Scriptures do note the extremity of it, in calling it,1 A lake that burns with fire and brimstone for ever: in saying,2 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth: in affirming,3 that their worm dyeth not (meaning the worm that gnaweth their conscience, or the torment of conscience) and the fire never goeth out: in terming it, Tophet, which is deep and large, and the burning thereof is fire and much ⟨p. 390⟩wood: and that the breath of the Lord, as a river of brimstone, doth kindle it. All these things be terrible to our senses: and yet can they not fully express the thing as it is indeed. For no heart can conceive, or tongue express the greatness and extremity of the torments of Hell. As the joys of Heaven never entered into the heart of man: no more did the torments of Hell. All the torments and troubles that fall upon men in this life, are but the sparkles of the furnace of Gods total wrath. All fires are but as it were pictures of fire, in comparison of Hell fire. For, as one writeth, Hell fire is so extremely hot, that it will burn up a man seven mile before he come at it. Yet the Reprobates, being always in it, shall never be consumed of it. As the Salamander is always in the fire, and never consumeth; so the wicked shall be always in the fire of Hell, and never consume. For Hell is a death always living, and an end always beginning. It is a grievous thing to a man that is very sick, to lye long upon a feather bed: how much more upon a hot gridiron? but how most of all to burn always in Hell fire, and never be consumed? Another extremity of it consisteth in this, that the torments of Hell are universal: