B02626:958
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. Because they be no better. They be goodly gear, trim stuff; They are good to kindle a fire, or to scour a hot oven withal. And shall I tell you my opinion of them? I do thus think, That they were devised by the Devil, seen and allowed by the Pope, printed in Hell, bound up by Hobgoblin, and first published and dispersed in Rome, Italy, and Spain, and all to this end, that thereby men might be kept from the reading of the Scriptures. For even as a Lapwing with her busy cry draweth men away from her nest, so the Popish generation, by these fabulous devices, draw men from the Scriptures.
Phil. Because they be no better. They be goodly geere, trim stuffe; They are good to kindle a fire, or to scoure a hot oven withall. And shall I tell you my opinion of them? I doe thus thinke, That they were devised by the Divell, seene and allowed by the Pope, printed in Hell, bound up by Hobgoblin, and first published and dispersed in Rome, Italy, and Spaine, and all to this end, that thereby men might be kept from the reading of the Scriptures. For even as a Lapwing with her busie crie draweth men away from her nest, so the Popish generation, by these fabulous devices, draw men from the Scriptures.
Antil. Ah Sir, I see now a fools bolt is soon shot. You are more precise then wise. The Vicar of Saint Fools shall be your ghostly father. What tell you me of your opinion? I would you should well know, I neither regard you nor your opinion. There be wiser men then you, who both read, allow, and take pleasure in these books.
Antil. Ah Sir, I see now a fooles bolt is soon shot. You are more precise then wise. The Vicar of Saint Fooles shall be your ghostly father. What tell you mee of your opinion? I would you should wel know, I neither regard you nor your opinion. There be wiser men then you, who both reade, allow, and take pleasure in these bookes.