B02626:999
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.
And we pray thee touch our hearts with true grief, and unfeigned repentance for them▪ that they may be a matter of continual sorrow and heart-smart unto us, so as nothing may grieve us more then this, that we have offended thee, being ⟨image 244⟩our special friend and Father: Give us therefore (dear Father) every day more and more sight and feeling of our sins, with true humiliation under the same. Give us also that true and lively faith, whereby we may lay sure hold on thy Son Christ, and all his merits, applying the same to our own souls; so as we may stand fully persuaded, that whatsoever he hath done upon the Cross, he hath done for us particularly as well as for others. Give us faith (good Father) constantly to believe all the sweet promises of the Gospel, touching remission of sin, and eternal life, made in thy Son Christ. O Lord increase our faith, that we may altogether rest upon thy promises, which are all Yea and Amen. Yea, that we may settle our selves, and all that we have wholly upon them; both our souls, bodies, goods, names, wives, children, and our whole estate: knowing that all things depend upon thy promises, power, and providence, and that thy Word doth support and bear up the whole order of nature. Moreover, we entreat thee, O Lord, to strengthen us from above, to walk in every good way, and to bring forth the fruits of true faith in all our particular actions, studying to please thee in all things, and to be fruitful in good works, that we may show forth unto all men by our good conversation whose children we are: and that ⟨image 244⟩we may adorn and beautify our most holy profession, by walking in a Christian course, and in all the sound fruits and practice of godliness and true religion. To this end we pray thee sanctify our hearts by thy Spirit yet more and more: sanctify our souls and bodies, and all our corrupt natural faculties, as reason, understanding, will, and affections, so as they may be fitted for thy worship and service, taking a delight and pleasure therein. Stir us up to use prayer, watchfulness, reading, meditation in thy Law, and all other good means, whereby we may profit in grace and goodness from day to day. Bless us in the use of the means, that we may daily dye to sin, and live to righteousness: draw us yet nearer unto thee, help us against our manifold wants.