Arthur Dent (Puritan)
Encyclopedia
Arthur Dent was the author of The Plain Man's Pathway to Heaven, first published in 1601. This was one of the two books that John Bunyan
read before or during the four years of spiritual struggle that led eventually to his conversion, and his subsequent writing of Pilgrim's Progress. The other title was The Practice of Piety by Lewis Bayly
. These two books were originally in the possession of his first wife, and described as being the whole of her dowry.
Arthur Dent was a preacher of the word of God at South Shoobery
in Essex
.
Dent's books went into many subsequent editions. A 27th edition appeared in 1648 and a 41st edition in 1831. Early impressions are very rare and command collectors' prices in the antiquarian books trade. The work also profoundly influenced Richard Baxter
, who recast it in 1674 as The Poor Man's Family Book.
Modern edition
John Bunyan
John Bunyan was an English Christian writer and preacher, famous for writing The Pilgrim's Progress. Though he was a Reformed Baptist, in the Church of England he is remembered with a Lesser Festival on 30 August, and on the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church on 29 August.-Life:In 1628,...
read before or during the four years of spiritual struggle that led eventually to his conversion, and his subsequent writing of Pilgrim's Progress. The other title was The Practice of Piety by Lewis Bayly
Lewis Bayly
Lewis Bayly was an Anglican bishop.-Life:He was educated at Oxford, became vicar of Evesham, Worcestershire, and probably in 1604 became rector of St. Matthew's Church, Friday street, London...
. These two books were originally in the possession of his first wife, and described as being the whole of her dowry.
Arthur Dent was a preacher of the word of God at South Shoobery
Shoeburyness
Shoeburyness is a town in southeast Essex, England, situated at the mouth of the river Thames Estuary. It is within the borough of Southend-on-Sea, and is situated at the far east of the borough, around east of Southend town centre...
in Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
.
Dent's books went into many subsequent editions. A 27th edition appeared in 1648 and a 41st edition in 1831. Early impressions are very rare and command collectors' prices in the antiquarian books trade. The work also profoundly influenced Richard Baxter
Richard Baxter
Richard Baxter was an English Puritan church leader, poet, hymn-writer, theologian, and controversialist. Dean Stanley called him "the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen". After some false starts, he made his reputation by his ministry at Kidderminster, and at around the same time began a long...
, who recast it in 1674 as The Poor Man's Family Book.
Works
- The plaine mans path-way to heauen : wherein euery man may clearly see, whether he shall be saued or damned : set forth dialogue wise, for the better vnderstanding of the simple, by Arthur Dent, London : Imprinted for Robert Dexter, and are to be sold at the signe of the brazen serpent in Powles Church-yard, 1601
- The Ruine Of Rome. Or, An Exposition upon the whole Revelation. Wherein is plainly shown and proved, that the Popish religion, together with all the power and authority of Rome, shall ebbe and decay still more and more throughout all the churches of Europe, and come to an utter overthrow even in this life, before the end of the world. Written especially for the comfort of Protestants, and the daunting of Papists, Seminary Priests, Jesuits, and all the cursed rabble. London, 1607. Printed by W.I. for Simon Waterson and Richard Banckworth.
- The opening of heauen gates, or, The ready vvay to euerlasting life : Deliuered in a most familiar dialogue, betweene reason and religion, touching predestination, Gods word and mans free-will, to the vnderstanding of the weakest capacitie, and confirming of the more strong, by Aurthur Dent, London : Printed [at Eliot's Court Press] for Iohn Wright, and are to be sold at his shop at the signe of the Bible without New-gate, 1624 (fifth edition)
- Sermon of Gods prouidence. Very godly and profitable: preached at South-Shoobery in Essex
- Hand-maid of repentance. Or, A short treatise of restitution (As a necessary appendix to his Sermon of Repentance.)
Modern edition
- The Plain Man's Pathway to Heaven, ISBN 978-1-877611-69-8