Arthur Dent (Puritan)

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Arthur Dent (died 1607) was the author of The Plain Man's Pathway to Heaven, first published in 1601. This 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.

[edit] Trivia

In 1978, Arthur Dent was paid the peculiar tribute of being the name of the anti-hero in Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the title of which has (by mere coincidence, according to the author [1]) a curious similarity to that of Dent's own book.

[edit] 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.)