A20187:121
The opening of heaven gatesThe opening of heauen gates
The opening of heaven gates, or The ready way to everlasting life Delivered in a most familiar dialogue, between reason and religion, touching predestination, Gods word, and mans free-will, to the understanding of the weakest capacity, and the confirming of the more strong. By Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God, at South-Shoobery in Essex.The opening of heauen gates, or The ready way to euerlasting life Deliuered in a most familier dialogue, betweene reason and religion, touching predestination, Gods word, and mans free-will, to the vnderstanding of the weakest capacitie, and the confirming of the more strong. By Arthur Dent, preacher of the word of God, at South-Shoobery in Essex.
London: printed by G. Eld for John Wright, 1610London: printed by G. Eld for Iohn Wright, 1610
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.
Rea. Well let us stay here, concerning the providence of God, from which I perceive nothing can be excluded, and therefore in vain do men babble of Fortune, Chance, and other casual Goddesses; now therefore let us proceed to the predestination of God, of which thou oft hast spoken in this treatise of Providence, and first of all I would have thee describe unto me what predestination is.
Rea. Well let vs stay here, concerning the prouidence of God, from which I perceaue nothing can be excluded, and therfore in vaine doe men babble of Fortune, Chance, and other casuall Goddesses; now therefore let vs proceed to the predestination of God, of which thou oft hast spoken in this treatise of Prouidence, and first of all I would haue thee describe vnto me what predestination is.
Reli. Truly the providence of God considered, in that general signification,1 that is to say in the foreknowing, or deyning, ordering, and ending all manner of things, so far as yet I understand, doth ⟨p. 77⟩comprehend the predestination of God, and is one self-same-thing therewith: yet because predestination may be restrained, in a more particular property, namely to Gods ordering and disposing2 of mankind, thus it may be defined. Predestination is the everlasting, and unchangeable decree of the almighty, which going before all causes, draweth man to his appointed end, that is either in Christ to salvation, or else in Adam to condemnation, & the endless torments of hell.
Reli. Truly the prouidence of God considered, in that generall signification,1 that is to say in the foreknowing, or deyning, ordering, and ending all manner of things, so farre as yet I vnderstand, doth