A20187:141
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.
Reli. Nay, let me show which of those labourers being once called, did refuse to come: it seemeth rather to me, that hereby they should learn without delay to turn unto the Lord, hearing his voice, for we must consider that he is not bound1 to us, but we unto him, therefore the wisest counsel, that I can give, is that we take heed betimes, and lay hold when he offereth himself, least our sins do make separation, between him and us: for i• thorough our negligence we overslip the day of health, we cannot recover it afterwards although we seek it with tears, which we find truly verified in the foolish Virgins, rich Glutton, and many2 other: Therefore he that thinketh himself in most security, and saith my age is not yet fit who am but young, or my business is not past, which is great, I will turn to the Lord at some better leisure: let him remember that all fles• is as grass of the field, & hath no charter for one minute of an hour, and if we b• taken napping with sinners, our reward ⟨p. 89⟩3is with them, whereupon it is full truly4 said. To death we must stoop be we high be we low. But how or how suddenly, few be that know.
Reli. Nay, let me shew which of those laborers being once called, did refuse to come: it séemeth rather to me, that hereby they should learne without delay to turne vnto the Lord, hearing his voyce, for we must consider that he is not bound1 to vs, but we vnto him, therefore the wisest councell, that I can giue, is that wee take héed betimes, and lay hold when hée offereth himselfe, least our sins do make seperation, betwéene him and vs: for i• thorough our negligence we ouerslippe the day of health, we cannot recouer it afterwards although wée séeke it with teares, which we find truly verified in the foolish Virgins, rich Glutton, and many