A20187:152
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.
An earnest persuasion to a Worshipful Gentleman, and his good friend to continue constant in Christian Religion, and to loath and detest the slights of Superstitious Papistry. By the former Author, Arthur Dent.
An earnest perswasion to a Worshipfull Gentleman, and his good friend to continew constant in Christian Religion, and to loath and detest the slights of Superstitious Papistry. By the former Author, Arthur Dent.
Although the Bee, be not so easily caught in the gins of the Spider, as the poor Fly, or being once entangled, is not so easily poisoned: yet common experience, doth make it a plain case, that oftentimes she is overthrown therein, and compelled to yield her-self a prey unto tyranny. But considering how easily our affections be carried away by corruption, to wit, faultiness, natural to decline to the worse part, it seemeth ⟨p. 93⟩most wonderful to me, that you being so near a neighbour to heresy, are yet undrowned in the dregs thereof more then untainted, to the danger of your overthrow yet to come: for why? are not the best subject to change? I mean the wisest, to folly? and the holiest to wickedness? let the example of Solomon, witness the trueth in this case, who although he were the only paragon of the world, fell to idolatry, the most noisome of pestilences, and to all uncleanness of body. Doth not likewise the example of our first parent Adam, make it plain, that our nature being at the best, is even then most subject, to take the wickeddest course? O wretched estate, what reckoning shall we make of our selves which seeming to stand, are ever falling, which outwardly carrying the countenance of security, have at home, such an enemy, as doth practise our continual estrangement with God! and besides this are environed with a world of ungodly allurements. But yet amidst these dangers, twice, O Merciful God whose grace superaboundeth sin, whose mercy dispenseth with all our faults,