A20187:174
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.
If we hold them hard to the proofs ⟨p. 112⟩of these and such other, by the touchstone, aforesaid (namely y• word of God) their next leap, is longer then the passage between Dover and Calais: for they cross the broad ss as to unwritten verities. But how cold their entertainment is there, we would not much fear to make them-selves the Judges, if shame & grace had not forsaken them. In deed we know and confess that more was spoken, then is written: And that whatsoever Christ & the Apostles preached, was the word of GOD were it written or not: But we know also that if more had been necessary to salvation then is written, God would not suffer us to want it, least with them we might happen to run a whoring after our own devises: But above all, we are most assured that the Spirit of God never was, nor will be contrary to it self: Therefore let us try how truly their berities unwritten do accord with the written word.
If we hold them hard to the proofs ⟨p. 112⟩of these and such other, by the touchstone, aforesaid (namely y• word of God) theyr next leape, is longer then the passage betwéene Douer and Callice: for they crosse the broad ss as to vnwritten verities. But how colde theyr entertainment is there, we would not much feare to make thē-selues the Iudges, if shame & grace had not forsaken them. In déed wee know and confesse that more was spoken, then is written: And that whatsoeuer Christ & the Apostles preached, was the word of GOD were it written or not: But we know also that if more had bene necessary to saluation then is written, God would not suffer vs to want it, least with them we might happen to runne a whoring after our owne deuises: But aboue all, wee are most assured that the Spirit of God neuer was, nor will be contrary to it selfe: Therefore let vs try how truly theyr berities vnwritten doe accord with the written word.
We find in the Scripture, that we ought to worship God alone, and not to make our selves any graven Image; but is it possible that the Word unwritten