A20187:177
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.
Alas with what blind spirit are these poor souls vexed, that will have their Pope and the Church of Rome again exalted? that take away the plain Doctrine of faith, and justification in Christ? and teach a faith solted up in an Idle fancy? saying: that we must believe of Christ, as their Church believeth, because their Church believeth, as they believe: But if we demand what they, or their Church do believe, the next way for us to know, is even to get look: for doubtless they know not, neither can they tell us.
Alasse with what blind spirit are these poore soules vexed, that will haue theyr Pope and the Church of Rome againe exalted? that take away the playne Doctrine of faith, and iustification in Christ? and teach a fayth solted vppe in an Idle fancy? saying: that we must beléeue of Christ, as theyr Church beleeueth, because theyr Church beléeueth, as they beléeue: But if we demand what they, or theyr Church doe beléeue, the next way for vs to know, is euen to get looke: for doubtlesse they know not, neyther can they tell vs.
Truly howsoever they cotton y• matter with devout countenances, or courageous ⟨p. 115⟩brags, with persuasions of the time past, or the scarcity or iniquity of the time present, or with the outward face or visor of their charity, their estate is lamentable, it fareth with them even as with butchers, that use to blow up their flesh that it may seem bigger, they are grubling so much in the mire of their own desert to the world: ward, that they forget or neglect all that true religion and service they owe unto God.
Truly howsoeuer they cotten y• matter with deuout countenances, or coragious ⟨p. 115⟩bragges, with perswasions of the time past, or the scarcety or iniquity of the time present, or with the outward face or visor of theyr charity, theyr estate is lamentable, it fareth with them euen as with butchers, that vse to blow vp their flesh that it may seeme bigger, they are grubling so much in the myre of theyr own desart to the world: ward, that they forget or neglect all that true religion and seruice they owe vnto God.