A20187:178
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.
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.
For note this well, where is that Papist in all the world, that will not sooner bid us behold his charity towards his neighbour then his integrity in the worshipping of God? So that charity being the underseruant to religion, and a second thing required, they make it the head-stone of the corner, and the foundation where-upon they build all their righteousness unto salvation: Truly we dare not deny that in respect of the world (were it not depraved) the Papist hash some good matter in him, because his deeds do often times extend to the benefit of GODS Church: And even in this (I write in the grief of my conscience wherein I call the Lord to witness) shall they ⟨p. 116⟩condemn many professors in the day of visitation, that are lewd speakers, and lewd livers altogether, yet I say always that in this his only point, if fareth with him, as with the Cow having given a jolly mess of milk, that afterward, doth spill it with her foot.