A20187:181
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 it is a Craven Cock that croweth1 no where but on his own dunghill, We know that all the good works of the world, being done without love, are nothing worth; and that their supererogations being examined, and their greatest works of dignity next unto them, are found without love, mercy, pity or compassion. But if it may be accounted a deed of mercy, to give rich Altar clothes, to the beautifying of Altars; a deed of love, to build Chapels and Chantries, and a deed of pity to go far on knees, to give great gifts to shrines, then are they passing full of love, mercy, pity ⟨p. 117⟩and compassion: otherwise they have none at all, at least that is acceptable. For they pity the poverty of lime and stones, & them they clothe.
Alasse it is a Crauen Cock that croweth1 no where but on his owne dunghill, We know that all the good works of the world, being done without loue, are nothing worth; and that theyr superrerogations being examined, and theyr greatest workes of dignity next vnto them, are found without loue, mercy, pitty or compassion. But if it may bee accompted a déed of mercy, to giue rich Altar clothes, to the beutifying of Altars; a déed of loue, to build Chappels and Chauntries, and a déed of pitty to go farre on knées, to giue great gifts to shrines, then are they passing full of loue, mercy, pitty ⟨p. 117⟩and compassion: otherwise they haue none at all, at least that is acceptable. For they pitty the pouerty of lime and stones, & them they cloath.
- 1Cor. 13. 4. •
They pity a sort of foul fat Priests infurr'd govnes, and them they deck with golden Copes, and supply in all other their vanities and Idleness, as if it were a good deed to grease a fat hog in the tail: But where is the love, and compassion of their poor brother all this while? I will say no more, let them that fare the better for these and such other good works, praise them: but yet Let them beware they sin not there in like unto these are their Idols which executors use to give after men be dead, that liberality is idle, having no good intent, and the reward rotten that is paid back again; which is, Lord have mercy on the soul of this charitable dead man. O gross folly: where is the love that should make this deed acceptable? if we should speak generally of all their works, they are even dross and more shameful vices then these, if more may be, for I say, and yet not I, but the holy Ghost, if they be not done in love springing