A20187:186
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.
Good sir, this being true, we have need to look about us, and every man have an especial eye to Gods glory in the execution of our actions: and if we have attained to some knowledge in the school of Christ; we see in the Gospel, that he is condemned, that hideth his talent, aswell as the other, that riotously wasted it, I pray you apply this to your self whom the Lord hath loved with long continuance of his goodness, and you shall find out a right Christian exploit even in the man, that sat next at your elbow. Set upon it, or if you have begun give it not over, for the winning of one soul to Christ is more acceptable in the sight of GOD, then to offer the whole world for a sacrifice; ⟨p. 123⟩what though he be a man, the spirit of GOD is able to encounter him, if he be never so wily or perverse in opinion. God who is able to rend the heart, and to pierce the marrow in the bones, is always present in his own work.
Good sir, this being true, we haue néed to looke about vs, and euery man haue an especiall eye to Gods glory in the execution of our actions: and if we haue attained to some knowledge in the schoole of Christ; we sée in the Gospell, that he is condemned, that hideth his talent, aswel as the other, that riotously wasted it, I pray you apply this to your selfe whom the Lord hath loued with long continewaunce of his goodnesse, and you shall find out a right Christian exploit euen in the man, that sat next at your elbow. Set vpon it, or if you haue begon giue it not ouer, for the winning of one soule to Christ is more acceptable in the sight of GOD, then to offer the whole world for a sacrifice; ⟨p. 123⟩what though he be a man, the spirit of GOD is able to encounter him, if hee bee neuer so wyly or peruerse in opinion. God who is able to rend the heart, and to pierce the marrow in the bones, is alwayes presont in his owne worke.
What though he happily may command your silence, your spirit must be touched with his sins, you may not suffer him to rest in uncleanness: for they that are of CHRIST are always careful to bring others to Christ-ward, but especially those that are so near unto them, as he is to you, you know that in process of time, the soft drop of rain doth break the hard flint, the silly worm doth throw down the mighty oak, and the slow snail doth attain to the top of Mountains. Therefore let nothing discon age you.