A20187:46
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.
Reli. Surely God ought not to be called the author of sin▪ for how can iniquity issue from that fountain, where nothing is, save only the clear• water ⟨p. 13⟩of righteousness? Notwithstanding, so far am I of from holding him a sinner, that reverently doth ascribe all things to the providence of God, that I account him rather an Ignorant, and blasphemous sinner that supposeth any thing to happen by fortune, or chance, as if God were ignorant, or careless thereof.
Reli. Surely God ought not to be called the author of sinne▪ for how can iniquity issue from that fountaine, where nothing is, saue onely the clear• water ⟨p. 13⟩of righteousnesse? Notwithstanding, so farre am I of from holding him a sinner, that reuerently doth ascribe all things to the prouidence of God, that I accompt him rather an Ignorent, and blasphemous sinner that supposeth any thing to happen by fortune, or chance, as if God were ignorant, or carelesse thereof.
Reas. Here I perceive the nail is driven to the head, therefore you had need go discreetly to work, least God be disabled in any thing, that is dew to his omnipotency,1 or that more be attributed to his power, then agreeth with his justice. Verily this is the thing, wherein I have not only long time longed to be instructed, but also been greatly troubled in mind about the same: I pray you therefore what is the providence of God?
Reas. Here I perceiue the nayle is driuen to the head, therefore you had need go discreetly to worke, least God bee disabled in any thing, that is dew to his omnipotency,