A20187:59
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. Truly albeit the serpent was most subtle of beasts, before such time as the gift was taken from him for his ⟨p. 25⟩fault, and in that respect like enough to malign the estate of man, if he were capable thereof; yet do I perceive no reason, that he should have any insight1 at all, into the calamity, of transgression; Nor yet that he might any way be incensed by malicious pretence, to bring mankind into Apostasy: But this doth offer it self more meetly to mine opinion, that Satan, (as saith M Calvin in his exposition, upon that part of Scripture) having then had no familiarity, or communication with man, standing then in need of an instrument, did choose out the subtle Serpent, because he was the aptest, or most active for such an exploit, into whom for the better finishing thereof, he conveyed him-self, and so gat access, more fitly to the woman.
Reli. Truely albeit the serpent was most subtill of beasts, before such time as the gift was taken from him for his ⟨p. 25⟩fault, and in that respect like enough to maligne the estate of man, if he weare capeable thereof; yet doe I perceue no reason, that he should haue any insight1 at all, into the calamity, of transgression; Nor yet that he might any way be incensed by mal•tious pretence, to bring mankind into Apostacy: But this doth offer it selfe more méetely to mine opinion, that Satan, (as saith M Caluin in his exposition, vpon that part of Scripture) hauing then had no familiarity, or communication with man, standing then in néed of an instrument, did choose out the subtill Serpent, because he was the aptest, or most actiue for such an exployt, into whom for the better finishing thereof, he conneyed him-selfe, and so gat accesse, more fitly to the woman.
- 1The serpent.