A20187:77
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.
To prove that freewill is not, I crave none other witness then S. Augustine, writing upon the 2. Epistle of Pelagius chap. 10. I can see nothing (saith he) in the whole Scriptures given by God in commandment to man, to prove that man1 hath freewill, that may not be found either to be given of Gods liberality, or required to set forth the assistance of his grace.
To proue that fréewill is not, I craue none other witnesse then S. Augustine, writing vpon the 2. Epistle of Pelagius chap. 10. I can see nothing (saith he) in the whole Scriptures giuen by God in commandement to man, to proue that man1 hath freewill, that may not bee found either to be giuen of Gods liberality, or required to set forth ye assistance of his grace.
- 1Freewill confuted by Augus.
Reas, What think you then, of the permission, or sufferance of God, whereby he is said to suffer sins.
Reas, What thinke you then, of the permission, or sufferance of God, whereby he is said to suffer sinnes.
Rel. If in sufferance, we observe always this thing, that God worketh not properly in the wicked, but doth leave them over to Satan, and their own lusts, and yet reserve his providence, that he may not stand as an Idle looker on, surely we ought not to reject it, but if any shall go about, to set Gods sufferance, and his will at odds, he shall loose his labour, and prove him-self a fool. Hereupon saith M, Beza full well, in his book