A20187:78
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.
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 book1 of questions and answers, if sufferance be matched against willingness, first I say it is false, and secondly utterly against reason. ⟨p. 49⟩That it is false is manifest by this, y• if •od suffer any thing to be don against his •ill, then surely is he not God, that is to •a•, almighty: But if he be said to suffer • thing, as though he were reckless, •ow far are we from the opinion of Epicurus? It remaineth then, that look what he su•••reth, to be dove, he suste•th i• willingly: herewith doth Saint Augustine, •••ee saying: If we suffer such2 are under our correction, to do wickedly ou sight: We must needs be thought accessories to their wicked esse, t God doth permit sin to range without measure, even before his eyes, wherein he were not willing, surely he would ot suffer it in any wise, and yet is he ghteous notwithstanding: Now theree to stop the mouths of cavillers, which in no sense will away with this inction of will and sufferance, but on do give sentence by a necessary sequent, that God is the Author of ne, let us see whether the Apostle doth conclude: what (saith he) It God wil to show his wrath, and to make his