A20187:85
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. If by the name of Will; yea me[…] 1that thing, that is pleasing in the sight […] GOD, and convey the word do, to[…] right intent of obtaining, in this ca• truly, the wicked sort, not only do […] the will of God: but also wholly do le[…] ⟨p. 53⟩away them-selves to the will of Sa tan: But if the word will be taken in that general signification, to wit •or that thing which the LORD •ath willingly purposed to bring to •asse, and refer the word do, not to the intent and and purpose of the doer, but to the event and success of the matter, •t may in no case be doubted, but God •oth execute his will by Satan, and all the wicked company of men: As for example:2 it is said that the Chaldeans were appointed of God to punish the disobedient Israelites, therefore as far as they wrought according to this appointment which was secret, and kept close •rom them, they did the will of God: but3 •or as much as the Lord had given no outward commandment, or token to them, whereby they might be think themselves, to do the work of God in that action, but did rather hearken to Soothsayers, and obey their own cruelty or •ust, they did not only not the will of God, but also opposed them-selves full •utte against it: for the commandment •ayth, thou shalt love thy neighbour as •hy self: thou shalt commit no murder, ⟨p. 54⟩The like we find of Pharaoh, pursuing