A20187:90
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.
Re. I perceive your meaning nevertheless y• it is a strange purpose or will whose effects are not appliable: and familiarly ⟨p. 56⟩consenting there-unto: yet do not the effects of Gods Ordinance meet well in that secret purpose of God: for why? the1 secret ordinance comprehendeth all things without exception: and the Commandment doth as it were, countermand all evil, and simply allow of none, sau• good things only: Therefore I would have you, by some example, to make these things more capable, which yet do rather seem to make God contrary to him-self, then otherwise.
Re. I perceiue your meaning neuertheles y• it is a strange purpose or wil whose effects are not appliable: and familiarly ⟨p. 56⟩consenting there-vnto: yet doe not the effects of Gods Ordinance méet well in that secret purpose of God: for why? the1 secret ordinance comprehēdeth al things without exception: and the Commandement doth as it were, countermand all euill, and simply allow of none, sau• good things only: Therefore I would haue you, by some example, to make these things more capable, which yet do rather seeme to make God contrary to him-selfe, then otherwise.
- 1Purpose & effects.
Rel. I will therefore take the case to1 stand thus: A King consulting with himself, and purposing to declare his honour, and authority, enacteth such laws, and statutes, as the best industry of his subjects, shall not be able to observe: pretending nevertheless, of his own especial grace, to be favourable, or merciful to some, and upon the remnt of transgressors, to execute Justice: From this head-spring, to wit, the honour of th King: do distil two streams, the on for his beloved subjects to drink at, and ive, the other for the malignant, to brown themselves in: the courses of thes two being made contrary in effect, as i