A20187:91
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.
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 rem••nt 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• ⟨p. 57⟩respect of their property, by him that had the law in his hand, be nevertheless made fast in the bosom of the fountain, and do meet together again, together in the uttermost point, to wit, the honour of a King, as a Bee going out empty, doth return laden with honey to her Hive: for as the King without laws, had bin no King, nor his dignity discerned: so by his laws his honour is become twofold as in punishing ••home he list, and in showing mercy on whom he will; so that his mercy and justice (if he had had no laws, or if his laws had been capable to all his people) that had never been known, are two notable pillars of his Kingdom to his only honour; and the great dread and admiration of his subjects, Assure thy self, y• so it is in that wonderful ordinance of the almighty, whose purpose is not of election and reprobation,2 nor of any other success of common things (which not withstanding he ordereth as is said already) so much, as of his own glory, according to the saying. For my glory I created, formed,3 and made man. This thing the heavenly wisdom of God did perceive might ⟨p. 58⟩