A20187:92
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.
Rea. What shall we say then? man is not punished for his due desert, but for the glory of GOD: and who, I pray you, shall not account him mad, that will strike a horse being tethered, because he doth not feed at liberty.
Rea. What shall wee say then? man is not punished for his due desart, but for the glory of GOD: and who, I pray you, shall not accoumpt him mad, that will strike a horse beeing teathered, because hee doth not feed at liberty.
Rel. Nay rather who shall not account him more then twice besides him-self,1 that doth resemble the image of God, to a brute beast? Did not God give unto man understanding, will and ablenesse • stand upright, till such time as he wilfully ⟨p. 59⟩for went it, as well as he gave him a commandment? besides this, although the horse using lawfully, as in respect of him-self (having kind, his natural mistress, for his warrant) the benefit of his teacher, so that all fault (if faults may be here rehearsed,) resteth in the teatherer, and none in the tethered either for feeding, or not feeding; what of this? to whom had GOD done injury, if he had tied him to that tether? that he were as insensible as a block? is not he the true, and only owner of all things? If he be, to whom is he bound, that he may not use the benefit of his will▪ without controlment? shall the pot say to the potter, why hast thou made me thus? thus dost thou see the falsehood of Similes, whereby the wily wranglers of the world, do often times prove them-selves more doltish, then dolts, measuring GOD with earthly things, and his wisdom by their own folly. Moreover I pray you, where is that fine fellow that will not confess himself a sinner • if he be a sinner, why is ⟨p. 60⟩