The Opening of Heaven Gates, Title page – To the reader
THE Opening of Heauen gates, OR The ready way to euerlaſting life.
Deliuered in a moſt Familier Dialogue, betweene Reaſon and Religion, touching Pradeſtination, Gods word, and Mans Free-will, to the vnderſtanding of the weakeſt Capacitie, and the confirming of the more ſtrong.
By ARTHVR DENT, Preacher of the word of GOD, at South-Shoobery in Eſſex.
Imprinted at London for Iohn Wright, and are to bee ſold at his ſhoppe at Chriſt-Church gate. 1610.
The Epiſtle to the Reader.
THis Diuine worke (gentle Reader) though the Author left vnprinted, yet comming to his hands that wiſht a continuance to the memory of the famous Writer, and a comfort to the ſoule of the deſirous Reader, hee thought good to bring it to the preſſe: and the rather ſeeing that the points herein handled (beeing in them-ſelues very difficult, and heretofore not ſo plainly expreſſed) are here laid down that the meaner capacity may be inſtructed, & the ſkilfuller more confirmed. Heere thou maiſt ſee Reaſon contending with Religion, and Religion reſoluing thoſe doubts which to Reaſon ſeeme diſſoluable. Here thou ſhalt know, though Reaſon tel thee, if God hauehave praedeſtinated his elect, yet, Religion will tel thee, except thou worke out thy ſaluation with feare and trembling, thou art none of Gods fore-choſen: If from hence Reaſon ſay vntounto thee thou haſt abſolute free-will, yet Religion will tell thee that thy willing comes from God. In a word; heere Ignorance ſhall be taught by Truth, and Atheiſme confuted by Religion. Then (courteous Reader) peruſe this worthie Worke (of the eminent Preacher Maiſter ARTHVR DENT) wherein thou ſhalt finde the ready Pathway to eternall life; through which if thou wilt ſoiourne, at the end thereof thou ſhalt finde Heauen-gates ſet wide open to receaue thee, and troopes of Angels ready to carry thee into Abraham his boſom, where thou ſhalt reſt from thy labor, and hauehave all teares wiped from thy eyes.