A52476:117
Three choice and profitable sermons upon several texts of Scripture viz. Jer. 30. 17,…Three choice and profitable sermons upon severall texts of Scripture viz. Jer. 30. 17,…
Three choice and profitable sermons upon several texts of Scripture viz. Jer. 30. 17, John 14. 3, Heb. 8. 5 : the first of them being the last sermon which he preached at the court of election at Boston, the second was the last which he preached on the Lords-Day, the third was the last which he preached on his weekly-lecture-day : wherein (beside many other excellent and seasonable truths) is showed, the Lords sovereignty over, and care for his church and people, in order to both their militant and triumphant condition, and their fidelity and good affection towards himself / by that reverend servant of Christ, Mr. John Norton ...Three choice and profitable sermons upon severall texts of Scripture viz. Jer. 30. 17, John 14. 3, Heb. 8. 5 : the first of them being the last sermon which he preached at the court of election at Boston, the second was the last which he preached on the Lords-Day, the third was the last which he preached on his weekly-lecture-day : wherein (beside many other excellent and seasonable truths) is shewed, the Lords soveraignty over, and care for his church and people, in order to both their militant and triumphant condition, and their fidelity and good affection towards himself / by that reverend servant of Christ, Mr. John Norton ...
printed by S.G. and M.I. for Hezekiah Usher of Boston, 1664
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.
Be it so, that we are in the utmost parts of the Earth; we have ⟨p. 2⟩only changed our Climate, not our minds: we have altered our place, that we might retain the Faith without alteration. There are indeed some, that might have been better employed, at least mere strangers to our affairs, who do therefore impute unto us the guilt of Schism, because in the first place we have endeavoured after the pure Worship of God. But if any see good to enquire into the Reason, why these Churches in the Wilderness left their Country, this it was, viz. that the Ancient Faith, and pure Worship, might be found inseparable companions in our Practice, and that our posterity might be undefiled in Religion: Nevertheless, we are never unmindful of the saying of Austin to the Brethren in the Wilderness, as he styles them; There are two things considerable, saith he, Conscience and good Name: Conscience is necessary for thy self, good Name for thy Neighbour: He who trusts to his Conscience, and neglects his good name, is cruel, especially if he be set in that place, of which the Apostle writing to his Disciple, saith, In all things show thy self an example of good works. It may not be unlawful for us, who are in the Wilderness on the further side of the Seas, as well those, who through grace are called to the Ministry, though in our selves the greatest of sinners, and the least of all the Saints, as any others, to Apologize for our selves in the Words of the Tribes beyond Jordan a little changed, for the vindicating or preserving our good name in a matter of so great moment, both before great ones, Fathers, Brethren, and every gentle Reader, The Lord God of Gods, the Lord God of Gods he known, and Israel shall know, if wittingly and willingly in Rebellion, or treacherous dealing against the Lord, or in Schism it be, that we have departed from our Country, save us not this day.
Be it so, that we are in the utmost parts of the Earth; we have ⟨p. 2⟩onely changed our Climate, not our mindes: we have altered our place, that we might retain the Faith without alteration. There are indeed some, that might have been better imployed, at least meer strangers to our affairs, who do therefore impute unto us the guilt of Schism, because in the first place we have endeavoured after the pure Worship of God. But if any see good to enquire into the Reason, why these Churches in the Wilderness left their Country, this it was, viz. that the Ancient Faith, and pure Worship, might be found inseparable companions in our Practice, and that our posterity might be undefiled in Religion: Nevertheless, we are never unmindefull of the saying of Austin to the Brethren in the Wilderness, as he styles them; There are two things considerable, saith he, Conscience and good Name: Conscience is necessary for thy self, good Name for thy Neighbour: He who trusts to his Conscience, and neglects his good name, is cruel, especially if he be set in that place, of which the Apostle writing to his Disciple, saith, In all things shew thy self an example of good works. It may not be unlawful for us, who are in the Wilderness on the further side of the Seas, as well those, who through grace are called to the Ministry, though in our selves the greatest of sinners, and the least of all the Saints, as any others, to Apologize for our selves in the Words of the Tribes beyond Jordan a little changed, for the vindicating or preserving our good name in a matter of so great moment, both before great ones, Fathers, Brethren, and every gentle Reader, The Lord God of Gods, the Lord God of Gods he known, and Israel shall know, if wittingly and willingly in Rebellion, or treacherous dealing against the Lord, or in Schism it be, that we have departed from our Country, save us not this day.