A52476:126
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.
The Rules of Sacred Society are certain; beyond which, or short of which, it is not in our power to extend, or withhold the Right-hand of Brother-hood. Whoever having attained these shall acknowledge them; and having acknowledged them, shall walk according unto them; so holding Communion with sinners, ⟨p. 6⟩as he doth not in the least communicate with their sins, so as he is wanting neither to the Truth, nor himself, nor his Brethren, him we deservedly esteem both as a Guide and Pillar of the Church: will we, or nill we, we are Brethren; and seeing we are Brethren, let us acknowledge our selves what we are, namely, Brethren in the Lord. A day would scarce suffice, to rehearse how many and how great incitements do call for, and require this. To account the weak in Faith for none, is indeed it self a greater weakness. The name of Brethren is sweet: it is matter of great delight to be such indeed. But it is much to be lamented, that those who are so, should not be acknowledged to be so. So to stand for Truth, that by too tenacious insisting upon Doctrine, we make no reckoning of the Rights of Society, is to be carried with the study of Parties, not of the Truth; and to undertake the Patronage of an Opinion, rather because it is our own, then because it is true.
The Rules of Sacred Society are certain; beyond which, or short of which, it is not in our power to extend, or withhold the Right-hand of Brother-hood. Whoever having attained these shall acknowledg them; and having acknowledged them, shall walk according unto them; so holding Communion with sinners, ⟨p. 6⟩as he doth not in the least communicate with their sins, so as he is wanting neither to the Truth, nor himself, nor his Brethren, him we deservedly esteem both as a Guide and Pillar of the Church: will we, or nill we, we are Brethren; and seeing we are Brethren, let us acknowledge our selves what we are, namely, Brethren in the Lord. A day would scarce suffice, to rehearse how many and how great incitements do call for, and require this. To account the weak in Faith for none, is indeed it self a greater weakness. The name of Brethren is sweet: it is matter of great delight to be such indeed. But it is much to be lamented, that those who are so, should not be acknowledged to be so. So to stand for Truth, that by too tenacious insisting upon Doctrine, we make no reckoning of the Rights of Society, is to be carried with the study of Parties, not of the Truth; and to undertake the Patronage of an Opinion, rather because it is our own, then because it is true.