A89735:48
The heart of N-England rent at the blasphemies of the present generation. Or A…
The heart of N-England rent at the blasphemies of the present generation. Or A brief tractate, concerning the doctrine of the Quakers, demonstrating the destructive nature thereof, to religion, the churches, and the state, with consideration of the remedy against it. : Occasional satisfaction to objections, and confirmation of the contrary trueth. / By John Norton ...
Cambridge: printed by Samuel Green, 1659
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.
Answ. There are many Reasons obvious, why the Tradition of the Rule of life by word of mouth, might better suit the state of the Church, in the time of the longevity of the Patriarchs, then now: as also, why God saw not good, to continue unto after ages, such and so frequent extraordinary manifestations of himself, as we read of in those elder times. Why God dispensed the Rule of life then by word of mouth, & not by writing: a principal reason thereof was his good pleasure: The same good pleasure may stand for a principal reason, way he dispenseth the Rule of life now by the word written, and not by vocal tradition. Even so Father, because it pleaseth thee. Distinguish between necessity absolute, & necessity according to Divine constitution. God according to his absolute power, can communicate the rule of life by what means he pleaseth: therefore the scripture is not necessary absolutely. But Gods will being to communicate the Rule of life by his written word hence the scripture is necessary by necessity of divine constitution, or appointment. Whilst Israel was in the wilderness God give them Manna, bread from heaven in an extraordinary manner: After their coming into Canaan, he changeth his dispensation, and giveth them bread in the ordinary way of agriculture or tillage. He could still have supplied them in an extraordinary way, out he would not. The Manna ceased. Josh. 5.12
Answ. There are many Reasons obvious, why the Tradition of the Rule of life by word of mouth, might better suit the state of the Church, in the time of the long•evity of the Patriarchs, then now: as also, why God saw not good, to continue unto after ages, such and so frequent extraordinary manifestations of himself, as wee read of in those elder times. Why God dispensed the Rule of life then by word of mouth, & not by writing: a principal reason thereof was his good pleasure: The same good pleasure may stand for a principal reason, way he dispenseth the Rule of life now by the word written, and not by vocall tradition. Even so Father, because it pleaseth thee. Distinguish between necessity absolute, & necessity according to Divine constitution. God according to his absolute power, can communicate the rule of life by what means he pleaseth: therefore the scripture is not necessary absolutely. But Gods will being to communicate the Rule of life by his written word hence the scripture is necessary by necessity of divine constitution, or appointment. Whilest Israel was in the wilderness God give them Manna, bread from heaven in an extraordinary manner: After their comming into Canaan, he changeth his dispensation, and giveth them bread in the ordinary way of agriculture or tillage. He could still have supplyed them in an extraordinary way, out he would not. The Maana ceased.