A89737:1035
The orthodox evangelist. Or A treatise wherein many great evangelical truths (not a few…
The orthodox evangelist. Or A treatise wherein many great evangelical truths (not a few whereof are much opposed and eclipsed in this perilous hour of the passion of the Gospel) are briefly discussed, cleared, and confirmed: as a further help, for the begetting, and establishing of the faith which is in Jesus. As also the state of the blessed, where; of the condition of their souls from the instant of their dissolution: and of their persons after their resurrection. By John Norton, teacher of the church at Ipswich in New England.The orthodox evangelist. Or A treatise wherein many great evangelical truths (not a few whereof are much opposed and eclipsed in this perillous hour of the passion of the Gospel) are briefly discussed, cleared, and confirmed: as a further help, for the begeting, and establishing of the faith which is in Jesus. As also the state of the blessed, where; of the condition of their souls from the instant of their dissolution: and of their persons after their resurrection. By John Norton, teacher of the church at Ipswich in New England.
London: printed by John Macock for Henry Cripps, 1654
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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 Freeness of Grace appears from the first cause, viz. the mere good pleasure and will of God. For it is God that worketh in you both to will, and to do, of his own pleasure, Philip. 2.13. So then, It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy, Rom. 9.16. Therefore he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, ver. 18. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh; and whither it goeth: so, is every one that is born of the Spirit, John 3.4.
The Freeness of Grace appears from the first cause, viz. the meer good pleasure and will of God. For it is God that worketh in you both to will, and to do, of his own pleasure, Philip. 2.13. So then, It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy, Rom. 9.16. Therefore he hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, ver. 18. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh; and whither it goeth: so, is every one that is born of the Spirit, John 3.4.
The Obedience of Christ is meritorious, not absolutely in it self, but by virtue of the Covenant of God, accepting his obedience as meritorious: i.e. as that, whereunto remission and salvation should be due according to Order of justice. The Obedience of Christ was of sufficient value in it self, because he was God, to redeem all mankind: but it could not be a price, i. e. a ransom, further then as God was pleased to accept. The matter offered by Ahab, was of equal value with Naboths vineyard; but it could not be a price without his acception of it. And as the Obedience of Christ becometh merit through the acceptation of the good pleasure of God, so the extension of this merit is enlarged, and bounded, according to the Will of God accepting it: for