A89737:1036
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 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 ⟨p. 224⟩such a number, neither less, nor more. Had there been more to have been redeemed, the Merit of Christ was sufficient, even for the Redemption of the whole world: and if there had been but one to have been redeemed, his merit must have been infinite. It cost Christ no more blood to save Manasseh then to save John the Baptist: no less to save Timothy, then to save Paul.
The Obedience of Christ is meritorious, not absolutely in it self, but by vertue 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 ⟨p. 224⟩such a number, neither less, nor more. Had there been more to have been redeemed, the Merit of Christ was sufficient, even for the Redemption of the whole world: and if there had been but one to have been redeemed, his merit must have been infinite. It cost Christ no more blood to save Manasses then to save John the Baptist: no less to save Timothy, then to save Paul.