A89737:1040
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.
Ans. The Particle [In] is not always taken causally, 2 Thes. 2.13 Because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, in sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth: i. e. in sanctification, and belief of the truth, as the way, not as the cause of salvation. True: the Apostle saith, We are elected in Christ: but he saith not, That we are elected for Christ. We are said to be elected in Christ, because Christ is the Meritorious cause of the Application of the good of Election: so that [in Christ] in this place, is the same with [by Christ.] 1 Thes. 5.9. For God hath appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. 'Tis here said, We are saved for Christ, because Christ is the cause of our salvation: but 'tis not said, We are elected for Christ, because Christ is not the Cause of Election. To be elect in Christ, and to be elect for Christ, are not to be confounded.
*That we may rightly discern this truth, of so spiritual and high a nature: we must carefully distinguish between Election, and the Application of the good of Election: between Gods Act of willing grace, and glory to be applied, and the actual application of grace and glory willed by God. God electeth, (that is, he willeth grace and glory to be applied unto his people) without any respect of the Merit of Christ, as a Cause or Motive of that volition: but the actual Donation and Application of that grace and glory is for the Merit sake of Jesus Christ. Christ is the Effect of Election, or of the Love of God; but he is the Cause of the salvation of the Elect. He is the Effect of Election, therefore called a Servant, and said to be elect of God. Behold my Servant whom I uphold, my Elect in whom my soul delighteth, Isai. 42.1. His Incarnation, Heb. 10.5. His Office,