A89737:1110
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.
Obediential subjection is a capacity in the Creature, to receive the impression of the first cause.
For the Soul then to be passive in the work of Vocation, is for the Soul to receive the first saving grace, and supernatural effect of the Spirit of Christ; so as the Soul it self in this work is no way active, from any such principle of activity as is ⟨p. 259⟩of any power to produce such an effect, no more than there is in a dead man to produce life;1 in this work the will is only moved of God, but moveth not it self. The Soul in this passive reception acteth not, only it receiveth the impression of the Agent; as Adams body was a passive receiver of Life, inspired by God thereinto, Gen. 2.17. formed, and organized, but yet life-less, and breathless; so were those bones, Ezek. 37.8.10. and the body of the Shunamites child, 2 King. 4.34. Hence the infusing of life into the Soul is compared to quickening of the dead, Ephes. 2. As a vessel is a passive receiver of the liquor poured into it, the Soul is compared unto a vessel, Rom. 9.21.23. and 2 Tim. 2.20, 21.2 And not only in the application of justifying grace is the love of God said to be poured out abundantly in our hearts, Rom. 5.5