A89737:119
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.
Justice in God is either essential of the absolute nature of God; whence it is, that God can do no wrong. To be in God essentially, is to be in God by necessity of nature: that is, it is of the necessary Being of God, so as if God is, that is, and if that were not, God were not. Or Relative: viz. The Justice of God in respect of the creature; that is, in God necessarily. This is in him freely, and is nothing else but Gods constant will to give unto the creature what is its due. The Will of God is the Rule of Justice. That which Gods Law is unto man, that is Gods Will unto himself. Justice consisting in rendering to every one their due; and Gods Will being the Rule of Justice; it followeth, that and only that to be due unto man, which God hath willed concerning him. The Moral Law it self, the Rule of Manners, the Recompense contained in the Promise in case of obedience, the Punishment contained in the Curse in case of disobedience: are all the effects of Gods free pleasure.
Justice in God is either essential of the absolute nature of God; whence it is, that God can do no wrong. To be in God essentially, is to be in God by necessity of nature: that is, it is of the necessary Being of God, so as if God is, that is, and if that were not, God were not. Or Relative: viz. The Justice of God in respect of the creature; that is, in God necessarily. This is in him freely, and is nothing else but Gods constant will to give unto the creature what is its due. The Will of God is the Rule of Justice. That which Gods Law is unto man, that is Gods Will unto himself. Justice consisting in rendering to every one their due; and Gods Will being the Rule of Justice; it followeth, that and only that to be due unto man, which God hath willed concerning him. The Moral Law it self, the Rule of Manners, the Recompence contained in the Promise in case of obedience, the Punishment contained in the Curse in case of disobedience: are all the effects of Gods free pleasure.
It being a truth, That Gods Will is the Rule of Justice between him and the creature: and consequently, That the desert and punishment of sin determined by him is therefore just, because he hath so determined. It followeth, that in case God had appointed a greater punishment, it had been just the damned should have suffered more: And in case he had appointed a lesser punishment, it had been just they should have suffered less.