A89737:1335
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.
For the clearer understanding the justification of a sinner by faith, let these three acts be considered (the one looked at as succeeding the other in order, not in time) First, God actually imputes, the active and the passive Mediatorly obedience of Christ unto a believer, Rom. 4.6. therein God is freely giving. Secondly, The soul having before (in order of nature, not in time) received Jesus Christ, as its head ⟨p. 311⟩and Saviour, by the same faith, receiveth his obedience as the matter of its righteousness, herein the soul is taking, Rom. 5.17. Rom. 6.11. Gal. 3.13. Thirdly, God hereupon (in the court of Conscience) judicially declares, and pronounceth the sinner to be righteous, and to have right unto eternal life, by virtue of the promise, Joh. 5.24. Rom. 3.22.30. The righteousness of God, 1which is by faith of Jesus Christ, unto all, and upon all them that believe. By this act of grace, the person of the sinner is justified in himself really, yet not inherently, but imputatively, his state changed, who before justifying faith was a child of wrath even as others, until now, the persons of the Elect not being accepted in themselves, neither are their actions accepted; but now our persons being accepted, our actions are capable of being accepted, Gen. 4.4.
For the cleerer understanding the justification of a sinner by faith, let these three acts be considered (the one looked at as succeeding the other in order, not in time) First, God actually imputes, the active and the passive Mediatorly obedience of Christ unto a beleever,