A89737:1341
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.
God will take nothing for our Justification; as it is repugnant to the whole, so to each part of grace not to be free. To attribute any thing to man in way of condignity, or congruity, were to lessen the sinfulness of sin, to exalt man, to betray Grace, and to take so much from Christ. This truth God standeth much upon, as is notably to be seen in the manner of Naamans cure, a figure of the free recovery of a sinner, both from the power, and guilt of sin, hence the Prophet healeth him for nothing, and though urged, refuseth, and that not without an oath, but he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none, and he being urged to take it, still refuseth, 2 King. 5.16. Where God forgiveth sin, be forgiveth much; no sin is in it self little, Luke 7.47. Simon the Pharisee, who looked at sin as a little thing, was not forgiven at all; where God forgiveth little, or much, he forgiveth all for nothing. That which is said of the Lilly compared with Solomon, Consider the Lilies of the field how they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin, and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these, Matth. 6.28, 29. is most true of the Believers compared with the Lilies; The Garments of fine linen, the righteousness of the Saints, far exceed the glorious array of the Lilies, yet they do not so much as spin for it.
God will take nothing for our Justification; as it is repugnant to the whole, so to each part of grace not to be free. To attribute any thing to man in way of condignity, or congruity, were to lessen the sinfulnesse of sin, to exalt man, to betray Grace, and to take so much from Christ. This truth God standeth much upon, as is notably to be seen in the manner of Naamans cure, a figure of the free recovery of a sinner, both from the power, and guilt of sin, hence the Prophet healeth him for nothing, and though urged, refuseth, and that not without an oath, but he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none, and he being urged to take it, still refuseth, 2 King. 5.16. Where God forgiveth sin, be forgiveth much; no sin is in it self little,