A89737:1381
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. Justification is actually procured, and hath its being in Gods decree, and in our Surety, before we do believe: Faith is no instrument or motive of Gods absolute decree to justify; nor is it any instrument of Christs satisfactory and meritorious obedience, either active or passive; or of Gods acceptation ⟨p. 322⟩of that satisfaction, nor of the imputing of his obedience unto the believer, but the effect thereof.
Ans. Justification is actually procured, and hath its being in Gods decree, and in our Surety, before we doe beleeve: Faith is no instrument or motive of Gods absolute decree to justifie; nor is it any instrument of Christs satisfactory and meritorious obedience, either active or passive; or of Gods acceptation ⟨p. 322⟩of that satisfaction, nor of the imputing of his obedience unto the beleever, but the effect thereof.
The actual declaration, in the Court of Conscience, of the Believer to be righteous is by faith, not for faith; by faith, as a band, means, or instrument receiving; not for faith, as a cause of that which is received. The nature of faith is to receive acknowledge, and accept Free grace, to seal to the truth of Free grace. Lastly, this grace, whose nature is to apprehend and apply Free grace, is the effect of Free grace; surely it ariseth from the mist of remaining legalnesse, that our being justified in such a way (whose very nature is to acknowledge the freeness of our justification) should occasion us to think Justification in that respect not to be free; Faith and Free Grace agree, therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace, Rom. 4.16.
The actual declaration, in the Court of Conscience, of the Beleever to be righteous is by faith, not for faith; by faith, as a band, means, or instrument receiving; not for faith, as a cause of that which is received. The nature of faith is to receive acknowledge, and accept Free grace, to seal to the truth of Free grace. Lastly, this grace, whose nature is to apprehend and apply Free grace, is the effect of Free grace; surely it ariseth from the mist of remaining legalnesse, that our being justified in such a way (whose very nature is to acknowledge the freeness of our justification) should occasion us to think Justification in that respect not to be free; Faith and Free Grace agree, therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace,