A89737:286
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.
As the Sun, had it the faculty of seeing, could the whole Globe be presented at the same time (half whereof only in regard of its figure is now in sight of it at once) would with ⟨p. 53⟩one look behold it all; so God by one act, comprehends all things, and all events always. The Decree is that everlasting womb, wherein is conceived whatsoever hath been, is, or shall be. Time and Eviternity; that is, the duration of the Creature upon Earth and in Heaven or Hell: do but bring forth what is therein conceived, according as it is conceived. The Decree is all things in Gods purpose. Creation and Providence are but the execution of the Decree, the Decree containeth all things eminently. The Decree is that one, from which is all. If the Prophet, contemplating the Comprehensiveness of Gods Providence concerning the Waters, and Heaven, the dust of the Earth, the Mountains, and the Hills, all which is but a little part of the execution of his Decree: breaketh out thus; Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand? and meted the Heaven with a span, & comprehended the dust of the Earth in a measure, and weighed the Mountains in Scales, and the Hills in a Balance, Isai. 40.12. how much more cause have we to be wrapped up with holy admiration, in contemplating the Decree it self, which eminently containeth all: and say who is this that doth not only measure the waters, mete out the Heavens, comprehend the dust, weigh the mountains, and hills: but doth also exactly, and infallibly, comprehend and dispose of all things, all events, which have been, are, or shall be in this world; or in the world to come, yea, and in Hell it self, in one eternal act?
As the Sun, had it the faculty of seeing, could the whole Globe be presented at the same time (halfe whereof only in regard of its figure is now in sight of it at once) would with ⟨p. 53⟩one look behold it all; so God by one act, comprehends all things, and all events always. The Decree is that everlasting womb, wherein is conceived whatsoever hath been, is, or shall be. Time and Eviternity; that is, the duration of the Creature upon Earth and in Heaven or Hell: do but bring forth what is therein conceived, according as it is conceived. The Decree is all things in Gods purpose. Creation and Providence are but the execution of the Decree, the Decree containeth all things eminently. The Decree is that one, from which is all. If the Prophet, contemplating the Comprehensiveness of Gods Providence concerning the Waters, and Heaven, the dust of the Earth, the Mountains, and the Hills, all which is but a little part of the execution of his Decree: breaketh out thus; Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand? and meted the Heaven with a span, & comprehended the dust of the Earth in a measure, and weighed the Mountains in Scales, and the Hills in a Ballance,