A89737:324
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.
Obj. 2, Faith foreseen is the cause of Election; therefore the mere good pleasure of God, is not the only cause of the Decree.
Obj. 2, Faith foreseen is the cause of Election; therefore the meer good pleasure of God, is not the only cause of the Decree.
Ans. Faith, as every other creature, considered without the Decree, is but a possibility, a may-be: founded in the sufficiency of God, who is able to give being to what he pleaseth, and consequently to faith.
That this may-be become a shall-be: i. e. That faith, yet but a possibility, passeth from the condition of a thing possible, unto the condition of a thing that shall be, can proceed from no other cause then the Decree, or the Will of God. Which one consideration well observed, and applied, affordeth a sufficient answer to all objections arguing for any thing in the creature foreseen, as a cause of the Decree.
That this may-be become a shal-be: i. e. That faith, yet but a possibility, passeth from the condition of a thing possible, unto the condition of a thing that shall be, can proceed from no other cause then the Decree, or the Will of God. Which one consideration well observed, and applyed, affordeth a sufficient answer to all objections arguing for any thing in the creature foreseen, as a cause of the Decree.