A89737:331
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. This blasphemous Inference is in effect the same, with what the ancient Enemies of the Doctrine of the Decree, of old calumniated the Teachers thereof with; thereby through their sides blaspheming the Scriptures, and God himself. So objected the Adversaries of this great Truth, against Paul, the greatest Preacher thereof, amongst those that were but men: Rom. 9.19. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? for who hath resisted his Will? i. e. If Gods Will determining the being of sin be irresistible, then man in committing sin is unblameable;1 why is fault found with that which was unavoidable? So the Pelagians against Augustin, An absolute Decree necessarily concludeth God to be the Author of sin: So Bellarmine against Zuinglius, Calvin, Beza, and other Orthodox Divines, slandering their Doctrine of the Absoluteness of the Decree with these horrid Criminations; viz. That thence it followeth that God is the Author of sin: 2. That God sinneth truly and properly: 3. That God is the only sinner: 4. That sin is not sin.
Ans. This blasphemous Inference is in effect the same, with what the ancient Enemies of the Doctrine of the Decree, of old calumniated the Teachers thereof with; thereby through their sides blaspheming the Scriptures, and God himself. So objected the Adversaries of this great Truth, against Paul, the greatest Preacher thereof, amongst those that were but men: Rom. 9.19. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? for who hath resisted his Will? i. e. If Gods Will determining the being of sin be irresistable, then man in committing sin is unblameable;1 why is fault found with that which was unavoydable? So the Pelagians against Augustin, An absolute Decree necessarily concludeth God to be the Author of sin: So Bellarmine against Zuinglius, Calvin, Beza, and other Orthodox Divines, slandering their Doctrine of the Absoluteness of the Decree with these horrid Criminations; viz. That thence it followeth that God is the Author of sin: 2. That God sinneth truly and properly: 3. That God is the only sinner: 4. That sin is not sin.
- 1