A89737:346
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.
But now because comforts are never prized but in their season, and men that have not been exercised in spiritual conflicts, nauseate these sweet truths, they know not what it is to be left to uncertainty when troubles come like waves one in the neck of another; therefore let us see when this truth will be most sweet and seasonable. 1. In great troubles, when God seemeth to hide his face; Oh how sweet is it to hear him say, I will not forsake thee till I have perform d all that I promised thee, Gen. 28.15. all this shall better thy heart, and hasten thy glory. In times of distress we are apt to think that God hath cast us off, and will never look after us more, though formerly we have had real experiences of his grace: What a foolish creature is man to weaken his assurance when he should come to use it? to unravel ⟨p. 66⟩all his hope and experiences in times of trouble, which is the only season to make use of them. 2. In the hour of temptation and hard conflicts with doubts and corruptions, when we are sensible of the power of sin, and how difficult it is to remove it out of the heart, we are apt to say as David after all his experiences, I shall one day perish by the hand of Saul, 1 Sam. 27.1. and many times out of distrust give over the combat. Oh then remember now you are preserved in Christ, and that nothing shall separate: as Sarcerius came to Camerarius his wife, when she had been exercised with a long and tedious conflict, and read to her the latter end of the eighth of the Romans, she brake out in triumph, using Pauls words, Nay, in all these things we are more then Conquerors. Oh Christians, neither sin, nor Devil, nor world can divide you from Christ, for he* did not only tread down Satan, but under your feet. 3. In times of great danger and defection, either through error and persecution, as Saunders trembled to think of the fire; especially when others fall fearfully, who were before us in knowledge and profession of zeal and piety; when the first become last; when glorious Luminaries are eclipsed, and leave their orb and station; as the Martyrs were troubled to hear of the revolt of some great Scholars that had appeared for the Gospel: When Hymeneus and Philetus, two eminent Professors, fell, there was a great shaking,