A89737:351
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.
First, In the general Consideration you may observe,
1.1 That spiritual blessings are the best blessings that we can wish to our selves and others. The Apostles in their salutations do not wish temporal felicity but spiritual grace: Gods people pray for one another out of the communion of the Spirit, and for themselves out of a principle of the divine Nature; and therefore they do not seek wealth and honour for themselves or one another, but increase of Gods favour and Image. 'Tis true, Nature is allowed to speak in prayer, but grace must be heard first; our first and chiefest requests must be for mercy, peace and love, and then* other things shall be added to us; the way to be heard in other things, is first to beg for grace: Psal. 21.4. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him length of days for ever: Solomon sought wisdom, and together with it found riches and honour in great abundance. Well then, if thou prayest for thy self make a wise choice, beg for spiritual blessings; so David prayeth, Psal. 106.4. Remember me, O Lord, with the favour that thou bearest unto thine own people; nothing less would content him then Favourites mercy: other blessings are dispensed out of common pity to the generality of men, but these are mercies privilegiate, and given to Favourites; now saith David, of this mercy, Lord; no common blessing would serve his turn: So Psal. 119.132. Look upon me, and be merciful to me, as thou usest to do to those that love thy Name: Surely that which God giveth to his people, that's a better mercy then that which God giveth to his enemies. Again, these are mercies that cost God dearer; they flow to you in the Blood of his own Son: yea, they are mercies that are better in themselves; wealth and honour may become a burden, yea, life it self may become a burden, but not mercy, not grace, not peace of Conscience;