A89737:353
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.
Carnal men wish such things to others, as they prize and affect themselves; so also do gracious men; and therefore their thoughts run more upon mercy, peace and grace, then wealth and honour and greatness. When a man sendeth a token to a friend, he would send the best of the kind: These are the best mercies; if you were to deal with God for your own Souls, you can ask no better: You may ask temporal things, for God loveth the prosperity of his Saints; but these special blessings should have the preferment in your wishes and desires of good to them, and then you are most likely to speed. Our Lord Christ in the 17 of John, commendeth the College of the Apostles to the Father; and what doth he ask for him? dominion and worldly respect? Surely no, nothing but preservation from evil, and sanctification by the Truth; these are the chiefest Blessings we should look after as Christians.
Carnal men wish such things to others, as they prize and affect themselves; so also do gracious men; and therefore their thoughts run more upon mercy, peace and grace, then wealth and honour and greatness. When a man sendeth a token to a friend, he would send the best of the kind: These are the best mercies; if you were to deal with God for your own Souls, you can ask no better: You may ask temporal things, for God loveth the prosperity of his Saints; but these special blessings should have the preferment in your wishes and desires of good to them, and then you are most likely to speed. Our Lord Christ in the 17 of John, commendeth the Colledg of the Apostles to the Father; and what doth he ask for him? dominion and worldly respect? Surely no, nothing but preservation from evil, and sanctification by the Truth; these are the chiefest Blessings we should look after as Christians.
Observe again the aptness of the requests to the persons for whom he prayeth,1 Those that are sanctified and called have still need of mercy, peace and love. They need mercy, because we merit nothing of God, neither before grace received, nor afterward: the very continuance of our glory in Heaven is a fruit of mercy, not of merit; our obligation to free-grace never ceaseth. We need also more peace: there are degrees in assurance as well as faith; there is a temperate confidence, and there are ravishing delights, so that peace needs to be multiplied also. And then love, that being a grace in us, 'tis always in progress; in Heaven only 'tis complete: Take it for love to God, there we cleave to him without distraction and