A89737:370
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.
So far is the Decree which is an immanent act, or the determination of the second cause in its working by the first, which is a transient act, from being a prejudice unto liberty, that the second cause can neither be free, nor act freely, without both.
It is truth, that the subordinate free-agent (the thing being yet to do) may either do, or not do the same act: Albeit, which of the two he will freely incline unto, is infallibly fore-decreed. For example. Thomas not yet being ⟨p. 75⟩come into the house, 'tis a truth, 1. That he may either come, or not come into the house, which he pleaseth. 2. 'Tis not a truth, That he can both actually come, and not into the house. 3. Tis a truth, he will do that of these two freely, which God hath decreed absolutely.
The same action in a divers sense, is both evitable,1 and inevitable. Evitable in a divided sense, i. e. in respect of mans liberty, Inevitable in a compounded sense, i. e. in respect of the Decree. The sense of division, is the consideration of the future act of a free Agent in it self,2 without the consideration of the Decree. The sense of composition, is the consideration of the future act of a free Agent, together with its subordination unto the Decree.
The same action in a divers sence, is both evitable,1 and inevitable. Evitable in a divided sence, i. e. in respect of mans liberty, Inevitable in a compounded sence, i. e. in respect of the Decree. The sence of division, is the consideraton of the future act of a free Agent in it self,