A89737:393
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.
1. The Apostles mentioning this in the text alleged, as the objection of carnal reason, cavilling against the Decree of God, is a sufficient ground for the rejecting of it. 2. The Law, not the Decree, is the rule of life. Hence sin is described to be the transgression of the Law, 1 Joh. 3.4. The command showeth what ought to be done, the Decree determineth what shall be done. God willeth it to be the duty of all to keep the command, but he willeth not that all shall keep the command. Whether therefore men keep the command, or not, God falleth not short of his Will; which ⟨p. 81⟩is aways fulfilled: Even then when men break the command.1 For who hath resisted his Will, that is, his Decree, Rom. 919. Men by sin do not make God to fall short of his will; but they fall short of their duty; God doth not punish man for resisting his Will merely, but for resisting the rule. There is no repugnancy between these two propositions. 1. It is the duty of man to believe. 2. It is not the purpose of God to give him grace to cause him to believe.
1. The Apostles mentioning this in the text alledged, as the objection of carnal reason, cavelling against the Decree of God, is a sufficient ground for the rejecting of it. 2. The Law, not the Decree, is the rule of life. Hence sin is described to be the transgression of the Law, 1 Ioh. 3.4. The command sheweth what ought to be done, the Decree determineth what shall be done. God willeth it to be the duty of all to keep the command, but he willeth not that all shall keep the command. Whether therefore men keep the command, or not, God falleth not short of his Will; which ⟨p. 81⟩is aways fulfilled: Even then when men break the command.1 For who hath resisted his Will, that is, his Decree, Rom. 919. Men by sin do not make God to fall short of his will; but they fall short of their duty; God doth not punish man for resisting his Will meerly, but for resisting the rule. There is no repugnancy between these two propositions. 1. It is the duty of man to beleeve. 2. It is not the purpose of God to give him grace to cause him to beleeve.