A89737:421
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.
Obj. A conditional Dispensation cannot consist with an absolute Decree.
Ans. Yes, very well: Because the condition of the Gospel is not properly a condition, but only a consequent condition, viz. such an one, the performance whereof is absolutely undertaken for by the Author of the Decree, and infallibly followeth thereupon. Psal. 89. from the 30, to vers. 38. it appeareth by the absolute promise there, that God had absolutely decreed to settle the Throne upon the seed of David, notwithstanding his children should forsake his Law, and should not walk in his Judgments; yet Psal. 132.11, 12. the same blessing is promised to the seed of David upon condition; If thy children will keep my Covenant, and my Testimonies that I shall teach them, their children also shall sit upon thy Throne for evermore. Where, not only a conditional Promise consists with an absolute Decree,1 but (as Dr Ames observeth) a conditional Promise is subordinate to an absolute Promise.
- 1Ames any madv. in Synod. Epist. ad Lect.Ames ani madv. in Synod. Epist. ad Lect.
Gods absolute Decree is to manifest the glory of his Justice in punishing the final disobedience and unbelief of the Reprobates living under the Gospel with eternal fire; yet is this condemnation conditionally dispensed, viz. He that believeth not shall be damned. Yea so far is it from being a truth, that a conditional Promise (understanding by a condition, a consequent condition) is inconsistent with an absolute Decree; that it is manifest, that an antecedent Condition, that is a condition properly so called, such as, Do this, was in the Covenant of Works (the performance whereof was not undertaken for by God, but was left unto man to be performed by his own strength, and that before he could be made partaker of life) may consist with an absolute Decree. It was Gods absolute Decree, to manifest the glory of his Justice in the punishment of man for his sin against God in the Covenant of Works, as the event proveth: Yet this death absolutely decreed was conditionally dispensed,