A89737:435
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 Will of God is the Cause of all causes;1 second causes are the effects of the first cause. The will of man is an instrument disposed, and determined unto its action, according to the Decree of God. The rod is not more subordinate unto the hand of the Smiter, nor the staff to the hand of the Mover, nor the Axe to the hand of the Hewer, nor the Saw to him that shaketh it, Isai. 10.5.15. nor any other passive instrument, to the hand of a free Agent; then the will of man is unto the Decree of God. It necessarily following from the perfection of the first cause, That no creature can be so subordinate unto its fellow-creature, as every creature is unto God. As in the Genealogies of men descending from God, there is no step in ascending from Son to Father, until we come unto God the first and Universal Father, in respect of whom, all other fathers are sons: So in the order of the creature, descended also from the same God, there is no stay unto the understanding in ascending from effect to cause, until we are come unto God, the first and universal Cause; in respect of whom, all other causes are effects.
- 1Consect. 1.
2. The Will of God is one and the same, not divers:1 He is in one mind, Job 23.13. There can be but one will in God, because there is but one God, willing what is willed, and that with one Act. This is further confirmed from the ⟨p. 92⟩Simplicity of God: the contrary would argue imperfection, and change in God.