A89737:458
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.
The goodness of the creature is not placed in its own wellbeing, but in the representation of the Perfections of God.1 The goodness of the creature is considered either in respect of it self, or in respect of its end, viz. to be a glass wherein the Perfections of God shine forth. If it be considered in it self, so it might have been better with it then it is: Mat. 26.24. It had been good for that man if he had not been born. But if it be considered in respect of its last end, the present administration thereof is best. Obedience is better then disobedience considered in themselves; but had there been no disobedience, there had not been so great a manifestation of the glory of God: had not any sinned, there had been no Hell, no Gospel, no Jesus; and albeit God had always been blessed for ever, yet he had not been the God and Father of our Lord Jesus.
- 1Universa creatura est speculum, in quo reluceat gleria Dei. Tho. p. 1. q. 17. Art. 2. Twice Cr. 3. dig 4. S. 11. itē de Elect. d. 3. S. 1. Rhetorf. de grat. Ex. 2. c. 3.Ʋniversa creatura est speculum, in quo reluceat gleria Dei. Tho. p. 1. q. 17. Art. 2. Twisse Cr. 3. dig 4. S. 11. itē de Elect. d. 3. S. 1. Rhetorf. de grat. Ex. 2. c. 3.
The Wisdom of God is a Justice whereby God giveth unto himself that which is his due, and consequently orders all things so as may conduce most to his own Glory.1 Seeing it is necessary that whatsoever God doth without himself, he should do for himself as the last End; the natural Justice of God, whereby he gives unto himself that which is his, requires that God appoint such means as most conduce to that End, and dispose of them in such a way as is most suitable thereunto. This Justice of God (say the Learned) is nothing else but his Wisdom, according to which all things are ordered to their due ends.