A89737:468
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.
11. Lastly,1 Here we see the greatest cause of thankfulness unto God. That common love of God to man, whereby (when we lay equal with the residue of the Creation in our Mother-nothing) he freely gave unto us so excellent a Being after his own Image, far above our fellow creatures, was unspeakably above what is unspeakable. But that special love of God unto his Elect (who together with the residue of mankind lay equal in the guilt and pollution of Adams sin, and of original corruption) which made such a difference between us, according to his gracious Decree in Jesus Christ, as that leaving our fellow sinners unto misery from all Eternity he appointed his Son to descend down as low as Hell to fetch us from thence, and to ascend up as high as Heaven to carry us up thither, for his alone merit, unto an estate more happy then that was miserable which we had deserved, notwithstanding all our opposition thereunto. This, this is the great and glorious Cause of thanksgiving, holding forth a worthy ⟨p. 100⟩demonstration of such Love, as became a God to show to such whom he was freely pleased to make his Favourites: a greater good then which God hath not willed to man; a greater debt then for the good of which man doth not owe to God. The sight of Gods heart in his Decree, thus absolutely, everlastingly, effectually, and peculiarly (for Reprobation makes Election more admirable) affected to his Elect, is a means to constrain, inflame, ravish and unite the hearts of the Elect universally and everlastingly unto God. It is an effect of Election, to be affected with the Decree of Election.
11. Lastly,1 Here we see the greatest cause of thankfulness unto God. That common love of God to man, whereby (when we lay equal with the residue of the Creation in our Mother-nothing) he freely gave unto us so excellent a Being after his own Image, far above our fellow creatures, was unspeakably above what is unspeakable. But that special love of God unto his Elect (who together with the residue of mankind lay equal in the guilt and pollution of Adams sin, and of original corruption) which made such a difference between us, according to his gracious Decree in Jesus Christ, as that leaving our fellow sinners unto misery from all Eternity he appointed his Son to descend down as low as Hell to fetch us from thence, and to ascend up as high as Heaven to carry us up thither, for his alone merit, unto an estate more happy then that was miserable which we had deserved, notwithstanding all our opposition thereunto. This, this is the great and glorious Cause of thanksgiving, holding forth a worthy