A89737:483
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.
In the Government of the reasonable creature, three things are to be observed.
1. An Obediential Power, That is, a capacity of the creature to become subject unto the Will of the Creator. 2. The Law of Nature, scil. The Impression of the Will of the Creator concerning the creatures, stamped upon them from the beginning; by virtue of those imperative, effectual words, Let there be, and it was so: Gen. 1.3.5.7.9. Hence, they are said, to have received a Command, Job 38.12. To keep covenant with God, Jer. 31.6. and 33.20.25. Knowest thou the Ordinances of the Heaven, canst thou set the Dominion thereof in the Earth? Job. 38.23. i.e. The constant Order and Reason of the Motion of the Heavens,1 which their Maker hath fixed in them as a Law, or Statute, according to which they move, and act. 3. A Propenseness of Nature, which is a Principle to do according to that Law of Nature. In things that have not life, it is called an inclination, The Sparks fly upward, Job. 5.7. The Sun knoweth his going down, Psal. 104.19. In things that have life, it is called an instinct; whereby some living creatures by instigation of nature, act; as if they had reason, Prov. 6.6. & 30.24.