A89737:494
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 Effectual Concurse of the first Cause with the second,1 ?is an external transient influence of God, upon the creature in time, exactly answering to the Decree of God ⟨p. 106⟩before time: moving upon, co-working with, and assisting of the second cause to its operations. It is the clearer understood by considering on Gods part the Decree, which is an immanent and eternal act abiding in God; and his efficiency, which is an external and passing act put forth upon the creature in time.
- 1What the Concurse of the first cause with the second is
For the better understanding of the Concurse, Co-operation, and Co-working of the first cause, so far as it concerneth man (which also is respectively applicable to other Subjects) there are considerable two acts in respect of God, viz. an immanent and transient act: and two acts in respect of the soul; viz. a first, and a second act. The immanent, and as it were indwelling Act in God, is his Decree: eternal, increated, and before time. The transient Act of Gods Efficiency, is a created, external, passing Act of the Spirit of God upon the soul in time touching man. The first act, is an active Principle, or inherent Habit in the soul. The operation is the second act, proceeding from that Habit.
The Concurse of the first cause, is unto the active principle in the second cause; as the first mover is unto the inferior Orbs: as an impulse, thrust, or put on, is unto a round body, of it self propense to roll: as the Nurses lifting the child up the stairs, is unto the child inclined to go up; or as the leading power, put forth of him that goeth before, is to him that is inclined to follow after: as the Midwife is unto the deliverance of her that is in travail;