A89737:500
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.
3. It implieth a contradiction,1 that the creature should be able to act without dependency upon the Creator. 1. Because the agent being a creature is depending, therefore its power to act is depending; the power of acting holds proportion with the agent. 2. Because the action proceeding from this agent, is a being by participation: it is impossible for the creature to have other then a depending being.
3. It implyeth a contradiction,1 that the creature should be able to act without dependancy upon the Creator. 1. Because the agent being a creature is depending, therefore its power to act is depending; the power of acting holds proportion with the agent. 2. Because the action proceeding from this agent, is a being by participation: it is impossible for the creature to have other then a depending being.
- 1Omnia pendent a Deo essentialiter immediatè intrinsicè, absolutè, aeque ac aequalitèr.
4. As the conserving influence of God is unto the conservation of the creature, so is the assisting influence of God unto the operation of the creature: If God doth but merely cease his conserving influence, the creature ceaseth to be; if God ceaseth his assisting influence, the creature ceaseth to act. The insensible cessation of the influence of the first Cause, without any further violence, or hurt done, puts a period to the being, or stoppeth the operation of the second cause, respectively.
4. As the conserving influence of God is unto the conservation of the creature, so is the assisting influence of God unto the operation of the creature: If God doth but meerly cease his conserving influence, the creature ceaseth to be; if God ceaseth his assisting influence, the creature ceaseth to act. The insensible cessation of the influence of the first Cause, without any further violence, or hurt done, puts a period to the being, or stoppeth the operation of the second cause, respectively.