A89737:520
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.
To deny the Efficiency of the second cause,1 is to deny that which experience proclaimeth: namely, That the Sun shineth, or the fire burneth. The denial of the proper, and formal efficiency or working of the second cause, is repugnant to the whole Order of Nature. Things that have not life, it depriveth of their first qualities, which are nothing else but active principles; as power to heat in the fire, power to cool in the water. It disinables us from collecting effects from second causes, or second causes from effects; because it denieth all such causes and effects. It makes void all those dispositions in several creatures that tend to action. Vain is the disposition in fire to ascend, or in the earth to descend, if there be no motion of ascent nor descent by them. ⟨p. 112⟩It takes away all perfection from those creatures (as also from all other) which consists in action.
To deny the Efficiency of the second cause,1 is to deny that which experience proclaimeth: namely, That the Sun shineth, or the fire burneth. The denyal of the proper, and formal efficiency or working of the second cause, is repugnant to the whole Order of Nature. Things that have not life, it depriveth of their first qualities, which are nothing else but active principles; as power to heat in the fire, power to cool in the water. It disinables us from collecting effects from second causes, or second causes from effects; because it denyeth all such causes and effects. It makes void all those dispositions in several creatures that tend to action. Vain is the disposition in fire to ascend, or in the earth to descend, if there be no motion of ascent nor descent by them. ⟨p. 112⟩It takes away all perfection from those creatures (as also from all other) which consists in action.
- 1Tho. Part. 1. q. 105. art. 5. Calvin. contra libert. c. 13, 14, 15, 16 Suarez. Metaph. Tem. 1. disp. 17. S. 1.