A89737:574
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.
Those effects which proceed from second necessary causes, as heat from fire, are said to fall out necessarily: Those effects which proceed from second contingent causes, that is, such whose effects in respect of their second cause was likely not to be, as to be, as namely the elicit acts, i. e. the free choice of the will, or the tile falling from the house to alight upon the head of the passengers, are said to fall out casually.
Those effects which proceed from second necessary causes, as heat from fire, are said to fall out necessarily: Those effects which proceed from second contingent causes, that is, such whose effects in respect of their second cause was likely not to be, as to be, as namely the elicit acts, i. e. the free choyce of the will, or the tyle falling from the house to alight upon the head of the passengers, are said to fall out casually.
These modifications or qualifications of things, namely Necessity and Contingency, as they stand opposed one unto another, are only found in things in respect of the second causes, not in respect of the first Cause.
Those things which fall out most necessarily in regard of the second cause, in respect of the first cause, they may be said to fall out freely, rather then necessarily. In like manner, those things which fall out contingently in regard of second causes, upon supposition of the Decree so predetermining them, may be said to fall out necessarily. No necessary act of the creature is necessary simply; an experiment whereof is the Babylonish furnace. Every contingent act of the creature is necessary upon the supposition of the Decree. The same effect is contingent and casual in respect of the second cause, and necessary in respect of the Decree. Contingent or casual, because in respect of the natural agency, or causality of the second cause, it might not have been; but necessary in respect of the Decree, all whose volitions infer a necessity of infallibility.