A89737:671
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.
Hence the Demerit of sin being according to the Order of Justice, (for the demerit of sin intends nothing else, but ⟨p. 149⟩that which is due thereto, according to the constituted rule of moral righteousness between God and man) and the order of justice proceeding from the free good pleasure of God: it followeth, that the demerit of sin receiveth its nature, measure, and limits from the Will of God: according as he hath revealed himself in the Moral Law; so that the damned in Hell suffer not more nor less then they deserved; yea, had God pleased to have inflicted a greater punishment for sin, it had been just: as also if he had pleased to have inflicted a lesser punishment for sin, it had been just. The sinners demerit is such, whereupon it is free for God to deny mercy, and just for him to punish sin: but a sinner (which hath been intimated formerly) hath not merited, that God should show no mercy; for then it would be unjust with God, to pardon sin. 'Tis an unmoved, and received Proposition; God doth not will things, because they are just; but things are therefore just, because God so willeth them.
Hence the Demerit of sin being according to the Order of Justice, (for the demerit of sin intends nothing else, but ⟨p. 149⟩that which is due thereto, according to the constituted rule of moral righteousness between God and man) and the order of justice proceeding from the free good pleasure of God: it followeth, that the demerit of sin receiveth its nature, measure, and limits from the Will of God: according as he hath revealed himself in the Moral Law; so that the damned in Hell suffer not more nor less then they deserved; yea, had God pleased to have inflicted a greater punishment for sin, it had been just: as also if he had pleased to have inflicted a lesser punishment for sin, it had been just. The sinners demerit is such, whereupon it is free for God to deny mercy, and just for him to punish sin: but a sinner (which hath been intimated formerly) hath not merited, that God should shew no mercy; for then it would be unjust with God, to pardon sin. 'Tis an unmoved, and received Proposition; God doth not will things, because they are just; but things are therefore just, because God so willeth them.