A89737:68
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.
Simplicity is God, one mere and perfect act without all composition. God calleth his Name, I am, Exod. 3.14. that is, mere Essence, wherein is nothing past, nor to come. Because spirits are immixt in respect of bodies, to show that he is not compounded, he saith he is a Spirit, John. 4.24. When we say that God is a mere and perfect Act, the meaning is, that God is a Cause without any Cause, a Being that is not from any Being; not compounded of an Act, by which he is; and Possibility, by which he might not have been, or may not be: of whom it never could nor can be said, that any thing was to be in him, which was not; or cannot be, that is.
Simplicity is God, one meer and perfect act without all composition. God calleth his Name, I am, Exod. 3.14. that is, meer Essence, wherein is nothing past, nor to come. Because spirits are immixt in respect of bodies, to shew that he is not compounded, he saith he is a Spirit, Iohn. 4.24. When we say that God is a meer and perfect Act, the meaning is, that God is a Cause without any Cause, a Being that is not from any Being; not compounded of an Act, by which he is; and Possibility, by which he might not have been, or may not be: of whom it never could nor can be said, that any thing was to be in him, which was not; or cannot be, that is.
That God is a pure and simple Act without all composition, is evident, Because of his Perfection; all composition supposeth imperfection, because he is the first Being. Were there any composition in God, it would follow there were first and second in God: Something in God that were not first, or that there were more first Beings.