A89737:680
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.
Punishment here is to be considered as it is an execution of Justice, but not as it is the destruction of the creature: God delights in it as it is the execution of Justice, but not as it is the destruction of the creature.
Punishment is to be looked at as a natural evil, or as a moral good: As it is the destruction of the creature, it is a natural evil, i. e. an evil to Nature: as it is the execution of Justice, it is a moral good. O Israel, thou hast destroyed thy self, but in me is thy help, Hosea 13.9. The living man afflicted should complain of his sin, not of his suffering.
But we are not hence to infer, that we ought to be content to be damned: To justify God is our duty, but to be contented to be damned is no where commanded; nay if taken without limitation, it is prohibited; because to be contented to be damned, is to be contented to be an Enemy, and to sin against God, and that for ever; the condition of the damned including an everlasting state of enmity and sin against God.
But we are not hence to infer, that we ought to be content to be damned: To justifie God is our duty, but to be contented to be damned is no where commanded; nay if taken without limitation, it is prohibited; because to be contented to be damned, is to be contented to be an Enemy, and to sin against God, and that for ever; the condition of the damned including an everlasting state of enmity and sin against God.