A89737:706
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.
Insensibleness of our lost estate cannot consist with that thirst, hunger, nor with those sighs, groans, tears, prayers, which the Scriptures manifest to be in those, that under Preparatory Work, mourn, and seek, and wait in the use of Means, until they obtain mercy. We cannot sigh for that we feel not want of: We need not sigh for that which is in our own power to help our selves with.
This through sensibleness of our lost estate, is wrought in us by the common Work of the Spirit, in the Ministry of the Gospel; which, together with its revealing the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in coming into the world to save sinners, convinceth us of our indisposition and opposition, inability and enmity to come unto him. When he is come, he shall convince the world of sin, because they believe not on me, John 16.7, 9. No man can come unto me, except it be given him of my Father, John 6.65. Except the Father which hath sent me draw him, vers. 44. And ye will not come to me, that you may have life, John 5.41. Whereby, finding that we who are deservedly cut off by the Law, are also become morally impotent, insufficient, and averse, to the undeserved, free, and only tender of Salvation by the Gospel: that we, who have wilfully pulled upon our selves just misery, do maliciously reject free mercy: that we, who were lost before-by the Law, are lost again by the Gospel: the Soul now feels all hope without ⟨p. 158⟩out Christ, to be taken away all tenders of grace; to be occasions, convictions, aggravations of unbelief, and impenitence: and hereupon perceiveth, and yields it self, to be doubly lost, utterly lost: and out of measure vile. So, as in this condition, the Command to believe, with the Promises of grace; fall heavier upon the soul, then the Command and Promise of the first Covenant: in that Gospel doth exceed the Law.