A89737:719
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.
Though they that have not faith, cannot seek Christ as they ought, but their very prayer is sin; yet it is their duty to pray, and to seek after Christ. Psal. 79.6. Jer. 10.25. Pour out thy fury upon the Heathen, that know thee not: and upon the Families that call not on thy Name. If the not calling upon the Name of God, be a sin; then to call upon the Name of God, is a duty. Peter calls upon Simon Magus, though an unbeliever, to pray: Repent therefore of this thy wickedness; and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart, may be forgiven thee, Acts. 8.22. The Pharisee (a Type of sinners establishing their own righteousness,) The Publican (a Type of sinners, sensible of their sin, and want of the righteousness of Jesus Christ) both go to the Temple to pray, Luke 18.10. The Prophet personates Ephraim yet unconverted, praying unto God to turn him, Jer. 31.18.
The Elects seeking God, is the effect of Gods seeking them. Our seeking before faith, is the effect of the common work of the Spirit: our seeking after faith, is the effect ⟨p. 160⟩of the saving work of the Spirit.1 I am found of those that sought me not, Rom. 10.20. Namely, before his finding of us. And thou shalt be called sought out, Isai. 62.12. God seeks us before we seek him.
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