A89737:720
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.
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.
- 1Invenitur Deus à non quaerentibus nempe ante inventionem prius siquidem quam nos quaeramus, Deus nos quaerit, Paraeus. in Rom. 10. dub. 16.
In this soul-thirsty disposition after Christ, whilst we so restlessly desire, as yet we find we cannot sincerely desire: so seek, as yet we cannot seek: so pray, as yet we cannot pray: The Lord Jesus in his set time to have mercy, finds us; and having found us by his Spirit, is found of us by the act of faith: When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none; and their tongue faileth for thirst: I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them, Isai. 41.17. God converts Ephraim whilst he is praying for conversion, Jer. 31.18, 19. The Publican finds mercy whilst he is praying for mercy, Luke 18.13, 14.
In this soul-thirsty disposition after Christ, whilest we so restlesly desire, as yet we find we cannot sincerely desire: so seek, as yet we cannot seek: so pray, as yet we cannot pray: The Lord Jesus in his set time to have mercy, finds us; and having found us by his Spirit, is found of us by the act of faith: When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none; and their tongue faileth for thirst: I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them,