A89737:738
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.
Qualifications are gracious Dispensations whereby the soul is in some measure rendered a more capable subject of faith, or conversion: and these dispose the soul thereunto,1 either more remotely, as the remainders of the Image of God in man after the fall; which is called the grace of nature: or more nearly, as the common works of the Spirit, ⟨p. 164⟩by the Ministry of the Law and Gospel: these last properly come under the name of common supernatural grace, and are usually called preparatory works.
Qualifications are gracious Dispensations whereby the soul is in some measure rendred a more capable subject of faith, or conversion: and these dispose the soul thereunto,1 either more remotely, as the remainders of the Image of God in man after the fall; which is called the grace of nature: or more neerly, as the common works of the Spirit, ⟨p. 164⟩by the Ministery of the Law and Gospel: these last properly come under the name of common supernatural grace, and are usually called preparatory works.
- 1The Explication of the more difficult terms of the Question.
The Notion [Preparatory] is also carefully to be distinguished: Works may be said to be preparatory, either in respect of Gods ordinary Dispensation: so, those dispositions which qualify the soul with a greater Ministerial capacity, in order to conversion; are to us preparatory in the judgement of charity in all, and but in the judgement of charity in any. Or in respect of Gods intention; whence he purposeth such a work as a means to, and a part of the way unto conversion, afterwards to be wrought by him. So, in the Elect unto God, they are are preparatory really: but unto us only (as they are also in the Non-elect) in the judgjudgement of charity. Because in that which is known they are alike, and that wherein they are not alike is unknown.