A89737:741
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.
Notwithstanding because we know that such who are not elect, are partakers of this common work, and who are the Elect whom God will not forsake in this common work (as justly he may do all) we know not, until faith: and because we are to hope concerning all in whom we see them wrought (and to endeavour in the use of means accordingly,) that God will not leave the soul here, but that he will graciously proceed to the ingenerating of the grace of faith, in his accepted time: yet, being ignorant of his intent, we can but hope concerning any. Hence to us they are preparatory in judgement of Charity in all, whether Elect, or Non-elect; and not in judgement of Certainty in the Elect themselves before faith.
Saving Qualifications, are taken either properly, and formally; for some effect of special grace (such as are the gifts of the Spirit in Vocation, Union, and Communion, all flowing from election) having according to the revealed ⟨p. 165⟩Dispensation of God, that necessary and infallible connection with Eternal life; whence salvation may be certainly promised to the person so qualified.
Saving Qualifications, are taken either properly, and formally; for some effect of special grace (such as are the gifts of the Spirit in Vocation, Union, and Communion, all flowing from election) having according to the revealed ⟨p. 165⟩Dispensation of God, that necessary and infallible connexion with Eternal life; whence salvation may be certainly promised to the person so qualified.
Or, Saving Qualifications are taken improperly: First, Causally, viz. instrumentally; for the external means whereby a saving work is wrought: so that act of hearing the Word, by which faith is begotten in the heart, is called saving. 2. In respect of the purpose of God, and so all previous dispositions, intended by God as preparative unto a saving work, afterwards to be wrought by him, are by some called saving But we are to know that a saving work in the two last senses, (neither being saving properly, nor having a personal promise of salvation made thereunto, and therefore indeed is no saving work) falleth not under the compass of this question.