A89737:78
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.
It was well said of him, who unto the question,1 What was Eternity? answered by that word of modesty, I know not: It is the measure (without measure) of the duration of God, according to our apprehension. Three things are requisite thereunto, viz. to be without Beginning, without End, and without all Change: An unalterable and independing Duration: It is all at once, where there is nothing past, nor to come; A remaining NOW.
- 1Quid autem sit aeternitas, quaerat aliquis? Hîc si respondeam per verbum modestiae nescio recta ingenia per se intelligent, a byssum esse.
Duration is either increated, viz. Eternity, proper to God; or created, viz. Eviternity, the duration of the blessed in Glory: or Time, which is the duration of the corruptible creature. Eternity is a Duration, consisting of an eternal NOW; without beginning, and without ending; there is nothing past, nor to come. Eviternity is a Duration, having a continuing NOW, with a beginning, but without ending. The duration of Angels and of the Blessed, in respect of their persons and substances, admit of no instant, concerning which it can be said, that it is past: but in regard of their operations and other accidents, their duration admits of succession. ⟨p. 8⟩Time is a successive Duration, having a beginning and ending, without any remaining NOW.
Immensity is God present every where, neither included in,1 nor excluded from any place or thing,