A89737:837
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.
1. Because Selling preparatorily, fully answereth the Scope of the place. 2. Because Selling savingly, is the act of a living spiritual man, (which none can be without faith) as selling civilly is the act of a natural living man.
1. Because Selling preparatorily, fully answereth the Scope of the place. 2. Because Selling savingly, is the act of a living spiritual man, (vvhich none can be vvithout faith) as selling civilly is the act of a natural living man.
Add hereunto, That it being supposed, that by buying we are to understand the first act of faith, wherein the soul is active; and by selling all, a saving parting with sin (which yet with due submission to better Judgements, appeareth not to be the true meaning of the place) yet even this interpretation, concludes only a saving selling of all; or parting with sin before the act of faith (according to the sense of the distinction, and as you may please to see therein) which is not the matter here controverted: but it doth not conclude any saving selling of all, or parting with sin, before the grace of faith, which is the question.
Adde hereunto, That it being supposed, that by buying vve are to understand the first act of faith, wherein the soul is active; and by selling all, a saving parting with sin (which yet with due submission to better Judgements, appeareth not to be the true meaning of the place) yet even this interpretation, concludes only a saving selling of all; or parting with sin before the act of faith (according to the sence of the distinction, and as you may please to see therein) which is not the matter here controverted: but it doth not conclude any saving selling of all, or parting with sin, before the grace of faith, which is the question.
The Sum of this Answer is: The Text (in that it is a Parable) through our infirmity, is the more apt to suffer by a mis-interpretation. If it be taken in the first sense (according to the Commentators above-mentioned) it concerns not the question. If taken in the latter sense, whether selling of all, be interpreted preparatorily, or savingly, it doth not conclude the question: that is, It doth in no sense hold forth a saving parting with sin, before the grace of faith.