A89737:903
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. It is such as remaineth a truth concerning every one that heareth it. 2. It is such, the participation whereof, every hearer is in equal, Ministerial capacity of preparatory work (which is common both to the Elect and Reprobate) being alike in them. 3. It is such as that all who hear the Gospel, (preparatory work being alike) are equally bound to believe. 4. 'Tis such as ministers unto Judas in case of belief, as much cause to hope in respect of the Promise, as unto John: and leaveth John in case of unbelief, in as much cause to despair in respect of the curse, as Judas; that is, notwithstanding the usefulness of the Doctrine of the Decree in general: Here is no more place for Arguments either of encouragement, or discouragement from personal Election, or Reprobation, then if there were no Decree.
Such as attests unto the formidableness and danger of the guilt of the least sin, (and also of greater sin proportionably) in the offender, whilst it testifies the greatest sins to be abundantly pardonable unto the penitent Believer: it takes away from the impenitent all occasion to presume; from the penitent all occasion of despair. Sin appears no where more, nor no where less then in the Gospel. There is a Mystery of Wisdom in propounding this part of the Mystery of the Gospel; namely: the first Object of saving Faith unto a Soul as yet not effectually called so as all, and only the pertinent truth, may be spoken without any error on the one hand, or on the other; either concerning the Decree, Christ, the Persons called to believe, the Condition of those Persons, or Motives to believing.
Such as attests unto the formidableness and danger of the guilt of the least sin, (and also of greater sin proportionably) in the offender, whilest it testifies the greatest sins to be abundantly pardonable unto the penitent Believer: it takes away from the impenitent all occasion to presume; from the penitent all occasion of despair. Sin appears no where more, nor no where less then in the Gospel. There is a Mystery of Wisdom in propounding this part of the Mystery of the Gospel; namely: the first Object of saving Faith unto a Soul as yet not effectually called so as all, and only the pertinent truth, may be spoken without any errour on the one hand, or on the other; either concerning the Decree, Christ, the Persons called to believe, the Condition of those Persons, or Motives to believing.