A89737:957
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.
2. The Eminency of the Principle requisite unto the creating of faith: The Apostle excellently showeth, Ephes. 1.19, 20. And what is the exceeding greatness of his Power to us ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead: Where this truth is held forth, 1. By a Gradation, Power; his Power, the greatness of his Power, the exceeding greatness of his Power. 2. By a Comparison; the Power which God puts forth in the Work of faith, being compared unto the mighty working of his Power which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead. Now Christ dying as a public Person for the sins of the Elect, and rising again as a public Person for the justification of the Elect. It was more to raise Christ from the dead then it hath, or vvill be, to raise all the Elect from sin, or then it will be to raise all the dead at the last day. Hence in the working of faith in the soul, God is not only said to move the soul, but to draw it. None can come to me Except the Father which hath sent me, draw him. John 6.44.1 Drawing is an Act wherein the Agent putteth forth his might for us. To believe, is said to be the Work of God, John 6.29. Emphatically so called, not only because of its special acceptableness unto God, but also because he is the Efficient of it, and that with a preeminent efficacy of the Author shining forth in this Work, compared with his ⟨p. 209⟩other works. God is able to graft them in again, Rom. 11.23. in the ingenerating of faith in Christ, and uniting of the soul unto Christ, are manifested both the inability of man, and the ability of God. Here appears the Elects malice unto Christ, and Christs love unto the Elect: the evil of the spirit of corrupt nature, and the good of the Spirit of grace: Sarah her conceiving of Isaac, (whose birth was a figure of regeneration, Gal. 4.) was a great Work, a Miracle: Mary her conception of Christ, by the Power; i. e. by the Command, and Blessing of the Holy Ghost, was also a great Work, a Miracle: but for Christ to be formed in the soul, by believing, is a greater-Work. Christ himself the (Object of Faith) is the greatest of Gods Works; the Creation of Faith in Christ, that is, to make a sinner a believer, may be reckoned amongst those that are next thereunto. 3.