N00051:186
Three choice and profitable sermons upon several texts of Scripture
Three choice and profitable sermons upon several texts of Scripture; viz. Jer. 30. 17. John 14. 3. Heb. 8. 5. / By that Reverend servant of Christ, Mr. John Norton late teacher of the Church of Christ at Boston in N.E. ; The first of them being the last sermon which he preached at the Court of Election at Boston. The second was the last which he preached on the Lords-Day. The third was the last which he preached on his weekly-lecture-day. ; Wherein (beside many other excellent and seasonable truths) is showed, the Lords sovereignty over, and care for his church and people, in order to both their militant and triumphant condition; and their fidelity and good affection towards himself. ; [Eleven lines of Scripture quotations]Three choice and profitable sermons upon several texts of Scripture; viz. Jer. 30. 17. John 14. 3. Heb. 8. 5. / By that Reverend servant of Christ, Mr. John Norton late teacher of the Church of Christ at Boston in N.E. ; The first of them being the last sermon which he preached at the Court of Election at Boston. The second was the last which he preached on the Lords-Day. The third was the last which he preached on his weekly-lecture-day. ; Wherein (beside many other excellent and seasonable truths) is shewed, the Lords soveraignty over, and care for his church and people, in order to both their militant and triumphant condition; and their fidelity and good affection towards himself. ; [Eleven lines of Scripture quotations]
printed by S.G. and M.I. i.e for Hezekiah Usher of Boston, 1664
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.
5. Let us walk in the use of our Liberty with innocency, and without offence. To differ from our Orthodox Pious, and Learned Brethren, is such an affliction to a Christian and ingenuous Spirit, as nothing but love to the Truth could arm a man of peace against: Our Profession being in a way differing from these and those, it doth the more concern us that our walking be very cautelous, and that it be without giving any […] offence. There will offence enough be taken at the Profession of the Truth, though the Professors thereof give none. The Profession of the Truth draweth upon us enmity, but error in our Profession, and offensive walking, delivereth and betrayeth us into the hand of the enemy. And give me leave to speak freely, Let us see that we walk without offence toward Civil Authority: Suffer not your minds to be prejudiced against the present, and ancient Government of our Nation: Isa. 49. 23. Kings shall be thy N••sing-fathers, and Queen thy N••sing-mothers: 'tis spoken of Gospel-times. It is not a Gospel-spirit to be against Kings: 'tis neither Gospel nor English Spirit for any of us to be against the Government by King, Lords and Commons. It was the usual stratagem ⟨p. 12⟩anciently of the Adversary, to calumniate the Christians as disaffected to the State, and such as were for Reformation, as Enemies to Coesar. But juell could testify in his time, Gratias agimus Deo, &c. (in Apolog. pag. 16.) That there could be no instance given, wherein they in that state of Reformation had offered any violence to Princes, &c. So said that famous Apologist. God make us more wise and religious then so to carry it, that they should no sooner see a Congregational-man, then to have cause to say, They see an Enemy to the Crown. Prov. 24. 21. My son, fear thou the Lord, and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change. Eccles. 10. 20. Curse not the King, no not in thy thought. Dan. 6. 22. Innocency was found in me, (faith Dan••l) and also before thee, O King, have I done no hurt. Is this thy voice, my son David?