N00051:242
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.
Instr. 4. That the external Order of the Gospel (Church-order) is no other then the external Throne of Christ Jesus. Worship that is mixed, partly Divine, and partly Humane, this is so much defilement in Gods Worship; but when it is according to the Rule, that is Christs Throne. Satan hath his throne, that is where Antichrist reigns; and Christ hath his Throne, that is where his Institutions are in force: there Christ fits as Lord. If the Polity be according to the Gospel, Jesus Christ is there acknowledged Lord, and there is never a Member but is a Subject: there must be an Order, and according to that Order there must be subjection: do you think it an easy thing to be subject to Order? Remember it was matter of trial to those that-came out of Egypt, and through the Sea (as we have done) yet there were men of renown that could not bear Church-Order. Let me tell you, it is a greater matter to be subject to Order, then to come over the Seas, or to endure the troubles of a Wilderness; many will bear a Prison, before they will endure the Government of Christ, and Gospel-order in his Church.
Instr. 4. That the external Order of the Gospel (Church-order) is no other then the external Throne of Christ Jesus. Worship that is mixt, partly Divine, and partly Humane, this is so much defilement in Gods Worship; but when it is according to the Rule, that is Christs Throne. Satan hath his throne, that is where Antichrist reignes; and Christ hath his Throne, that is where his Institutions are in force: there Christ fits as Lord. If the Polity be according to the Gospel, Jesus Christ is there acknowledged Lord, and there is never a Member but is a Subject: there must be an Order, and according to that Order there must be subjection: do you think it an easy thing to be subject to Order? Remember it was matter of tryal to those that-came out of Egypt, and through the Sea (as we have done) yet there were men of renown that could not bear Church-Order. Let me tell you, it is a greater matter to be subject to Order, then to come over the Seas, or to endure the troubles of a Wilderness; many will bear a Prison, before they will endure the Government of Christ, and Gospelorder in his Church.
Use 2. Of Exhortation to us all (in our Churches especially) to sanctify God according to this truth, viz. That our polity may be a Gospel-polity, and may be complete according to the Scriptures, answering fully the Word of God: this is the work of our generation, and the very work we engaged for into this Wilderness; this is the scope and end of it, that which is written upon the forehead of New-England, viz. The complete walking in the Faith of the Gospel, according to the Order of the Gospel.