N00766:42
The everlasting Gospel. The Gospel of justification by the righteousness of God; as 'tis…
The everlasting Gospel. The Gospel of justification by the righteousness of God; as 'tis held and preached in the churches of New-England: expressed in a brief discourse on that important article; made at Boston in the year, 1699. / By Cotton Mather. ; And, asserted with the attestations, of several Reverend and eminent persons, now most considerable in those churches.The everlasting Gospel. The Gospel of justification by the righteousness of God; as 'tis held and preach'd in the churches of New-England: expressed in a brief discourse on that important article; made at Boston in the year, 1699. / By Cotton Mather. ; And, asserted with the attestations, of several Reverend and eminent persons, now most considerable in those churches.
Boston: printed by B. Green for Nicholas Buttolph, 1700
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.
As for the Reverend and Worthy Author of this ensuing work; after he had published many fruitful Treatises on other Subjects, he hath obliged his Native Country by the Publishing of This, which we have now in our hands; which though Small in Bu•k, yet is Great in Worth and Usefulness; that in my apprehension it may be called Medulla Theologiae, in the matter of our Justification, and so much the rather, because it is not handled in a way of Controversy, but of clearing the Positive Truth in relation to so great a Concernment to the Souls of men.
As for the Reverend and Worthy Author of this ensuing work; after he had published many fruitful Treatises on other Subj•cts, he hath obliged his Native Country by the Publishing of This, which we have now in our hands; which though Small in Bu•k, yet is Great in Worth and Usefulness; that in my apprehension it may be called Medulla Theologiae, in the matter of our Justification, and so much the rather, because it is not handled in a way of Controversy, but of clearing the Positive Truth in relation to so great a Concernment to the Souls of men.
Truly, I am not without some hope but that (through the blessing of God) it may be a means of some good, not only to our selves in New England, but also to our Brethren in our Mother England, from whence we came. It hath too often been credibly reported here, that for several years, the dissenting Churches and Ministers in London, have been under an Hour of Temptation by means of Controversies raised amongst them, about the Doctrine of Justification, Preaching and Writing one against another, with personal reflections, and passionate expressions, causing Animosities, Distances, and Divisions, to the hindering of Edification: concerning which it may be said, as the Apostle did, My Brethren these things ought not so to be: it is to be wished they had never been, and that they may be Extinguished as soon as may be, and that all Good Means may be used for that End. And who knows but that this Servant of God, though a Junior to many of the Reverend Elders now contending (as Jb and his Friends) may (as another Elihu) by ascribing all the Glory of Righteousness to his Maker and Redeemer, and by making mention of his Righteousness, even of his only, contribute something towards the Reconciliation, right understanding, and good agreement of the Dissenting Parties.