A89732:1006
A discussion of that great point in divinity, the sufferings of Christ; and the…
A discussion of that great point in divinity, the sufferings of Christ; and the question about his righteousness active, passive : and the imputation thereof. Being an answer to a dialogue entitled The meritorious price of redemption, justification, &c. / By John Norton teacher of the church at Ipswich in New-England. Who was appointed to draw up this answer by the general court.A discussion of that great point in divinity, the sufferings of Christ; and the question about his righteousnesse active, passive : and the imputation thereof. Being an answer to a dialogue intituled The meritorious price of redemption, justification, &c. / By John Norton teacher of the church at Ipswich in New-England. Who was appointed to draw up this answer by the generall court.
London: printed by A.M. for Geo. Calvert, 1653
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.
Answ. If Righteousness be obtained by his Sacrifice of Atonement, then Atonement is not Righteousness. ⟨p. 221⟩Righteousness as formally performed is an ingredient into the meritorious cause of justification. Righteousness as it is imputed (not formally as it is an ingredient in the meritorious cause, but virtually in respect of its efficacy) is the matter of the justification of a sinner. It were better said Atonement is obtained by the sacrifice of Righteousness, then that Righteousness is obtained by the sacrifice of Atonement. The obedience of Christ both active and passive is the cause, and sacrifice of atonement: atonement or pardon of sin is an effect thereof.
Answ. If Righteousnesse be obtained by his Sacrifice of Atonement, then Atonement is not Righteousnesse. ⟨p. 221⟩Righteousnesse as formally performed is an ingredient into the meritorious cause of justification. Righteousnesse as it is imputed (not formally as it is an ingredient in the meritorius cause, but virtually in respect of its efficacy) is the matter of the justification of a sinner. It were better said Atonement is obtained by the sacrifice of Righteousnesse, then that Righteousnesse is obtained by the sacrifice of Atonement. The obedience of Christ both active and passive is the cause, and sacrifice of atonement: atonement or pardon of sin is an effect thereof.
Those words [by which will] Heb. 10.10. signify the will of the Father who appointed his son to take our nature upon him, to make satisfaction for our sins: or we are to understand will with its correlate, viz. the fulfilling thereof by the obedience of his Son [we are sanctified] that is, we are made perfect. Sanctification here is taken largely for all the benefits of Christ.