A89732:1008
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.
Dialogu. Or thus, Christ purchased or procured such a righteousness of his Father for sinners, as shall last to all Eternity by the same way and means by which he purchased their eternal redemption, but he did not purchase their redemption and freedom from sin by his active Legal Obedience, but by his active Mediatorial Obedience, when he made his soul a Mediatorial Sacrifice of Atonement for poor sinners. Compare Heb. 9.12.14. with Dan. 9.24. therefore Christ purchased and procured such a righteousness for sinners as shall last to all Eternity by no other way or means, but by his Mediatorial Sacrifice of Atonement, therefore his Fathers Atonement is a sinners Righteousness.
Dialogu. Or thus, Christ purchased or procured such a righteousnesse of his Father for sinners, as shall last to all Eternity by the same way and means by which he purchased their eternal redemption, but he did not purchase their redemption and freedom from sin by his active Legall Obedience, but by his active Meditoriall Obedience, when he made his soul a Mediatoriall Sacrifice of Atonement for poor sinners. Compare Heb. 9.12.14. with Dan. 9.24. therefore Christ purchased and procured such a righteousnesse for sinners as shall last to all Eternity by no other way or means, but by his Mediatoriall Sacrifice of Atonement, therefore his Fathers Atonement is a sinners Righteousnesse.
Answ. Christ by his Legal Obedience, that is, his obedience active and passive unto the Law, purchased our Redemption, by his passive obedience he purchased our freedom from sin, by his active our right unto eternal life, no part of Christs Obedience was so active, ⟨p. 222⟩wherein he was not also passive, nor any so passive, wherein he was not also active. To speak plainly and properly, atonement is the effect, and the legal obedience or righteousness of Christ the Mediatorly sacrifice and cause of this effect, therefore Atonement is not righteousness. But to speak after the stile of the Dialogue, If Righteousness for sinners be purchased and procured by the sacrifice of Atonement, neither then can atonement be a sinners Righteousness. That which procures or purchaseth is the cause, that which is procured is the effect, the cause cannot be the effect.