A89732:1009
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. 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.
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 freedome 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 righteousnesse of Christ the Mediatorly sacrifice and cause of this effect, therefore Atonement is not righteousnesse. But to speak after the stile of the Dialogue, If Righteousnesse for sinners be purchased and procured by the sacrifice of Atonement, neither then can atonement be a sinners Righteousnesse. That which procures or purchaseth is the cause, that which is procured is the effect, the cause cannot be the effect.
Dialogu. The New Testament doth also bear witness to this doctrine. S. Paul the Apostle doth tell us Rom. 8.4. that the Righteousness of the Law (namely, the righteousness which was taught and typified by the sacrifices of the Law) might be fulfilled in us, that walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit; as I have explained this Text a little before.