A89732:1033
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. And it is further evident that faith doth no otherwise justify a sinner but as it is that grace or instrument of the Spirit, whereby a sinner is enabled to apprehend ⟨p. 230⟩and receive the Fathers atonement, by the Apostles discourse in Rom. 3.21, 22, 23, 24, 25. all which Verses I will briefly expound unto you: First, The Apostle in these words doth teach us the true nature of a sinners justification, he calls it the righteousness of God; He doth not call it the righteousness of Christ but the righteousness of God the Father, because the formal cause and finishing act of a sinners righteousness or justification doth come down from God the Father upon all believing sinners. A sinner cannot be made righteous by the works of the Law, as the former verse doth conclude: For by the Law men come to know themselves to be sinners, and they that are sinners are ever sinners in themselves, therefore if ever sinners can be made righteous they must be made righteous by such a kind of righteousness as it pleaseth God the Father to bestow upon them, and that can be no other righteousness then a passive righteousness proceeding from Gods merciful atonement, pardon and forgiveness.
Dialogu. And it is further evident that faith doth no otherwise justifie a sinner but as it is that grace or instrument of the Spirit, whereby a sinner is enabled to apprehend ⟨p. 230⟩and receive the Fathers atonement, by the Apostles discourse in Rom. 3.21, 22, 23, 24, 25. all which Verses I will br efly expound unto you: First, The Apostle in these words doth teach us the true nature of a sinners justification, he cals it the righteousnesse of God; He doth not call it the righteousnesse of Christ but the righteousnesse of God the Father, because the formall cause and finishing act of a sinners righteousnesse or justification doth come down from God the Father upon all beleeving sinners. A sinner cannot be made righteous by the works of the Law, as the former verse doth conclude: For by the Law men come to know themselves to be sinners, and they that are sinners are ever sinners in themselves, therefore if ever sinners can be made righteous they must be made righteous by such a kinde of righteousnesse as it pleaseth God the Father to bestow upon them, and that can be no other righteousnesse then a passive righteousnesse proceeding from Gods mercifull atonement, pardon and forgivenesse.