A89732:1034
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. The righteousness whereby a sinner is justified is called the righteousness of God, because he is the author of it; it is as much as called the righteousness of Christ, Rom. 5.18. where it is called the righteousness of one, which one is Christ. The imputation of the righteousness of Christ is the formal cause of our justification, and is the act of God the Father: The word Father not being taken personally, for the first person in the Trinity, but essentially for all the three persons, God the Father, Son, and holy Ghost; Because all works wrought upon the creature are the works of the three persons equally.
Answ. The righteousnesse whereby a sinner is justified is called the righteousnesse of God, because he is the authour of it; it is as much as called the righteousnesse of Christ, Rom. 5.18. where it is called the rigteousnesse of one, which one is Christ. The imputation of the righteousnesse of Christ is the formall cause of our justification, and is the act of God the Father: The word Father not being taken personally, for the first person in the Trinity, but essentially for all the three persons, God the Father, Son, and holy Ghost; Because all works wrought upon the creature are the works of the three persons equally.
A sinner is not justified by the works of the Law, namely, by works that we have done, Tit. 3.5. For to such a work four things are requisite, viz. that it be wrought, 1. By virtue of the grace of the first Covenant. 2. By our own persons. 3, With exact ⟨p. 231⟩obedience to the Law. 4. Under the promise of justification unto continuance therein. But yet a sinner is justified by the works that Christ hath wrought, though not by the works that we have wrought.