A89732:1141
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 scope of M. Forbes is to prove the imputation of Christs passive obedience, and that only in his death, to be the matter of our justification. Pauls comparison according to his interpretation is instituted ⟨p. 254⟩not between that single act of Adams disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit, imputed unto his seed; and the obedience of Christ in general both active and passive imputed to his seed, but between the single act of Adams disobedience, and one act of Christs obedience, viz. his death.
Answ. The scope of M. Forbes is to prove the imputation of Christs passive obedience, and that only in his death, to be the matter of our justification. Pauls comparison according to his interpretation is instituted ⟨p. 254⟩not between that single act of Adams disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit, imputed unto his seed; and the obedience of Christ in generall both active and passive imputed to his seed, but between the single act of Adams disobedience, and one act of Christs obedience, viz. his death.
We consent to M Forbes as concerning the argument taken from the comparison, we dissent from him as concerning the restrictions, the reason of the comparison being founded upon the condition of the persons and divine institution, it holds between such acts as the first and second Adam acted as public persons: Adam therefore being in that act of disobedience only a public person, hence that act only is imputed unto his seed; but Christ being in all his acts of obedience a public person, hence therefore all the acts of Christs obedience are imputed to his seed. As upon the supposition of Adams continuing in obedience (because he had then continued a public person) all the acts of his obedience even unto the finishing of perfect righteousness, had been imputed unto his seed, according to the nature of the Covenant of works, unto their attaining of justification by the Law.