A89732:227
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.
Satan and men were Instruments in inflicting such a stroke, therefore it is no stroke of divine vindicative justice, is no good consequence: All evils inflicted upon the reprobate, whether corporal or spiritual, are strokes or acts of vindicative justice: So often then as Satan or men are instrumental in inflicting such evils, so often Satan and men are instrumental in strokes of vindicative justice, judicial punishment of sin with sin is an act of vindicative wrath; but of this parents are instrumental in the propagation of original sin to their Reprobate children. The spiritual distress of an excommunicate person that is a Reprobate, is an effect of vindicative wrath; But in such distresses Satan is instrumental, 1 Cor. 5.5. That delusion of which, 2 Thes. 2.9, 10, 11, 12. is an act of vindicative justice; But in working it, Satan and men are instrumental. Casting the wicked men into hell, is also an act of vindicative justice; in which Gods Angels are instruments, ⟨p. 38⟩Matth. 13.42. Creatures then both good and bad may be instruments of Gods vindicative wrath inflicted both on body and soul. Yet we must distinguish between the wounds, bruises, and stripes inflicted upon Christ, and the sin in inflicting of them. Satan and his agents were the sole authors and actors of sin, yet as concerning the wounds, bruises, stripes themselves: though Satan and men were the subordinate instruments, yet God himself was the Author and principal efficient of them. The Lord hath laid upon him the iniquities of us all, Isa. 53.6. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him, vers. 10.
Satan and men were Instrumens in inflicting such a stroak, therefore it is no stroak of divine vindicative justice, is no good consequence: All evils inflicted upon the reprobate, whether corporall or spirituall, are stroaks or acts of vindicative justice: So often then as Satan or men are instrumentall in inflicting such evils, so often Satan and men are instrumentall in stroaks of vindicative justice, judicial punishment of sin with sin is an act of vindicative wrath; but of this parents are instrumental in the propagation of original sin to their Reprobate children. The spiritual distres of an excommunicate person that is a Reprobate, is an effect of vindicative wrath; But in such distresses Satan is instrumental,