A89732:399
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.
For he had from eternity covenanted with his father to give his soul (by his own active obedience) as a mediatorial sacrifice of atonement for our sins, Joh. •0.17, 18. therefore he must not die a positive death by the power of man, but he must die as Mediator by the actual and joint concurrence of both divine and humane nature: no man could force his soul out of his body by all the torments they could devise, but he must separate his own soul from his body by the joint concurrence of both his natures.
For he had from eternity covenanted with his father to give his soul (by his own active obedience) as a mediatoriall sacrifice of atonement for our sins, Joh. •0.17, 18. therefore he must not die a positive death by the power of man, but he must die as Mediator by the actuall and joynt concurrence of both divine and humane nature: no man could force his soul out of his body by all the torments they could devise, but he must separate his own soul from his body by the joint concurrence of both his natures.
Answ. If he covenanted only to suffer a bodily death, as you say, you must needs think very unworthily (to say no worse) of him that was God, whilst you put upon him so great fear of breaking covenant upon so small temptation. Notwithstanding he covenanted to suffer spiritual death, i. e. the wrath of God, yet because he was God, it was impossible that he should break his word, and consequently impossible that he should fear an impossibility. He laid down his life as a surety, which none could have taken away against his will, but he took not away his life as an executioner.
Answ. If he covenanted only to suffer a bodily death, as you say, you must needs think very unworthily (to say no worse) of him that was God, whilest you put upon him so great fear of breaking covenant upon so small temptation. Notwithstanding he covenanted to suffer spirituall death, i. e. the wrath of God, yet because he was God, it was impossible that he should break his word, and consequently impossible that he should fear an impossibility. He laid down his life as a surety, whic none could have taken away against his will, but he took not away his life as an executioner.