A89732:459
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.
Though Christ by his absolute power could have preserved his life against all created adversary power; none taketh it from me, namely, against my consent, whether I will or not, Joh. 10.18. yet by his limited power, he could not, but as our surety he was bound to permit the course of physical causes, and prevailing of the power of darkness, for the fulfilling of what was written concerning him; This is your hour, and the power of darkness, Luke 22.53. The Jews therefore doing that which according to the order of second causes, not only might, but also (through his voluntary and obliged permission) did take away his life, did not only endeavour but also actually kill him. Yet suppose the Jews were not instrumental, in the actual taking away of his bodily life, it is a meer non-consequence thence to infer the non-imputation of sin unto Christ. Briefly, as this distinction is a mere sophism and groundless, so the discourse concerning the Jews endeavouring to put Christ to death, but not really putting him to death, making Christ to take away his own life, and consequently to be his own Executioner, is false and impertinent. For which, though the Jews may owe the Author some thanks, yet Christ Jesus himself and all judicious Christians cannot but take it very ill.
Though Christ by his absolute power could have preserved his life against all created adversary power; none taketh it from me, namely, against my consent, whether I will or not, Joh. 10.18. yet by his limited power, he could not, but as our surety he was bound to permit the course of physicall causes, and prevailing of the power of darknesse, for the fullfilling of what was written concerning him; This is your hour, and the power of darknesse, Luke 22.53. The Jews therefore doing that which according to the order of second causes, not only might, but also (through his voluntary and obliged permission) did take away his life, did not only endeavour but also actually kill him. Yet suppose the Jews were not instrumentall, in the actuall taking away of his bodily life, it is a meer non-consequence thence to inferre the non-imputation of sin unto Christ. Briefly, as this distinction is a meer sophisme and groundlesse, so the discourse concerning the Jews endeavouring to put Christ to death, but not really putting him to death, making Christ to take away his own life, and consequently to be his own Executioner, is false and impertinent. For which, though the Jews may owe the Authour some thanks, yet Christ Jesus himself and all judicious Christians cannot but take it very ill.