A89732:483
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. 'Tis true, that Martin Luther, as you immediately before said, commenting upon this Text, speaks as follows. And although these sentences may be well expounded after this manner, Christ is made a curse, that is to say, a sacrifice for the curse, and sin, that is, a sacrifice for sin, yet in my judgement it is better to keep the proper signification of the words, because there is a greater force and vehemency therein, as also that in the conclusion he affirmeth, that Christ bare all our sins by imputation, and that he bare the curse of the Law really for us, and in respect of bearing our sins by imputation he saith, that Christ was the greatest thief, blasphemer, &c.
Answ. 'Tis true, that Martin Luther, as you immediatly before said, commenting upon this Text, speaks as follows. And although these sentences may be well expounded after this manner, Christ is made a curse, that is to say, a sacrifice for the curse, and sin, that is, a sacrifice for sin, yet in my judgement it is better to keep the proper signification of the words, because there is a greater force and vehemency therein, as also that in the conclusion he affirmeth, that Christ bare all our sins by imputation, and that he bare the curse of the Law really for us, and in respect of bearing our sins by imputation he saith, that Christ was the greatest thief, blasphemer, &c.
But because you so allege him, as if he were not so much against you, nor for us in this controversy, as indeed he is, and both of them so clearly and fully, as no man more, that the Reader may have a true taste of Luther's spirit and judgement in this point, I shall transcribe what he writes soon after what you have cited. Paul therefore (saith he) handleth this place with a true Apostolical spirit; there is neither Sophister, nor Lawyer, nor Jew, nor Anabaptist, nor any other, that speaketh as he doth, for who durst allege this place out of Moses, accursed is every one that hangeth on a tree, and apply it unto Christ: like as Paul then applied this sentence unto Christ, even so may we apply unto Christ not only the whole 27 Chapt. of Deut. but also may gather all the curses of Moses Law together, and expound the same of Christ; for as Christ is innocent in this general Law touching his person, ⟨p. 93⟩