A89732:62
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.
That which thus obligeth God in a way of Reward, is called Merit, in a way of Punishment Demerit: yet so as the, word Merit is ordinarily used promiscuously.
Prop. V Merit is either Absolute, so God cannot be a Debtor to the creature, no not to Christ himself: or By Way of free Covenant, so God hath in case made himself a Debtor to man. Justice then consisting in rendering to every one their due, and Gods will being the rule of Justice; it followeth that and only that to be the due, desert, merit or demerit of man, which God hath willed concerning him. The Moral Law it self, that eternal rule of manners, The recompense contained in the promise in case of obedience; The punishment contained in the curse in case of disobedience, are all the effects of Gods good pleasure.
Prop. V Merit is either Absolute, so God cannot be a Debtor to the creature, no not to Christ himself: or By Way of free Covenant, so God hath in case made himself a Debtor to man. Justice then consisting in rendring to every one their due, and Gods will being the rule of Justice; it followeth that and only that to be the due, desert, merit or demerit of man, which God hath willed concerning him. The Moral Law it self, that eternal rule of manners, The recompence contained in the promise in case of obedience; The punishment contained in the curse in case of disobedience, are all the effects of Gods good pleasure.
Merit by virtue of free Covenant, notes such an obedience whereunto God by his free Promise hath made himself a debtor according to order of Justice. Demerit notes such disobedience whereunto by force of the Commination, death is due according to the order of Justice. Merit or Demerit is a just debt, whether in way of reward or punishment: the genus of merit is debt, i. e. To indebt or make due its form in a way of Justice.