A89732:95
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.
Distin. 5 Distinguish between a Local hell and a Penal hell;1 Christ suffered a Penal hell, but not a Local; he descended into hell Virtually, not Locally; that is, He suffered the pains of hell due unto the Elect, who for their sin deserved to be damned.
- 1Bonavent. li. 3. in Sent. dist. 22. q. 4. Rivet. Cathol. Orthod. Tom 1. Tract. 2. qu. 60. Willet. Synops. Cent. 5. gen. contr. 20. p. 5. q. 3.
Arg. 1 Either Christ suffered the justice of God in stead of the Elect, denounced against sin, Gen. 2.17. or God might dispense with the execution thereof without violation of his justice: But God could not dispense with the execution thereof without the violation of his justice. What was sometimes spoken of the Law of the Medes and Persians, holds true at all times concerning the Law of God, that it altereth not; for the confirmation of this truth Christ solemnly engageth his truth, Verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no ways pass from the Law till all be fulfilled, Matth. 5.18. This sentence was universal given to Adam as a public person, and holds all his posterity, whether elect or reprobate in case of sin, guilty of death. Hereby the omnipotent hath so limited himself, as that now he cannot do that which else he could do, in respect of his absolute power. The command being given out for Lots preservation, God could not destroy Sodom till Lot was secured, Gen. 19.22. for the Decree being passed, and the word gone out of his mouth, God cannot deny himself; Hence in the case of execution of justice, 'tis not only a truth, that God spared not the Angels, 1 Pet. 2.4. nor the old world, vers. 5. but it is also a truth that he spared not his Son,