A40370:1002
Of free justification
Of free justification by Christ written first in Latin by John Fox, author of the Book of martyrs, against Osorius, &c. and now translated into English, for the benefit of those who love their own souls, and would not be mistaken in so great a point.Of free justification by Christ written first in Latine by John Fox, author of the Book of martyrs, against Osorius, &c. and now translated into English, for the benefit of those who love their own souls, and would not be mistaken in so great a point.
London: printed for Tho. Parkhurst, 1694
Book 3 › An Answer to the Adversaries, wherein their Frivolous Exceptions, a… › Argument.
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.
Argument.
Therefore Works done by Faith and Grace Merit nothing before God.
Therefore VVorks done by Faith and Grace Merit nothing before God.
I am not ignorant, what these Interpreters Answer, absurdly wresting 1these Words of Paul to another Sense, contrary to the Mind of the Apostle. For thus they comment upon this place. If Abraham by Works, &c. The good Works of Abraham done in Faith, are not by these Words excluded from Justification, neither is he declared to be justified by Faith only. But the Works of the Law, done without Faith, are excluded, which sort of Works because Abraham did not, therefore he is truly said to be justified by his Works before God. Moreover (as they say) it is not proved by these Words, that the good Works of Abraham: being a renewed Man and righteous, though done in Faith, did not justify, but that Abraham was not justified by Works only without Faith. Thus they say, What should I answer then, but that their Interpretation doth not agree with the Mind of the Author? Paul writing to the Romans, when he had proved it by many and weighty Arguments, That a Man is justified by Faith without Works, being about to confirm the ⟨p. 493⟩same by an Example; He enquires concerning the Works of Abraham: What shall we say, that Abraham our Father according to the flesh found? For if he was justified by Works, he hath whereof to Glory, but not before God, &c. First, let us see, what these Works were of which Paul treats, and next whose Works they were? The Adversaries