A40370:1028
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
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.
What, where, and How Faith worketh by Charity.
BUT here there are several things, that need to be explained, as, what Faith works, where, and after what manner it works; for Faith doth not act every where after one and the same manner: It acts one way with men, and another way 1with God. It is true, that it works by Love, as Paul says but it must be understood in respect of men, not in respect of God. Neither doth Faith perform the same in both respects, nor after the same manner; for with men it works by Love, but with God it works not by Love, but by Christ only, by whom it is admirable to consider what, and how great things Faith performs. It obtains grants of Petitions, pardon of sins; it reconciles, justifies, wrestles, overcomes, reigns, and triumphs. Faith only does these things, not with men, but with God; not working by Charity, but by Christ our Lord. Therefore Faith works one thing by Christ, and another thing by Charity: By Christ it obtains Salvation, by Charity it performs Obedience to the Law. Doth it perform perfect Obedience? No. Doth it then perform imperfect Obedience? But that is not sufficient to procure Righteousness and Salvation. And where then is that excellent integrity of Life? Where is Charity's ⟨p. 507⟩meritorious efficacy to purchase Salvation? Where is the Assertion of the Tridentine Decree, which only attributes the beginning of Justification to Faith, but makes the formal cause thereof to be Charity or New Obedience, which they call Righteousness inherent in us, whereby we are not only accounted righteous, but are both called, and also really are righteous, before God; adding also a dreadful Curse, if any dare be of another Judgment. Which manner of Doctrine, if it be admitted, it utterly