A40370:150
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 1 › Concerning the necessity of the practice, and care of good Works.
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.
Concerning the necessity of the practice, and care of good Works.
Therefore in this place something hath been said of Faith, and all that manner of Righteousness; which the Divine Authority attributes to Faith only without Works. More things elsewhere have been explained by us in other Books: From which things just conclusions being drawn, it evidently appears, if I am not mistaken, wherein all our righteousness consists, not in Works without Faith, nor joined together with Faith, but wholly in ⟨p. 82⟩Faith without Works; that is, without the merits of Works, or any condition of meriting. For if Faith, which is nothing else but an internal and illuminated contemplation, and receiving of Christ the Son of God, receives a free promise of Life in him; I do not well see what the good deeds of our Life, thought excellent, can perform in this part of justification. Yet it doth not 1follow from hence that the Holy practice of good Works for necessary uses, that I may speak with Paul, is not upon any account necessary. Neither is it a reason forcible enough, if any Man teaches that no trust should be put in Works, that therefore there is no need of any care to do good: For what Logic is this? Works should not be trusted in when they are performed: Therefore there is no need to endeavour 2to perform Good and Holy Works. We are no other ways justified but upon the account of Faith which is in Christ Jesus: Therefore Offices of Piety are not necessary in those, who are justified by Faith. Faith only, not upon the account of Love, but of the Mediator, promotes us to righteousness; Therefore, 3