A40370:18
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.
These seem to me to be the Principal Heads, in which all the Strength and Nature of our Religion, all our Peace ⟨image 7⟩and Tranquility, and all the way of our Salvation and Doctrine is contained: Which manner of Doctrine, I think all means should be used, that it may be retained in the Church sound and entire.
And this was the chiefest Cause, that stirred me up to undertake this Defence, wherein I am now engaged, not that I might open a Door of Licentiousness to Men of unclean Dispositions: But that I might lay open unto all Godly Brethren, and especially to those that are afflicted, the boundless and eternal Riches of the Grace of God in Christ purchased for us, the Glory of the Kingdom, the Stable and undoubted good Pleasure of his reconciled favour.
What if some are of such a perverse Mind, that they design to abuse this our peaceable and healthful debate, about Faith and the Grace of Justification, for a Defence of their own Uurighteouness, and carnal Licentiousness, I give them notice now before hand, that these things were neither written, nor thought upon by me for them, but only for the Godly, whose Consciences in this World are burdened and afflicted, (to whom I would peculiarly Dedicate this Work, such as it is) that I might ease ⟨image 7⟩and refresh them in Christ, in the great straits of their Agonies with some Lenitive of Evangelical Doctrine, against the ensnaring assaults of Satan.
What if some are of such a perverse Mind, that they design to abuse this our peaceable and healthful debate, about Faith and the Grace of Iustification, for a Defence of their own Uurighteouness, and carnal Licentiousness, I give them notice now before hand, that these things were neither written, nor thought upon by me for them, but only for the Godly, whose Consciences in this World are burdened and afflicted, (to whom I would peculiarly Dedicate this Work, such as it is) that I might ease