A40370:263
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.
Therefore we have, as you see, O Osorius, the hereditary Mansions of the Eternal Kingdom promised to us, and that not of Works, but of Faith; not according to Bargain, but according to Grace, and therefore according to Grace, that the Promise may be firm and sure to all the Seed.
It is a very weighty Cause, and Authority not to be contemned: For what is more firm for all manner of security, than that which relies on the certain faithfulness of God, and a free promise? On the contrary, what is more unstable than that which depends on the most uncertain condition of our Works, which are either for the most part evil, or always uncertain? Why then wilt thou cast us again out of the most firm safeguard of most sure confidence proposed to us, which rests most safely in the free bounty of God promising, as if thou drovest us out of a Haven of Tranquillity procured for us, to be tossed in 1the tempestuous Waters and Straits of Diffidence and Desperation? And do you make those things doubtful and uncertain, which through the bounty of God, we do as it were hold in our hands with a most assured Faith, so that now there is not any thing certain which a man may satisfy his own Soul about touching Salvation? for, I pray you, what can be certain, if so be the Grace of the Promise being taken away, if Imputation of Righteousness being neglected, which is placed ⟨p. 153⟩in Christ for us, the whole matter is brought to the account of our actions? and you plead that we are not otherways righteous before God, than by performing the Offices of the Divine Law?
It is a very weighty Cause, and Authority not to be contemned: For what is more firm for all manner of security, than that which relies on the certain faithfulness of God, and a free promise? On the contrary, what is more unstable than that which depends on the most uncertain condition of our Works, which are either for the most part evil, or always uncertain? Why then wilt thou cast us again out of the most firm safeguard of most sure confidence proposed to us, which rests most safely in the free bounty of God promising, as if thou drovest us out of a Haven of Tranquillity procured for us, to be tossed in