A40370:276
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.
Mi. All the Faithful according to the promise of God, walk in his precepts, and perform them, because God promises nothing, but what he can and will perform.
Concl. Therefore, according to the promise of God nothing hinders, but Believers may be perfect here, who are capacitated to live without sin.
That I may answer the Argument, it is a Sophistical Argument from secundum quid, to simpliciter, because in the Major those are called perfect, who walk in the Precepts of the Lord, and frame their life according to them: it is true in them who simply and perfectly perform all those things, which are commanded in the Law, according to that perfection which is requisite. According to which Rule, if the ⟨p. 158⟩major be understood, that which is assumed in the minor must be upon 1this account denied. For though God hath promised to his Saints, that the Assisting grace of his Spirit shall not be wanting, which may help forward pious attempts in his Elect, and stir up their endeavours after more holy obedience; but where hath he at any time promised, or on whom hath he bestowed that happiness in walking, which turns no where to the right hand, nor to the left? which stumbles not through the whole life? which in all kind of virtues, by a constant perseverance so conforms the course of life to complete innocency, that it never fails in any thing? The Adversaries use for the defence of their own cause, to catch at the words, that were just now cited out of Jerem. chap. 31. and 2