A40370:330
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 › How Christ takes away Sins: With an Answer to the Objections of Oso… › Argument.
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 that I may answer in a word: If you suppose there is that help of Divine Grace, which makes Obedience in this Life to be wholly unblameable and perfect; Augustine will presently deny that. Who discoursing of the first Precept of Righteousness, whereby we are commanded to love God, with all our heart, and our Neighbour as our selves: We shall fulfil that, saith he, in that 1Life, where we shall see face to face; and presently; And therefore that man hath profited much in this Life in that Righteousness, which is to be perfected, who by profiting knows how far he is from the perfection of Righteousness.
- 1Aug. cte spiritu & litera, cap. 36.
Moreover, that which is argued from the power of Divine Grace, is not sufficient to exclude the necessity of sin. They say indeed, that by the perfect Grace of God it is possible that a man may not sin at all in this life: Be it so; Yet all things are not made which can be made by the singular power of 1God. So by the power of God helping us we could fly, yet we do not fly: For God willeth not all things, which his power is able to do: But, you say, he willeth and commandeth with great Authority, ⟨p. 182⟩that we should observe his Precepts, which he would not command unless he knew them to be possible. It is true indeed, if they be understood according to that Nature, which he first created in us, So that in him there is no cause but that the Precepts, as they should be judged right, so also they should be judged possible. But hearken to Hierom answering you, and aptly untying this Knot. God hath commanded things possible, saith he, this no man doubts of. But because men did not possible things, therefore all the World is become subject to God, and needs his Mercy, &c.