A40370:410
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.
The same should be said of the Thief, the Publican, the Leper, and many others in the History of the Gospel, who were not saved by an infused Habit, but ⟨p. 219⟩only by an infused Faith; for otherways what did that word so often repeated in the Gospel signify; Thy Faith hath saved thee? Which word, if it be true, then either Faith is Righteousness, or else Righteousness can by no means save us. And the same reason is to be given of the Conversion of the Gentiles; whom of old the grace of God brought from impure Paganism to the Communion of the Gospel; not for any Inherent Righteousness, but for his great Love wherewith he loved the unworthy and the wretched sinners.
The same should be said of the Thief, the Publican, the Leper, and many others in the History of the Gospel, who were not saved by an infused Habit, but ⟨p. 219⟩only by an infused Faith; for otherways what did that word so often repeated in the Gospel signifie; Thy Faith hath saved thee? Which word, if it be true, then either Faith is Righteousness, or else Righteousness can by no means save us. And the same reason is to be given of the Conversion of the Gentiles; whom of old the grace of God brought from impure Paganism to the Communion of the Gospel; not for any Inherent Righteousness, but for his great Love wherewith he loved the unworthy and the wretched sinners.
Moreover, what shall be said of the Apostles themselves, whom Christ verily chose not being just, as Augustine speaks, but to be justified, when he said; I chose you out of the World? What if Christ chose them out of the World; that they might be just; then they were first unjust in the World, whom he chose out of the World, that they might be just. If they were first just, and not sinners of the World, whom Christ chose out of the World; then they first chose Christ, that they being just, might be chosen by him. But it was not so; for he himself says to them; Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, &c.