A40370:44
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.
A twofold and different Account of Doctrine; one of the Law, and another of the Gospel.
FOR as there is a twofold manner of Covenant, so also there is, of righteousness proposed in the Scriptures: The one consists in precepts and works, under the weight whereof we all of necessity fall down to destruction. The other is that of the Gospel, which is safe-guarded, not by works, not 1by observance of the Law, not by any performance of duties on our side, but by the sure and only Faith of Christ the Son of God. Verily whosoever rejecting the righteousness of Christ, whereof I speak, leads us aside unto any other manner of righteousness, I say, that he pleads not for righteousness, ⟨p. 8⟩but against it, and doth not undertake the defence of the Law of God, but is a professed Enemy of the Grace of Christ, and his Cross, and therefore doth not open, but wholly shuts up all passages to true Salvation, and all Gates and Doors of Divine Grace: For I beseech you, if we are willing to confess the truth with the Sacred Scripture, what is it else, in 2which all the fountains and causes of our destruction are contained, unto which, as the principal head and spring, we may attribute all our calamity, but this very manner of righteousness placed in God and his Law; by whose infinite immensity not only our faults, but also all the Poises of our righteousness are weighed down to the destruction of damnation. If there is nothing but the righteousness of Works, that may help our too scanty and short Obedience.
FOR as there is a twofold manner of Covenant, so also there is, of righteousness proposed in the Scriptures: The one consists in precepts and works, under the weight whereof we all of necessity fall down to destruction. The other is that of the Gospel, which is safe-guarded, not by works, not 1