A40370:454
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.
Briefly, that we may express the thing in a word, whatsoever it is, which is called a reward in Mystical writings, is nothing else but Grace proposed in the place and name of reward. What if this present Life, which we enjoy in the Flesh, if the conveniency of Life, and other Ornaments, though transitory, and temporary, are very rightly accounted, not to be, our Merits, but the Gifts of God, how much more rightly shall that Heavenly and everlasting reward of Life, wherewith the most gracious Father crowns us, seem to proceed, not from the dignity of our Works, but from his singular Mercy and Grace. Which though sometimes it takes the name of reward, yet if we rightly consider the matter, we shall find nothing in all this whole Fabric of our Redemption, but the only and singular Grace of God.
Briefly, that we may express the thing in a word, whatsoever it is, which is called a reward in Mystical writings, is nothing else but Grace proposed in the place and name of reward. What if this present Life, which we enjoy in the Flesh, if the conveniency of Life, and other Ornaments, though transitory, and temporary, are very rightly accounted, not to be, our Merits, but the Gifts of God, how much more rightly shall that Heavenly and everlasting reward of Life, wherewith the most gracious Father crowns us, seem to proceed, not from the dignity of our Works, but from his singular Mercy and Grace. Which though sometimes it takes the name of reward, yet if we rightly consider the matter, we shall find nothing in all this whole Fabrick of our Redemption, but the only and singular Grace of God.
First, because he endued thee with Faith, and the knowledge of his 1Son: And because afterwards he washes thee in the saving laver of Faith, and because having washed thee, he calls thee forth to be a partaker of the Inheritance of the Saints, translating thee into the Kingdom of his Son, whom he freely gives unto thee; and Adopts thee for his Son together with him, and appoints thee for his Heir: Promises the Hereditary Kingdom, and adorns, changes, refreshes and comforts thee with his Spirit; beautifies thee with Virtues, justifies thee by Faith, overlooks very many of thy Sins, esteems thy good deeds which are very small, as if they were the greatest, and rewards them as if they were eminent.