A40370:460
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.
And, will the Tridentine Counsellors remonstrate against this; that Man's Salvation consists only in the Favour of God? Wherein then? Running, say they, must be added, and the choice of Free-will must be added thereto. Who denies it? We run all of us, each one for his own Portion, being placed in our Stage by God: For the Christian Life is a race, not a play, an exercise, not a vacuity from business, a warfare, not slothfulness. Be it so indeed, yet in this same race how unhappily do we oftiems run? How often do we stumble? How many ways do we fall, how blind and traversed 1a way do we often go? And so sometimes we run head long, either wandering every one his own way as the Prophet speaks, or with the Sheep of the Gospel wander sometimes out of the Folds? 2But we return presently, say you, ⟨p. 252⟩into the Way. well: But who, I beseech you, calls you back? Your own will, or the grace of him, that hath mercy? I see that you return, and I praise it, but to whom is this praise due? To the strength of your will, or to free mercy? And now I would have you teach me what this running of yours deserves. You only look at how much you proceed in running, but you do not also take heed how much you fail in your race. And after all these things do you yet boast of your merits, as if the reward of the Everlasting state were due to your Labours? In which assertions I do not drive at this, to dissolve the Pious endeavours of making Progress, or to dishearten them by desperation.
And, will the Tridentine Councellours remonstrate against this; that Man's Salvation consists only in the Favour of God? Wherein then? Running, say they, must be added, and the choice of Free-will must be added thereto. Who denies it? We run all of us, each one for his own Portion, being placed in our Stage by God: For the Christian Life is a race, not a play, an exercise, not a vacuity from business, a warfare, not slothfulness. Be it so indeed, yet in this same race how unhappily do we oftiems run? How often do we stumble? How many ways do we fall, how blind and traversed 1a way do we often go? And so sometimes we run head long, either wandering every one his own way as the Prophet speaks, or with the Sheep of the Gospel wander sometimes out of the Folds?