A40370:546
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.
Argument.
Ma. Where there is a perpetual Race, there is no station, nor term of motion.
Mi. There is a perpetual Race in this Life, towards obtaining Life.
Con. Therefore there is no station of attaining to Righteousness in this Life, and end of notion, which Thomas sets down.
By these things, I think it is sufficiently evidenced, what is the Justification of a Wicked Man in the Scriptures, and in what thing it chiefly consists: not in a transmutation of inherent qualities, by a voluntary receiving of Grace, as they of Trent would have it; but in the judiciary absolution of the Judge, whereby he that is guilty is sent away free, and indemnity is given to him. Whence Justification seems to be defined not amiss by some: That it is an action of God, whereby he absolves the condemned Sinner from the Law, in his free mercy, for the sake of Christ, justifies him from his Sins, and glorifies him being justified. Though in the mean while it is not denied, that it is a matter of great concernment, how every Man leads his Life, and amends it. But yet it is one thing to speak of Righteousness, and another thing to speak of Justification. And again, it is one thing to be exercised in the common use of Life,