Osorius adds his Vote to theirs: If Faith only is sufficient, and if every Action that 1we do, is unprofitable and defiled, it follows, that all who embrace this imaginary Faith, do altogether neglect good ⟨p. 357⟩Works, &c. And elsewhere. Therefore you cannot by such Doctrine, exhort a Harlot to forsake her Lust, nor a Thief to refrain his covetous desire of other Mens Goods, nor a wicked Man to depart from his […] but that he should […] this naked and empty Faith only, which is void of all works of Charity; for by such instructions, he will conceive a strong persuasion, that by this Faith only, he is very dear to God. Than which, what can be more absurd? 2Though I grant this to be true, that nothing can be more absurd, than if we say that Harlots, Highwaymen, and Outrageous Cut-throats, who breaking the bonds of natural Modesty, give themselves up wilfully to all impurity, are acceptable to God by Faith only. I say, suppose we grant this to be true, what follows from hence? Then Faith only (as you say) doth not justify. O ingenious arguing, worthy of the Roman Mitres. It is true, that such as your Description sets forth to us, are not Justified by Faith. But what a Connection is this? there are many, who by the Preaching of free Justification, are encouraged to a greater Licentiousness in sinning. Therefore, that which is taught concerning justifying Faith, is false. As 3if the Truth or Falsehood of things depended on the using or abusing of them. What hath ever been so right or good, but evil Men have made it the occasion of Destruction to themselves, or others, by the abuse thereof. If this Argument were reasonable, the Sun might cease to shine, ⟨p. 358⟩because there are some that abuse his light, to commit the vilest Enormities: And healthful Herbs may cease to be planted 4in Gardens, because the venomous Spider sucks the worst poison out of them. The Physician also may cease to Administer Medicines, because there are some found, who after they have recovered their Health, do sometimes commit such things, that it had been better, if they had still lain sick in Bed. Yea, on the Lord's days there are not a few, that through idleness, commit many sins.
Osorius adds his Vote to theirs: If Faith only is sufficient, and if every Action that 1we do, is unprofitable and defiled, it follows, that all who embrace this imaginary Faith, do altogether neglect good ⟨p. 357⟩Works, &c. And elsewhere. Therefore you cannot by such Doctrine, exhort a Harlot to forsake her Lust, nor a Thief to refrain his covetous desire of other Mens Goods, nor a wicked Man to depart from his 〈…〉 but that he should 〈…〉 this naked and empty Faith only, which is void of all works of Charity; for by such instructions, he will conceive a strong perswasion, that by this Faith only, he is very dear to God. Than which, what can be more absurd? 2Though I grant this to be true, that nothing can be more absurd, than if we say that Harlots, Highwaymen, and Outragious Cut-throats, who breaking the bonds of natural Modesty, give themselves up willfully to all impurity, are acceptable to God by Faith only. I say, suppose we grant this to be true, what follows from hence? Then Faith only (as you say) doth not justifie. O ingenious arguing, worthy of the Roman Mitres. It is true, that such as your Description sets forth to us, are not Iustified by Faith. But what a Connexion is this? there are many, who by the Preaching of free Iustification, are encouraged to a greater Licentiousness in sinning. Therefore, that which is taught concerning justifying Faith, is false. As 3if the Truth or Falshood of things depended on the using or abusing of them. What hath ever been so right or good, but evil Men have made it the occasion of Destruction to themselves, or others, by the abuse thereof. If this Argument were reasonable, the Sun might cease to shine, ⟨p. 358⟩because there are some that abuse his light, to commit the vilest Enormities: And healthful Herbs may cease to be planted 4in Gardens, because the venimous Spider sucks the worst poyson out of them. The Physician also may cease to Administer Medicines, because there are some found, who after they have recovered their Health, do sometimes commit such things, that it had been better, if they had still lain sick in Bed. Yea, on the Lord's days there are not a few, that through idleness, commit many sins.
- 1Osor. de just. […]. 7. Osor. ibid. […]. 2.Osor. de just. 〈…〉. 7. Osor. ibid. 〈…〉. 2.
- 2An Answer to the Objections.
- 3The consequence is denied.
- 4The abuse of good things should be taken away, but the things themselves, should be continued.
