A40370:634
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.
That I may answer this Objection, though it hath been sufficiently 1answered already, two things must be considered, one whereof belongs to the manner of Preaching, and the other to the truth of the Doctrine. And first as touching Preaching, their Objection is very false: For though we teach that Faith only Justifies, yet we neglect not to use strong motives to the practice of good Works, and sharp Admonitions, and not only Admonitions, but also severe threatenings, yea, and moreover Excommunications, if need be, to restrain wicked practices.
That I may answer this Objection, though it hath been sufficiently 1answered already, two things must be considered, one whereof belongs to the manner of Preaching, and the other to the truth of the Doctrine. And first as touching Preaching, their Objection is very false: For though we teach that Faith only Iustifies, yet we neglect not to use strong motives to the practice of good Works, and sharp Admonitions, and not only Admonitions, but also severe threatnings, yea, and moreover Excommunications, if need be, to restrain wicked practices.
- 1Answer. In Sermons frequent Exhortations are used to Pious Works.
The frequent Sermons that are Preached in our Churches bear witness to this, in which according to our power, we exhort unto Works of Piety, and by the Authority of Scripture, thunder the Judgments of God, against Harlots, Adulterers, Covetous Persons, Highwaymen, ⟨p. 361⟩Sorcerers, that they may know there will be no place for such in the Kingdom of God and Christ, except they amend their lives. Who was more zealous than Paul, in exalting the Righteousness of Faith? And who was more Holy in Life than he, or more fervent against the sins of those that walked not after the Spirit, but after the flesh? The Books of our Divines do evidence the same, in which they discourse no less of Repentance, and good Works, than of Faith, joining always the one with the other. Therefore as touching the manner of Teaching, you will find, that it is not Faith only, which is Treated of in the Churches and Books of Men of our persuasion. But if the matter of debate between us, be about the cause of Salvation and Justification, there is nothing more agreeable to sound Doctrine, than that an ungodly sinner is Justified before God by Faith only without Works.