A40370:664
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.
I Answer, First, though we grant it is true. that the Faith which justifies us in the sight of God is lively, and always joined with a Godly Life: Yet, that this Faith justifies and reconciles us no other ways, but upon the account of good Works, is most false. For this is not a good consequence from the premises: Because Faith is not alone in the Life of the Believer, therefore Faith is not alone in the Office of justifying. Or because the Faith that justifies is not a dead, but a lively Faith, therefore it doth not justify alone without Works: For herein is a fallacy of the Consequence. But you may object? Whence then is Faith said to be lively and not Dead, but from Works? Which if it be so, of necessity it must draw all its Life and Virtue from Works.
I Answer, First, though we grant it is true. that the Faith which justifies us in the sight of God is lively, and always joyned with a Godly Life: Yet, that this Faith justifies and reconciles us no other ways, but upon the account of good Works, is most false. For this is not a good consequence from the premises: Because Faith is not alone in the Life of the Believer, therefore Faith is not alone in the Office of justifying. Or because the Faith that justifies is not a dead, but a lively Faith, therefore it doth not justifie alone without Works: For herein is a fallacy of the Consequence. But you may object? Whence then is Faith said to be lively and not Dead, but from Works? Which if it be so, of necessity it must draw all its Life and Vertue from Works.
Nay, the matter is quite contrary: For though in the sight of Men, Faith is not discerned to be Lively and Vigorous, but by Works, yet Faith receives not Life from Works, but rather Works from Faith. As Fruits draw their Life and Sap from the Root of the Tree, but not the Root 1from them: Just so external actions proceed from Faith, as the Root, which, if they be good, they evidence the Root to be sound and lively, and this is all they do, but they communicate no Life thereunto.
Nay, the matter is quite contrary: For though in the sight of Men, Faith is not discerned to be Lively and Vigorous, but by Works, yet Faith receives not Life from Works, but rather Works from Faith. As Fruits draw their Life and Sap from the Root of the Tree, but not the Root