A40370:667
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.
But before God in Heaven it justifies the Ungodly, not by Love, but by the Son of God, whom it only lays hold of, Therefore those Men seem not to have got a clear insight into the Virtue and Nature of the Grace of Faith, that suppose the whole Life thereof to consist in Love, as if Faith of it self could do nothing, but as it receives Virtue and Efficacy from Charity.
But before God in Heaven it justifies the Ungodly, not by Love, but by the Son of God, whom it only lays hold of, Therefore those Men seem not to have got a clear insight into the Vertue and Nature of the Grace of Faith, that suppose the whole Life thereof to consist in Love, as if Faith of it self could do nothing, but as it receives Vertue and Efficacy from Charity.
Indeed both may seem to be true in the External Actions of Human Life, in which Faith lies like a dead thing, unless it be enlivened by Charity to the exercise of good Works. And hereunto belongs that saying of Paul, whereby he so much commends Faith working by Love, understanding 1such Works, as Faith working by Love brings forth to the view of a Human Eye. Yet with God Faith hath a far different operation; for it only, without any reliance upon Works, or assistance of Charity, but trusting to the naked promise of God, and the dignity of the Mediator, climbs up to Heaven, and gets access into the presence of God, where it does great and wonderful things, combating ⟨p. 37⟩with the Judgment to come, fighting against the terrors of Death, Satan, and Hell, pleads the cause of a Sinner, obtains his pardon, absolves and justifies him from the accusations of a guilty Conscience, takes away all Iniquity, reconciles God to the Sinner, appeases his wrath, subdues the power of Death and the Devil, and procures Peace, yea and Paradise it self; with the Thief, that had led a wicked Life, and yet at Death was justified by Faith in the Redeemer. Who would desire more or greater things? And now so many and great things being done by Faith, let us enquire, After what manner it does them? Not