A40370:716
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
Book 3 › Another Argument taken from the words of Christ, Matth. 25. › Answer.
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.
Answer.
The Consequence must be denied. For this is the true consequence 1thereof: Therefore Men are justly shut out of Heaven for Evil deeds and Impiety. For though a slothful and lazy Servant ought to be shut out of the House, yet it doth not therefore follow, that the Inheritance must needs be due to him that faithfully and diligently performs his duty. The Kingdom of Heaven is given to faith, not to duties, by way of gift, not by way of bargain, not for merits, but freely. And though faith in the mean while is not idle, but diligently exercises it self in the ways of Holiness, yet the possession of this great benefit should not therefore be attributed unto Works? ⟨p. 392⟩suppose an adopted Son, in managing well his Father's Goods, shows himself a faithful Steward in his Father's House; is not his Father's Inheritance bestowed upon him, of free gift, notwithstanding all this care and industry? Moreover that is not true, which is denied in the Antecedent, that the foolish Virgins were not shut out for want of Faith. For had they had true Faith, they would not have wanted provision of Oil. For Faith, that is lively, cannot be slothful: Therefore in Scripture these Epithets are given to Faith.
The Consequence must be denied. For this is the true consequence 1thereof: Therefore Men are justly shut out of Heaven for Evil deeds and Impiety. For though a slothful and lazy Servant ought to be shut out of the House, yet it doth not therefore follow, that the Inheritance must needs be due to him that faithfully and diligently performs his duty. The Kingdom of Heaven is given to faith, not to duties, by way of gift, not by way of bargain, not for merits, but freely. And though faith in the mean while is not idle, but diligently exercises it self in the ways of Holiness, yet the possession of this great benefit should not therefore be attributed unto Works?