A40370:751
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.
I deny the consequence: for it is a Fallacy (a non causa pro causa) for in the antecedent the works of the godly are brought in as effects, but in the conclusion 1as a cause: whence there is no sound conclusion from the concrete to the abstract. For it is no rational arguing, because believers living Holily receive the gift of Eternal Life, therefore their deeds merit Eternal Life. Just as if a Man should reason on this manner; a Wife being Obedient to her Husband, is admitted to be a partaker of all his Goods: Therefore her Obedience is worthy of a share in all his Possessions: A Son being Obedient to his Father, is received for ⟨p. 398⟩his Heir, therefore his Obedience deserves the Inheritance. Works are evidences of faith in Christ, but not the cause of Salvation. Just as a Tree, that brings forth Fruit, if it hath any goodness in it, receives it not from the Fruit, but the Fruit hath all its goodness from the Tree. In like manner the works of the Godly, have nothing, that they can claim a right unto in Judgment: If they find any favour or reward, that is not due to them, but partly to Mercy, and 2partly to Imputation for the sake of the Mediator: to Mercy, which pardons Evil deeds: to Imputation, which puts a great value upon good Works, though of very little worth in themselves, and crowns them with rewards: So that all the praise belong, not to Men, but to God: Not to Righteousness but Grace, not to Works, but Faith, not to Judgment, but Mercy.
I deny the consequence: for it is a Fallacy (a non causa pro causa) for in the antecedent the works of the godly are brought in as effects, but in the conclusion 1as a cause: whence there is no sound conclusion from the concrete to the abstract. For it is no rational arguing, because believers living Holily receive the gift of Eternal Life, therefore their deeds merit Eternal Life. Iust as if a Man should reason on this manner; a Wife being Obedient to her Husband, is admitted to be a partaker of all his Goods: Therefore her Obedience is worthy of a share in all his Possessions: A Son being Obedient to his Father, is received for