A40370:760
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.
To this Objection, I answer in short; Who knows not, that, in us, and our Works, there is nothing whereof we ought not to be greatly afraid? So David, and Job, and all the Saints; the more they call to mind the actions and practice of their Lives, the more they are surprised with the fear of Divine Judgment, and repose the less confidence in themselves.
To this Objection, I answer in short; Who knows not, that, in us, and our Works, there is nothing whereof we ought not to be greatly afraid? So David, and Iob, and all the Saints; the more they call to mind the actions and practice of their Lives, the more they are surprized with the fear of Divine Iudgment, and repose the less confidence in themselves.
But this doth not at all abate our rejoicing in Christ Jesus; so that relying upon the never failing Promise of God, and being assured of the remission of our sins, we strive against this fear as much as we can. Howbeit we cannot be so perfectly rid of 1this fear, which is placed in our Nature, but that it will sometimes return and cause trouble to the most eminent Saints. But that, which sometimes happens through infirmity, is one thing, and that which always becomes the Saints to do, is another. So David and Job before the return of spiritual comfort, were in terror, but, after God had restored unto them the joy of his Salvation, all fear vanished away. Canisius in saying, the Saints should be possessed with the fear of Judgment, does, what in him lies, to root out all the assurance of Faith out of the minds of the godly, and to make the Promise of God, and our fiducial ⟨p. 405⟩reliance on him, utterly void, and of none effect. Does Christ encourage us to lift up our heads for joy of the approaching Redemption, and yet dares Canisius command us to hang them down for fear of Judgment? 2Doth Paul promote the Saints unto so high a pitch of dignity, that he places them on the Seat of Judgment together with Christ. as his Assessors and Assistants. And yet must Canisius thrust the godly down as low as the ungodly, to render a strict account of all the transactions of their Lives? The holy Spirit in the Souls of Believers, with fervency breaths after Christ, crying, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly; Should Canisius then