A40370:84
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 1 › What the power and efficacy of Faith is; whom it justifies, and how.
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 now the Lord himself, the Prince and Author of the Church professes in very evident words, that eternal life shall be given to them that believe in his name. What can be said more evident in signification, or more clear to be understood? He that believeth in me, saith he, hath eternal life. And again repeating the same, in the same words. He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting 1life. And chap. 11. He that believeth in me, though he were dead yet he shall live. And lest he should seem to testify this of himself without the consent of his Father, he 2adds, This is, saith he, the will of him that sent me, that every one that seeth the Son and believeth in him should have life eternal. Who doth no less most evidently confirm these things by performances, which he expresses in word, adding also miracles thereunto. For how great a multitude do ye meet with every where through all the Evangelists, whom you see saved and healed by no other thing but ⟨p. 34⟩faith only, which relied on Christ. How often do we hear from the mouth of the Lord in the Gospel: thy Faith hath made thee whole, without hearing any 3mention of works? And what Christ performed to faith, will Osorius attribute that to Works: Christ invites unto himself Consciences that are afflicted and burdened with sin: Isaiah calls all that are athirst to come without price or any exchange to the Fountains of Christ, that they may be refreshed. Osorius will bestow the Kingdom, which God hath promised, upon none but righteous men, and eminent good works. I beseech you, Sir, according to your righteousness, what excellent good work brought that sinful Woman with her in the Gospel, out of whom seven Devils were cast? What righteousness appeared in the Thief on the Right Hand of Christ except faith only, why he should after the committing so many evil deeds enter in together with Christ on the same day into Paradise? what other thing did the Woman of Canaan, that was a stranger, bring to Christ, but an importunate cry of faith, so that she carried home, not Crumbs, but whole Loaves of Divine Grace? What deserved the miserable Woman with the bloody Issue, or Jairus the Governor of the Synagogue, 4