A40370:917
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 › An Explication of the Parable of the Wedding Garment. › 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.
But now let us return to what we were saying of Abraham. If we look upon his Faith, what was more sincere? If we consider his Works, what was more glorious and wonderful? Therefore upon both accounts he was certainly an admirable man. Now let us compare his Faith with his Works. And because it is evident that he was justified before God, ⟨p. 455⟩let us enquire whether he was justified by Faith, […] Works; because he could not be justified upon both accounts, as the Apostle witnesseth; If it is of Faith, then it is not of Works; but if it is of Works, then it is not of Faith. What shall we say then to these things? let the Scripture answer. Abraham 1believed God, when he promised, and it was accounted to him for Righteousness. And the same Abraham obeyed God, when he commanded; and why doth not the Scripture in like manner add, That this was imputed to him for Righteousness? 2Let us hear what the Apostle answers. The Scripture foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by Faith, he first told the glad tidings to Abraham: and what glad tidings was this? That he and his Seed should be Heirs of the 3World. A great Promise indeed. But how did he obtain this Promise, by Faith, or by Works? There is an answer ready made to our hand by the Apostle: The Promise came not by the Law to Abraham, or to his Seed, that he should be Heir of the World, but by the Righteousness of Faith. Why so, Paul? why, not by the Law? and why by the Righteousness of Faith? That he might be the Father of all the faithful, who walking in the footsteps of the Faith, which was in the Uncircumcision of our Father Abraham, shall have. Faith in like manner imputed unto them.
But now let us return to what we were saying of Abraham. If we look upon his Faith, what was more sincere? If we consider his Works, what was more glorious and wonderful? Therefore upon both accounts he was certainly an admirable man. Now let us compare his Faith with his Works. And because it is evident that he was justified before God, ⟨p. 455⟩let us enquire whether he was justified by Faith, Works; because he could not be justified upon both accounts, as the Apostle witnesseth; If it is of Faith, then it is not of Works; but if it is of Works, then it is not of Faith. What shall we say then to these things? let the Scripture answer. Abraham