A40370:921
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.
Therefore Abraham is not justified by Works before God.
By these things which we have quoted out of Paul, and other sacred writings; I suppose, it appears evident enough, what we should judge of the Works of Abraham: Which, though they were excellent, and worthy to be ⟨p. 458⟩admired before men, yet they found no place for glorying before God, according to the Testimony and Interpretation of the Apostle.
We need not be at any great trouble to find out the cause thereof. 1Tiletan and other Jesuits produce a cause thereof out of Augustin: Because the Works of Abraham, were not of the Law, but of Faith, not of the Flesh, but of Grace, which because they were not done by the Power of Free-will only, but in the Faith, and (expectation) of Christ, therefore all Praise and Glory was due to Christ, and none to them; which Invention of theirs though it savours more of Wit than Solidity, yet though we grant all this to them, there is no inconvenience in it, seeing both of us acknowledge with Paul, that the Patriarch Abraham found neither matter of glorying, nor Justification before God by Works; and therefore that he had no cause of glorying, because he was not justified by Works; for otherways, if he had been justified by Works, he should have had, wherein to Glory, as the Apostle Paul speaks. But now he hath not any thing, wherein he may Glory before God, therefore he was not justified by Works. And thus hitherto we have treated of the Arguments of the Adversaries, as much as may suffice not only to discover, but also confute their Sophistical Wiles, and captious Deceits, who fight with so great eagerness for their inherent Righteousness, against the Testimony of the Holy Scripture, and the Sacred Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the bright