A40370:928
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.
What is more solid than this Argument of Paul? What can be more plainly expressed? What Words are more familiar. if so be they are not darkened by a Sophistical Interpretation? ⟨p. 461⟩If according to the Testimony of Paul, we are not justified by Works, or obedience to the Law, but by Faith without Works; who can deny that our Justification consists of Faith only, unless he desperately oppose himself, not only against Paul the Apostle, but also the Holy Spirit God?
What is more solid than this Argument of Paul? What can be more plainly expressed? What Words are more familiar. if so be they are not darkned by a Sophistical Interpretation? ⟨p. 461⟩If according to the Testimony of Paul, we are not justified by Works, or obedience to the Law, but by Faith without Works; who can deny that our Iustification consists of Faith only, unless he desperately oppose himself, not only against Paul the Apostle, but also the Holy Spirit God?
But behold here the Deceit, or rather the Malice of sinful Men. They do not openly reject the Words of the Apostle, but wrest the sense and meaning of them to serve their own purpose. They deny not, that Works should be excluded: but pray, take notice of the captious Snares of Sophisters, who endeavour by a cunning way of distinguishing, to baffle the simplicity of Apostolical Doctrine: For they divide asunder Works, and their Justification into two parts, calling the one, Works of the Law, and the other Works of Grace: And they say, the Works of the Law are unprofitable to Justification; but the other they account very necessary. Therefore, they Answer to the Words of Paul with this Distinction: By the Works of the Law shall no Flesh be justified, &c. The meaning of these Words (say they) is this: No Man shall be justified before God, for his own Works, which he hath done, as by the Virtue and Merit thereof, but by the Virtue and Merit of Grace infused. For, according to Paul's manner of speaking, then a thing is said to be done by Works, when it is done by Works, when it is done as a