A40370:929
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.
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 1due Debt, or for the Works. Wherefore there being a twofold Justification, (as they say) one by ⟨p. 462⟩Grace infused, and another by the Obligation of the Law without Grace: In this Case, Justification by Works, and every thing that is contrary to Justification by Grace is excluded: And so the saying of the Apostle holds true, as they Interpret: to him that worketh, the Reward is not imputed according to Grace, but according to Debt, as if he should say, that what is given by 2Works or for them, is not given according to Grace, but according to Debt; therefore that Justification which is separated from Grace, is excluded, but not the Justification that comes by Works with the Assistance of Grace, &c. What else should I Answer to these Sophisters, but that I pray God to give them Repentance, and a better frame of Spirit, that they may not always resist the Holy Ghost, and overspread the Truth with darkness. What Man is there, but clearly perceives, that it is altogether contrary to the Words and Meaning of the Apostle, to build the Hope of Salvation upon any Works; when he doth so manifestly teach and protest against it, denying that we are justified any other way, but by Faith without the Works of the Law.