A40370:932
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.
The Law commands us to Love our Neighbour, and lays a Punishment on him, that disobeys. But Grace communicates Strength and Ability to perform what the Law commands. Which when we perform, we are said to do not only a Work of Grace, but also a Work of the Law by Grace; so that it is a matter of small concernment, whether it be called a Work of the Law, or a Work of Grace, a Work of our own, or a Work of Faith. Therefore if the Scripture denies, That a man is ⟨p. 465⟩justified, and attributes his Justification to another cause, that is Faith, what should be inferred from hence, but that Man's Justification comes neither by the Works of the Law, nor the Works of Grace. 1Just as if a Man writing to his Friend, should say thus: This Benefit was procured for him by no Money, or charge of his own: What matter is it, whether it was his own Money, or borrowed of some other Man, when the meaning of the Writer was to signify, that this Benefit, whatsoever it was, was not bought by any Price of the Receiver, but obtained by the free Bounty of the Giver.
The Law commands us to Love our Neighbour, and lays a Punishment on him, that disobeys. But Grace communicates Strength and Ability to perform what the Law commands. VVhich when we perform, we are said to do not only a VVork of Grace, but also a VVork of the Law by Grace; so that it is a matter of small concernment, whether it be called a VVork of the Law, or a VVork of Grace, a VVork of our own, or a VVork of Faith. Therefore if the Scripture denies, That a man is ⟨p. 465⟩justified, and attributes his Iustification to another cause, that is Faith, what should be inferr'd from hence, but that Man's Iustification comes neither by the VVorks of the Law, nor the VVorks of Grace. 1Iust as if a Man writing to his Friend, should say thus: This Benefit was procured for him by no Money, or charge of his own: VVhat matter is it, whether it was his own Money, or borrowed of some other Man, when the meaning of the VVriter was to signifie, that this Benefit, whatsoever it was, was not bought by any Price of the Receiver, but obtained by the free Bounty of the Giver.