A40370:933
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.
So Paul desiring to set before the Eyes of all Men the boundless Immensity of Divine Grace toward Mankind, that they might behold and embrace it, expressly denies, 1that Man is justified by the Works of the Law. But here the Distinction of Hosius (as I have said) presents it self. It is true, saith he, in respect of the Works that are of the Law, and belong to our own Free-will, which being attended with Imperfection, can avail nothing to Justification: To which I Answer in a Word. Give then that Grace, which may furnish frail Nature with Strength, to yield perfect Obedience to the Law, and may restore us to perfect innocency in this Life, and you have won the cause. But in the mean while, let those Disputants consider, how many gross and pernicious Absurdities proceed from this kind of Doctrine; for hereby the infinite greatness of ⟨p. 466⟩the free Grace and Mercy of God towards us is taken away and abolished, this also destroys our thankfulness to him for his goodness, and withholds Consolation from afflicted Consciences so that very great injury is done to him, that hath freely communicated so many and so great Benefits, and much greater injury is done to those, on whom they are bestowed: Hereby also it comes to pass, that there remains no Assurance in the Promise of God, no firmness in our Faith, no soundness in the Doctrine of Religion, nor Comfort or Refreshment in the Suffering of the Saints.
So Paul desiring to set before the Eyes of all Men the boundless Immensity of Divine Grace toward Mankind, that they might behold and embrace it, expresly denies, 1that Man is justified by the VVorks of the Law. But here the Distinction of Hosius (as I have said) presents it self. It is true, saith he, in respect of the Works that are of the Law, and belong to our own Free-will, which being attended with Imperfection, can avail nothing to Iustification: To which I Answer in a Word. Give then that Grace, which may furnish frail Nature with Strength, to yield perfect Obedience to the Law, and may restore us to perfect innocency in this Life, and you have won the cause. But in the mean while, let those Disputants consider, how many gross and pernicious Absurdities proceed from this kind of Doctrine; for hereby the infinite greatness of ⟨p. 466⟩