A40370:941
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.
To whom that I may answer, First, whereas he infers, that good Works are not necessary, because the Just live by Faith, he may as reasonably gather Thistles 1from the Vine; for this is no good consequence: The Just shall live by Faith, therefore Works are not necessary: Which we also with Paul, do notwithstanding ⟨p. 472⟩account to be necessary. And in the next place, whereas he says, that it is one thing to be justified by Faith, and another thing to be justified by Faith only: Though we grant this to be true, yet I see no great difference between these two Expressions: To be justified by Faith without Works, and to be justified by Faith only. Thirdly, Whereas he Cavils about the Word Only, what it excludes, and what it excludes not in the Books of the Catholics, we do not trouble our selves much about that; but this is manifest in the Writings of Paul, that Works themselves, though otherways they are very excellent, and also necessary upon other accounts, yet in this free Gift of Evangelical Justification, they are excluded without all Controversy. Though that also is an untruth, which he asserts of the Books of the Catholics: For Basil (that I may produce one of them instead of a great many) expresses the same in manifest Words, taking away from every Man all occasion of glorying in his own Righteousness, and testifies that each one of us is justified by Faith in Christ only. And therefore he presently produces the Example of Paul to confirm the same, and Paul Glories (saith he) in the Contempt of his own Righteousness. I may also add the Words of the same Basil upon the 32. Psalm, where giving a Description 2of a perfect Man, he says he is such a one as puts no trust in his own good deeds, but hath his whole hope and reliance on the Mercy of God alone. I think it is ⟨p. 473⟩not amiss to join unto Basil his intimate Friend Nazianzen, who assents and subscribes to the words of Basil 3on this manner: Faith only is our Righteousness.
To whom that I may answer, First, whereas he inferrs, that good Works are not necessary, because the Iust live by Faith, he may as reasonably gather Thistles