Of free justification

On the contrary, they who make a twofold Justification, and assign divers causes of both, of which the one consists of Faith only, without Works going before, which they call the first, and the other, which they call the second is increased by Works of Grace, as they speak. I see not what they can find in the Scriptures, for ⟨p. 487⟩the defence of their Opinion; for Paul writing to so many Churches ¹acknowledges no cause of Justification, but one, which he professes to be Faith in Christ, and that without Works. What need is there of better evidence? Can you not be persuaded to believe the Truth, which hath been so often and so perspicuously demonstrated by so great a Master as Paul? But to what purpose hath Christ appointed him to be a Teacher to us Gentiles; if we despise his Instructions, and choose to our selves other Masters, that teach another Gospel? And what else do those Men, who reject the Apostle's Doctrine, and hearken to such as teach contrary thereunto? Paul says, Without Works Man is justified: Will you then dare to plead for Justification by Works in Opposition to the Apostle? Dare you deny what he affirms? But you say, I detract nothing from Works in opposition unto Paul, but I add Grace, from whence they receive the power of Meriting and Justifying. Then, according to your Opinion, Works being assisted by Grace do justify, but without Grace they avail nothing.

On the contrary, they who make a twofold Iustification, and assign divers causes of both, of which the one confists of Faith only, without Works going before, which they call the first, and the other, which they call the second is increased by Works of Grace, as they speak. I see not what they can find in the Scriptures, for ⟨p. 487⟩the defence of their Opinion; for Paul writing to so many Churches ¹acknowledges no cause of Iustification, but one, which he professes to be Faith in Christ, and that without Works. What need is there of better evidence? Can you not be perswaded to believe the Truth, which hath been so often and so perspicuously demonstrated by so great a Master as Paul? But to what purpose hath Christ appointed him to be a Teacher to us Gentiles; if we despise his Instructions, and chuse to our selves other Masters, that teach another Gospel? And what else do those Men, who reject the Apostle's Doctrine, and hearken to such as teach contrary thereunto? Paul says, Without Works Man is justified: Will you then dare to plead for Iustification by Works in Opposition to the Apostle? Dare you deny what he affirms? But you say, I detract nothing from Works in opposition unto Paul, but I add Grace, from whence they receive the power of Meriting and Iustifying. Then, according to your Opinion, Works being assisted by Grace do justifie, but without Grace they avail nothing.