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.

The Absurd Paradox of the Tridentines, whereby they deny that we are justified by the favour of God only.

BUT Now by what other thing then will they say that we * 1.1 are justified, if we obtain it not by the favour of God only? By the Law? But that works Wrath? By the works of the Law? But the Apostle expresly excludes those: Not of works, lest any Man should boast. But here I call to mind the ordinary Glosse, which doth resolve no difficulty, but makes one, by it's subtile comment, partly affirm∣ing that we are justified by works, and partly denying it. For thus it says, our works, as they are ours, have no power to justifie, yet consider them as they are not from us, but are wrought by God in us through Grace, they merit Iustification. And for that cause the Apostle would not say, the wages of Righteousness is Eternal Life: But chose rather to say, the grace of God is Eternal Life. Why so? Because, saith this device, those merits, to which Eternal Life is render∣ed, are not from us, but they come from grace, whence they receive the vertue of meriting: O wise, yea rather wild talk to vilifie grace? What if the Spirit of Christ

influencing the Hearts of his own, stirs up the Holy Offices of Charity, and excellent moti∣ons to Piety? What doth not the same Spi∣rit also vouchsafe all other gifts to his Church, bestowing on some gifts of Prophesie, on others divers kinds of Tongues, on others ad∣mirable Vertues of Curing and Healing; and on others of Teaching, for the Edification of the Saints. What shall we therefore place our whole Iustification in those gifts received from Christ?

I know that there are both many and emi∣nent vertues, wherewith the Spirit of Christ always adorns his Church; but it is one thing to adorn, another thing to justifie the Church. The gift of Sanctification is one thing, the cause of justifying is another: both whereof, though Christ perform by his grace, yet he Sanctifies one way, and Iustifies another, for he Sancti∣fies by his Spirit; but he Saves and Iustifies on∣ly by his Death and Blood: But you will say, if Salvation is not placed in Grace, why then is the grace of God called by Paul Eternal Life? Verily it is certain, and must be confes∣sed, which Paul teaches, that our Life must be attributed wholly unto grace, to which also it behoves us to attribute all other things. But we must look what way this grace saves and justifies; for it is that on which the whole con∣troversy depends: In which the generality of the adversaries are greatly deceived.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Triden∣tines deny that we are justified by favour only. Glossa ordina∣ria in cap. 6. ad Rom. The ridicu∣louscomment of the Glosse of theSchool∣men.