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 difference between the Righteousness of the Law and the Gospel.

FIRST, as touching the Law, what the Nature, Vertue, and Efficacy thereof is, it is unknown to no Man: To wit, that it is of it self a Holy and Perfect Rule, and Mistress to teach how to lead the Life; made for this purpose by the most Holy God, that Creatures might certainly know, what they should fly, and what they should follow, as it contains in it self the very Rule of all perfection in all respects compleat; so it requires perfect obedience in all respects and upon all accounts:

upon this condition, that he that doth these things, shall live in them. But on the contrary, he that doth otherwise, and abides not in all, the Law pronounces a Curse against him, and inflicts the vengeance of Death, and heaps up anger and indignation upon him. For by the Law the Wrath of God is declared from Hea∣ven, being justly kindled against all Men that are wicked and unjust upon any account.

Whereby it comes to pass, that the Law indeed, being it self Holy and Good, was not given for this, that it should bring Destruction, but Salvation; but yet the same being hindred by the infirmity of our flesh, it cannot but kill us, but cannot at all save us by its own means; not for any default, or tyranny of its own; but by taking just occasion from the refractory rebellion of our flesh, which as it naturally hath an enmity against God, so it cannot avoid be∣ing contrary to his Sacred Will, and Divine In∣stitutions. And hence break forth so many, and so great calamities, that fall upon this sin∣ful Nature of ours; hence so many proofs of the Divine Indignation and Anger; hence also that dreadful and unavoidable necessity of dying, which when it passes promiscuously through all ages and kindreds, which none of the most Holy Men could ever drive away from them∣selves, verily that one thing proves us all to be guilty of unrighteousness, and that there is not any perfection of righteousness in our most righteous works; for if the Wages of Sin be Death, it cannot be that there should be any

extinction of Life there, where no unrigh∣teousness is seen. Therefore, O Osorius! if the Law cannot defend thee in this Life with all thy works from Death, will the same save thee after Death, and restore thee to Life, when thou art Dead?

Notes

• The strength and operati∣on of the Law.
• The Law as out of Christ is confidered what it doth.