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.

Answer.

Both are true indeed, if you consider things in respect of the just rewards due unto them. For as the vile Abominations of an Ungodly Life procure the Wrath and Vengeance of God, so Works of Righteousness would pro∣cure his favour, if we could perform good things with as great perfection as we do Evil things. But because we cannot do that, there∣fore of our selves, we can deserve nothing according to the rules of Iustice, but only Death and Damnation. But now by the right of Redemption through Christ, we are set free from the Law of Iustice, and translated into the Kingdom of Grace; by Vertue of a new Covenant, whereby it comes to pass, that God hath respect not to our Merits, but only to Christ, the price of our Redemption.

Therefore I answer, That this opposition of contraries is of force according to the strict severity

of the Law, but not according to the Grace of the Gospel, for here there is a block put in the way; To wit, The Blood of the Redeemer, that frees us from the Law of Sin and Death.

Moreover, the Argument from contraries avails not, except the contraries are set equally in their full extent one against another. Now Evil Works in us are perfectly Evil, but good Works, though assisted by Grace, yet because of the refractary imperfection of the Flesh, in the sight of God are imperfect at the best, as they are performed by us. Wherefore Hierom says, The perfection of all Righteous Men in the Flesh, is Imperfection.