A30137:114
A defence of the doctrine of justification, by faith in Jesus Christ
A defence of the doctrine of justification, by faith in Jesus Christ: showing, true Gospel-holiness flows from thence. Or, Mr. Fowler's pretended design of Christianity, proved to be nothing more then to trample under foot the blood of the Son of God and the idolizing of man's own righteousness. As also, how while he pretends to be a minister of the Church of England, he overthroweth the wholesome doctrine contained in the 10th. 11th. and 13th. of the Thirty Nine Articles of the same, and that he falleth in with the Quaker, and Romanist, against them. By John Bunyan.A defence of the doctrine of justification, by faith in Jesus Christ: shewing, true Gospel-holiness flows from thence. Or, Mr. Fowler's pretended design of Christianity, proved to be nothing more then to trample under foot the blood of the Son of God and the idolizing of man's own righteousness. As also, how while he pretends to be a minister of the Church of England, he overthroweth the wholesom doctrine contained in the 10th. 11th. and 13th. of the Thirty Nine Articles of the same, and that he falleth in with the Quaker, and Romanist, against them. By John Bunyan.
London: printed for Francis Smith, 1673
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.
Answ. Though it seemeth an untruth, yet it is most true; That by the works of the Law, no heart is made new, no man made new. A man from principle of nature, and reason, (which principles are of himself, and as old) may give up himself to the goodness of the Law: Yet these principles are so far off from being new, that they are as old as Adam in Paradise; and come into the world with all the children of men. To which principles the Law, or the first principles of morals, so equally suit, that as you have said, page 8. they are self evident; then which there is nothing ma•-kind d•th more naturally assent unto, page 11. Now Nature is no new principle, but an old; even our own, and of our selves. The Law is no new ⟨p. 22⟩principle, but old, and one with our selves (as also you well have called it) first written in mens hearts, and originally dictates of humane nature. Let a man then be as devout, as is possible for the Law, and the holiness of the Law. Yet if the principles from which he acts; be but the habit of Soul, the purity (as he feigns) of his own nature; principles of natural reason, or the dictates of humane nature; all this is nothing else but the old Gentleman in his Holy-day-clothes; the old Heart, the old Spirit; the Spirit of the man, not the Spirit of Christ is here.
Answ. Though it seemeth an untruth, yet it is most true; That by the works of the Law, no heart is made new, no man made new. A man from principle of nature, and reason, (which principles are of himself, and as old) may give up himself to the goodness of the Law: Yet these principles are so far off from being new, that they are as old as Adam in Paradise; and come into the world with all the children of men. To which principles the Law, or the first principles of morals, so equally suit, that as you have said, page 8. they are selfevident; then which there is nothing ma•-kind d•th more naturally assent unto, page 11. Now Nature is no new principle, but an old; even our own, and of our selves. The Law is no new ⟨p. 22⟩principle, but old, and one with our selves (as also you well have called it) first written in mens hearts, and originally dictates of humane nature. Let a man then be as devout, as is possible for the Law, and the holiness of the Law. Yet if the principles from which he acts; be but the habit of Soul, the purity (as he feigns) of his own nature; principles of natural reason, or the dictates of humane nature; all this is nothing else but the old Gentleman in his Holy-day-cloaths; the old Heart, the old Spirit; the Spirit of the man, not the Spirit of Christ is here.