A30137:365
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.
But yet again you recall your self, and distinguish one purpose from the rest, as a grand one, Pag. 222. And that is to receive Christ as Lord, as well as a Saviour.
Answ. 1. Although the Soul that in truth receiveth Christ, receiveth him wholly, and entirely as Christ, and not as chopped, and pulled in Pieces: Yet I distinguish between the act of Faith, which layeth hold of Christ for my Justification from the Curse before God, and the consequences of that act, which are to engage me to newness of Life. And indeed, as it is impossible for a Man to be a new Man, before he be Justified in the sight of God; so it is also as impossible, but that when Faith hath once laid hold on Christ for Life, it should also follow Christ by Love. But,
Answ. 1. Although the Soul that in truth receiveth Christ, receiveth him wholly, and intirely as Christ, and not as chopt, and pul'd in Pieces: Yet I distinguish between the act of Faith, which layeth hold of Christ for my Justification from the Curse before God, and the consequences of that act, which are to engage me to newness of Life. And indeed, as it is impossible for a Man to be a new Man, before he be Justified in the sight of God; so it is also as impossible, but that when Faith hath once layed hold on Christ for Life, it should also follow Christ by Love. But,
2. Christ may be received at first as Lord, and that in our Justification, and yet not at all be considered as a Law-giver, for so he is not the Object of Faith for our Justification with God, but a requirer of Obedience to Laws, and Statutes of them that already are Justified by the Faith that receiveth him as Righteousness. But Christ is as well a Lord for us, as to, or over us, and it highly concerneth the Soul, when it believeth in, or trusteth to the Righteousness of Christ, for Justification with God, to see that this Righteousness Lords it over Death, and Sin, and the Devil, and Hell for us: The Name wherewith he shall be called, is,