A30137:469
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.
4. But to Preach free Grace, doth much condemn your freewill; to Preach Christ's Righteousness doth utter Curse, and Condemn yours; and to Preach the Promise of Grace, doth quite shut out a Covenant of Works: Therefore no marvel if you, who are so Wedded to these things, be such an Enemy to free Grace, the Righteousness of Christ, and the Gospel-promises, that you make even these things a Characteristical note (first abusing the Consequences of them) of a Church-troubling-Preacher.
5. You tauntingly proceed, saying, Such Preachers also press us to renounce our own Righteousness, which they that have none at all to renounce, have a mighty kindness for.
Answ. Indeed those that have a Righteousness of their own, as the Pharisees, and Hypocrites of old, had never much kindness for the Doctrine of Grace, and the Ministers of Christ, but the Publicans and harlots had: and therefore these (while they that had Righteousness stumbled and fell) entered into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Publicans and Harlots entered the Kingdom of Heaven, before you. But what Righteousness have you of your own, to which you so dearly are Wedded, that it may not be let go, for the sake of Christ?1 seeing also so long as you go about to establish it, you submit not your self to the Righteousness of God: Yea, Why do you taunt those Ministers that persuade us to Renounce our own Righteousness, and those also that follow their Doctrine? seeing this was both the Doctrine and Practice of Paul and all others, save only those that had Moses Veil over their Hearts.
Answ. Indeed those that have a Righteousness of their own, as the Pharisees, and Hyprocrites of old, had never much kindness for the Doctrine of Grace, and the Ministers of Christ, but the Publicans and harlots had: and therefore these (while they that had Righteousness stumbled and fell) entred into the Kingdom of Heaven. The Publicans and Harlots entred the Kingdom of Heaven, before you. But what Righteousness have you of your own, to which you so dearly are Wedded, that it may not be let go, for the sake of Christ?