A30141:200
The doctrine of the law and grace unfolded, or, A discourse touching the law…
The doctrine of the law and grace unfolded, or, A discourse touching the law and grace the nature of the one and the nature of the other, showing what they are as they are the two covenants ... wherein for the better understanding of the reader there is several questions answered touching the law and grace ... : also several titles set over the several truths contained in this book, for thy sooner finding of them, which are those following the epistle / published by that poor and contemptible creature, John Bunyan of Bedford.The doctrine of the law and grace unfolded, or, A discourse touching the law and grace the nature of the one and the nature of the other, shewing what they are as they are the two covenants ... wherein for the better understanding of the reader there is several questions answered touching the law and grace ... : also several titles set over the several truths contained in this book, for thy sooner finding of them, which are those following the epistle / published by that poor and contemptible creature, John Bunyan of Bedford.
London: printed for Nath. Ponder, 1685
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. My meaning is, the Lord Jesus Christ will then enquire and examine, whether the Spirit from which you acted, was Legal, or Evangelical; that is, whether it was the spirit of adoption, that did draw you out to the thing you took in hand, or a mere moral principle, together with some shallow and common illuminations into the outward way of the Worship of God, according to Gospel rule.
Answ. My meaning is, the Lord Jesus Christ will then enquire and examine, whether the Spirit from which you acted, was Legal, or Evangelical; that is, whether it was the spirit of adoption, that did draw you out to the thing you took in hand, or a meer moral principle, together with some shallow and common illuminations into the outward way of the Worship of God, according to Gospel rule.
Quest. But (you will say its like) how should this be made manifest, and appear?
Answ. I shall speak briefly in answer hereunto, as followeth. First then, that man that doth take up any of the ordinances of God, namely, as Prayer, Baptism, breaking of Bread, Reading, Hearing, Alms-deeds, or the like; I say, he that doth practice any of these or such like, supposing thereby to procure the love of Christ to his own soul, he doth ⟨p. 83⟩do what he doth from a Legal, and not from an Evangelical, or Gospel Spirit, as thus; for a man to suppose that God will hear him, for his Prayers sake, for his Alms-sake, for his Humiliation sake, or because he hath promised to make God amends hereafter, whereas there is no such thing as a satisfaction to be made to God by our Prayers, or whatever we can do; I say, there is no such way to have reconciliation with God in. And so also, for men to think, because they are got into such and such an Ordinance, and have crowded themselves into such and such a Society, that therefore they have got pretty good shelter from the wrath of the Almighty; when alas poor souls there is no such thing; No, but God will so set his face against such professors, that his very looks will make them to tear their very flesh; yea, make them to wish, would they had the biggest Mill-stone in the world hanged about their necks, and they cast into the midst of the Sea. For friends, let me tell you, though you can now content your selves, without the holy, harmless, undefiled, perfect righteousness of Christ; yet there is a day a coming, in which there is not one of you shall be saved; but those that are, and shall be found clothed with that righteousness: God will say to ALL the rest, Take them, bind them hand and foot, and cast them into outer