A30141:224
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.
Object. But you did but even now put souls upon fulfilling the first condition of the Gospel, even to believe in Christ, and so be saved; but now you say, it is alone by Grace, without condition; and therefore by these words, there is first a contradiction to your former sayings, and also that men may be saved without the condition of faith, which to me seems a very strange thing. I desire therefore that you would clear out what you have said, as to my satisfaction.
Answ. Though there be a condition commanded in the Gospel, yet he that commands the condition, doth not leave his children to their own natural abilities, that in their own strength they should fulfil them (as the Law doth) but the same God that doth command that the condition be fulfilled, even he, doth help his children by his holy Spirit, to fulfil the same condition, For it is God that worketh in you, mark, in you (believers) both to will and to do, of his own good pleasure, Phil. 2. 13. Thou hast wrought all our works in us, and for us, Isa. 26. 12. So that the condition be fulfilled, it is not done in the ability of the creature.
Answ. Though there be a condition commanded in the Gospel, yet he that commands the condition, doth not leave his children to their own natural abilities, that in their own strength they should fulfill them (as the Law doth) but the same God that doth command that the condition be fulfilled, even he, doth help his children by his holy Spirit, to fulfill the same condition, For it is God that worketh in you, mark, in you (believers) both to will and to do, of his own good pleasure, Phil. 2. 13. Thou hast wrought all our works in us, and for us, Isa. 26. 12. So that the condition be fulfilled, it is not done in the ability of the creature.