A30141:226
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.
But Secondly, Faith as it is a gift of God, or an act of ours, take it which way you will; If we speak properly of salvation, it is not the first, nor the second cause of our salvation; but the third, and that but instrumentally neither; that is, it only layeth hold of, and applieth to us that which saveth us, which is the love of God, through the merits of Christ, which are the two main causes of our salvation, without which all other things are nothing, whether it be faith, hope, love, or whatever can be done by us. And to this, the great Apostle of the Gentiles speaks fully; for saith he, God who is rich in mercy loved us, even when we were dead in our sins, Eph. 2. 4. (that is, when we were without faith) and that was ⟨p. 98⟩the cause why we believe; for he thereby hath quickened us together, through the meritorious cause, which is Christ, and so hath saved us by Grace, that is, of his own voluntary love and good will; the effects of which was this, he gave us faith to believe in Christ, read soberly that second of the Ephesians, at the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 verses. Faith as the gift of God is not the Saviour, as our act doth merit nothing. Faith was not the cause that God gave Christ at the first, neither is it the cause why God converts men to Christ: but faith is a gift bestowed upon us, by the gracious God, the nature of which is to lay hold on Christ, that God afore did give for a Ransom, to redeem sinners; this faith hath its nourishment, and supplies from the same God, that at the first did give it; and is the only instrument, through the Spirit, that doth keep the soul in a comfortable frame, both to do and suffer for Christ; helps the soul to receive comfort from Christ, when it can get none from it self, beareth up the soul in its progress heaven-wards: but that it is the first cause of salvation, that I deny; or that it is the second, I deny: but is only the instrument, or hand, that receiveth the benefits that God hath prepared for thee before thou hadst any faith: so that we do nothing for salvation, as we are men. But if we speak properly, it was Gods Grace that moved him to give ⟨p. 99⟩Christ a Ransom for sinners, and the same God with the same Grace, that doth give to the soul saith to believe, and so by believing to close in with him, whom God out of his love and pity, did send into the world to save sinners;