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The doctrine of the law and grace unfolded, or, A discourse touching the law…

Name: The doctrine of the law and grace unfolded, or, A discourse touching the law…
Author: John Bunyan

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.

:288p. 126

Now as touching the nature of a surety and his work (in some things) it is well known to most men; therefore I shall be very brief upon it.

:289p. 126

First, You know a surety is at the bargains making; and so was Christ. Then was I by him, Prov. 8. 30.

:290p. 126

Secondly, A surety must consent to the terms of the Agreement, or Covenant; and so did Christ Jesus.

:291p. 126

Now that which he did engage, should be done for sinners, according to the terms of the Covenant, it was this.

Now that which he did ingage, should be done for sinners, according to the terms of the Covenant, it was this.

:292p. 126

First, That there should be a complete satisfaction given to God for the sins of the world, for that was one great thing that was agreed upon, when the Covenant was made, Heb. 10. 5.

First, That there should be a compleat satisfaction given to God for the sins of the world, for that was one great thing that was agreed upon, when the Covenant was made, Heb. 10. 5.

:293p. 126

Secondly, That Jesus Christ should (as aforesaid) bring in an everlasting righteousness to clothe (his body) the Saints withal, Dan. 9. 24, 25. Here is grace.

Secondly, That Jesus Christ should (as aforesaid) bring in an everlasting righteousness to cloath (his body) the Saints withal, Dan. 9. 24, 25. Here is grace.

:294p. 126

Thirdly, That he should take in charge to see all those forth coming without spot or wrinkle, at the day of his glorious appearing from heaven to judgment, and to quit them before the Judgment-seat.

:295p. 126–127

Again, Thirdly in the work of a surety, there is required by the creditor, that the surety ⟨p. 127⟩should stand to what he is bound; and on the sureties there is a consenting thereunto.

:296p. 127

First, The creditor looks that in case the debtor proves ¹a bankrupt, that then the surety should engage the payment. Is not this grace.

First, The creditor looks that in case the debtor proves ¹a bankrupt, that then the surety should ingage the payment. Is not this grace.

1However it is in other engagements, yet it is thus in this.However it is in other ingagements, yet it is thus in this.

:297p. 127

Secondly, The creditor looks that the surety should be an able man: now our surety was, and is, in this case every way suitable, for he is heir of all things.

:298p. 127

Thirdly, The creditor appoints the day and also looks that the Covenant should be kept, and the debt paid according to the time appointed; and it is required of sureties (as well as stewards) that they be found faithful, namely, to pay the debt according to the bargain: and therefore it is said, When the fullness of time was come, God sent forth his Son—made under the Law, to redeem them that are under the Law (according to his suretyship) Gal. 4. 4, 5. thus comes grace to Saints.

Thirdly, The creditor appoints the day and also looks that the Covenant should be kept, and the debt paid according to the time appointed; and it is required of sureties (as well as stewards) that they be found faithful, namely, to pay the debt according to the bargain: and therefore it is said, When the fulness of time was come, God sent forth his Son—made under the Law, to redeem them that are under the Law (according to his suretiship) Gal. 4. 4, 5. thus comes grace to Saints.

:299p. 127–128

Fourthly, The creditor looks that his money should be brought into his house, to his own habitation. Jesus our surety, in this also is faithful; for by his own blood, which was the payment, he is entered into the holy place, even into heaven it self which is Gods dwelling place, to render the value and price that was agreed upon for the salvation of sinners; but I shall ⟨p. 128⟩speak more of this in another head, therefore I pass it.

Fourthly, The creditor looks that his money should be brought into his house, to his own habitation. Jesus our surety, in this also is faithful; for by his own blood, which was the payment, he is entred into the holy place, even into heaven it self which is Gods dwelling place, to render the value and price that was agreed upon for the salvation of sinners; but I shall ⟨p. 128⟩speak more of this in another head, therefore I pass it.

:300p. 128

Again fourthly, if the ¹surety stands bound, the debtor is at liberty, and if the Law do issue out any process to take any, it vvill be the surety; and O! how wonderful true was this accomplished, in that when Christ our surety came down from heaven, Gods Law did so seize upon the Lord Jesus, and so cruelly handle him, and so exact upon him, that it would never let him alone, until it had accused him, and condemned him, executed him, and screwed his very hearts blood out of his precious heart, and side; nay, and more than this too, as I shall show hereafter.

Again fourthly, if the ¹surety stands bound, the debtor is at liberty, and if the Lavv do issue out any process to take any, it vvill be the surety; and O! hovv wonderful true was this accomplished, in that when Christ our surety came down from heaven, Gods Law did so seize upon the Lord Jesus, and so cruelly handle him, and so exact upon him, that it would never let him alone, until it had accused him, and condemned him, executed him, and scrued his very hearts blood out of his precious heart, and side; nay, and more than this too, as I shall shew hereafter.

1Though the debtor together with the surety is liable to pay the debt by the Law of man, yet Christ our surety only by the Covenant of Grace.

:301p. 128–129

But secondly, in the next place, after that Jesus Christ had stood bound, and was become our surety in things pertaining to this Covenant, his next office was to be the messenger of God touching his Mind, and the tenor of the Covenant, unto the poor world; and this did the Prophet fore-see long before, when he faith, Behold I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare thy way before thee; (speaking of John the Baptist) And he shall prepare thy way before thee: (and then he speaketh of Christ to the people, saying,) And the Lord whom ye ⟨p. 129⟩seek, shall suddenly come to his Temple, Who is he? even the messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in: (that is Christ) behold he shall come saith the Lord of hosts, Mal. 3. 1.

But secondly, in the next place, after that Jesus Christ had stood bound, and was become our surety in things pertaining to this Covenant, his next office was to be the messenger of God touching his Mind, and the tenour of the Covenant, unto the poor world; and this did the Prophet fore-see long before, when he faith, Behold I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare thy way before thee; (speaking of John the Baptist) And he shall prepare thy way before thee: (and then he speaketh of Christ to the people, saying,) And the Lord whom ye ⟨p. 129⟩seek, shall suddenly come to his Temple, Who is he? even the messenger of the Covenant, whom ye delight in: (that is Christ) behold he shall come saith the Lord of hosts, Mal. 3. 1.

:302p. 129

Now the Covenant being made before between the Father and the Son, and Jesus Christ becoming bound to see all the conditions fulfilled, this being done, he comes down from Heaven to Earth, to declare to the world what God the Father and He, had concluded on before, and what was the mind of the Father towards the world, concerning the salvation of their souls: and indeed who could better come of such an errand, then he that stood by when the Covenant was made; then he that shook hands with the Father in making of the Covenant; then he that was become a surety in the behalf of poor Sinners, according to the terms of this Covenant.

:303p. 129–130

Now you know a messenger commonly when he cometh, he doth bring some errand to them to whom he is sent, either of what is done for them, or what they would have them, whom they send unto, do for them, or such like. Now what a glorious message was that which our Lord Jesus Christ came down from Heaven withal to declare unto poor sinners, and that from God his Father I say, how glorious was it, and how sweet is it to you that have seen your selves lost by nature; and it will also appear ⟨p. 128⟩[…] ⟨p. 129⟩[…] ⟨p. 130⟩a glorious one to you, who are a seeking after Jesus Christ; if you do but consider these following things about what he was sent.

Now you know a messenger commonly when he cometh, he doth bring some errand to them to whom he is sent, either of what is done for them, or what they would have them, whom they send unto, do for them, or such like. Now what a glorious message was that which our Lord Jesus Christ came down from Heaven withal to declare unto poor sinners, and that from God his Father I say, how glorious was it, and how sweet is it to you that have seen your selves lost by nature; and it will also appear ⟨p. 128⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 129⟩〈…〉 ⟨p. 130⟩a glorious one to you, who are a seeking after Jesus Christ; if you do but consider these follovving things about vvhat he vvas sent.

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