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.

:431p. 170

As the Apostle saith, those sinners that were dead, possessed with the devil, and the children of wrath, he hath quickened, delivered, and saved, Ephes. 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. that he might even in the very ages to come show forth the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us (and that) through Jesus Christ.

As the Apostle saith, those sinners that were dead, possessed with the devil, and the children of wrath, he hath quickned, delivered, and saved, Ephes. 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. that he might even in the very ages to come shew forth the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us (and that) through Jesus Christ.

:432p. 170

Secondly, It is evident that that which this man did as a common person, he did it completely and satisfactorily, as appears by the openness (as I may so call it) which was in the heart of God to him at his resurrection and ascension. Ask of me (saith he) and I will give thee the (very) heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession, Psal. 2. 8. And this was at his resurrection, Acts 13. 33. Whereas, though he had asked, yet if he had not given a full and complete satisfaction, justice would not have given him any thing; for justice, the justice of God is so pure, that if it be not completely satisfied in every particular, it giveth nothing but curses, Gal. 3. 10.

Secondly, It is evident that that which this man did as a common person, he did it compleatly and satisfactorily, as appears by the openness (as I may so call it) which was in the heart of God to him at his resurrection and ascension. Ask of me (saith he) and I will give thee the (very) heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession, Psal. 2. 8. And this was at his resurrection, Acts 13. 33. Whereas, though he had asked, yet if he had not given a full and compleat satisfaction, justice would not have given him any thing; for justice, the justice of God is so pure, that if it be not compleatly satisfied in every particular, it giveth nothing but curses, Gal. 3. 10.

:433p. 170–171

Thirdly, It is yet far more evident that he hath indeed pleased God in the behalf of sinners, in that God hath given him gifts to distribute to sinners, yea the worst of sinners, as a fruit of his satisfaction, and that at his ascension (Psal. 68. 18.) Christ hath so satisfied God, that he hath given him all the ⟨p. 171⟩treasures both of heaven and earth, to dispose of as he seeth good; he hath so pleased God that he hath given him a Name, above every Name; a Sceptre, above every Sceptre; a Crown, above every Crown; a Kingdom above every Kingdom, Phil. 29. Rev. 19. 16. he hath given him the highest place•n heaven even his own right hand, he hath given him all the power of heaven and earth and under the earth in his own hand, to bind whom he pleaseth, and to set free whom he thinks meet; he hath in a word, such an high esteem in the eyes of his Father, that he hath put into his hand, all things that are for the profit of his people, both in this world, and that which is to come; and all this as the fruit of his faithfulness in doing of his work, as the Mediator of the New Covenant. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led Captivity Captive, thou hast received gifts; mark, thou hast received them, for men, even for the (worst of men, the) rebellious also: And hath sent forth some, being furnished with these gifts; some I say, For the work of the ministry, to the edifying of them that are already called, and also for the calling in of all those for whom he covenanted with his Father, Till all come in the unity of faith; &c. Eph. 4. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13.

:434p. 171–172

Fourthly, It doth still appear far more evident: For will you hear what the Father himself saith for the showing of his well-pleasedness, ⟨p. 172⟩in these two particulars. First, In that he bids poor souls to hear, and to do as Christ would have them, Mat. 3. 17. Luke 9. 35. Secondly, In that he resolves to make them that turn their backs upon him, that dishonour him, (which is done in a very great measure by those that lay aside his merits done by himself for Justification) I say, he that resolved to make them his footstool; where he saith, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. Are they enemies to thee, saith God, I will be even with them? Do they slight thy merits? Do they slight thy groans, thy tears, thy blood thy death, thy resurrection and intercession, thy second coming again in heavenly glory? I will tear them, and rend them, I'll make them as mire in the streets; I will make thy enemies thy footstool (Psal. 110. 1. Mat. 22. 44. Heb. 1. 13. Chap. 10. 13.) I, saith he, And thou shalt dash them in pieces like a Potters Vessel, Psal. 2. 9. look to it you that slight the merits of the blood of Christ.

Fourthly, It doth still appear far more evident: For will you hear what the Father himself saith for the shewing of his well-pleasedness, ⟨p. 172⟩in these two particulars. First, In that he bids poor souls to hear, and to do as Christ would have them,

:435p. 172–173

Fifthly, Again further yet; God will make all the world to know, that he hath been, and is well pleased in his Son, in that God hath given (and will make it appear he hath given) the world to come into his hand, Heb. 2. And that he shall raise the dead, bring them before his judgment-seat, execute judgment upon them which he pleaseth to execute judgment ⟨p. 173⟩on to their damnation; and to receive them to eternal life whom he doth favour, even so many as shall be found to believe in his name and merits (John 5. 26, 27, 28.) For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And he hath given him authority to execute judgment also; because he is the Son of man—For the hour is coming, that all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I, and the worst enemy that Christ hath now, shall come at that day with a pale face, with a quaking heart, and bended knees trembling before him, confessing the glory of his merits, and the virtue there was in them to save, to the glory of God the Father, Romans 14. 11. Phil. 2. 9, 10, 11.

Fifthly, Again further yet; God will make all the world to know, that he hath been, and is well pleased in his Son, in that God hath given (and will make it appear he hath given) the world to come into his hand, Heb. 2. And that he shall raise the dead, bring them before his judgment-seat, execute judgment upon them which he pleaseth to execute judgment ⟨p. 173⟩on to their damnation; and to receive them to eternal life whom he doth favour, even so many as shall be found to believe in his name and merits (John 5. 26, 27, 28.) For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And he hath given him authority to execute judgment also; because he is the Son of man—For the hour is coming, that all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I, and the worst enemy that Christ hath now, shall come at that day with a pale face, with a quaking heart, and bended knees trembling before him, confessing the glory of his merits, and the vertue there was in them to save, to the glory of God the Father,

:436p. 173

Much more might be added to discover the glorious perfection of this mans satisfaction: but for you that desire to be further satisfied concerning this, search the Scriptures, and beg of God to give you faith and understanding therein: and as for you that slight these things, and continue so doing, God hath another way to take with you, even to dash you in pieces like a Potters vessel; for this hath Christ received of his Father to do unto you, Rev. 2. 27.

:437p. 174

Thus I have showed you in particular, that the Covenant of the grace of God is free and unchangeable to men, that is in that it hath been obtained for men, and that perfectly, to the satisfying of justice, and taking all things out of the way, that were any ways an hinderance to our salvation, Col. 2. 14.

Thus I have shewed you in particular, that the Covenant of the grace of God is free and unchangeable to men, that is in that it hath been obtained for men, and that perfectly, to the satisfying of justice, and taking all things out of the way, that were any ways an hinderance to our salvation, Col. 2. 14.

:438p. 174

The second thing for the discovering of this freeness, and constancy of the Covenant of the Grace of God, it is manifest thus.

:439p. 174

First, Whatsoever any man hath of the grace of God, he hath it as a free gift of God through Christ Jesus the Mediator of this Covenant, even when they are in a state of enmity to him (mark that, Rom. 5. 8, 9. Col. 1. 21, 22.) whether it be Christ as the foundation stone, or faith to lay hold on him, Eph. 2. 8. For by Grace you are saved through Faith, and that not of your selves (not for any thing in you, or done by you for the purchasing of it) but it is the free gift of God. And that bestowed on you, even when you were dead in trespasses and sins, Eph. 2. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Nay if thou hast so much as one desire that is right, it is the gift of God; for of our selves, saith the Apostle, we are not able to speak a good word, or think a good thought, 2 Cor. 3. 5.

:440p. 174

Was not grace, absolute grace, that God made promise to Adam after transgression, Gen. 3. 5.

:441p. 175

Was it not free grace in God to save such a wretch as Manasseh was, who used enchantments, witchcraft, burnt his children in the fire, and wrought much evil, 2 Chron. 33.

:442p. 175

Was it not free grace to save such as those were that are spoken of in the 16 of Ezekiel, which no eye pitied.

:443p. 175

Was it not free grace for Christ to give Peter a loving look after he had cursed and swore, and denied him.

:444p. 175

Was it not free grace that met Paul when he was a going to Damascus to persecute, which converted him, and made him a vessel of mercy.

:445p. 175

And what shall I say of such that are spoken of in the 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10. speaking there of fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminates, abusers of themselves with mankind, thieves, covetous revilers, drunkards, extortioners, the basest of sinners in the world, and yet were washed, and yet were justified, was it not freely by grace? O Saints! you that are in Heaven, cry out, We came hither by grace; and you that are on earth, I am sure you cry, if ever we do go thither, it must be freely by grace.

And what shall I say of such that are spoken of in the 1 Cor. 6. 9, 10. speaking there of fornicators, idolators, adulterers, effeminates, abusers of themselves with mankind, thieves, covetous revilers, drunkards, extortioners, the basest of sinners in the world, and yet were washed, and yet were justified, was it not freely by grace? O Saints! you that are in Heaven, cry out, We came hither by grace; and you that are on earth, I am sure you cry, if ever we do go thither, it must be freely by grace.

:446p. 175–176

Secondly, In the next place, it appears to be unchangeable in this. First, Because Justice being once satisfied, doth not use to call for the debt again: No, let never such a sinner come ⟨p. 176⟩to Jesus Christ, and so to God by him; and Justice instead of speaking against the salvation of that sinner, it will say, I am just as well as faithful to forgive him his sins, 1 John 1. 9. When Justice it self is pleased with a man, and speaks on his side, instead of speaking against him, we may well cry out, Who shall condemn?

Reformers309

Puritans1,782

Westminster Assembly24

Evangelicals36