A30141:91
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.
The first Objection, And first, but you will say, methinks you speak very harsh; it is enough to daunt a body: set the case therefore, that a man after he hath sinned, and broken the Law, repenteth of his wickedness, and promiseth to do so no more; Will not God have mercy then, and save a poor sinner then?
1. Answ. I told you before, that the Covenant once broken, will execute upon the offender that which it doth threaten to lay upon him; and as for your supposing that your repenting, and promising to do so no more, may help well, and put you in a condition to attain the mercy of God by the Law: these thoughts do flow from gross ignorance, both of the nature of sin, and also of the nature of the justice of God. And if I was to give you a description, of one in a lost condition for the present, I would brand him out with such a mark of ignorance as this is.
2. Answ. The Law as it is a Covenant of works, doth not allow of any repentance unto life, to those that live and die under it; for the Law being once broken by thee, never speaks good unto thee, neither doth God at all regard thee: If thou be under that Covenant, notwithstanding all thy repentings, and ⟨p. 26⟩also promises, to do so no more. No, saith the Law, thou hast sinned, therefore I must curse thee; for it is my nature to curse, even, and nothing else but curse every […] that doth in any point transgress against me, Gal.. 3. 10. They brake my Covenant, and I regarded […] not saith the Lord, Heb. 8. Let them cry, I will not regard them; let them report I will not regard them; they have broken my Covenant, and done that in which I delighted not; therefore by that Covenant I do curse, and not bless; damn, and not save, frown, and not smile; reject, and not embrace; charge sin, and not forgive it. They brake my Covenant, and I regarded them not. So that I say if thou break the Law, the first Covenant; and thou being found there, God looking on thee through that, he hath no regard on thee, no pity for thee, no delight in thee.