A30141:94
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. 2. But hath not the Law promises as well as threatenings? saying, The man that doth these things shall live, (mark, he shall live) by them, or in them.
Object. 2. But hath not the Law promises as well as threatnings? saying, The man that doth these things shall live, (mark, he shall live) by them, or in them.
Answ. First, to break the Commandments, is not to keep or fulfil the same; but thou hast broken them, therefore the promise doth not belong to thee by that Covenant. Secondly, the promises that are of the Law, are conditional, and so not performed, unless there be a full and continual obedience to every particular ⟨p. 27⟩of it, and that without the feast sin. Do this, mark, do this, and afterwards thou shalt live; but if thou break one point of it once in all thy life, thou hast not done the Law; therefore the the promises following the Law do not belong unto thee, if one sin hath been committed by thee. As thus, (I will give you a plain instance) Set the case there be a Law made by the King, that if any man speak a word against him, he must be put to death, and this must not be revoked, but must for certain be expected on the offender; though though there be a promise made to them that do not speak a word against him, that they shall have great love from him: yet this promise is nothing to the offender, he is like to have no share in it, or to be ever the better for it; but contrariwise, the Law that he hath offended must be executed on him; for his sin shutteth him out from a share of, or in the Promises. So it is here, there is a promise made indeed, but to whom? Why, it is to none but those that live without sinning against the Law: but if thou (I say) sin one time against it in all thy lifetime, thou art gone, and not one promise belongs to thee, if thou continue under this Covenant. Methinks the Prisoners at the bar, having offended the Law (and the charge of a just Judge towards them) do much hold forth the Law, as it is a Covenant of ⟨p. 28⟩Works, and how it deals with them that are under it. The Prisoner having offended cries out for mercy; good my Lord mercy (saith he) pray my Lord pity me; the Judge saith, What canst thou say for thy self, that Sentence of Death should not be passed upon thee? Why, nothing but this, I pray my Lord be merciful: But he answers again, Friend, the Law must take place, the Law must not be broken: The Prisoner saith, Good my Lord spare me, and I will never do so any more: