A77832:117
A vindication of the book called, Some Gospel-truths opened; according to the Scriptures, and…
A vindication of the book called, Some Gospel-truths opened; according to the Scriptures, and the opposition made against it by Edward Borough, a professed Quaker, (but proved an enemy to the truth) examined and confuted by the word of God. And also, the things that were then laid down, and declared to the world by me, are a second-time born witness to, according to truth: with the answer of Edward Borough to the queries then laid down in my book reproved. And also, a plain answer to his queries, given in simplicity of soul; and is now also presented to the world, or who else may read, or hear them; to the end (if God will) that truth may be discovered thereby. / by John Bunyan ...A vindication of the book called, Some Gospel-truths opened; according to the Scriptures, and the opposition made against it by Edward Borrough, a professed Quaker, (but proved an enemie to the truth) examined and confuted by the word of God. And also, the things that were then laid down, and declared to the world by me, are a second-time born witness to, according to truth: with the answer of Edward Burrough to the quæries then laid down in my book reproved. And also, a plain answer to his quæries, given in simplicitie of soul; and is now also presented to the world, or who else may read, or hear them; to the end (if God will) that truth may be discovered thereby. / by John Bunyan ...
London: printed by Matthias Cowley, 1657
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.
Now this I say further, that if God enable any to receive this Doctrine aright (namely what I said even now) it will more engage the soul to God, then all the threatenings, thunder-claps, and curses that come from the Law it self. And a soul will do more for God, seeing it self redeemed by the blood of the Lamb the son of Mary, John. 1.29. then if he had all the conditions of the Law to fulfil, and might be sure to have heaven for the fulfilling of them. Now as to the assurance thou speakest of at the end of thy question. I know in the first place, that though believers themselves do sin, yet they have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, 1 Joh. 2.1, 2. And though the doctrine of the Gospel be to abstain from all appearance of evil, yet our Lord Jesus Christ is so pitiful, as not altogether to deprive his children of an assurance of their salvation,* though sometimes through weakness they do transgress. And whereas you would lay an assurance on our obedience to the Law; I say, our assurance comes through our believing, and our obedience to the Law is a fruit of our believing; for every one that hath this hope, that he is one of the children, or sons of God, by faith in Jesus, 1 Joh. 3.3. purifieth himself as he is pure. Holiness of life, if it be right, flows from an assurance of our being justified by Christs death on the Cross, on mount Calvary; as it is written again, that he might sanctify his people with his own blood, he suffered without the gate.
Now this I say further, that if God inable any to receive this Doctrine aright (namely what I said even now) it will more engage the soule to God, then all the threatnings, thunder-claps, and curses that come from the Law it selfe. And a soule will do more for God, seeing it selfe redeemed by the blood of the Lambe the son of Mary, John. 1.29. then if hee had all the conditions of the Law to fulfill, and might be sure to have heaven for the fulfilling of them. Now as to the assurance thou speakest of at the end of thy question. I know in the first place, that though believers themselvs do sin, yet they have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,