A77832:149
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.
In the next place. Thou art offended with this, because I say, though Christ doth give a light to every one that comes into the world, yet it doth not therefore follow, that this conscience (or light) is the Spirit of Christ, or the work of grace wrought in the heart of any believer. This I shall pass also, as having spoken to it already, only mind thee of thy weakness, in that thou shouldest m•ke this conscience; that Christ hath given to every man to be the same with the Spirit of Christ. And thou sayest further, that the light, that Christ hath lightened every one with, is the same in nature with the Spirit of Christ O wonderful! that a man should be so foolish, and so much besides the truth, as to compare that nature, or conscience, that is given to every man; equal to the Spirit of Christ: Nay, thou sayest that it is one with it in nature. Didst thou not blush when thou laidest it down? If thou didst not, thou mightest have done with shame enough. As I said before, because thy conscience will convince thee of sin, therefore thou wilt call it Christ, or as good as Christ. What! because the Law will convince of sin, therefore the Law must be called Christ. What ignorance is this? Nay, nature it self, that must have the preheminency, even as high as Christ Jesus, because it can tell a man that it is a shame for him to wear long hair.
In the next place. Thou art offended with this, because I say, though Christ doth give a light to every one that coms into the world, yet it doth not therefore follow, that this conscience (or light) is the Spirit of Christ, or the work of grace wrought in the heart of any be•iever. This I shall pass also, as having spoken to it already, only mind thee of thy weakness, in that thou shouldest m•ke this conscience; that Christ hath given to every man to be the same with the Spirit of Christ. And thou sayest further, that the light, that Christ hath lightened every one with, is the same in narure with the Spirit of Christ O wonderful! that a man should be so foolish, and so much besides the truth, as to compare that nature, or conscience, that is given to every man; equall to the Spirit of Christ: Nay, thou sayest that it is one with it in nature. Did'st thou not blush when thou laydest it down? If thou did'st not, thou mightest have done with shame enough. As I said before, because thy conscience will convince thee of sin, therefore thou wilt call it Christ, or as good as Christ. What! because the Law will convince of sin, therefore the Law must be called Christ. What ignorance is this? Nay, nature it self, that must have the preheminency, even as high as Christ Jesus, because it can tell a man that it is a shame for him to wear long hair.