A77832:164
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.
And whereas thou sayest, the voice of the Gospel, is, to bid listen within the heart, as Paul preacheth. I deny that Paul biddeth listen within. But the Scripture that you would fain make shelter for your error is this, where he saith, The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart. That is, the Word of Faith which we preach. Now friend, Faith is that which layeth hold of, or believeth the Gospel. And that this is the meaning, read the next verse, That (saith he) If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. So that it is clear that the Word of faith, is to believe assuredly from the very heart, that God hath raised up Jesus from the dead, out of the grave into which he was laid by Joseph: And that he was raised again for my justification. Rom. 5▪ 25. as it is written· 1. Cor. 15. Moreover Brethren, saith he, I declared unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you at the first, which also you have received, and wherein you stand, by which also you are saved, if you keep in memory, or assuredly believe, what I preached unto you, unless you have believed in vain: But what was that Gospel you preached? Why, saith he, ver. •. I delivered unto you first of all, that which I also received; How that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures: And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to Scripture, and that he was seen of the brethren after his resurrection, &c. The Word of the Gospel, my friend, is Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he rose again according to the Scriptures: And that he is ascended from his Disciples, to prepare a place for them according to the Scripture.
And whereas thou saist, the voice of the Gospell, is, to bid listen within the heart, as Paul preacheth. I deny that Paul biddeth listen within. But the Scripture that you would faine make shelter for your errour is this, where he saith, The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart. That is, the Word of Faith which wee preach. Now friend, Faith is that which layeth hold of, or beleeveth the Gospel. And that this is the meaning, read the next verse, That (saith he) If thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. So that it is cleer that the Word of faith, is to believe assuredly from the very heart, that God hath raised up Jesus from the dead, out of the grave into which he was laid by Joseph: And that he was raised again for my justification.