A77832:168
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 askest, what, and how doth the light of the Gospel work, if not in the conscience. I answer, though the light of the Spirit of God and the Gospel be in the hearts of the Elect of God; yet the Gospel light is hid, and doth not shine so much as unto, much less into the consciences of some of them that be lost, 2 Cor. 4.3.4. that though the light of the Gospel doth shine; and that gloriously too in the hearts of Gods Elect, yet it doth not follow, that the convictions of Conscience is the Gospel; no, nor the convictions of the law neither. And again, though every one of Gods Elect have the light of the glorious Gospel shining in them, what argument is this to prove all men have the light of rhe Gospel shining in them. No saith Christ; I thank thee O Father, rhat thou hast hid these things (the things of the Gospel) from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes. And whereas thou sayest (as I gather by thy words) that I call conscience the light of Christ. I say, if thou mean by these words (the light of Christ), the Spirit of Christ, I do deny that every man hath it: but if thou call conscience the light of Christ, or the highest light that is in an unconverted man the light of Christ; then I say, that the highest light that is in a natural or unconverted man, (which you call the light of Christ) is not able by all its motions and convictions, not yet, by all the obedience that a man can yield to these convictions; I say, they are not able to deliver him from the wrath to come; for deliverance from that is obtained by the blood of Jesus, which was shed on the Cross, without the gate of Jerusalem (as I have often said) Ephes. 1.7. compared with Heb. 13.12. And not any light within a natural man.
And whereas thou askest, what, and how doth the light of the Gospel work, if not in the conscience. I answer, though the light of the Spirit of God and the Gospel be in the hearts of the Elect of God; yet the Gospel light is hid, and doth not shine so much as unto, much lesse into the consciences of some of them that be lost, 2 Cor. 4.3.4. that though the light of the Gospel doth shine; and that gloriously too in the hearts of Gods Elect, yet it doth not follow, that the convictions of Conscience is the Gospel; no, nor the convictions of the law neither. And again, though every one of Gods Elect have the light of the glorious Gospel shining in them, what argument is this to prove all men have the light of rhe Gospel shining in them. No saith Christ; I thank thee O Father, rhat thou hast hid these things (the things of the Gospel) from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to babes. And whereas thou sayest (as I gather by thy words) that I call conscienee the light of Christ. I say, if thou mean by these words (the light of Christ), the Spirit of Christ, I do deny that every man hath it: but if thou call conscience the light of Christ, or the highest light that is in an unconverted man the light of Christ; then I say, that the highest light that is in a naturall or unconverted man, (which you call the light of Christ) is not able by all its motions and convictions, not yet, by all the obedience that a man can yield to these convictions; I say, they are not able to deliver him from the wrath to come; for deliverance from that is obteined by the blood of Jesus, which was shed on the Cross, without the gate of Jerusalem (as I have often said)