A77832:169
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, that I said, the Devil counterfeits the new birth, by persuading to follow the light of the world: I answer,* thou hast most naughtily belied me. The words that I said (speaking of the Devil before) are these. Now he counterfeits the new birth (said I) by persuading them that it is wrought by following the light that they brought into the world with them; as is clearly seen in my book page 76. Friend, I wonder that you should so boldly profess your self to be led by the Spirit of Christ, when you make it manifest that you are guided by the spirit of Satan. Was not he a liar? and hast not thou been led by a lying spirit also, in wresting of my words as thou hast done?
And whereas thou sayest, that I sayd, the Devill counterfeits the new birth, by perswading to follow the light of the world: I answer,* thou hast most naughtily belied me. The words that I said (speaking of the Devil before) are these. Now he counterfeits the new birth (said I) by perswading them that it is wrought by following the light that they brought into the world with them; as is clearly seen in my book page 76. Friend, I wonder that you should so boldly profess your self to be led by the Spirit of Christ, when you make it manifest that you are guided by the spirit of Satan. Was not he a lyar? and hast not thou been led by a lying spirit also, in wresting of my words as thou hast done?
- *bear is another of his false accusations of me▪bere is another of his false accus•tions of me▪
But I do freely declare again, that Satan doth deceive those souls, whom he persuades the new birth is wrought in, by following the light they brought into the world with them; for men as they come into the world, do not receive the Spirit, for it is given the Elect afterwards; neither have all men the Spirit. And he that hath the new birth, must have it by, and through the Spirit; as it is written, except a man be born of Water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of heaven. Therefore, if men do not bring the Spirit into the world with them; and if nothing without the Spirit, or nothing but the Spirit will or can work the new birth in a man: It must needs follow, that