A77832:185
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.
The next thing I take notice of, is, that thou findest fault with mine answer to this question. But doth not the Scripture say, that it is the Spirit of Christ that doth convince of sin? Thou sayest, it is a good question, but I have ⟨p. 29⟩confounded it in the answer, and not answered plainly. Wherefore I shall not at all stick at the pains to give the reader in brief, some of the heads of the answer I then gave to it, word for word; or to the same purpose. The answer was. Yes, the Spirit doth convince of sin; but for the better understanding of this place, I shall lay down this (said I). That there are two things spoken of in Scripture, that do manifest, or convince of sin. First, the law, Rom. 3.20. For by the law is the knowledge of sin. Secondly the Spirit of Christ doth also the same, as it is written; And when he is come, he will convince the world of sin, Joh. 16.7, 8, 9. Now say I, sometimes the law it self by its own power doth manifest sin, as in the case of Judas, who was so far from having the Spirit of Christ; that the Devil had very great possession of him. Which things my adversary doth wrangle at, yet dares not affirm the contrary: only saith this, he had the righteous law of God written in his heart; which thing is not the Spirit of Christ. The law is not of faith. The law is not the comforter, but rather a tormentor; yet the Spirit of Christ is a comforter. Again, say I, the Spirit of Christ doth take the law, and doth effectually convince of sin &c. Then I put forth another question, saying; But how should I know whether I am convinced by the law alone, or whether the law be effectually set home by the Spirit? To which I answer, when the law doth convince by its own power, it doth convince only of sins against the law; as lying, swearing, stealing, &c. pronouncing an horrible curse against thee if thou fulfil it not, and there leaves thee, but gives thee no power to fulfil it completely and continually, which thou must do, if thou be saved thereby. With which my adversary is much offended; also saying, that I am confounded in my discourse, and so leaves me, confuting none of my words by holy Scripture, but falls a railing, because I reckon Pharisees and Quakers together.
The next thing I take notice of, is, that thou findest fault with mine answer to this question. But doth not the Scripture say, that it is the Spirit of Christ that doth convince of sin? Thou sayest, it is a good question, but I have