A77832:187
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.
But farther, he put me to prove any such distinction in Scripture, as that there is any thing made mention of therein that doth convince of sin, besides the Spirit of Christ: which thing I have already answered, where I said the Scripture saith, By the law is the knowledge of sin, Rom. 3.20. and again, doth not even nature it self teach you, that it is a shame for a man to wear long hair, 2 Cor. 11.14. and also conscience, which are neither of them the Spirit ⟨p. 30⟩of Christ, but much inferior to the same: yet this also convinceth of sin, Joh. 8.9.
But farther, he put me to prove any such distinction in Scripture, as that there is any thing made mention of therein that doth convince of sin, besides the Spirit of Christ: which thing I have already answered, where I sayd the Scripture saith, By the law is the knowledge of sin, Rom. 3.20. and again, doth not even nature it self teach you, that it is a shame for a man to wear long hair, 2 Cor. 11.14. and also conscience, which are neither of them the Spirit ⟨p. 30⟩of Christ, but much inferiour to the same: yet this also convinceth of sin, Joh. 8.9.
But to the other thing, which is the answer that I give in my book to this objection: But I am not only convinced of my sins (may some say) but have also some power against my sins; so that I do in some measure abstain from the sins forbidden in the law. And because I say, this thou mayest have and do, as thou thinkest, perfectly too [as thou thinks, mark that] as those fond Hypocrites, called Quakers [think] that they also do, and yet be but a natural man. Here my Adversary is very much offended, and calls me Perverter of the right way of the Lord; and saith, Show me any natural man in the Scripture that hath done it. Whereas had he been but willing to have laid down the Scripture I brought to prove it, he needed not to have looked for a second answer. But because he would have it again, I will therefore show you, that natural men merely by nature may be convinced, and abstain from those things forbidden in the Law, and think they do it perfectly; nay, they do the things contained in the law. For saith the Apostle