A77832:188
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 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 Rom. 2.14. When the Gentiles which have not the law, do by nature [mark, do by nature] the things contained in the law; these [the Gentiles] having not the law, are a law to themselves. Mark; the Gentiles do by nature the things contained in, or held forth, or made mention of by the law; the light also that they have, it is themselves, being a law to themselves; that is, their consciences (being of themselves) bearing them witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing, or else excusing one another, though they cannot be saved thereby, ver. 15. Again, when Paul was a natural man, and a persecutor of Jesus Christ, he saith of himself, that then he was, touching the righteousness of the law, blameless, Phil. 3.6. And whereas thou sayest, thou hadst rather choose to be one of those who abstain from those things forbidden in the law, and to have power over sin, than to live in the transgression of the law; this is fair spoken, and it doth show that thou art under the convictions of the law; and if it be no worse, I fear thy state the less, though it be bad enough; yet this I say, if thy soul be not saved freely, by the blood of that man who was crucified on mount Calvary, and by his merits alone done by himself in his own person, thou, notwithstanding wilt fall short of eternal life.
But to the other thing, which is the answer that I give in my book to this objection: But I am not onely 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 maiest 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, Shew 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, hee needed not to have looked for a second answer. But because he would have it again, I will therefore shew you, that natural men meerly 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