A77832:252
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 secondly, they that deny the merits of the birth, death, righteousness blood, &c. of the man that was born of Mary, which he fulfilled in his own person, by himself, Heb. 1.2. I say, they that do not venture their souls on these glorious, mysterious truths, but deny the belief of them to be sufficient of themselves to save from hell, and all other things, and doth expect that salvation should be obtained by something that worketh in them by working in them. It is impossible that these, though they may be, touching the righteousness of the law blameless, (as Paul was while he was a persecutor, Phil. 3.) to be saved hereby. Wherefore? because they seek it not by the faith of Christ, but as it were by the works of the law, Rom. 9.30, 31.
But secondly, they that deny the merits of the birth, death, righteousnesse blood, &c. of the man that was born of Mary, which he fulfilled in his own person, by himself, Heb. 1.2. I say, they that do not venture their souls on these glorious, mysterious truths, but deny the belief of them to be sufficient of themselvs to save from hell, and all other things, and doth expect that salvation should be obtained by something that worketh in them by working in them. It is impossible that these, though they may be, touching the righteousnesse of the law blamelesse, (as Paul was while he was a persecutor, Phil. 3.) to be saved hereby. Wherefore? because they seek it not by the faith of Christ, but as it were by the works of the law, Rom. 9.30, 31.
And whereas you ask me, what is that which worketh faith? And where is it, within or without? I answer; That which worketh saving faith, is the holy Spirit of God, which is renewed through the hearing of the Word, preached by the Apostles or Ministers of Jesus Christ; Now the Spirit when it doth work, it entereth into the soul, and as I said before, doth enable the soul to believe, and lay hold on the merits of the Son of Mary, Jesus Christ. For saith he, when he is come he shall glorify me, for he shall take of mine, and show it unto you,