A77832:264
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 you say, doth it not lead to God all that follow it? Answ. Not to be saved, though to be condemned, through the weakness and unprofitableness of that light, or conscience, or the law, call it either, and I clear it thus. Because, if that light that every man receives, were able by our following it, to ⟨p. 43⟩save us, then Christ needed not to have suffered, seeing all men had that light.
But you say, doth it not lead to God all that follow it? Answ. Not to be saved, though to be condemned, through the weakness and unprofitableness of that light, or conscience, or the law, call it either, and I cleer it thus. Because, if that light that every man receives, were able by our following it, to ⟨p. 43⟩save us, then Christ needed not to have suffered, seeing all men had that light.
2. If that light that every man hath, which is conscience, were able to lead a man to justification by following it; that promise was made in vain by Jesus the son of Mary, when he said, I will send you; mark, I will send you the Spirit, and he shall lead you into all truth: for they had a light before. But it is evident, that that was not sufficient, because they must have another sent them by Jesus Christ, and that must be the Spirit.
5. Quaer. Whether is not the same light in him that hates it, as it is in him that loves it, Joh. 3. If there be a difference in the light, show it wherein; whether in the nature, or otherwise?