A77832:313
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.
Answ. First, not one of God's elect whom he foreknew, shall be utterly destroyed thereby (I do not say, they shall not be led away for a time; but they shall not be utterly destroyed); for they are kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation. But they are such as are not indeed the elect of God, not chosen in Christ before the world began. Though Hymeneus & Philetus fall away, and overthrow the faith of some, yet the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his 2 Tim. 2. ver. 18, 19.
Answ. First, not one of God's elect whom he foreknew, shall be utterly destroied thereby (I do not say, they shall not be led away for a time; but they shall not be utterly destroied); for they are kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation. But they are such as are not indeed the elect of God, not chosen in Christ before the world began. Though Hymeneus & Philetus fall away, and overthrow the faith of some, yet the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his 2 Tim. 2. ver. 18, 19.
Secondly, they are such as in time past; for the generality of them were either but light frothy professors, or else were shaken in their principles, and unstable therein, as saith the Scriptures, They that are deceivers do beguile unstable souls. Or if they were such as were in appearance sober and serious in the account of others, it was either from those convictions they had from the Law, or else from high notions they had of the Gospel; which have both such influence at some time on the foul (though not savingly) that the soul will go very far in obedience to them; as for example, Herod who was an enemy to the truth, yet for a time had such heart-workings, being convinced by the preaching of John the Baptist, that he feared him, and observed him, and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly, Mark. 6. ver. 20.