by John Bunyan
A discourse touching the law and grace; the nature of the one, and the nature of the other; showing what they are, as they are the two covenants; and likewise, who they be, and what their conditions are, that be under either of these Two Covenants: Wherein, for the better understanding of the reader, there are several questions answered touching the law and grace, very easy to be read, and as easy to be understood, by those that are the sons of wisdom, the children of the second covenant.
Edited by George Offor.
"For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God" (Heb 7:19).
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Rom 3:28).
"To him [therefore] that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Rom 4:5).
Pastor Shane Lems said of this work, In 1659 John Bunyan wrote a book called The Doctrine of the Law and Grace Unfolded. In this book Bunyan well explains the difference(s) between the covenant of works and the covenant of grace, between the law and the gospel. He explains how, in Adam, everyone by nature is in the covenant of works and he explains how the covenant of works shows up at Mt. Sinai. Bunyan also talks about the gospel – how God saves sinners in the covenant of grace. Bunyan said that in this book he hopes the reader will “find the two covenants [which all men are under, either the one or the other] discovered, and held forth in their natures, ends, bounds, together with the state and condition of them that are under the one, and of them that are under the other.”
Here are a few quotes that stuck out for me.
“So long as people are ignorant of the nature of the law, and of their being under it – that is, under the curse and condemning power of it, by reason of their sin against it – so long they will be careless, and negligent as to the inquiring after the true knowledge of the Gospel.”
“The man that doth not know the law doth not know in deed and in truth that he is a sinner, doth not know savingly that there is a Savior.”
“The word ‘law’ and the word ‘grace’ in this sixth [chapter] of Romans, do hold forth the two covenants which all men are under; that is, either the one or the other.”
“The substance of the law delivered on Mount Sinai was, before that, delivered by the Lord to man in the garden.”
“To be under the law as it is a Covenant of Works, is to be bound, upon pain of eternal damnation, to fulfill, and that completely and continually, every particular point of the Ten Commandments, by doing them.”
“They that are under the Covenant of Grace shall surely be saved by it, so, even so, they that are under the Covenant of Works and the law, they shall surely be damned by it, if continuing there.”
“If a man that hath deserved death by the law be…forgiven his offence, it is not because the law saith, ‘spare him;’ but it is the love of the judge…that doth set the man free from the condemnation of the law.”
“The law doth always find fault with the sinners obedience as well as his disobedience.”
“If thou be under this covenant [of works], work as hard as thou canst, the law will never say, ‘Well done,’ it will never say, ‘My good servant,’ no; but it will always be driving thee faster, hastening of thee harder, giving thee fresh commands, which thou must do upon pain of damnation not to be left undone.”
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR
THE EPISTLE TO THE READER
These are several titles which are set over the several TRUTHS contained in this book, for thy sooner finding of themâ€“
THE FIRST PART
The words of the text opened, and the doctrines laid down. [This doctrine, that there are some that are under the law, or under the Covenant of Works.]
What the Covenant of Works is, and when it is given
What it is to be under the Covenant of Works
Who they are that are under the Covenant of Works
What men may attain to that are under this Covenant of Works
THE SECOND PART
The doctrine proved
The new covenant made with Christ
The conditions of the new covenant
The suretiship of Christ
Christ the Messenger of the new covenant
Christ the Sacrifice of the new covenant
Christ the High Priest of the new covenant
Christ completely fulfilled the conditions of the new covenant
The Covenant of Grace unchangeable; the opposers answered.
Who, and how men are actually brought into the new covenant
A word of experience
The privileges of the new covenant
Two Hell-bred objections answered
A use of examination about the old covenant
A legal spirit
The use of the new covenant
The unpardonable sin
Objections answered for their comfort who would have their part in the new covenant