Hostname: page-component-7bb8b95d7b-dtkg6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-10-05T22:27:15.922Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

John Bunyan and Covenant Thought in the Seventeenth Century

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 July 2009

Richard L. Greaves
Affiliation:
Assistant Professor of History, Eastern Washington State College

Extract

For a man who had achieved deserved fame as a master of English allegory and had thereby become the subject of a host of biographies, Bunyan would be dismayed if he knew that, three hundred years after his initial if temporary release from the Bedford prison, the thing he had strived for most in his writings had been ignored—his attempt to clarify for his readers what he believed to be the central truths of the Christian faith. Historians have diligently sought for every piece of evidence available to fill in the unknown facts of Bunyan's life, while scholars of English literature continue to examine the style of writing of the unlettered Tinker. Yet no one has ever dealt satisfactorily with the thought of this man.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © American Society of Church History 1967

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Bunyan, John, The doctrine of the law and grace unfolded (1659), P. 143Google Scholar. (Henceforth referred to as Law and grace.) The place of publication is London unless otherwise stated.

2. Baxter, Richard, Catholick theologie (1675), Bk. I, pt. 2, chap. xiiiGoogle Scholar; Blake, Thomas, Vindiciae foederis (1653), pp. 1011Google Scholar; Ball, John, A treatise of the covenant of grace (1645), pp. 3637Google Scholar; Owen, John, The branch of the Lord, the beauty of Sion (Edinburg, 1650), p. 17Google Scholar, and The doctrine of justification by faith (1677), p. 253; Petto, Samuel,The difference between the old and new covenant (1674), pp. 1921Google Scholar; Goodwin, Thomas, An exposition of the first … chapter, of the Epistle to the Ephesians, in The Works of Thomas Goodwin, D.D. (16811704), I, pt. i, p. 63Google Scholar; and Powell, Vavasor, Christ and Moses excellency (1650), pp. 2 and 4ff.Google Scholar

3. Bunyan, , Law and grace, pp. 133–34, 141.Google Scholar

4. Ibid., p. 8.

5. Bunyan, , An exposition of the first ten chapters of Genesis, and part of the eleventh, in The Works of That Eminent Servant of Christ, Mr. John Bunyan (1692), pp. 11, 67.Google Scholar

6. Bunyan, , A defence of the doctrine of iustification, by faith in Jesus Christ (1672), p. 56.Google Scholar

7. Bunyan, , Law and grace, fol. Bl verso, and pp. 15 and 43.Google Scholar

8. Bunyan, , of the law and a Christian, in Works (1692), p. 191.Google Scholar

9. Cf. Baxter, , An end of doctrinal controversies (1691), p. 134Google Scholar; Ball, , A treatise of the covenant of grace, pp. 93 and 111Google Scholar; Burgess, Anthony, Vindiciae legis (2nd ed., 1647), pp. 213 and 232–33Google Scholar; Blake, , Vindiciae foederis, pp. 166–68Google Scholar; and Rutherford, Samuel, The covenant of life opened (Edinburgh, 1655), pp. 60ff.Google Scholar

10. Cf. Owen, , The branch of the Lord, p. 16Google Scholar; Saltmarsh, John, Free-grace: or, the flowings of Christs blood freely to sinners (1645), pp. 167–68Google Scholar; Crisp, Tobias, Christ alone exalted (1690), II, 246Google Scholar; Powell, , Christ and Moses excellency, p. 26Google Scholar; and Goodwin, J., An exposition of the nineth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans (1653), p. 103.Google Scholar

11. Bunyan, , The resurrection of the dead (c. 1665), pp. 128–29.Google Scholar

12. Luther, Martin, A commentarie of Master Doctor Martin Luther upon the Epistle … to the Galathians (1635), fol. 153 verso.Google Scholar

13. Bunyan, , The holy war (1682), p. 51Google Scholar; The pilgrim's progress from this world, to that which is to come (2nd ed., 1678), pp. 2122.Google Scholar

14. Bunyan, , A vindication of the book called Some gospel-truths opened (1657), P. 17.Google Scholar

15. Luther, Galathians, fol. 172 verso. Cf. Preston, John, The new covenant (1629), Pt. II, P. 148Google Scholar; Goodwin, T., Of the object and acts of justifying faith, Works, IV, pt. iii, p. 38Google Scholar; Saltmarsh, , Free-grace, p. 159Google Scholar; and Powell, , Christ and Moses excellency, pp. 191 ffGoogle Scholar. Ball, however, like Bunyan interprets this verse as a reference to the ceremonial law. Cf. A treatise of the covenant of grace, pp. 139ff.

16. Bunyan, , A book for boys and girls (1686), p. 42.Google Scholar

17. Bunyan, , An exposition on Genesis, Works (1692), p. 65.Google Scholar

18. Ibid.

19. Trinterud, L. J., “The Origins of Puritanism,” Church History, XX (03, 1951), 54.Google Scholar

20. Bunyan, , Law and grace, p. 271.Google Scholar

21. Bunyan, , An exposition on Genesis, Works (1692), p. 66.Google Scholar

22. Cf. E.F., , The marrow of modern divinity (1645), p. 37Google Scholar; Saltmarsh, , Free-grace, p. 126Google Scholar; and Crisp, , Christ exalted, I, 74ff.Google Scholar

23. Cf. Saltmarsh, , Free-grace, pp. 125–27Google Scholar; Powell, , Christ and Moses excellency, pp. 4 ffGoogle Scholar; Crisp, , Christ exalted, I, 80ffGoogle Scholar; Owen, , The branch of the Lord, p. 17Google Scholar; Petto, , The difference between the old and new covenant, pp. 1921Google Scholar; and Goodwin, T., Ephesians i, Works, I, pt. i, p. 63.Google Scholar

24. Goodwin, J., Apolutrösis apolutrōseōs or, redemption redeemed (1651), p. 458.Google Scholar

25. Baxter, , An end of doctrinal controversies, p. 121Google Scholar; and Catholick theologie, Bk. I, pt. 2, chap. xxxviii.

26. Rutherford, , The covenant of life opened, pp. 308 ffGoogle Scholar.; and Blake, , Vindiciae foederis, pp. 1011 and 2425.Google Scholar

27. Bunyan, , Law and grace, p. 133.Google Scholar

28. Bunyan, , The pilgrim's progress from this world, to that which is to come (1st ed., 1678), pp. 1214.Google Scholar

29. Baxter, , Plain Scripture proof of infants church-membership and baptism (1651), p. 225Google Scholar. Cf. Preston, , The new covenant, Pt. II, p. 70Google Scholar; Ball, , A treatise of the covenant of grace, pp. 1415Google Scholar; and Geree, Stephen, The doctrine of the Antinomians by evidence of Gods truth plainely confuted (1644), pp. 7273.Google Scholar

30. Ussher, James, A body of divinitie (1645), p. 158.Google Scholar

31. Owen, , The doctrine of justification by faith, pp. 269 and 270Google Scholar. Cf. Petto, , The difference between the old and new covenant, p. 2Google Scholar; Saltmarsh, , Free-grace, pp. 125–26Google Scholar; Powell, , Christ and Moses excellency, pp. 2021Google Scholar; and Crisp, , Christ eraited, II, 255.Google Scholar

32. Bunyan, , An exposition on Genesis, Works (1692), p. 67.Google Scholar

33. Bunyan, , Law and grace, pp. 222, 132, 275, 142–47, 115–16.Google Scholar

34. Luther, , Galathians, fol. 218.Google Scholar

35. Ussher, , A body of divinitie, p. 159.Google Scholar

36. Owen, , Salus electorum, sanguis Jesu: or the death of death in the death of Christ (1648), p. 103.Google Scholar

37. Crisp, , Christ exalted, I, 83Google Scholar; cf. pp. 81ff.

38. Preston, , The new covenant, Pt II, p. 143Google Scholar. Cf. Baxter, , An end of doctrinal controversies, p. 142Google Scholar; Ball, , A treatise of the covenant of grace, p. 17Google Scholar; Blake, , Vindiciae foederis, pp. 2628Google Scholar; Geree, , The doctrine of the Antinomians confuted, pp. 7274.Google Scholar

39. Goodwin, J., Redemption redeemed, pp. 456 and 458.Google Scholar

40. Bunyan, , Law and grace, p. 275.Google Scholar

41. Saltmarsh, , Free-grace, p. 153.Google Scholar

42. Owen, , Salus electorum, p. 103Google Scholar; and Goodwin, T., Ephesians i, Works, I, pt. i, p. 396.Google Scholar

43. Cf Bunyan, , Law and grace, pp. 222 ff.Google Scholar

44. Ibid., p. 275.

45. Bunyan, , The work of Jesus Christ as an advocate (1688), p. 43.Google Scholar

46. Bunyan, , Come, & welcome, to Jesus Christ (1678), p. 19.Google Scholar

47. Goodwin, J., Redemption redeemed, p. 457.Google Scholar

48. Baxter, , Catholick theologie, Bk. I, pt. 2, chap. lxxvi.Google Scholar

49. Baxter, , Plain Scripture proof, p. 225.Google Scholar

50. Powell, , Christ and Moses excellency, p. 159Google Scholar. Cf. Crisp, , Christ exalted, I, 105ff.Google Scholar

51. Petto, , The difference between the old and new covenant, p. 262.Google Scholar

52. Cf. Baxter, , Plain Scripture proof, pp. 224, 226 and 326Google Scholar; Ball, , A treatise of the covenant of grace, pp. 24 and 25Google Scholar; Blake, , Vindiciae foederis, p. 20Google Scholar; and Rutherford, , The covenant of life, pp. 72ff.Google Scholar

53. Bunyan, , The work of Jesus Christ, p. 43.Google Scholar

54. Cf. Ball, , A treatise of the covenant of grace, p. 23Google Scholar; and Blake, , Vindiciae foederis, pp. 2930.Google Scholar

55. Bunyan, , A treatise of the fear of God (1679), p. 60.Google Scholar

56. Bunyan, , Christ a complete saviour, in Works (1692), p. 395Google Scholar. Cf. Petto, , The difference between the old and new covenant, pp. 6667Google Scholar; Powell, , Christ and Moses excellency, pp. 74 ff.Google Scholar; Crisp, , Christ exalted, I, 81Google Scholar; and even Geree, , The doctrine of the Antinomians confuted, p. 75.Google Scholar

57. Preston, , The new covenant, Pt. II, p. 215.Google Scholar

58. Baxter, , Plain Scripture proof, p. 225Google Scholar; and An end of doctrinal controversies, p. 142.

59. Bunyan, , The pilgrim's progress (1st ed., 1678), pp. 14 and 35.Google Scholar

60. Bunyan, , Law and grace, pp. 291–92.Google Scholar

61. Bunyan, , Grace abounding to the chief of sinners (1666), sect. 47.Google Scholar

62. Bunyan, , Law and grace, fols. A5 verso—A6.Google Scholar

63. Ibid., p. 146

64. Bunyan, , The pilgrim's progress (1st ed., 1678), pp. 2021.Google Scholar

65. Bunyan, , The holy war, p. 214.Google Scholar

66. Bunyan, , Of the law and a Christian, Works (1692), p. 191.Google Scholar

67. Luther, Galathians, fol 6 verso.

68. Cf. Powel, , Christ and Moses excellency, p. 207Google Scholar; Cradock, Walter, Mount Sion, or, the privilege and practice of the saints (1649)Google Scholar, ad cal. Gospel-holinesse, or, the saving sight of God (1651), p. 209; Owen, , A treatise of the dominion of sin and grace (1688), p. 94Google Scholar; E. F., , The marrow of modern divinity, PP. 2021Google Scholar; and Rutherford, , The covenant of life, p. 14.Google Scholar

69. Cf. Goodwin, J. et al. , Eirenomachia. The agreement and distance of brethren (1652), p. 60Google Scholar; and Baxter, , An end of doctrinal controversies, pp. 131 and 151–52.Google Scholar

70. Bunyan, , Law and grace, pp. 45.Google Scholar

71. Bunyan, , Law and grace, p. 3.Google Scholar

72. Bunyan, , Of the law and a Christian, Works (1692), p. 191.Google Scholar

73. Bunyan, , Saved by grace, in Works (1692), p. 565.Google Scholar

74. Bunyan, , The saints knowledge of Christ's love, in Works (1692), p. 424.Google Scholar

75. Crisp, , Christ exalted, IV, 91.Google Scholar

76. Burgess, , Vindiciae legis, p. 153.Google Scholar

77. Bunyan, , The work of Jesus Christ, p. 105Google Scholar; and Baxter, , Catholick theologie, Bk. I, pt. 2, p. 22, and chap. lx.Google Scholar

78. Bunyan, , Of the law and a Christian, Works (1692), p. 191.Google Scholar

79. Baxter, , Reliquiae Baxterianae, ed. Sylvester, M. (1696), Bk. I, Pt. 1, sect. 162 (p. 111).Google Scholar

80. Nuttall, Geoffrey F., The Welsh Saints 1640–1660 (Cardiff, 1957), p. 32.Google Scholar

81. Cf., e.g., Bunyan, , A holy life, the beauty of Christianity: or, an exhortation to Christians to be holy (1684)Google Scholar; and Christian behaviour: or the fruits of true Christianity (1663).

82. Bunyan, , Law and grace, p. 345.Google Scholar

83. Preston, , The new covenant, Pt. II, p. 103.Google Scholar

84. Bunyan, , The holy war, p. 393.Google Scholar

85. Bunyan, , Questions about the nature and perpetuity of the seventh-day-sabbath (1685), p. 34.Google Scholar

86. Fox, George, The Journal of George Fox, ed. Penney, Norman (Cambridge, 1911), I, 256.Google Scholar

87. Bunyan, , Questions about the seventh-day-sabbath, p. 37.Google Scholar

88. Cf. E. F., , The marrow of modern divinity, pp. 119–20Google Scholar; Owen, , Christologia, or, a declaration of the glorious mystery of the person of Christ, God and man (1679), p. 161Google Scholar; Powell, , Christ and Moses excellency, pp. 236 ffGoogle Scholar.; and Saltmarsh, , Free-grace, pp. 146 and 160.Google Scholar

89. Burgess, , Vindiciae legis, p. 214Google Scholar; and Blake, , Vindiciae foederis, pp. 4849 and p. 56, marginal reading.Google Scholar

90. Baxter, , Catholick theologie, Bk. I, pt. 2, chap. xxxiii.Google Scholar

91. Bunyan, , A vindication, p. 15Google Scholar. The phrase has a biblical source; cf. Gal. vi:16; and Phil. iii:16.

92. Cradock, , Mount Sion, p. 218Google Scholar; and Gospel-libertie, in the extensions [and] limitations of it (1648), p. 18.

93. Saltmarsh, , Free-grace, pp. 146–47.Google Scholar

94. Bunyan, , Of the law and a Christian, Works (1691), p. 191Google Scholar; and Questions about the seventh-day-sabbath, p. 38.

95. Bunyan, , Israel's hope encouraged, Works (1692), p. 223.Google Scholar

96. Cf., e:g., Bunyan, , Questions about the seventh-day-sabbath, p. 36Google Scholar; The work of Jesus Christ, p. 132; and The holy war, p. 131. Cf. Powell, , Christ and Moses excellency, p. 223Google Scholar; Saltmarsh, , Free-grace, pp. 146 ff.Google Scholar; and Cradock, , Gospel-libertie, p. 36Google Scholar. The usual Calvinist position was to make a distinction between “the Moral Preceptive Part” of the law, with respect to which “Christ gave no New Law,” and “the Institutions of worship,” which Christ abolished and in their place “gave a New Law of worship…” Owen, , A declaration of the person of Christ, pp. 158–60.Google Scholar

97. Bunyan, , The Work of Jesus Christ, pp. 103104.Google Scholar

98. Crisp, , Christ exalted, I, 123.Google Scholar

99. Bunyan, , Questions about the seventh-day-sabbath, p. 35.Google Scholar

100. Saltmarsh, , Free-grace, p. 146.Google Scholar

101. Saltmarsh, , Sparkles of glory (1647), pp. 240–41.Google Scholar

102. Bunyan, , Questions about the seventh-day-sabbath, p. 38.Google Scholar

103. Bunyan, , Of the law and a Christian, Works (1692), p. 191Google Scholar. Cf. Powell, , Christ and Moses excellency, p. 222Google Scholar; and Luther, Galathians, fols. 156–156 verso.

104. Luther, , Galathians, fol. 30 verso.Google Scholar