A41355:267
The Marrow of Modern Divinity
The marrow of modern divinity touching both the covenant of works, and the covenant of grace, with their use and end, both in the time of the Old Testament, and in the time of the New : wherein every one may clearly see how far forth he bringeth the law into the case of justification, and so deserveth the name of legalist : and how far forth he rejecteth the law, in the case of sanctification, and so deserveth the name of Antinomist : with the middle path between them both, which by Jesus Christ leadeth to eternal life : in a dialogue, betwixt Evangelista, a minister of the Gospel, Nomista, a legalist, Antinomista, an Antinomian, and Neophytus, a young Christian / by the author, E.F. ; before the which there is prefixed the commendatory epistles of divers divines of great esteem in the city of London ; whereunto is also added, the substance of aThe marrow of modern divinity touching both the covenant of works, and the covenant of grace, with their use and end, both in the time of the Old Testament, and in the time of the New : wherein every one may cleerly see how far forth he bringeth the law into the case of justification, and so deserverh the name of legalist : and how far forth he rejecteth the law, in the case of sanctification, and so deserveth the name of Antinomist : with the middle path between them both, which by Iesus Christ leadeth to eternall life : in a dialogue, betwixt Evangelista, a minister of the Gospel, Nomista, a legalist, Antinomista, an Antinomian, and Neophytus, a young Christian / by the author, E.F. ; before the which there is prefixed the commendatory epistles of divers divines of great esteem in the citie of London ; whereunto is also added, the substance of a
London: printed by R. Leybourn for Giles Calvert, 1646
THE MARROW OF Modern Divinity.THE MARROVV OF Modern Divinity.
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.
And then I invited godly Ministers to my table, and made much of them, & then with that same Mica mentioned in the book of Judges, 1I was persuaded the Lord would be merciful unto me because I had gotten a Levite to be my Priest, in a word, I did now yield such an outward obedience and conformity to both Tables of the Law, that all godly Ministers, and religious honest men that knew me, did think very well of me, counting me to be a very honest man, and a good Christian, and indeed I thought so of my self, especially because I had their approbation, and thus I went on bravely a great while, even until I read in Master Boulton's works, that the outward righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees was famous in those times,2 for besides their forbearing and protesting against gross sins, as murder, theft, adultery, idolatry, and the like, they were frequent and constant in prayer, fasting and alms deeds, so that without question, many of them were persuaded, that their doings would purchase heaven and happiness, whereupon I concluded, that I had as yet done no more then they, and withal I considered that our Saviour saith,3 Except your righteousness ⟨p. 96⟩exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, you cannot enter into the Kingdom of God, yea, and I also considered, that the Apostle saith, He is not a Jew, that is one outward, but he that is one within, whose praise is not of men but of God, Then did I conclude that I was not yet a true Christian, for said I in my heart, I have contented my self with the praise of men, and so have lost all my labour and pains in performing duties, for they have been no better then outside performances, and therefore they must all fall down in a moment.
And then I invited godly Ministers to my table, and made much of them, & then with that same Mica mentioned in the book of Judges, 1I was perswaded the Lord would be mercifull unto me because I had gotten a Levite to be my Priest, in a word, I did now yield such an outward obedience and conformity to both Tables of the Law, that all godly Ministers, and religious honest men that knew me, did thinke very well of mee, counting me to be a very honest man, and a good Christian, and indeed I thought so of my selfe, especially because I had their approbation, and thus I went on bravely a great while, even untill I read in Master Boultons works, that the outward righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharisees was famous in those times,