A41355:29
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
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.
Let me confess ingeniously, I was a professor of Religion, at least a dozen years, before I knew any other way to eternal life, then to be sorry for my sins, and ask forgiveness, and strive and endeavour to fulfil the Law, and keep the Commandments, according as Master Dod and other godly men had expounded them: and truly I remember I was in hope I should at last attain to the perfect fulfilling of them, and in the mean-time, I conceived, ⟨image 8⟩that God would accept the will for the deed, or what I could not do Christ had done for me.
Let me confesse ingeniously, I was a professour of Religion, at least a dozen yeeres, before I knew any other way to eternall life, then to be sorry for my sins, and aske forgivenesse, and strive and endeavour to fulfill the Law, and keepe the Commandements, according as Master Dod and other godly men had expounded them: and truly I remember I was in hope I should at last attain to the perfect fulfilling of them, and in the mean-time, I conceived, ⟨image 8⟩that God would accept the will for the deed, or what I could not doe Christ had done for me.
And though at last by means of conferring with Master Thomas Hooker in private, the Lord was pleased to convince me, that I was yet but a proud Pharisee, and to show me the way of faith and salvation by Christ alone, and to give me (as I hope) a heart in some measure to embrace it; yet, alas, through the weakness of my faith, I have been and am still apt to turn aside to the covenant of works, and therefore have not attained to that joy and peace in believing, nor that measure of love to Christ and man for Christs sake, as I am confident, many of Gods Saints do attain unto in the time of this life, the Lord be merciful unto me, and increase my faith.
And though at last by meanes of conferring with Master Thomas Hooker in private, the Lord was pleased to convince me, that I was yet but a proud Pharisee, and to shew mee the way of faith and salvation by Christ alone, and to give mee (as I hope) a heart in some measure to embrace it; yet, alas, through the weaknesse of my faith, I have been and am still apt to turne aside to the covenant of works, and therefore have not attained to that joy and peace in believing, nor that measure of love to Christ and man for Christs sake, as I am confident, many of Gods Saints do attain unto in the time of this life, the Lord be mercifull unto mee, and increase my faith.