A41355:304
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.
Evan. I beseech you to consider that although some men be ordained to condemnation, yet so long as the Lord hath concealed their names, and not set a mark of reprobation upon any man in particular; but offers the pardon generally to all without having any respect either to election or reprobation: surely it is great folly in any man to say it may be I am not elected, and therefore shall not have benefit by it, and therefore I will not accept of it nor come in, for it should rather move every man to give diligence to make his calling and election sure, 1by believing it, for fear we come short of it, according to that of the Apostle,2 Let us therefore fear, least a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of us should seem to come short of it: Wherefore, I beseech you, do not you say it may be I am not elected, and therefore I will not believe in Christ, but rather say I do believe in Christ,3 and therefore, I am sure I am elected, and check your own heart, for meddling with Gods secrets, and prying into his hidden counsel, and go no more beyond your bounds, as you have done in this point, for election and reprobation is a secret, ⟨p. 123⟩and the Scriptures tells us,4 That secret things belong unto God, but those things that are revealed belong unto us: Now, this is Gods revealed will, for indeed it is his express command,5 That you should believe on the name of his Son, and it is his promise, that if you believe you shall not perish, but have everlasting life: Wherefore,6 you having so good a warrant as GODS command, and so good an encouragement as his promise, do your duty, and by the doing thereof you may put it out of question, and be sure that you are one of Gods Elect: Say then, I beseech you, with a firm faith, the righteousness of Jesus Christ belongs to all that believe; but I believe and therefore it belongs to me, yea, and say with PAUL,