A41355:375
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.
I remember the Apostle saith, That if the sacrifices which were offered in the Old Testament, 1could have made the comers thereunto perfect, and have purged the worshippers, then should they have had ⟨p. 162⟩no more conscience of sins, that is, their conscience would not have accused them of being guilty of sins, now the blond of Christ hath purged the conscience of a believer from all his sins,2 as they are transgressions against the covenant of works, and therefore what needs his conscience be troubled about that covenant, but now I pray you observe and take notice, that although Luther and Calvin do thus exempt a believer from the Law in the case of justification, and as it is the law or covenant of works, yet do they not so out of the case of justification, and as it is the Law of Christ. For thus saith Luther, out of the matter of justification,3 we ought with Paul, to think reverently of the Law, to commend it highly, 4to call it holy, righteous, just, good, spiritual and divine; yea, out of the case of justification we ought to make a God of it: And in another place, saith he, there is a civill righteousness and a ceremonial righteousness,5 yea, and besides these, there is another righteousness, which is the righteousness of the Law, or of the ten commandments, which Moses teacheth, this also we teach after the doctrine of faith. And in a third place, he having showed that believers through Christ are far above the Law (adds) howbeit,6 I will not deny but ⟨p. 163⟩that Moses showeth to them their duties, in which respect they are to be admonished and urged, wherefore such doctrines and admonitions, ought to be among Christians, as it is certain there was among the Apostles, whereby every man may be admonished of his estate and office. And Calvin having said (as I told you before) that Christians in the case of justification, must raise and advance themselves above the law, (adds) neither can any man thereby gather, that the law is superfluous to the faithful, whom notwithstanding it doth not cease to teach, exhort, and prick forward to goodness, although before Gods Judgement seat it hath no place in their conscience.