A41355:489
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.
neither ought humane frailties to molest it, however this is most certain, neither sin nor Satan, law nor conscience, hell nor grave, can quite extinguish it, for it is the Lord alone that gives and maintains it:1 Whom have I in heaven but thee, saith David, and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee: it is the pleasant face of God in Christ, that puts gladness into his heart, Psal. 4.7. and when ⟨p. 237⟩that face is hid, then he is troubled, Psal. 30.7. But to speak more plainly though the peace and joy of true believers, may be extenuated or diminished, yet doth the testimony of their being in nature remain so strong, that they could skill to say: yea, even when they have felt God to be withdrawing himself from them; My God, my God, 2why hast thou forsaken me: yea, and in the night of GODS absence to remain confident, that though sorrow be over night, 3yet joy will come in the morning: Nay, though the Lord should seem to kill them with wickedness, yet will they put their trust in him, knowing that for all this,4 their Redeemer liveth: so strong is the joy of their Lord: these are the people that are kept in perfect peace, 5because their minds are stayed in the Lord. Wherefore, my dear friends and loving neighbours, I beseech you, take heed of deeming any estate happy until you come to find this true peace and rest to your souls in God, ô, beware lest any of you do content your selves with a peace rather of speculation then of power! ô, be not satisfied with such a peace as consisteth either in the act of oblivion, or neglect of examination! nor yet in any brainsick supposition, of knowledge theological and divine, & so frame rational conclusions, to protract time, and still the cries of an accusing conscience, but let your hearts take their