A41355:495
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 pray you do not mistake me, I ⟨p. 241⟩do not contemn nor despise the use of reason, only I would not have you to establish it to the chief good, but I would have you to keep it under, so that if with Hagar, it attempt to bear rule, and Lord it over your faith, then would I have you in the wisdom of God, like Sarah, to cast it out from having dominion, in few words I would have you more strong in desire, than curious in speculation; and to long more to feel communion with God, then to be able to dispute of the genus, or species of any question, either humane or divine: And press hard to know God by powerful experience, and though your knowledge be great, and your obedience surpassing many; yet would I have you to be truly nullified, annihilated, and made nothing, and become fools in all fleshly wisdom, and glory in nothing, but only in the Lord, and I would have you with the eye of faith sweetly to behold, all things extracted out of one thing, & in one to see all, in a word, I would have in you a most profound silence, contemning all curious questions and discourses, and to ponder much in your heart but prate little with your tongue;1 Be swift to hear, but slow to speak; and slow to wrath, as the Apostle James adviseth you: and by this means will your reason be subdued, ⟨p. 242⟩and become one with your faith; for then is reason one with faith, when it is subjugated unto faith, and then will reason keep its true lists and limits, and you will become ten times more reasonable then you were before, so that, I hope, you now see that the hearts farewell from the sensual and rational life, is not to be considered absolutely but respectively, it doth not consist in a going out of either, but in a right use of both.
Evan. I pray you doe not mistake mee, I ⟨p. 241⟩do not contemn nor despise the use of reason, onely I would not have you to establish it to the chief good, but I would have you to keep it under, so that if with Hagar, it attempt to beare rule, and Lord it over your faith, then would I have you in the wisdome of God, like Sarah, to cast it out from having dominion, in few words I would have you more strong in desire, than curious in speculation; and to long more to feele communion with God, then to be able to dispute of the genus, or species of any question, eyther humane or divine: And presse hard to know God by powerfull experience, and though your knowledge be great, and your obedience surpassing many; yet would I have you to be truly nullified, anihilated, and made nothing, and become fools in all fleshly wisdome, and glory in nothing, but only in the Lord, and I would have you with the eye of faith sweetly to behold, all things extracted out of one thing, & in one to see al, in a word, I would have in you a most profound silence, contemning all curious questions and discourses, and to ponder much in your heart but prate little with your tongue;