A41355:94
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. Well, give me leave to tell you, that so far forth as any man comes short of the true knowledge of this threefold Law, so far forth he comes short both of the true knowledge of God, and of himself; And therefore I wish you both to consider of it.
Nom. Sir, if it be so, you may do well to be a means to inform us, and help us to the true knowledge of this threefold Law; and therefore I pray you first tell us what is meant by the law of works?
Evan. The law of works, opposed to the law of faith,1 Rom. 3.27. holds forth as much as the covenant of works: for it is manifest, saith Musculus, that the word which signifieth covenant or bargain, is put for law; so that you see the Law of works, is as much to say as the Covenant of works, the which Covenant the Lord made with all mankind in Adam before his fall, the sum whereof was,2 Do this, and thou shalt live; And, If thou do it not, thou shalt die the death. In which Covenant there was first contained […] precept, Do this; Secondly, a promise joined unto it, If thou do it, thou shalt live ▪ Thirdly, a like threatening, If thou do it not, thou shalt die the death. Imagine, saith Musculus, that God had said to Adam, ⟨p. 7⟩Lo, to the intent that thou mayest live,3 I have given thee liberty to eat, and have given thee abundantly to eat: let all the fruits of Paradise be in thy power, one tree except, which see thou touch not, for that I keep it to mine own authority: the same is the tree of knowledge of good and evil, If thou touch it, the meat thereof shall not be life, but death.