Marrow of Modern Divinity - Fisher - I

Required reading
Marrow of Modern Divinity  by Edward Fisher (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - The Preface, the Dedication, the Address to the Reader, the Introduction and Chapter 1.

My summary
Today we begin Fisher's controversial work.

Firstly, we read Boston's Preface where he commends the book to the reader.

Then Fisher's Dedication acknowledges the encouragement he received from John Downes.

Next, in Fisher's Address to the Reader he outlines the importance of the subject by illustrating from his own life how he slaved under the covenant of works for at least a dozen years.

In the Introduction the scene is set for a dialogue between four characters: EVANGELISTA, a Minister of the Gospel; NOMIST, a Legalist; ANTINOMISTA, an Antinomian; NEOPHYTUS, a Young Christian.  Fisher introduces his subject by asserting that there is a threefold law.  Boston gives us a nice summary of the three in one of his footnotes: 'The law of works is the law to be done, that one may be saved; the law of faith is the law to be believed, that one may be saved; the law of Christ is the law of the Saviour, binding his saved people to all the duties of obedience'.

Finally, in Chapter One Evangelista defends the doctrine of the Law of Works to Nomista.

What grabbed me
I was really impressed by Fisher's humility in the dedication.  I've read many dedications but I don't think I've read one that said something along the following lines: 'O sir, if the truths contained in this dialogue were but as much in my heart, as they are in my head, I were a happy man; for then should I be more free from pride, vain glory, wrath, anger, self-love, and love of the world, than I am; and then should I have more humility, meekness, and love, both to God and man, than I have. Oh! then should I be content with Christ alone, and live above all things in the world;—then should I experimentally know both how to abound and how to want;—and then should I be fit for any condition: nothing could come amiss to me. Oh, that the Lord would be pleased to write them in our hearts by his blessed Spirit!'

Fisher's desire is to be affected in his heart by his own book!

I do hope that as we read this together we will have the same desire, that our hearts may be affected, not just our minds.

Next week's reading
Begin Chapter Two by reading up to, but not including, the section titled 'The Law as the Covenant of Works, Added to the Promise'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.