Marrow of Modern Divinity - Fisher - VIII - Chapter 3 commenced

Required reading
Marrow of Modern Divinity  by Edward Fisher (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Commence Chapter 3 by reading the five sections entitled 'The nature of the law of Christ'; 'The law of the ten commandments a rule of life to believers'; 'Antinomian objections answered'; 'The necessity of marks and signs of grace'; 'Antinomian objections answered'.

My summary
Now we are introduced to the law of Christ.

Fisher tells us that the law of Christ is summed up in the ten commandments.  The difference between the law of Christ and the law of works is that 'the one saith, "Do this and live"; and the other saith, "Live, and do this"; the one saith, Do this for life; the other saith, Do this from life: the one saith, "If thou do it not, I will chastise thee with the rod."'

Then Fisher shows how the ten commandments may be found in the New Testament.

Next, Antinomista objects by saying that Luther and Calvin speak as though a believer were freed from the law by Christ.  Fisher answers that 'when they speak thus of the law, it is evident they mean only in the case of justification.'  Rather than justifying, observance of the law of Christ is a mark and a sign that the Christian stands on for assurance.

What grabbed me
I loved the challenge that Evangelista lays down to those listening: 'Wherefore, friend Antinomista, if either you, or any man else, shall, under a pretence of your being in Christ, exempt yourselves from being under the law of the ten commands, as they are the law of Christ, I tell you truly, it is a shrewd sign you are not yet in Christ; for if you were, then Christ were in you; and If Christ were in you, then would he govern you, and you would be subject unto him. I am sure the prophet Isaiah tell us, that the same Lord, who is our Saviour, "is also our King and Lawgiver," (Isa 33:22); and, truly, he will not be Jesus a Saviour to any but only to those unto whom he is Christ a Lord; for the very truth is, wheresoever he is Jesus a Saviour, he is also Christ a Lord; and, therefore, I beseech you, examine yourself whether he be so to you or no.'

It's pretty black and white.  If you have no respect for the law of Christ, it is a good sign that you are not in Christ.

Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 3 by reading the two sections entitled 'Holiness and Good Works Attained to Only by Faith' and 'Slavish Fear and Servile Hope not the Springs of True Obedience'.

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