Marrow of Modern Divinity - Fisher - XI - Chapter 3 concluded

Required reading
Marrow of Modern Divinity  by Edward Fisher (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Conclude Chapter 3 by reading the six sections entitled 'The use of that distinction in practice'; 'That distinction a mean betwixt legalism and Antinomianism; 'How to attain to assurance'; 'Marks and evidences of true faith'; 'How to recover lost evidences'; 'Marks and signs of union with Christ'.

My summary
Now we finish Chapter 3.

Firstly we see the distinction between the punishments and rewards for obedience to the law of works and the law of Christ.  The law of works brings either eternal damnation or heaven, while the law of Christ brings either discipline or nearness to God.

Secondly, we see everything finally click into place for Nomista and Antinomista.  Nomista recognises that he was confused about the difference between the law of works and the law of Christ.  While Antinomista recognises he was confused about the law of Christ and the law of Grace.

Thirdly, it is explained to Neophytus how he can have assurance.  The Christian can believe that he has believed if he:
(i) can see that he has repented and believed;
(ii) can see he loves for the Bible, Christians and enemies;
(iii) can see the exercise of Christ's offices in his life of prophet, priest and king.

What grabbed me
Always great to hear that we do not need to fear God as an angry judge when we are safe in the covenant of grace: 'And, therefore, whensoever your conscience shall tell you, that you have broken any of the ten commandments, do not conceive that the Lord looks upon you as an angry Judge, armed with justice against you; much less do you fear that he will execute his justice upon you, according to the penalty of that covenant, in unjustifying of you, or depriving you of your heavenly inheritance, and giving you your portion in hell-fire. No, assure yourself that your God in Christ will never unson you, nor unspouse you: no, nor yet, as touching your justification and eternal salvation, will he love you ever a whit the less, though you commit ever so many or great sins; for this is a certain truth, that as no good either in you, or done by you, did move him to justify you, and give you eternal life, so no evil in you, or done by you, can move him to take it away from you, being once given.'

I love that description of what God cannot do - he cannot 'unson' you, or 'unspouse' you. 

Once you are God's child and bride you are that way forever.

Next week's reading
Read Chapter 4 (Of the heart's happiness, or soul's rest).

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