Marrow of Modern Divinity - Fisher - XVI - Part 2 concluded

Required reading
Marrow of Modern Divinity by Edward Fisher (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Conclude Part Two by reading the section entitled, 'The Use of the Law'.

My summary
Apologies for the huge reading today - it was just too difficult to divide the section up.

Basically we have a re-cap of what was taught in Part 1, but now in light of the ten commandments.

Firstly, Evangelista demonstrates that it is not sufficient to 'endeavour' to keep the law, but you must keep it perfectly.

Then Evangelista shows that a mixture of Christ's sacrifice and your own works is also insufficient.

Next we hear again that the use of the law is to drive you to Christ.

Then it is explained that it is better for an unbeliever to try and keep the law to reduce the torments of hell and to make this temporal life a little more peaceful.

Finally, Neophytus is encouraged to keep the law to as a Christian not to earn his salvation, but to avoid Heavenly Father discipline and to earn reward in this life and the next.

What grabbed me
Good thoughts were provided on the justice of God when it comes to hell: '...yet, this let me tell you, the more obedience you yield unto the law, the more easy shall your condemnation be; for although no man, walk he never so exactly and strictly according- to the law, shall thereby either escape the torments of hell, or obtain the joys of heaven, yet the more exactly and strictly any man walks according to the law, the easier shall his torments be, Matth. 11: 22. so although you by your obedience to the law cannot obtain the uneasiest place in heaven, yet may you thereby obtain the most easy place in hell; and therefore your obedience shall not be in vain. Nay, let me tell you more, although you by your obedience to the law, can neither escape that hell, nor enjoy that heaven that is in the world to come; yet may you thereby escape that hell, and enjoy that heaven which is to be had in this present world; for the Lord deals so equally and justly with all men, that every man shall be sure to receive his due at his hands...'

Although they are not saved, those unbelievers who are not as depraved as they could be will still be shown God's justice in hell.

One Sentence Final Verdict
An excellent book for clearing away the confusion of the Bible's teaching on the law of works, the law of grace and the law of Christ - the notes of Thomas Boston I think can be largely skimmed over and only carefully read when one may be confused by Fisher's text.

Next week's reading
Commence Freedom of the Will by Jonathan Edwards (available from Amazon or free here) by reading the Preface and Part 1.

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