Heidelcast 61: Nomism And Antinomianism (4)

by Heidelcast on February 4, 2014 | 4 Comments

The first major section of the Marrow of Modern Divinity was a defense of the covenant of works. It is fascinating to see how, already in the 1640s, the covenant of works came under criticism from the nomists (legalists, moralists). Nothing really . . . Continue reading →

The Covenant Of Works Was Repeated And Delivered On Mt Sinai

by R. Scott Clark on February 18, 2014

But that the covenant of works was also, for special ends, repeated and delivered to the Israelites on Mount Sinai, I cannot refuse— 1. Because of the apostle’s testimony, ‘These are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gendereth to . . . Continue reading →

Boston: Man Under The Covenant Of Works

by R. Scott Clark on July 26, 2014

7. Lastly, In his person. Being a sinful man under the covenant of works, he is a cursed man; For it is written, “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law . . . Continue reading →

The Ascension: The Second Step Of Christ’s Exaltation

by R. Scott Clark on December 13, 2014 | 2 Comments

The second step of Christ’s exaltation, was, his ascending up into heaven, Eph. 4:8, 10. The time of his ascension was forty days after his resurrection, Acts 1:3, “He tarried so long on earth, after his rising from the dead, to ascertain . . . Continue reading →

Boston: WCF 19 Teaches Republication

by R. Scott Clark on March 20, 2015

That the conditional promise (Lev 18:5, to which agrees Exodus 19:8) and the dreadful threatening (Deut 27:26), were both given to the Israelites, as well as the ten commands, is beyond question; and that according to the apostle (Rom. 10:5, Gal. 3:10), . . . Continue reading →

Boston: Galatians Proves Adam Was In A Covenant Of Works

by R. Scott Clark on February 12, 2016 | 3 Comments

1. I shall confirm this great truth, and evince the being of such a covenant. It is altogether denied by the Arminians that there was any such covenant, and amongst ourselves by Professor Simson, that it was a proper covenant. The weight . . . Continue reading →

Thomas Boston: How And Why To Distinguish Between Law And Gospel

by R. Scott Clark on July 26, 2016 | 4 Comments

THERE is little more in all this, (viz. “The Marrow,”) to be attributed to me than the very gathering and composing of it. That which I aim at, and intend therein, is to show unto myself, and others that shall read it, . . . Continue reading →

Boston: The Judicial Laws Were Temporary. The Moral Law Is Permanent

by R. Scott Clark on January 18, 2020

Secondly, There are three sorts of laws we find in the word. 1. The ceremonial law, which was given by Moses. This bound only the Jews, and that to the coming of Christ, by whom it was abrogated, being a shadow of . . . Continue reading →

Boston: Sanctification Through Faith Alone Is A Gospel Mystery

by R. Scott Clark on May 13, 2020

The gospel method of sanctification, as well as of justification, lies so far out of the ken of natural reason, that if all the rationalists in the world, philosophers and divines, had consulted together…” Thomas Boston, Preface to The Marrow of Modern . . . Continue reading →

Boston And Rutherford: Baxter Turned The Covenant Of Grace Into A Covenant Of Works

by R. Scott Clark on May 18, 2020

Let us take a watchword from holy and learned Rutherford: ‘We would beware (says he) of Mr. Baxter’s order of setting repentance and works of new obedience before justification; which is indeed a new covenant of works.’ Continue reading →

Boston: Remember, You Are Clothed With Borrowed Feathers

by R. Scott Clark on August 13, 2020 | 2 Comments

2. I shall drop a few words to the saints. (1.) “Remember—that at that time,” namely, when you were in your natural state, “ye were without Christ—having no hope, and without God in the world.” Call to mind the state you were . . . Continue reading →

Boston: Christ Fulfilled The Condition

by Inwoo Lee on August 19, 2020 | 1 Comment

It is by this, and this alone, the salvation of sinners becomes a debt: therefore this alone is the condition of the covenant. For the reward is of debt to him, and him only, who fulfills the condition of a covenant: to . . . Continue reading →

Why Did God Put A Crook In The Lot?

by R. Scott Clark on February 3, 2021

But in Thomas Boston’s usage the crook is the crooked, that is the uncomfortable, discontenting aspects of a person’s life, the things that the Puritans called losses and crosses, and that we speak of as the stones in our shoe, the thorns . . . Continue reading →

Boston: Believers Are Not Under The Moral Law As A Covenant Of Works But As A Rule Of Life

by R. Scott Clark on February 15, 2021 | 2 Comments

Objection: But does not the apostle say, Rom. 6:14. ‘Ye are not under the law but under grace?’ and Gal. 5:22, 23. ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, &c.—against such there is no law?’

“The Marrow Was Birthed To Avoid Legalism And Antinomianism”

by R. Scott Clark on April 22, 2021

The Marrow of Modern Divinity was regarded by the orthodox Reformed, in the 17th century, as a good summary of the orthodox view of law and gospel, justification, sanctification, and the third (normative) use of the law in the life of the Christian. . . . Continue reading →

New Resource Page: On The Marrow Controversy

by R. Scott Clark on April 24, 2021 | 4 Comments