"So certainly a sweet state of peace in our consciences, the promotion of the free grace of God, a life of godliness in the saints, and the death of the man of sin, all hang upon this hinge: Christ the Lord, our righteousness."

This book had been sitting in my library since I attended the Shepherd's Conference in 2005. In fact, it was still in it's shrink wrap. I finally decided to pull it out and read it. I should have done so much sooner.

Only 102 pages, the book makes up for in quality what it lacks in quantity. Not a word is wasted as the 17th century author eloquently and persuasively holds for the doctrines of justification and free grace.

To illustrate his points, the author draws heavily on biblical examples. Some of these analogies are quite interesting. For example, on page 25 he uses Jacob and Isaac to illustrate grace and works, thusly:

"The meat that Jacob provided for his father Isaac was good, and pleased him will; yet he did not get the blessing because of this, but by being found in his elder brother's garment."

Definitely not airtight typology, but an interesting analogy, nonetheless.

Another, this one from the next page:

The Philistines would not have found out Samson's riddle if they had not plowed with his heifer."

Never before have I seen this passage used to illustrate the necessity of the Holy Spirit in bringing one to salvation.

I find it amazing that this author's willingness to commit his thoughts to writing almost 400 years ago is bearing fruit today. This book should be required reading for all studying soteriology.

http://www.comingstobrazil.com ( )