The Marrow of Theology

Book excerpt: William Ames (1576 – 1633) was an English Protestant theologian who spent most of his life in the Netherlands. His work was hugely influential on the English Puritans of the following generations, especially in New England. His Marrow of Theology (originally entitled The Marrow of Sacred Divinity drawne out of the Holy Scriptures) is organized as follows: Book I I. Of the Definition, or Nature of Divinity II. Of the Distribution or Parts of Divinity III. Of Faith IIII. Of God, and His Essence V. Of the Subsistence of God VI. Of the Efficiency of God VII. Of the Decree, and Counsel of God VIII. Of Creation IX. Of Providence X. Of Special Gubernation About Intelligent Creatures XI. Of Man’s Apostacy, or Fall XII. Of the Consequences of Sin XIII. Of Original Sin XIV. Of Actual Sin XV. Of Corporal Death XVI. Of the Consummation of Death XVII. Of the Propagation of Sin XVIII. Of the Person of Christ, the Mediator XIX. Of the Office of Christ XX. Of Satisfaction XXI. Of the Life of Christ Being Humbled XXII. Of the Death of Christ XXIII. Of the Exaltation of Christ XXIV. Of the Application of Christ XXV. Of Predestination XXVI. Of Calling XXVII. Of Justification XXVIII. Of Adoption XXIX. Of Sanctification XXX. Of Glorification XXXI. Of the Church Mystically Considered XXXII. Of the Church Instituted XXXIII. Of the Extraordinary Ministers of the Church XXXIIII. Of the Holy Scripture XXXV. Of Ordinary Ministers, and Their Office in Preaching XXXVI. Of the Sacraments XXXVII. Of Ecclesiastical Discipline XXXVIII. Of the Administration of the Covenant of Grace Before the Coming of Christ XXXIX. Of the Administration of the Covenant From Christ Exhibited to the End of the World XL. Of Baptism and the Supper of the Lord XLI. To the End of the World Book II I. Of Observance in General II. Of Virtue III. Of Good Works IIII. Of Religion V. Of Faith VI. Of Hope VII. Of Charity VIII. Of Hearing of the Word IX. Of Prayer X. Of an Oath XI. Of a Lot XII. Of Tempting of God XIII. Of Instituted Worship XIIII. Of the Manner of Divine Worship XV. Of the Time of Worship XVI. Of Justice and Charity Toward Our Neighbour XVII. Of the Honour of Our Neighbour XVIII. Of Humanity Toward Our Neighbour XIX. Of Chastity XX. Of Commutative Justice XXI. Of Telling Truth. Veracity XXII. Of Contentment