Marrow of Christian Theology,

June 18, 2026James Dodson

Didactic-Elenctic

drawn from the larger work according to its chapters and paragraphs.

For the first uses of academic youth.

Johannes Marck

Seventh Edition, accurately corrected, and, after the printed texts of Scripture, now enlarged with a double index: one of subjects, and one of places of Holy Scripture which commonly furnish matter for objections, here explained.

Utrecht,

at Samuel de Waal’s,

A.D. 1772.

[To His Hearers]

William van Irhoven greets his hearers.

Since a new edition of this excellent Marrow had to be prepared for the use of our classes, because of a lack of copies, I thought that a double index should be added, especially for the benefit of the disputation class: one of the subjects which are explained in this Marrow, the other of the places of Holy Scripture which commonly furnish matter for objections, and are here explained. Thus, in private disputations, any theological matter, and also any doubt which perhaps may sometimes trouble you, whose solution does not immediately occur, may be readily found in the author.

The index of subjects I have adapted here, with the necessary changes, from the larger work, or compendium, of the distinguished author. The one containing the places of Scripture I have now arranged for the first time. Farewell.

[Preface / Dedication]

To the very reverend, most distinguished, and most celebrated men,

D. Frederick Spanheim, son of Frederick, Doctor of Sacred Theology, and primary professor of the same and of sacred antiquities;

D. Jacob Trigland, son and grandson of Jacob, Doctor of Sacred Theology, and ordinary professor;

my best and most desired colleagues in the Academy of Leiden,

Johannes à Marck, F.P.

That affection of my mind which I could not conceal a few months ago in my inaugural sermon before this Academy, I now appear to testify again, and more publicly. A most agreeable station had fallen to me among the Groningens, but one not so well suited to the counsels of my fellow-laborers. There was offered to me, not seeking it, a chair together with you, most celebrated men, than which none seemed better fitted for cultivating the rights of most holy brotherhood.

[Preface, continued]

For I easily remembered the time of my youth, when I was familiarly instructed by the great Spanheim as my preceptor, and found Trigland a most pleasant fellow-soldier, and was never deprived either of wholesome counsel or of an excellent opportunity for learning.

And I perceived that the distance of places had not diminished your paternal and fraternal love toward me, when you were urging my speedy coming to yourselves, and among others were liberally inviting me, as the consciousness of my own insufficiency persuaded me. Thus I owed it, and desired, to yield to the former place, and to come to you, that I might be helped and stirred up by your doctrine, piety, prudence, eloquence, and reputation, and that together, with joined hands, we might happily advance the work of the Lord.

Nor has my joyful expectation deceived me thus far, while, with divided labor and united minds, we teach heavenly truths, ἀληθεύοντες ἐν ἀγάπῃ [speaking the truth in love], and temper liberty of judgment with a holy love of the ancient truth; while by your company I am led further to the higher summits of our doctrine, even when you bring forth daily discourses; while, besides these things, you overwhelm me with offices of friendship beyond my ability to repay. Among these I count my admission to the other part of the ecclesiastical ministry, lately procured by Trigland.

[Preface, continued]

At length we see the Academy greatly increasing day by day, and, against the goads of envy and slander, the number of excellent youths growing, who eagerly learn joined studies of truth and peace, and will one day teach others skillfully.

This brief Marrow of Christian Theology looks toward that end. I have drawn it from the larger work for the first uses of our youth, so that they might more easily attend to the things most necessary, and afterwards proceed more happily by the same thread, according to the condition of our time. Nor do I doubt that it will please you for this end, since you have long approved both the matters and their method in the other work.

Receive, therefore, this token, such as it is, of my observance, which was now at hand. Love me, and help me constantly; and fare long well, as the ornament and bulwark of the Church and Academy, and as my joy.

Given at Leiden, on the Kalends of July, Gregorian style, A.D. 1690; and reviewed there on the Kalends of June, Gregorian style, A.D. 1695.

[Index of Chapters]