The Pearl of Christian Comfort

by Petrus Dathenus

The Pearl of Christian Comfort is a dialogue between a mature believer and a young Christian designed 'for the instruction and consolation of all troubles hearts who are not properly able to distinguish between the law and the gospel.' Petrus Dathenus (1531-1588) masterfully sets forth the relationship between faith and works in an evangelical and experimental manner typical of the early period of the Dutch Second Reformation. This succinct treatise lets the light of Scripture shine clearly on the practical issues involved in teaching and living the doctrines of sovereign grace.

Genres: Theology, Christianity, Christian, Christian Living

87 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Abby Ekberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot explain how much I loved this book! Law and gospel so clearly defined and was so sweet and comforting to my own soul. It’s less than 100 pages, super easy to read, and so important to understand this distinction. A must read!

[Aron De Kraker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wat een vertroosting en heerlijke vrijheid ligt er in het helder onderscheiden tussen wet en evangelie. Vaak verwatert het zicht op dit onderscheid en sluipt de eisende wet weer de heiligmaking in, maar wat een vrijheid is er in Christus!

[JT Stead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It is a dialogue between a pastor and a new believer, who is struggling with her assurance. If you struggle with your assurance and want to understand how the law/gospel distinction is vital to gaining it. Pick up this book and read.

[Ryan Denton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exquisite presentation of the gospel by an early Dutch reformer. Marvelous.

[John Boyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a treasure that every Christian should have on their bookshelf. Dathenus lived in the 16th century in the Netherlands and was a leader of the Dutch Reformation. This book was written in the form of a conversation between Dathenus and a friend of his named Elizabeth. Dathenus wanted to encourage Elizabeth on the assurance of her salvation because she was struggling with her personal sins and her understanding of Scripture. Dathenus beautifully walks through Scripture to provide the peace and assurance that all Christians need in order to be comforted about their lives in Christ. It was a great comfort to me and I constantly wanted to slow myself down to fully absorb the words of encouragement that Dathenus was pointing me to in the Scriptures. It is a relatively short book so everyone would be able to benefit from it immensely. I can't recommend it more!

[Brenden Wentworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best intro to the Law/Gospel distinction.
If you read this with Colquhoun’s treatise, you’ll be pretty well-versed in the subject

[Inwoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this is book is rich. It is a thin book in conversational form like the Marrow of Modern Divinity. These authors get the Gospel right, and throughout the book they distinguish between law and gospel. This work was very important to my development of the law and gospel distinction and the three uses of the law. I was introduced to it by Dr. R. Scott Clark’s Reformed Reading List.

[Jason Silverthorne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book written in conversational style to address the basics of Christian theology from a Reformed perspective.

[Linda Balko]

Excellent! Highly recommend.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of my favorite quotes:

1) Christ gives to His own all that Moses demands from his own.
2) We must not evaluate sins by the opinions of people, but according to the testimony of God's Word.
3) However, these examples serve to affirm that there can be no sin - either against the first or the second table - for which God does not have a far greater grace to forgive His children when they confess and deplore their sins and in true faith ask forgiveness in Christ's name.
4) First, you should know and understand that all expressions and utterances in Holy Scripture which require something of us that is outside the boundaries of our ability or our free will, whether we find them in the Old or in the New Testament, contain the law and serve as a guide or director to lead us to Christ.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great little devotional book from the Dutch reformed tradition. Lots of little gems interspersed throughout this little book in the form of a pastoral conversation. I feel as if I grew as a pastor reading Dathenus.

I will return to this work