PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 11
John Owen · 384,374 words · 378 reading sections
Section 181
(8.) Things being thus stated between God and them for whom Christ died, on the account of his death God actually absolves them from under that sentence and curse of the law, by sending the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, to quicken them and to implant faith in them.^ And in what act of God to place his actual abs…
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Now, there are two ways whereby the blood of Christ thus brake the power of Satan, that he shall not lead those always captive at his pleasure, nor rule in them, as children of disobedience, in the behalf of whom his power was so broken : — [1.] He subdues him by taking away all that right and title which he had by si…
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[2.] He takes away the exercise of his poiuer, and that to the utmost: for he binds him with bonds, — he binds the strong man armed, Matt. xii. 29 ; and he breaks his head. Gen. iii. 15 ; then leads him captive, Ps. Ixviii. 18; triumphs over him. Col. ii. 15 ; treads him down under the feet of his, Rom. xvi. 20, as the…
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' Gen. xvH. 7; Jor. xxxi. 31-34, xxxii. 38-40; Ezck. xi. 10, 20, xxxvi. 25, 26; Hob. vlii. 8-12; Kiih. ii. 8. « Deut. xxvii. 2G; Gal. iii. 10; Koin. iii. 20. VII.] THE MEDIATION OF CHRIST. g09 here intended is, and wherein it doth consist, the Holy Ghost de- clares, Acts ii. 33. The promise which Jesus Christ receive…
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The FIRST you have Isa. lix. 21, "As for me, this is my cove- nant with them, saith the LoRD; My Spirit which is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ev…
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4. The persons to whom this promise is made are called " thee" and " thy seed," — that is, all those and only those with whom God is a God in covenant. God here minds them of the first makiugf of this covenant with Abraham and his seed, Gen. xvii. 7. Now, who are this seed of Abraham ? Not all his carnal posterity, not…
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314 DOCTRINE OF THE saints' rEKSEVEKANCE. [CHAP. promise to lie in his eternal love towards them ; so that they can lay no more claim unto it than to any other grace whatsoever. When we have the assurance given by any promise of God, to say that what is promised of him may be expected of course, is an expression that …
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316 DOCTRINE OF THE saints' PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP. this witness, the Amen, the great and faithful Witness in heaven. He tells us that he will send the Spirit, to abide with us for ever; and therein speaks to the whole of the case in hand and question under debate. All we say is, that the Spirit of God shall abide with b…
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4. I wonder what chimerical church he hath found out, to which promises are made and privileges granted otherwise than upon the account of the persons whereof it is constituted. Suppose, I pray, that promises of the residence of the Spirit for ever with it be made to the church, which is made up of so many members, and…
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Ans. 1. It was evident before that this promise was made to the disciples of Christ as believers, to quicken and strengthen their failing, drooj^ing faith, in and under that great trial of losing the presence of their Master which they were to undergo; and being made unto them as believers, though upon a particular occ…
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VOL. XT. 21 322 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP. them to whom he is sent, is but one and the same ; and if any frus- tration of his intention do fall out, it may most probably interpose as to his sending of the Spirit, not as to the Spirit's continuance with them to whom he is sent, which is asserted abso…
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324 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP. tliem, tlie apostle tells them of this sealing of the Spirit, whereby the promises are irrevocably confirmed unto them to whom they are made, as is the case among the sons of men. Suitably, Eph. i. 13, he saith they are "sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise;'' that is, …
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326 DOCTHINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERA^'CE. [CIIAP. 4. We refuse the answer suggested by Mr Goodwin, " That sealing depends" (that is, in his sense) " upon beheving, as to the first grant of it, but not as to the continuance thereof," and reject his supposal of "one that hath truly believed making shipwreck of his fait…
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What he adds in the last place, namely, " If the apostle's intent o28 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCK [CIIAP. had been to inform the Ephesians that the gift of the Holy Spirit, •which they had received from God, was the earnest of their inheri- tance, upon such terms that no unworthiness or wickedness whatso- ev…
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Having showed that the Holy Spirit is purchased for us by tlie oblation of Christ, and bestowed on us through his intercession, to 330 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVEKANCE. [CHAP. abide with lis for ever, — a truth confirmed by the unquestionable tes- timonies of the Father, Son, and Spirit, — T shall, in the next pl…
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2. Positive affirmations that he doth so dwell in and remain with the saints are the second ground of the truth we assert. I shall name one or two testimonies of that kind: Ps. li. 11, saith David, " Take not thy Holy Spirit from me." It is the Spirit, and his pre- sence as unto sanctification, not in respect of prophe…
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3. Whereas some may say, "It cannot be denied but that the Spirit dwells in believers, but yet this is not personally, but only by his grace;" I might reply that this indeed, and upon the matter, is not to distinguish but to deny what is positively affirmed. To say the Spirit dwells in us, but not the person of the Spi…
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(1.) There are a-scribed to the indwelling Spirit, in his indwelling, personal appellations, 1 John iv. 4, "He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world," — /is/^cuv lariv 6 h u/.t,/v. "He that is in you" is a personal denomination, which cannot be used of any grace or gi'acious habit whatsoever. So John x…
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II. 1. The first signal issue and effect which is ascribed to this in- dwelling of the Spirit is union; not a personal union with himself, which is impossible. He doth not assume our nature, and so pre- vent our personality, which would make us one person with him, but dwells in our persons, keeping his own and leavhig…
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(3.) He prays for his disciples, John xvii. 21, " that they all may be one, as the Father is in him, and he in the Father, that they may be one in the Father and Son;" and verse 22, "Let them be one, even as we are one." And that 3'e may not think that it is only union with and among themselves that he presses for (tho…
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840 DOCTUINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCE. [cflAP. there is but one living, quickening soul in head and members. If a man could be imagined so big and tall as that his feet should stand upon the earth, and liis head reach the starry heavens, yet, having but one soul, he is still but one man. As, then, one living soul m…
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(2.) God by his Spirit "worketh in us both to will and to do of his own good pleasure." All vital actions are from him. It may be said of graces and gracious operations as well as gifts, "All these 312 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS* PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP. worketh in us that one and the self-same Spirit, dividing to every one …
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This is the first way whereby the Holy Spirit dwelling in us gives guidance and direction. Fundamentally, habitually, he enlightens our minds, give us eyes, understandings, shines into us, translates us from darkness into marvellous light, whereby alone we are able to see our way, to know our paths, and to discern the …
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^dly. By some actual elevation of the mind and understanding to go forth unto and receive into itself the truth as represented to it: by both of them sending forth light and truth, Ps. xliii. 8; blowing off the clouds, and raising up the day-star that rises in our hearts, 2 Pet. ii. 19. [2.] Of power : Isa. xxxv. 5, 6…
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Vin.] THE INDWELLING OF THE SPIRIT. 34/ (1.) The first he doth by bringing to mind the things that Jesus Christ hath left in store for their supportment. Our Saviour Christ informing his disciples how they should be upheld in their tribula- tions, tells them that the Comforter, which should dwell with them and be in t…
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5. This indwelling Spirit gives restraint. Restraining grace doth mainly consist in moral persuasion, from the causes, circumstances, and ends of things. When a man is dissuaded from sin, upon con- siderations taken from any such head or place as is apt to prevail with him, that persuasion, so applied and intended of G…
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VIII.] THE INDWELLING OF THE SPIRIT. 851 which expressing in another place, he saith, " Your Father will give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him of him." He is given us, and he renews our strength as the eagle's, making our souls, which were ready to languish, prompt, ready, cheerful, strong in the ways of God. To t…
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VIII.] THE INDWELLING OF THE SPIEIT. S53 her of heavenly things from tlie nature of the employment that she was engaged in at present, two or three things may be observed from the words, to give hght into their tendency to the confirmation of the truth we have under consideration : — (1.) Tlie water here promised by …
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[3.] His permanency in this work, and efficacy by it. This living water springs up to "everlasting life." He ceases not until our spiri- tual life be consummated in eternity. This, then, is the sum of this promise of our Saviour; He gives his Holy Spirit to his; who lives in them, and gives them such continual supplie…
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[2.] It is not the condition of the life natural, which is subject to dissolution and not capable of perfection, that is the reason why they thirst again and again that have Avater natural for the refresh- ment thereof ; but it is the nature of the means itself which is sup- plied, that is not fitted or suited to perma…
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[4.] It is true, the saints, notwithstanding this promise, are still liable to thirst, that thirst intimated Matt. v. 6, "after righteousness;" but not at all to that thirst which they have a promise here to be freed from, a thirst of a universal want of that water wherewith they are refreshed. And that their freedom f…
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360 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP. First, Because "the Si^irit dwelleth in us," we are therefore to con- sider and dispose of our persons as " temples of the Holy Ghost," — that is, of this indwelling Spirit; the Scripture manifesting herehy that the doctrine of the indwelling of the Spirit is not only a…
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362 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP. nestly that the Spirit might not depart from him, being conscious to himself that he had exceedingly defiled his dwelling-place, Ps. li, 11. And were this consideration always fresli upon the spirits of the saints, were it more constant in their thoughts, it would keep …
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2. They know that the commands and motions of the Spirit which dwells in them are not grievous, 1 John v. 3. The commands of Christ, for the matter of them, are not grievous; " his yoke is easy, his S(J4 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP. burden is light," Matt. xi. 80. And the manner whereby we are car- ri…
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the intercession of Christ answered — God works perseverance actually A supply of means that may not be effectual not to be ascribed thereunto Farther objections answered : Christ not the minister of sin by this doctrine — Supposals and instances upon the former interpretation disproved and re- jected—A brief account…
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8. That this is the import of Christ's intercession for believers is evident by that preface which we have thereof, John xvii., being a manifest declaration on earth of that which Christ lives in heaven to do. This was the incense wherewith he entered into the holy place, which he now prepared, and which was afterward …
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The things prayed for, the reason of his intercession, the opposi- tion against the accomplishment of the things interceded for, the distinction put between them for whom he intercedes and the perish- ing world, — all delivered in plain and expressive terms, — evidently evince the intendment of Christ in his intercessi…
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Mr Goodwin attempts, indeed, once more to re-enforce the triumph- ed-over enemies of the saints, and to call them once more to make head against the intercession of Christ; but with what ill success, the consideration of what arguments he useth with them and for them will demonstrate. Thus, then, he addresseth himself …
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Tliese words of the apostle, "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect?" do not denote that this is the intercession of Christ for them, that no accusation be admitted against them whilst they believe, which is no more but the confirmation of that general pro- position of the gospel before mentioned; but it…
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IX.] THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST. 375 question whether sin, looseness, profaneness, do not separate between God and men, more or less; but whether believers shall not be pre- served from such looseness and profaneness as would make a total separation between God and them? And if God [Christ?] inter- cedes, as is added …
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IX.] THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST. 377 servation in that condition, namely, that God would give them such means as they may use or not use at their liberty, which may be effectual or not effectual, as their own wills shall choose to make use of them; which he also takes for granted to be common to all the Avorld, and no…
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X. ] THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE DOCTRINE. 379 but by degrees; so in his intercession, which respecteth the Scame persons and things with his oblation, he puts in for our dehverance from all sins and the power of them, but so and in such a manner as the nature of our present condition, whilst we are in via, and the conditi…
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For the making our way clear to the demonstration of that influ- ence which the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints hath into their obedience and close walking with God, and so to manifest what weight is to be laid upon it on that consideration, I shall give some pre- vious observations, which may direct and giv…
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8. Some truths have a more immediate, direct, and effectual ten- dency to the promotion of godliness and gospel obedience than others. This the apostle emphatically ascribes as a privilege to that doctrine that reveals the love of Christ unto us: 2 Cor. v. 14, "The love of Christ constraineth us." Other things effectua…
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In reference to our design, there are these four things consider- able in it: — First, The nature of it; Secondly, The j^'^'inciple in us from whence it proceeds; Thirdly, The motives that are proper to the carrying it on, the cherishing and increasing of it in them in whom it is; Fourthly, The iJersons who are to be m…
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VOL, XI. 25 886 DOCTKINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP. The end of legal obedience was the gloiy of God as a rewarder accord- ing to merit in strict justice. The end of gospel obedience is the glory of God as a rewarder according to bounty, free grace, and mercy; under which consideration, neither needs the obed…
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S88 DOCTEINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCK [CHAP. with such like trash as might have befitted popish devotions five hundred years ago. Were not men utterly ignorant what it is to " know the Lord Jesus Christ, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, and to he made conformable to his deatl…
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S90 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCE. [CIIAP. from him, no prayer of Christ that my faith may not fail, but I am rolled upon mine own hands ; and what will be the end of this whole undertaking of mine in the ways of God I know not." Let, I say, a man be exercised with such thoughts as these, and then try if any th…
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392 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP. (2.) They say, " It takes away that strong curb aud bridle which ought to be kept in the mouth of the flesh, to keep it from running headlong into sin and folly, — namely, the fear of hell and punish- ment, which alone hath an influence upon it to bring it to subjec- ti…
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(4.) It stirs up, provokes, and draws out into action, every thing that is free, noble, ingenuous, filial, and of a heavenly descent, in the saints of God. Thus, — 394 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' TERSEVERANCE. [CHAP. [1.] It strengtliens their faith in God and in Jesus Christ; which is tlie bottom of all acceptable obedi…
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396 DOCTRINE OF THE SAIKTS' PERSEVERANCE. [CIIAP. of love and obedience unto God ; if not, it may well doubt it never tasted of that love or enjoyed any fruits of it. Idly. It gives the love of God the glory of its constancy and un- cluingeahleness. This is another star of an eminent magnitude in the heaven of love. …
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o98 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCE [CHAP. fruitfulness is subservient to its own constancy, preserving the saints such as he may rest in it unchangeably, Rom. viii. 29, SO; a love Avhei'eby God " sings to his vineyard, watches over it, and waters it every moment," Isa. xxvii. 2, 3. And now, what flint almost in …
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Now, whether such considerations as these, of the oblation and intercession of Christ, do not fill his love in them with a more constraining efficacy, and more draw out the hearts of the saints unto faith and love, than any instruction can do informing men of the uselessness of the one or other of these eminent acts of…
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1st. For the first, let us take a taste oi the pj^omises, which are, as it were, the very life and beauty of the covenant of grace, and the glory of the ministry committed unto men ; and they are of two sorts, both of which have their effectual influence into the obedience of saints: — (1st.) There are promises which …
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404 DOCTRINE OF THE SAINTS' PERSEVERANCE. [CHAP. tiou continually sounds in the ears of believers that "God is faithful" in all his promises, 1 Cor. i. 9 ; that he can, that he will, make them good; that his own excellencies^ his own perfections, require no less at his hands. And this it doth, not on any grounds that …
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What hath been spoken of the promises of the first sort might also be manifested concerning those of the second; and the Hke might also be cleared up in reference to those other weapons of ministers' warfare, in casting down the strongholds of sin in the hearts of men, to wit, exhortations and threatenings. But because…
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Ans. According to the principles formerly laid down, I have some- thing to say, though not to the proposition itself, as in the terms it lieth, but only as to the fixedness and staidness of it, that it may not be a nose of wax, to be turned to and fro at every one's pleasure, to serve their turns ; for what sort of men…
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8. What virtue soever there may be in this truth for the furtherance and promotion of holiness in the world, our doctrine layeth as clear claim to it as yours ; that is, there is not any thing in the least in it inconsistent therewithal. We grant God threateneth the ven- geance of hell-fire unto those that turn aside f…
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2. " That the doctrine he opposeth promiseth God's love and the unchangeable continuance of it unto men, though they change to profaneness." Though this is said over and over a hundred times, yet I cannot believe it, because the doctrine openly affirmeth the continuance of the love of God to them that are godly to be e…
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4. The close of this paragraph, in the fourth place, deserveth a little more clear consideration, it containing an assertion which some would not believe when it was told them, and which hath stumbled not a few at the repetition of it. Thus, then, he proceedeth : — " Besides, whether any such assurance of the unchange…
1,205 wordsSource & rights
Public-domain historical edition (1850–1870); OCR text from Internet Archive. OCR may contain scanning/transcription errors. Verify quotations against page images when precision matters.
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Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.