PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 12
John Owen · 372,421 words · 377 reading sections
Section 121
Of the same kind is that which Mr B. next urgeth from Heb. i. 4, 5, only it hath this farther disadvantage, that both the verses going immediately before and that immediately following after do inevit- ably evince that the constitutive cause of the sonship of Jesus Christ, a priori, is in his participation of the divin…
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202 VINDICLE EVANGELIC^. there was in that wherewith our Saviour stopped the mouth of the Pharisees, — namely, how Christ could be the son of David, and yet bis Lord, whom he worshipped. For the places of Scripture in particular urged by Mr B., [such as] John xiv. 28, says our Saviour, " My Father is greater than I" (…
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Some attempt also is made upon this place by Grotius. Kal 6 QtCg (io\). " Here first," saith he, " in the story of the gospel, is this word found ascribed by the apostle unto Jesus Christ" (which Maldonate before him observed for another purpose), "to wit, after he had by his resurrection proved himself to be him from …
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CHAPTER VIII. An entrance into the examination of the Racovian Catechism in the business of the deity of Christ — Their arguments against it answered; and testimonies of the eternity of Christ vindicated. III. Although the testimonies and arguments for the deity of Christ might be urged and handled to a better advant…
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Q. Is therefore the Lord Jesus a pure (or mere) man? A. By no means; for he was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, and therefore from his very conception and birth was the Son of God, as we read, Luke i. 35, that I may not bring other causes, which thou wilt after- ward find in the person of Christ,…
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' " Dixeras paulo supcrius Dominum Jcsum natui'a esse hominom ; an idem habet naturam diviuaiii ? — Nequaquam ; nam id uon solum rationi saiiaj, verum etiam di- viiiis Uteris rcpugnat." DEITY OF CHRIST PROVED, ETC. 209 regenerate before we admit them to judge of the truth of the pro- positions under debate; which tho…
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And this is the substance of all that these men plead and make a noise with in the world, in an opposition to the eternal deity of the Son of God ! This pretence of reason (which evidently comes short of being any thing else) is their shield and buckler in the cause they have unhappily undertaken. When they tell us of …
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5. It is true that the soul is not a person, nor the body, but a person is the exurgency of their conjunction : and therefore we do not say that herein the similitude is [to be] urged, for the divine nature of Christ had its own personality antecedent to this union ; nor is the union of his person the union of several …
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214 VINDICIyE EVANGELICiE. provino- the deity of Christ that it abundantly confirms it. And this is mentioned, John v. 19-23. This Christ hath by nature, (2.) By collation of gifts, honour and dignity, exaltation and glory, upon him as mediator, or in respect of that office which he humbled him- self to undergo, and f…
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' " Atqui illi e Scripturis illam divinam in Christo naturam asserere conantur ? — Co • nantur quidem variis modis; idquc dum student aut e scripturis quibusdam evincere qufe in iis non habentur, aut dum ex iis quae in scripturis habentur pei'pcram ratio- cinantur, ac male rem suam conficiunt." 2 " Quje vcro sunt ilia…
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4. I shall, then, insist upon the wliole of this testimony as the words are placed in the contexture by the Holy Ghost, and vindicate them from what, in several places, they have excepted against several parcels of them. Thus, then, from these words (these divine words, whose very reading reclaimed as eminent a scholar…
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DEITY OF CHRIST PROVED, ETC. 219 something was mended by him). Such interpretations we may at any time be supplied withal at an easy rate. 5. To view it a little farther : " In the beginning, — that is, when John preached Jesus, and said, 'Behold the Lamb of God,' — was the Word, or Jesus was;" that is, he was when Jo…
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(1.) This might help the Arians, who fancied Christ to be created or made Ijefore all things, and to have been the instrumental cause whereby God created all other things; but how this concerns them ct terram crcasse ? — lis ubi scriptum extat, quod per eum ovinia facta si)it, et sine eo factum sit nihil quod factum s…
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222 VINDICI^ EVANGELIC^. of the world, but this gloss refers it to the things made in the end of the world. (3.) It is contradictory to itself, for by the "beginning" they un- derstand the beginning of the gospel, or the first preaching of it, but the things that they say here were made by Christ are things that were…
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3. These words, Heb. x. 5, " Coming into the world, he saith," etc., do not in the least intimate any thing of the world to come, but express the present world, into which Christ came when God pre- pared a body for him at his incarnation and birth ; which was in order quemadmockim et aliae quae prorsus idem in Scriptu…
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Q. How do they prove Christ to have been incarnate 9 A. From those testimonies where, according to their translation, it is read, " The Word was made flesh," John i. 14, etc. Q. How dost thou answer it ? A. On this account, because in that testimony it is not said (as they speak) God was incarnate, or the divine nat…
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[2.] The order of the words is most proper. John having asserted the deity of Christ, with some general concomitants and consequences Inimanam, — postquam ca jam de illo Scrmone exposuisset, qase nativitatem hominis Jcsu Cliristi siibsecuta sunt : ut sunt licec, Johannem Baptistam de illo testatum esse; ilium in mundo…
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John iii. 1 3, " And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven." Verse 31, " He that cometh from above is above all : he that cometh from heaven is above all." Chap. viii. 23, " Ye are from beneath; I am from above." Chap. xvi. 28, "I came forth from th…
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230 VINDICI^ EVANGELIC.^. 1. That these expressions are vaerely figuratively to be expounded they dare not assert ; nor is there any colour given that they may be so received from the instances produced from James i. 17 and Rev. xxi. 2, 10; for there is only mention made of descending or coming down, which word we ins…
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There remains one more of the first rank, as they are sorted by our catechists, for the proof of the eternity of Christ,- which is also from John, chap. viii. 58, "Before Abraham was, I am," that they insist on: — In this place the pre-eternity of Christ is not only not expressed, seeing it is one thing to be before A…
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DEITY OF CHRIST PROVED, ETC. 2oo withal I believe it to be as violent a perverting of tlie Scripture and corrupting of the word of God as the world can bear witness to. Let the Christian I'eader, without the least prejudicial thought from the interpretation of this or that man, consult the text and con- text. The hea…
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3. "The sense is excellent; for 'Before Abraham be made' is as much as before he be Abraham, or the father of many nations, which he was when the gospel was preached to the conversion of the Gen- tiles. 'I am,' that is, 'I am the light of the world,' which you should do well to walk in and attend unto.'" (1.) That thi…
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CHAPTER IX. The pre-eternity of Christ farther evinced — Sundry texts of Scripture vindicated. In the consideration of the ensuing testimonies, I shall content myself with more brief observations upon and discoveries of the cor- ruptions of our adversaries, having given a large testimony thereof in the chapter forego…
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2 " Nisi Scriptura dixissct, non licuisset dicere, sed ex quo scriptura est dici potest." — Rabb. Ruben, apud Galat. lib. iii. 238 VINDICI^ EVANGELIC^. the Vulgar are "from the days of eternity," in the Hebrew are "from the days of seculi," — the days of an age ; and " dies secuU " are the same with " dies antiqui," …
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Grotius on this place, according to his wont, outgoes his com- panions one step at least (as he was a bold man at conjectures), and applies this prophecy to Zerubbabel : " Natus ex Bethlehemo Zoro- babel recte dicitur, qubd ex Davidis familia esset, quae orta Beth- lehemo;"— "Zerubbabel is rightly said to be born at Be…
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4. It is granted that the apostle makes use of these words when he mentions the resurrection and exaltation of Christ; not that Christ was then begotten, but that he was then declared to be the only-begotten Son of God, his resurrection and exaltation being manifestations of his sonship, not causes of his filiation, as…
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DEITY OF CHRIST PROVED, ETC. 243 holy person ever utter. He knew they are cursed of God who })ut their trust in man. The word here is ''??in^ from non^ " to repair to any one for protection ;" and it is used to express our trusting in God, Ps. xviii. 80, as also Ps. xxxi. 19, on which men are frequently pro- nounced b…
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And this is all, the whole sum of what any of our adversaries, or rather the adversaries of Jesus Christ, have to object in their cause against these testimonies; whence we thus argue: — He who was begotten of God the Father with an eternal genera- tion is eternal, and so, consequently, God ; but so is Jesus Christ be…
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24G VINDICI^ EVANGELIC^. 1. A divine glory proves a divine nature. This Christ had from eternity, for he had it before the world began ; therefore he had a divine nature also. It is the manifestation of his glory, which he had eclipsed and laid aside for a season, that here he desires of God, Phil. ii. 6-] 1. He glori…
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of the prophets of old, and in the days of Noah, so long before his being born according to the flesh, he was from everlasting, or had an existence antecedent to his incarnation ; but this is expi'essly affirmed of our Saviour. It was his Spirit that spake in the pro- phets; which if he were not, could not be, for of h…
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1. The end of citing these two places is, to prove that Jesus Christ is in the Old Testament called Jehovah ; which is by them denied, the granting of it being destructive to their whole cause. 2. It is granted that Jehovah is the proper and peculiar name of the one only true God of Israel ; — a name as far significan…
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DEITY OF CHRIST PROVED, ETC. 251 The sum of this answer is: — 1. It may be these words are not spoken of Christ, but of Israel ; 2. The same words are used of that which is not God ; 3. If the}'- be referred to Christ, they prove him not to be God; 4. Their sense is, that God will justify us in the days of Christ. Of …
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That this is a prophecy of Christ the circumstances of the place evince. The rabbins were also of the same mind, as plentiful collec- tions from them are made to demonstrate it, by Joseph de Voysin, Pug. Fid. par. 3, dist. 1, cap. iv. And the matter spoken of can be accommodated to no other, as hath been declared. Grot…
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These gentlemen being excellent at cavils and exceptions, and thereunto undertaking to answer any thing in the world, do not lightly acquit themselves more weakly and jejunely in any place than in this ; for,-— 1. We contend not with them about the translation of the words, their exceptions being to the Vulgar Latin o…
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' Bereschith Eab. ad Gen xxv. 28. 2 " Quid rcspondes ad tcrtium ?_Tn hoc testimoiiio, Scimus Filuim Dei venisse, etc. haec verba, Jlic est verm Dens, nego referri ad Dei Filium. Xon quod negem Christum esse verum Dcum, sed quod is locus ea de Christo accipi non admittat. Etenim hie agitur non solum de vero Deo, scd de…
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The second [chapter] of Titus, verse 13, must be more fully insisted on ; " Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." Q. What dost tliov, answer to this? A. In this place they strive to evince by two reasons that the epithet of the "great God" is referr…
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DEITY OF CHRIST PROVED, ETC. 259 when only one comes, though that one have glory and authority from the other. 6. Christ shall also judge in his own name, and by the laws which, as Lord, he hath given. 7. There is but the same way of coming and appearance of the great God and our Saviour : which if our Saviour come re…
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Having stopped the mouths of our catechists, we may briefly consi- der the text itself. 1. That by this expression, "Who is, and who was, and who is to come," the apostle expresses that name of God, Ehejeh ['^v'?^], Exod. iii. 14, which, as the rabbins say, is of all seasons, and expressive of all times, is evident. To…
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There is scarce any place in returning an answer whereunto the adversaries of the deity of Christ do less agree among themselves than about this. 1. Some say the name of God is not here taken ab- solutely, but with relation to office, and so Christ is spoken of, and called " God by office :" so Socin. ad Bellar. et Wei…
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The next place they are pleased to take notice of, as to this head of testimonies about the names of God, is 1 John iii. 16, " Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us." He who laid down his life for us was God ; that is, he was so when he laid down his life for us, and not made a God si…
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The first and second of these I have already vindicated, in the consideration of them as they lay in their conjuncture Avith them going before in verse 1 ; proceed we therefore to the third, which is Col. i. 16, 17, "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, w…
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Q. But how dost thou understand that testimony? A. On that manner wherein all things that are in heaven and in earth were re- formed by Christ, after God raised him from the dead, and by him translated into another state and condition ; and this whereas God gave Christ to be head to angels and men, who before acknowle…
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Grotius abides by his friends in the interpretation of this place, wresting it to the new creature and the dominion of Christ over all, against all the reasons formerly insisted on, and with no other argu- 1 " Ea quffi in coelis sunt personce (quoo subjectas sunt Christo), sunt angeli, iique tarn boni quam mali : quoe…
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2. The latter part of the verse he thus illustrates, or rather ob- scures: " Ta 'xavra Bi' aurov, intellige omnia qiice ad novam creationem pertinent." How causelessly, how without ground, how contrary to the words and scope of the place, hath been showed. " Kat ilg aurov sx- Tierai, propter ipsum, ut ipse omnibus illi…
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272 VINDICI^ EVANGELIC^. place is evident from these considerations: — (1.) These words, " By whom he made the worlds," are given as a reason why God made him "heir of all things," — even because by him he made all things; which is no reason at all, if you understand only heavenly things by " the worlds" here : which …
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Q. What dost thou answer to this testimony f A. To this testimony I answer, that it is not to be understood of Christ, but of VOL XII. ' 18 27'^i VINDICI^ EVANGELIC^. God. But because this writer refers it to the Son of God, it is to be considered that the discourse in this testimony is expressly about not one, but…
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5. Christ also hath his divine nature by inheritance, — that is, he was eternally begotten of the essence of his Father, and is thence by right of inheritance his Son, as the apostle proves from Ps. ii. 7. 6. Our^^atechists speak not according to their own principles when they make a difference between what Christ had…
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And this is the issue of their attempt against this testimony ; which, being thus briefly vindicated, is sufficient alone of itself to consume with its brightness all the opposition which, from the darkness of hell or men, is made against the deity of Christ. And 3^et we have one more to consider before this text be d…
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This place, or the testimony therein given to the divine power of Jesus Christ, they seek thus to elude : — The word here, " all things," doth not, no more than in many other places, sig- nify all things universally without exception, but is refei-red to those things only PROVIDENCE ASSIGNED TO CHEIST. 279 which bel…
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1. Is there the same reason of these two expressions, " Do not tempt Christ, as some of them tempted," and, " Be not refractory against the magistrates, as some of them were " ? " Christ " is the name of one singular individual person, wherein none shareth at any tiine, it being proper only to him. "Magistrate" is a te…
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282 VINDiCLE EVANGELICiE. It is most evident that these men know not what to say nor what to stick to in their interpretation of this place. This makes them heap up so many several suggestions, contradictory one to another, crying that " It may be thus," or " It may be thus/' But, — 1. That these words cannot be refer…
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Ques. From ivhat testimonies of Scripture do they endeavour to demonstrate that Christ luas, as they speak, incarnate f Ans. From these, John i. 14; Phil. ii. 6, 7; 1 Tim. iii. 16; Heb. ii. 16; 1 John iv. 2, 3 ; Heb. x. 5.' Of the first of these we have dealt already, in the handling of the beginning of that chapter,…
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OF THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST. 285 expresses it, Rom. viii. 3. Now, these things our catechists thought good to take no notice of in this place, nor of one of them any more in any other. But seeing the very head of our argument lies in this, that " in the form of God" he is said to be " equal with God," and that expres…
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He is said to be " equal with God," not as he did such and such works, but as Iv fiop(pf} ©fou v'7rup^uv,—heing in the form of God ante- cedently to the taking in hand of that form wherein he wrought the works intimated. To work great works by the power of God argues no equality with him, or else all the prophets and …
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[As] for the sense which they give us of this j^lace (for they are bold to venture at it), it hath been in part spoken to already. 1. Christ was in the world, as to outward appearance, no way instar Dei, but rather, as he says of himself, instar vermis. That he did the works of God, and was worshipped as God, was becau…
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Ans. 1. A form is either substantial or accidental, — that which is indeed, or that which appears. That it is the substantial form of God which is here intended, yet with respect to the glorious mani- festation of it (which may be also as the accidental form), hath been VOL. XII. 19 290 VINDICI^ EVANGELIC^. formerly…
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He proceeds on this foundation : Ou;^ apirctyiih riyriaaTo to sTmi 7<sa QiOj. '^ ' Aprayp.hv r,yi7c!dai est locutio Syriaca. In Liturgia Syriaca, Johannes Baptista Christo baptismum ab ipso expetenti, dicit, ' non assumam ra^inam.' Solent qui ahquid bellica virtute peperere, id omnibus ostentare, ut Romani in triumpho …
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'Ef o/jboiui/Mari dvdpui'Trojv yivofisvog. "Cum similis esset hominihus, illis nempe primis, id est, peccati expers," 2 Cor. v. 21 ; — "Whereas he Avas hke men, namely, those first ; that is, without sin." That Christ was without sin, that in his being made like to us there is an exception as to sin, is readily grante…
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296 VINDICIiE EVANQELICE. up into glory ;" the story whereof we have, Acts i. 9-11, " When he had spoken to his disciples, he was taken up, and a cloud received him:" of which Luke says briefly, as Paul here, dvsXyip^rj, Acts i. 2 ; as Mark also doth, chap, xvi, 19, dviXrjfOr] sJg rhv oupavov, — that is, dviXrifQri h …
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4. Though b do^ri may be rendered " gloriously," or " with glory," yet dvsX^(pdri may not, " receptus est," but rather "assumptus est," and is applied to the ascension of Christ in other places, as hath been showed. [As] 'for the sense they tender of these words, let them, — 1. Give any one instance where "God" is put…
928 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.