PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 14
John Owen · 294,695 words · 278 reading sections
Section 121
APOSTASY OF THE ROMISH CHURCH. 23o Neither did Vigilius behave himself one jot better in his chair. The council of Pisa deposed Gregory XII. and Benedict XIII. for schis- matics and heretics. The council of Constance accused John XXIII. of abominable heresy, sess. 11. And that of Basil condemned Euge- nius as one " a …
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' Johannes Damascenus flourished during the first half of the eighth century, and died at the monastery of St Saba in a.d. 756. He wrote extensively on philosophical and religious questions, and his works, exclusive of manuscripts still extant, fill two folio volumes. On account of his oratorical powers, he was named C…
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ALLEGED UNITY OF THE CHUKCH OF ROME. 239 upon the account either of conscience or reputation. However, thus much we have obtained, — one of the chief pretences of your " Fiat" is, by your own confession, " false and fond." It is indeed no wonder that it should be so; it was fully proved to be so in the " Animad- versi…
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ALLEGED UNITY OF THE CHURCH OF ROME. 241 Queen Elizabeth bis daughter, — not placing them, as you now feign, among the number of them whom I affirmed to be reported by you as a company of contemptible persons. But now, upon a confidence that you have shifted your hands of a necessity to reinforce this as- sertion, whi…
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SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE. 243 against Christianity, as was done by Celsus?" He doth direct!}'-, expressly, and at large, chap, iii., sect. 12, p. 158, etc. I confess, because it may be you know it not, you might have questioned the truth of my parallel on the side that concerned Celsus, which yet I am ready at any tim…
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SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE. 245 the " Animadversions," that yon have no mind to imdertake the exa- mination of it; but labour to divert the discourse unto that which may appear something else, but indeed is not so. 8. For your dis- tinction between Protestants and Puritans in England, I know not well what to make of it.…
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SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE, 247 gation from its perfection and plenitude, so reverenced by them of old, which is objected unto you for your so doing. Protestants sup- pose the Scripture to be given forth by God, to be unto the chiu'ch a 'perfect rule of that faith and obedience which he requires at the hands of the sons…
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SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE. 249 take direction from them for those ways wherein they may please God, they will not do it, whatsoever they pretend, from any other means which they rather approve of, Luke xvi. 29, 31. Yea, and when the great fundamental of Christian religion, concerning the person of the Messiah, was in q…
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SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE. 251 thing to be necessary to be believed that was not so antecedently unto that proposal. Churches may help the faith of believers; they cannot burden it, or exercise any dominion over it. He that be- lieveth that whatever God reveals is true, and that the holy Scrip- ture is a perfect revela…
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SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE. 253 benefit by it, yet they hold the profession of it on a contrary prac- tice. And for this self-deceiving, attended with eternal ruin, many men are beholding unto such notions as yours about your church, securing salvation within the pale of its external communion, laying little weight on t…
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I In December 1662, Charles II., with the ulterior view of abetting the Papists, and asserting, at the same time, the royal prerogative entitled " tlie dispensing power," issued a declaration, in wlaicli, says Burnet, " the king expressed his aversion to all seve- rities on the account of religion, but more particularl…
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" At velut in somnis oculos ubi languida pressit Nocte quies, neqiiicquam avidos extendere cursus A''elle videmur, et in mediis conatibus tegri Succidimus." Virg. ^n. xii. 908. Being destitute of any real foundation, your attempts are but like the fruitless endeavours of men in their sleep, wherein great work- ings of…
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PROTESTANT DOCTRINE ON UNITY OF FAITH. 259 church, or else he is never the nearer to his end: but what that sense is in the most of your church's proposals, your doctors do so endlessly quarrel among themselves, that it is impossible a man should come unto any great certainty in his inquiry after it; yet a precise mea…
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PROTESTANT DOCTRINE ON UNITY OF FAITH. 2G1 5. Protestants are not Siitisfied with your general imj)licit assent unto what your church teacheth and determineth, which you have invented to solve the difficulties that attend your description of the unity of faith. Of what use it may be unto other purposes, I do not now d…
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PROTESTANT DOCTKINE ON UNITY OF FAITIT. 2G3 this joint acknowledgment of the same sense and intendment of God in all revealed truths consists our endeavour after that perfection in the unity of faith which in this life is attainable ; as our moderation doth in our walking in peace and love with and towards others, ac-…
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II. They affirm that this Scripture evidenceth itself by many in- fallible nxiMripia to be SO given by i7ispiration from God; and, be- sides, is witnessed so to be by the testimony of the church of God from the days of Moses, wherein it began to be written, to the days wherein we live, — our Lord Christ and his apostle…
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TROTESTANT DOCTRINE ON UNITY OF FAITH. 2G7 knowledge the principles on which Protestants build their faith and profession, or by denying them you open a door unto atheisro, at least to the extirpation of Christian religion out of the world. I con- fess you pretend a relief against the present instance, in the autho- r…
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PROTESTANT DOCTRINE ON UNITY OF FAITH. 269 testimonies of the Scripture. Would you know where to begin and where to end? But you are, indeed, in a circle which hath neither be- ginning nor ending. I know not when we shall be enabled to say, — " Inventus, Chrj-sippe, tui finitor acervi." — Pers. vi. 80. Now, do you th…
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PKOTESTANT DOCTRINE ON UNITY OF FAITH. 271 need of arguments and witnesses to confirm them : the word of God is witness to itself; for whatever the truth incorrupted speaks, must of necessity be an incorrupted testimony of truth." And aUhough some of them allowed the testimony of the church as a motive unto believ- in…
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PROTESTANT DOCTRINE ON UNITY OF FAITH. 273 see if this be not the cause of it, that we are persuaded that it pro- ceeds from the Prime Verity." He proceeds, " Sed unde sumus ita persLiasi nisi ab ipsa ? quasi ad ei credendum non sua ipsus trahat authoritas. Sed unde quseso hanc sibi authoritatem, vindicavit ? Neque en…
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PllOTESTANT DOCTRINE OF UNITY OF FAITH. 27o truth, if we may take the example of Christ and all his apostles for our warrant. And it were endless to recite the full and plain testi- monies of the ancient fathers and councils to this purpose; neither is that my present design, though I did somewhat occasionally that wa…
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PROTESTANT DOCTRINE OF UNITY OF FAITH. 277 and supernatural; and this, we say, is the especial work of the Holy Ghost in the hearts of the elect. And I know not how many other exceptions you make to keep yom-selves from a right understanding of our intention in this inference ; but, as yourself elsewhere learnedly obs…
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PROTESTANT DOCTRINE OF UNITY OF FAITH. 279 the very foundations of it. For what can a man rationally conclude, that shall see you driving all persons, and that on no small penalties, excepting yourselves who are concerned in the conspiracy, and some few others whom you suppose sufEciently initiated in your mysteries, …
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PRINCIPLES OF PAPISTS ON THE UNITY OF FAITH. 28 I firm, it is evident unto all how the Scripture is able to settle men unquestionably in the truth, and that for ever, 6Vs^ Uu hi^ai. I shall close this discourse with a passage out of Chrysostom, which fully confirms all that I have asserted ; it is in Homil. 33, in Act…
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PRINCIPLES OF PAPISTS ON THE UNITY OF FAITIT. 283 them. An implicit credulity given up to such dictates is the height of fanaticism. Have we not reason, then, to call you and your co- partners in this design to an account how you prove that which you so strenuously assert and suppose, and to examine the principles of …
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PEINCIPLES OF PAPISTS ON THE UNITY OF FAITH. 285 S. Were it never so true, as it is notoriously false, yet it would not one jot promote your design. It is about Peter the apostle, and not the pope of Rome, that we are discoui'sing. Do you think a man can easily commence, " per saltum," from the imaginary principality …
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' It may be useful to the general reader if we indicate briefly the present state of the controversy in regard to Peter's residence in Rome. The opinions in regard to his connection icith it may be reduced under three divisions. Some ascribe to him a lengthened lesidence in Rome, dm-ing which he acted not merely as bis…
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the church in that place, had, by an enigmatical expression, rather amused than informed them. Besides, he had before this agreed with and solemnly engaged himself unto Paul to take care of the Circumcision ; unto whom, after he had preached a while in Palestine, it is more than probable that he betook himself unto Bab…
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290 A VINDICATION OF THK ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. cross." You may easily discern the uncertainty, at least, of that story, which this learned man can give no countenance unto but by multiplying improbable imaginations to shelter one another. For, — (1.) Who ever said that Peter came from Rome to come up to the coun…
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292 A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LT^X. tain conjectures, or to be concerned in tliem, whether they be true or false. Nothing can be spoken with more reproach unto it than to say that it stands in need of such supportment. And yet, if this one supposition fail you, all your building falls to tlie ground …
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29 -i A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. we could once find our way out of this maze of uncertainties. Tliis is hut a sad disquisition after principles of faith, to settle men in re- ligion hy 'them ; and yet, if we should suppose this also, we are far enough from our journey's end. The present bishop of…
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296 A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. Peter, I desire to know ivhat that succession is, and wherein he doth succeed him. Doth he succeed him in all that he had and ivas, in reference unto the church of God ? Doth he succeed him in the manner of his call to his office ? Peter was called immediately by Ch…
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298 A YINDICATIOX OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. the pope, we shall be sure all to agree. But this is no more hut, as I have before told you, what every party of men in the world tender us, upon the same or the like condition. It is not a mere agreement we aim at, but an agreement in the truth; not a mere unity, b…
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SOO A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX, In brief, from the day wlierein man was first created vipon the earth, to the days wherein we live, never did a person or church yield any obedience, or perform any acceptable worship unto God, but what was founded on and regulated by his word, given unto them ante-…
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802 A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. where we know but in part, we are incapable of it. The church of the elect, and every member of it, shall eventually be preserved by the power of the Holy Ghost from any such error as would utterly destroy their communion with Christ in grace here, or prevent their …
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To voii'j yiv oaa, oil, i^-h (^uXuma-fa.! o a 1{i. S01< A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. This is flat folly, — namely, for a man to live in rebellion unto his own light. But you add, — III. " That yourselves, — that is, the pope, with those who in mat- ters of religion adhere unto him, and live m sub…
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Thirdly, We suppose this the most schismatical lyrinciple that ever was broached under the sun, since there was a church upon the earth; and that because, — (1.) It is the rOiOSt groundless; (2.) The most 'uncharitahle that ever was; and, (3.) Of the most pernicious consequence, as having a princijoal influence into th…
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Sixthly, That it is contrary to all story, reason, and common sense ; for it is notorious that far the greatest part of Christians that belong to the catholic church of Christ, or have done so from the days that Christianity first entered the world, successively in all ages, never thought themselves any otherwise conce…
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It may also, in particular, be easily made to appear how unsuited your means of bringing men unto the unity of faith are unto that supposition of the present differences in religion between you ai d us which you proceed upon; for suppose a man be convinced that many things taught by your church are false, luid contrary…
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And they are these: — 1. Whereas our Saviour liath determined that our happiness con- sisteth not in the knowing the things of the gospel, but in doing of them; and seeing that no man can expect any benefit or advantage from or by Christ Jesus but only they that yield obedience unto him, to whom alone he is a " captai…
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" 0 inihi tarn longie maiicat pars ultima vitoe !" — Virg. Eel. iv. 53. The present face of Christianity makes the world a wearisome wilderness; nor should I think any thing a more necessary duty than it would be for persons of piety and ability to apologize for the reli- gion of Jesus CJjrist, and to show how unconce…
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MODERATION AXD UNITY OF PROTESTANT PRINCIPLES. 315 must be imposed on all others, or else he cries to his nearest rela- tions,— " Lupis et agnis quanta sortito obtigit Tecum mihi discordia est;" we may look for peace, moderation, and unity, when we are here no more, and not sooner. So that, — III. If those theologi…
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MODERATION AND UNITY OF TIIOTESTANT PRINCirLKS. 317 Christ and the gospel, theu- own faith, obedience, and sufferings, could not possibly do them an}^ good in their station and condition. This is that Aleeto, " Cui ti'istia bella, Iraquo, insidiojque, et crimiua noxia cordi. Odit et i25se pater Pluton; odere sorore…
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FIAT LUX ON THE POPE, ETC. 821 US, he seeks nothing hut oiw good, whatever he doth in the world besides. And is it not a Avikl interpretation that you make of my words, whilst you suppose me to intimate that " absolutely the pope doth nothing in the world," or hath no other business at all that he concerns himself in,…
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SCHOOLMEN FORGERS OF POPERY. 323 cedure being Intended for the satisfaction of yourself and such others as have imbibed the prejudices which you endeavour to forestall your minds withal, and thereby have given no small impeachment unto your judgment and ingenuity. CHAPTER XL Judicious readers — Schoolmen the forgers…
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326 A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. of liis own time among the Jews into a body or system, which is called the " Mishna/' or duplicate of their law, — wherein he composed a new religion for them, sufficiently distant from that which was pro- fessed by their forefathers, — so have your schoolmen done a…
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S2S A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. hardly be able to justify this notion of yours as artificial. A condi- tional hath a verity of its own, so far differing from the supposed category, that this being false, that may yet be true. For example, if I should say thus, ' A man who hath wings as an eagle, o…
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332 A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. have been taken notice of in the "Animadversions;" for which you had no cause, but that you might easily discern that you did not de- serve it. First, then, you grant that the gospel came out of the east into this lajid : so, then, we did not first receive the gospe…
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o3-i A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. you already in answer to this case, about Rome's being left without inhabitants by Totilas. Besides, if we that are now inhabitants of England must be thought to have first received the gospel then when it was first preached unto our own progenitors, in a direct li…
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0-36 A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. Christian religion indeed was true, but that their first instructors in it had deceived them as to many particulars of it; which you would undeceive them in, and yet keep them close to their Christianity ? And do you not know that many who have in former days been …
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338 A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. hatli he left unto liis church unto the end of the world. But you yet proceed: " Why may we not §,t length reject all the rest for love of something else, when this love of Christ, which is now crept into the very outside of our lips, is, slipped off from thence? Do…
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Aut si quid liac re tritius, videbatur, Idem inficeto est inficetior rure, Simul poemata attigit ; neque idem unquam ^que est beatus, ac poema cum scribit: Tam gaudet iu se, tamque se ipse miratur." Catull. xxii. 12-17. You may, for aught I know, have a good faculty at some other things; but you very unhappily ple…
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342 A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. able only by that revelation ; but he that shall disbelieve any truth revealed in the Scripture, because it is not manifest unto him to be so revealed, and is in a readiness to receive it Avhen it shall be so manifest, upon the authority of the author of the whole, …
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844 A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. use of against our relinquishment of the opinions and practices of the church of Rome, because we or our forefathers were at any time members thereof, or hved in its communion. But you would have this the special privilege of your church alone. Any other church a ma…
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" Viles pulli uati infelicibns ovis." Your only misadventure is, that you are fallen into somewhat an unhappy age, wherein men are hard-hearted, and will not give away their faith and reason to every one that can take the confidence to beg them at their hands. But you will now prove by instances that if a man deny an…
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oiS A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. acknowledgment of the truth, sendmg us unto it for our settlement; affirming that they who speak not " according to the law and the testimony have no light in them." He assures us that the word of God "is a light unto our feet; and his law perfect, converting the so…
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What you mention of your own diligence and achievements, what you have done, where you have been, what you have seen and dis- coursed, I shall not trouble you about. It may be, as to your soul's health, ■ " Tutior, poteras esse domi." But yet, for all the report that you are pleased to make of yourself, it is not har…
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352 A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX, the same temple, sess. 4, dec. 1. And And7'adms, no small part of that convention, in his defence of that decree, tells us that, " Cum Christus fragilitati memoriae evangelic scripto succurrendum putavit, ita breve compendium libris tradi voluit, ut pars maxima, tan…
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854 A VINDICATION OF THE ANIMADVERSIONS ON FIAT LUX. who adds unto it of his own : " E,evera nisi nos authoritas ecclesiae doceret hanc Scripturam esse canonicam, perexiguum apnd nos pon- dus haberet;" — " The truth is, if the authority of the church did not teach us tliat this Scripture is canonical, it would be of v…
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St Paul, dkecting one of his epistles unto "All that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord," that no countenance from that expression of "Jesus Christ our Lord" might be given unto any surmise of his appropriating unto himself and those with him a peculiar interest in Jesus Christ, he adds immediat…
1,214 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.
Project Gutenberg source record →
Historical Christian writing; not Scripture.