PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 15
John Owen · 234,856 words · 240 reading sections
Section 61
[2.] Mercy to a convinced sinner seems ofttimes as re- mote, as rivers from a rock of flint. The truth is, he never came near mercy, who thought not himself far from it. When the Israelites cried. We are ready to die for thirst, then stood they on the ground, where rivers were to run. [3.] Thirsty souls shall want no …
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1. Because he would have his people wholly wrapt up in his all-sufficiency, not to straiten themselves with what their faith can ken in a promise, much less to what their reason can perceive in appearance. In the application of •promises to particular trials and extremities faith oftentimes is exceedingly disturbed, ei…
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[2.] For the multitude, an enraged, headless, lawless, 154 A MEMORIAL OF THE DELIVERANCE godless multitude, gathered out of inns, taverns, alehouses, stables, highways, and the like nurseries of piety and pity. Such as these having got their superiors under their power, governors under their disposal, their restraine…
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Use 4. Consider, if there be so much^ sweetness in a tem- poral deliverance, oh, what excellency is there in that eternal redemption, which we have in the blood of Jesus ! If we re- joice for being delivered from them who could have killed the body, what unspeakable rejoicing is there in that mercy whereby we are freed…
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Now this shall not be to the opposition which you do, and shall yet farther meet withal ; but as to the causes, real or pretended, which are held forth as the bottom of that contradiction, wherewith on every side you are encompassed. The things in reference whereunto your procedence is laden with such criminations, as…
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M 2 1(34 RIGHTEOUS ZF.AL ENCOURAGED Here's death, sword, famine, captivity, ver. 2. banishment, ver. 4. unpitied desolation, ver. 5. redoubled destruction, bereaving, fanning, spoiling, &,c. ver. 6 — 9. That universal devastation of the whole people, which came upon them in the Babylonish captivity, is the thing here…
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Three things present themselves for the vindication of eht equity of God's righteous judgments, in the recompens- ing the sins of the king upon the people. 1. The concurrence and influence of the people's power into their rule and government: they that set him up, may justly be called to answer for his miscarriage. Th…
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Observation. When false worship with injustice by cruelty have possessed the governors of a nation, and wrapped in the consent of the greatest part of the people, who have been acquainted with the mind of God ; that people and nation, without unprecedented mercy, is obnoxious to remediless ruin. Those two are the bell…
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Now this return may be considered two ways. (1.) In itself; * Every one (saith he) of this people curse me.' (2.) In reference to his deportment; 'I have neither borrowed nor lent on usury, yet they curse me.' (1.) From the first, observe: Observation. Instruments of God's greatest works and glory are oftentimes th…
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BY DIVINE PROTECTION. 173 with the enemies of his name, ' Si Deus homini non placu- erit, Deus non erit.' But it may be observed, that deliver- ance came not to that people until Jeboram was weary of waiting, and then instantly God gives it in. When God hath tired the patience of corrupted men, he will speak peace to …
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and burning, a day of trial and visitation, he there speaks of. Now what faith shall he want which will not be found in that day ? Not the faith of adherence to himself for spiritual life and justification, but of actual closing with him in the things he then doth, that shall be rare, many shall be stag- gered and fain…
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I speak only as to the general (for me, let all particulars find mercy) with a sad remembrance of the late workings of things amongst us, with those vile, sordid compliances which grew upon the spirits of magistrates and ministers with those, whose garments were died with the blood of God's saints and precious ones, as…
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Look upon the estate of this people, as they were differ- enced seven years ago, so for some continuance, and as they are now, and you shall find in how many things we have returned to others, and not one instance to be given of their return to us. That this may be clear, take some particulars. (1.) In words and expre…
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182 RIGHTEOUS ZEAL ENCOURAGED not to be supported by the air. It is only what is unneces- sary as to you, or insupportable as to others, that requires your speedy reforming ; that so it may be said of you as of Nehemiah, chap. v. 14, 15. And for particulars (pray par- don my folly and boldness), I heartily desire a co…
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BY DIVINE PROTECTION. 185 with the workings and pangs of their approaching liberty. Afterward, do they want drink ? Moses is the cause. Do they want meat? this Moses would starve them; Exod. xv. 24. xvi. 7. He could not let them alone by the fleshpots of Egypt ; for this they are ready to stone him ; Exod. xvii. 3. At…
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2. For our encouragement. The ways of God are often- times attended with so many difficulties, so much opposition, that they must be embraced merely because his ; no other motive in the world can suit them to us. I mean, for such as keep them immixed from their own carnal and corrupt interests. Now because the Lord wil…
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Use 3. 'Strengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart. Be strong, fear not : behold, your God will come with vengeance, even your God with a recompence ; he will come and save you ;' Isa. xxxv. 3, 4. Let the most weak and fearful, the fainting heart, the trembling spir…
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Aiis. Avoiding all scholastical discourses, as unsuited to the work of this day, I shall briefly give in unto you, how 192 RIGHTKOUS ZEAL ENCOTRAGED this is a sinful thing, yet sinners given up unto it, without the least extenuation of their guilt, or colour for charge on the justice and goodness of God. (1.) Then t…
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VOL. XV. o 194 RIGHTEOUS ZEAL ENCOURAGED the action is good, as an action ; man deviates from his rule, hence it is sinful in respect of its qualifications and adjuncts. Man writes fair letters upon a wet paper, and they run all into one blot ; not the skill of the scribe, but the defect in the paper is the cause of …
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Now what are the ways and methods of sinful man's working in such opposition, would be too long for me to declare; what prejudices are erected, what lusts pursued, what corrupt interests acted, and followed ; how self is ho- noured, what false pretences coined, how God is slighted, if 1 should go about to lay open, I m…
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All you then that are the Lord's workmen, be always pre- pared for a storm ; wonder not that men see not the ways of the Lord, nor the judgments of our God, many are blinded. Admire not that they will so endlessly engage themselves into fruitless oppositions ; they are hardened. Be not amazed that evidence of truth and…
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2. That undoubtedly there are very many things under the command of the Lord, so becoming our duty, and within his promise, so made our privilege, which yet if not performed, or not enjoyed, are not of human cognizance, as faith itself. Yet because the knowledge of the truth is in that rank of things, this also is urge…
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204 OF TOLERATION. to my present apprehension. However, for the present, I remove such from this debate. 5. The like to this also may be said concerning blasphemy, the law whereof is likewise commonly urged in this cause. The establishment for the punishment of a blasphemer is in Lev. xxiv. 16. Given it was upon the …
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7. From the asserting of the authority and description of the duty of the magistrate, Rom. xiii. the argument is very easy that is produced for the suppressing, by external force, of erroneous persons. The paralogism is so foul and notorious, in this arguing. He is to suppress evil deeds ; he- resy is an evil deed, the…
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II. The sum of what is usually drawn from holy writ, against such forbearance, as I suppose may be asserted, and for the punishing heretics with capital punishments being briefly discussed ; I proceed, in the next place, to such other general observations as may serve to the farther clearing of the business in hand, an…
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(1.) To the question itself. (2.) To the manner of handling it. OF TOLF.RATIOX. 211 (1.) To the question itself. For herein I suppose, [1.] That the persons enjoying authority do also enjoy the truth, which is to the advantage of the affirmative. [2.] That their power in civil things is just and unques- tionable, …
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Now not to speak of Cain, who seems to me to have laid the foundation of that cruelty, which was afterward inserted into the church's orthodoxies, by the name of Hsereticidium; we find the four famous empires of the world to have drank in this persuasion to the utmost, of suppressing all by force and violence, that con…
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210 OF TOLEUATION. of the emperors and senate, it was quickly confirmed that none should be suffered to live in peace, who received not his mark and name; Rev. xiii. 16, 17, Whereunto, for my part, I cannot but refer very many of those following imperial constitutions, which were made at first against the opposers of …
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This was the old Roman way, and I thought it not amiss to cautionate those, enjoying truth and authority, that if it be possible, they may not walk in their steps and method. The course accounted so sovereign for the extirpation of error was, as you see, first invented for the extirpation of truth. 2. I desire it may …
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This then in its latitude proving so pernicious to the pro- fession of the gospel, having for so long driven the woman into the wilderness, and truth into corners, being the main engine whereby the tower of Babel was built, and that which at this day they cry grace unto, as the foundation stone of the whole antichristi…
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" History of Reformation in Scotland. 224 OF 1'OLl.RATION. phemeth to the heretic, wlio chargeth blai5phemy upon him. We use no other arguments, cite no other texts, press no other consequences for the punishing of other heretics, than the Papists, the wisest heretics breathing, do for the punish- ment of us. No col…
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It is true, in the three first centuries ma^iy fond, foolish, corrupt opinions were broached by sundry brainsick men ; but they laid little hold of the church<2S, kept themselves in the breasts of some few disorderly wanderers, and did very little promote the mystery of iniquity : but afterward, when the Roman emperors…
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OF TOLtRATION'. 229 emperor, who before had cruelly raged against all orthodox professors of the Deity of Christ. Socrat. lib. 4. cap. 27, 5. Lastly, add unto all that hath been said, * vice coro- nidis,' for the use of such as enjoying authority, may have misapprehensions of some truths of Christ, a sad considera- t…
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(2.) If he desire this wisdom sincerely, and the Lord intend him 'as a light of the morning, as a rising sun, a morning without clouds,' to his people, doubtless he will reveal himself to him, and teach him his mind ; as he did David and Solomon, and other holy men of old. And as to this, I shall only with due reverenc…
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(1st.) From the right which the gospel of Christ hath to be received amongst men, according to his own appointment ; whether that be the appointment of Christ, or not, amongst us is no question. (2dly.) Because the magistrate hath the sole power of all public places, and the protection of them is committed to 234 OF …
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Reason 4. The precepts given unto them, and the promises made concerning them, do abundantly confirm all that hath been asserted. Psal. ii. ID, 11. they are commanded as kings and judges to serve the Lord, in promoting the king- dom of the Lord Jesus Christ. And it is promised, Isa. xlix. 23. that 'they shall be nursin…
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2dly. Outward monuments, ways of declaring and hold- ing out false and idolatrous worship, he is to remove ; as the Papists' images, altars, pictures, and the like; Turks' mosques ; prelates' service-book. Now these are of two sorts ; (1st.) Such things as in their whole use and nature serve only for the carrying on o…
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[3.] When any have entertained any singular opinion, in matters of great weight and importance, such as nearly con- cern the glory of God, and the minds of Christians in reve- I OF TOLERATION. 241 reiice of his holy name are most tenderly affected withal, so that without much horror of mind they can scarce hear thos…
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3. That which now remaineth in this head to be con- sidered is, concerning persons maintaining and upholding any great and pernicious errors, but in such ways, as are not by any of the former disorders to be brought under the cognizance of the civil magistrate, but good, honest, allowable, and peaceable in themselves, …
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1st. The non-constitution of a judge in case of heresy, as a thing civilly criminal. As to spiritual censures, and an ecclesiastical judgment of errors, and false doctrines, we find them appointed, and a lawful judge as to the determin- ing concerning them, divinely instituted ; so that in such ways they may be warrant…
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[5thly.] It seems strange to me, that the Lord Jesus Christ should commit this architechtonical power in his house unto magistrates, foreseeing of what sort the greatest number of them would be, yea, determining that they should be such, for the trial and affliction of his own. View the times that are past, consult the…
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[2.] The constant practice of the churches in former ages. 250 OF TOLERATION. in all their meetings for advice and counsel, to consent into some form of wholesome words, that might be a discrimi- nating 'tessera' of their communion indoctrine,beingusedin prime antiquity, as is manifest in that ancient symbol, com- mo…
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For these then (and under this head I compare all such persons, as keeping in practice within the bonds before laid forth do so far forth hold the foundation, as that neither by believing what is not, or disbelieving what indeed is, they do take in, or keep off, any such thing as wherewithal being embraced, or without …
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That which added ready willingness to my obedi- ence unto your commands for the preaching and pub- Cclvi THK EPISTLE DEDICATORV. lishing hereof, being- a serious proposal for the ad- vancement and propagation of the gospel in another nation, is here again recommended to your thoughts, by Your most humble servant, In…
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Two great testimonies are here of the power of God: 1. That 'he quickeneth the dead :' able he is to raise up those that are dead to life again. 2. ' He calleth things that are not, as though they were :' by his very call or word, gives being to those things which before were not : as when he said, ' Let there be lig…
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3. He 'was fully persuaded;' ver. 21. irX^potpopr^^tlg, ' persuasionis plenus.' This is the third thing that is ob- served in the manner of his believing. He fully, quietly, resolvedly cast himself on this, that * he who had promised was able to perform it.' As a ship at sea (for so the word imports), looking about, an…
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This, I say, was the promise whereof we spake : that he should have a seed of his own, ' like the stars that cannot be numbered ;' Gen. xv. 4, 5. And herein are contained three things. 1. The purely spiritual part of it, that concerned his own soul in Christ. God engaging about his seed minds him of his own interest i…
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Thus the soul comes to be like Paul, in another case, Phil. i. 23. He considered his own advantage on the one 266 TPIE STEADFASTNESS OF PROMISES, side by his dissolution, and the profit of the churches by his abiding in the flesh, on the other; and taking in these various thoughts, he cries out, he is in a strait, he…
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268 THE STEADFASTNESS OF PROMISES, himself draws nigh to them, and gives them the ground of all this, he tells them it is all from hence ; they ' are foolish and slow of heart to believe ;' ver. 25. Here is the rise of all their doubtings, even their unbelief. Whilst you are slow of heart to believe, do not once think…
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But yet farther, that it may be evident, that from hence there can be no occasion of staggering, this God of truth, whose word is truth, hath in his infinite wisdom conde- scended to our weakness, and used all possible means to cause us to apprehend the truth of his promises. The Lord might have left us in the dark, to…
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[4.] In things of very great weight and concernment, such as whereon lives, and the peace of nations does depend, men use to give hostages, for the securing each other of the faith and truth of all their engagements, that they may be mutual pledges of their truth and fidelity. Neither hath the Lord left this way unused…
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Now here we are apt to deceive ourselves, and mistake the whole thing in question, which is the bottom of many corrupted reasonings and perplexed thoughts. We inquire whether it can be so to us, as the word holds out ; when the truth is, the question is not about the nature of the thing, but about the power of God. Pla…
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AND SINFULNESS OF STAGGERING. 277 [2.] There are some absolute promises, comprehensive of the covenant of grace, which, as to all those that belong to that covenant, do hold out thus much of the mind of God, that they shall certainly be accomplished in, and to- wards them all. The soul may freely be invited to venture…
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(5.) But lastly, where all other things concur, yet if the person promising be changeable, if he may alter his reso- lution, a man may justly doubt and debate in himself, the accomplishment of any promise made to him. It is true, may he say, he now speaks his heart and mind, but who can say he will be of this mind to-m…
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Look upon the affair of Ireland. The engagement of the great God of revenges against murder and treachery, the interest of the Lord Christ and his kingdom against the man of sin, furnished the undertakers with manifold pro- mises to carry them out to a desired, a blessed issue. Take now a brief view of some mountains o…
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He that should meet Protestants, covenanted Protestants, that had sworn in the presence of the great God to extirpate popery and prelacy, as the Scots in Ulster ; others that counted themselves under no less sacred bond for the main- tenance of prelates, service-books, and the like, as the whole party of Ormond's adher…
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286 THE STEAD FASTNESS OF FRO.MISES, tines: and wliat success he had in that undertaking, yon know. Political diversions, from pure dependance on the promise, do always draw after them a long time of entan- glements. Give me leave to give a word of caution against one or two things, which men staggering at the promis…
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(3.) Seducers and blasphemers will not be wanting to sow their tares, which those fallowed fields will receive, if there be none to cast in the seed of the word. Some are come over thither already without call, without employ- ments, to no other end, but only to vaunt themselves to be God ; as they have done in the ope…
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Use 4. See the sinfulness of all those staggering doubts and perplexities wherewith many poor souls have almost all their thoughts taken up. Such as is the root, such is the fruit. If the * tree be evil, so will the fruit be also. Men do not gather grapes from brambles.' What is the root that bears this fruit of stagge…
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(3.) It dishonours God. In the close of this verse it is said, Abraham * was strong in faith' (or staggered not) AND SINFULNESS OF STAGGERING. 293 'giving glory to God.' To be established in believing, is to give God the greatest glory possible. Every staggering thought that ariseth from this root of unbelief, robs G…
908 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.