PUBLIC-DOMAIN CHRISTIAN BOOK
The Works of John Owen — Volume 15
John Owen · 234,856 words · 240 reading sections
Section 121
SERMON V. THE STRENGTH OF FAITH. He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; hut was strong in faith, giving glory to God. — Rom. iv. 20. In this chapter the apostle singleth out a signal example, to make good the conclusion which by 'sundry convincing demonstrations he had proved in the foregoing chapt…
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Only observe this by the way : that I speak of believing and of faith in respect of that end, and to that purpose only, in reference whereunto Paul here treats of it ; that is, in respect of justification, and our acceptation with God. I say then, (1.) That faith, or believing, in this restrained sense doth not consis…
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300 THE STRENGTH OF FAITH. men's affections may be exceedingly taken with the word of promise, preached, or considered ; so that there is no con- cluding of believing to lie in any such thing. When affec- tions go before believing, they are little worth ; but when they follow it, they are exceeding acceptable and prec…
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[2.] Over and above this, faith in the Scripture is ex- pressed, and we find it by experience to be, the will's consent unto, and acceptance of, the Lord Jesus Christ as mediator, he that accomplished his work, as the only way of going to the Father, as the sole and sufficient cause of our acceptation with him, as our …
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[3.] Add hereunto, that which I cannot say is absolutely of the nature of faith, but in some degree or other, secret or more known to the soul, a necessary concomitant of it; and that is, the soul's resting and quieting itself, and satisfying its affections in its interest in, and enjoyment of, a sweet, desirable Savio…
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There is a twofold evil and miscarriage among us in the great foundation business of closing with Christ in the pro- mise. Some spend all their days in much darkness and dis- consolateness, disputing it to and fro in their own thoughts, whether their portion and interest lie therein or not. They are off and on, living …
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(1.) Of the end. Men question what will become of them in the close ; they fluctuate about what will be their latter end. Did not Balaam do so, when he cried, ' Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my latter end be like his V That wretched man was tossed up and down between hopes and fears. This is common to …
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This God declares to be his glory, Exod. xxxiii. 19. Moses desires to see the glory of God; this God calls his face, that is, the glory of God in itself. This, saith God, thou canst not see: 'Thou canst not see my face,' or the brightness of my essential glory, the splendour of my ex- cellencies and perfections. Well, …
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THE STRENGTH OF FAITH, 313 solation, if we thus fly for refuge by believing ? Must it not be from hence, that God is freely ready to receive us, that he will in no wise shut us out, but that we shall be welcome to him ; and with the more speed we come, the more wel- come we shall be? This he convinces us of, by the en…
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matter? It is that which is opposed to the magistrate's find- ing it out; what that is, we have a full description in Job xxix. 16, 17. ' The cause I knew not, I searched out, and brake the jaws of the wicked.' It is to make judicial in- quisition after, to find out hidden transgressions, that the offenders may be brou…
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THE STRENGTH OF FAITH. 317 Now what is it, that on our part is required, that this great design of God for his glory may be accomplished in and towards us ? Is it not our believing, and steadfastness therein? I need not stay to manifest it; nor yet give farther light or strength to our inference from what hath been sp…
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(2.) As is his name, so is his nature. Saith he of him- self, Isa. xxvii. 4. ' Fury is not in me.' He speaks with reference to his church, to believers, of whom we are speak- ing. There is no such thing as that anger and wrath in God in I'eference to thee, whereof thou art afraid. Hast thou had hard thoughts of him? Ha…
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For the farther clearing of this truth, take along with you these few considerations of God's dealing with us, and his condescension therein, that he may act suitably to his own nature and name. ^'OL. XV. Y 322 THE STRENGTH OF FAITH- [1.] His comparing himself to creatures of the most tender and boundless affection …
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But now concerning the things that have been spoken, great caution is to be used. It is not a general notion of the nature of God that I have been insisting on ; but the good- ness and love of God to his in Christ .Tesus. Wherefore, Y 2 324 THK STRKN'GTU OF FAITH. farther to clear this whole business, and that a sur…
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326 THE STRENGTH OF FAITH. 2dly. That since the entrance of sin, there is no appre- hension, I mean for sinners, of a goodness, love, and kind- ness in God, as flowing from his natural properties, but upon an account of the interposition of his sovereign will and pleasure. It is most false, which by some is said, that…
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Use 3. We may likewise to the same purpose consider the promises of God, wherein both his love, and the excel- lency and suitableness of the Lord Jesus Christ are signally and eminently expressed. Many things to very good pur- pose are usually spoken of the promises, their nature, sta- bility, preciousness, efficacy, c…
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Isa. Ivii. 17, 18. gives me another instance to the same purpose. This seems to be the description of a man totally rejected of God. The most dejected sinner can hardly make a more deplorable description of his condition, though ready enough to speak all the evil of himself, that he can think of. Let us see how things …
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Now, I say, this obviating of all objections,by unexpected appearances of love, mercy, and compassion in the promises, is a strong inducement unto steadfastness in believing. When a soul shall find, that God takes for granted that all is true, which it can charge itself withal, that its sin, folly, unbelief, heartlessn…
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THE STliEiS'^GTH OF FAITH. 335 fear it will one day fall upon thee and be thy portion ? Be- hold a covert, a sure defence is here provided. [3.] There is drought, causing barrenness, making the heart as a dry place, as a heath, or a parched wilderness. In reference whereunto Christ is a river of w^ater, abundantly, p…
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THE STREXGTH OF FAITH. 337 his fulness to our wants, and suits his grace in Christ to all our fears and troubles for their removal, doth it to increase our misery, and mock our calamity ? I speak of the heirs of promise, to whom they are made and do belong. Is it not time for you to leave disputing, and questioning th…
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» Chap. X. 36. ^ Prov. xxii. 13. xxvi. 13. ^ Psal. cxvi. 7. <» 1 Thess. i. 3. 2 Thess. i. 11. Deut. x. 16. xxx. 6. Ezek. xviii. 31. xxxvi. 26, Act* xi. 18. OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. 341 As a duty it is by the apostle here considered, and there- fore pressed on them, who by nature were capable, and by grace enabled for th…
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(2.) The irremediless punishment which attends that sin. ' There remains no more sacrifice for it, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery indignation that shall con- sume the adversaries ;' chap. x. 26, 27. (3.) The person against whom peculiarly it is com- mitted, and that is he who is the author, s…
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[1.] The shaking here intimated by the apostle, was then when he wrote under the promise, not actually accomplished, as were the things by them recounted : for he holds it forth as an issue of that great power of Christ, which he would one day exercise for the farther establishment of his king- dom. [2.] This that now…
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^ Nunquani Pauli sensum ingredieris, nisi Pauli Spiriluni imbibrris. Ber. Sn-. do ftlonte. To aiiTo ;^giVjWa SiJao-jt£i i)f*Sj ttej; TravTctv. 1 Jolm ii. 27. '£v 7rv£u/(*aTt ayw •jooufxltcn Kai avoiyofXiMcn ai yja<^ai Sexvmwiv hfMV tov XpixTov, eiVstw; ^v^iufoq To jtvtiiua. re ayiov. Tlicophvlac. in John x. 348 THE SH…
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350 THE SHAKING AND TRANSLATING Furthermore, to confirm this exposition, St. John in the Revelation holds constantly to the same manner of expres- sion. Heaven and earth in that book are commonly those which we have described. In particular, this is eminently apparent ; chap. vi. 12 — 15. ' And I beheld, and when he h…
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3. What is the * removal of heaven and earth, being shaken V The word here translated ' removal,' is fitTa^iaig : whence that is come to pass, I dare not positively say. This doubt- less is a common fault amongst translators, that they will accommodate the words of a text to their own apprehension of the sense and mat…
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[2.] In reference to their extent in respect of subjects, with their visible glorious appearance, which is under innu- merable promises to be very great in the latter days. 'For it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the moun- tains, and shall be…
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(1.) The kingdom of Syria was totally destroyed and reduced into a Roman province sixty years before the na- tivity of Christ; and the Egyptian thirty. So that it is impossible that the kingdom of Christ by his birth should be set up in their days. (2.) It is ascribed to the efficacy of this kingdom, that being establ…
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Hence chap, xviii. 2. Babylon, and that whole anti- OF HEAVEN AND EARTH. 859 christian state, which was supported upon their power and greatness, having lost its props comes toppling down to the ground : ' Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen.' And the saints take vengeance on the whore for all her former rage and …
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(2.) A second reason is. That by his own wisdom he may frame such a power, as may best conduce to the carrying on of his own kingdom among the sons of men.' He hath promised his church, that he will give unto it holy priests and Levites, Isa. Ixvi. 20, 21. which shall serve at the great feast of tabernacles ; Zech. xi…
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This is a second reason, why the Lord Jesus, by his mighty power at the bringing in of his immoveable kingdom, ' will shake the heavens and the earth of the nations ;' even because in their present constitution they are directly framed to the interest of antichrist, which by notable advantages at their first moulding, …
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^ Add hereunto, that in this mighty work the Lord Jesus Christ will make use of the power of the nations, the horns of them, that is their strength; Rev. xvii. 16. They must hate the whore, and make her desolate and naked, and eat her flesh, and burn her with fire. Now whether this can be accomplished or no in their pr…
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1 Chron. xii. 32. it is said of the men of Issachar, that they ' had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do.'^ Israel is in the dark, and knows not what to do, if the times and seasons be not discovered to them. If the mind and will of the Lord in their generation be not made out unto a people, it w…
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' Gen. vi, 13. e Isa. xxiii. 9. ''I Kings x. 27. VOL. XV. 2 B 370 THE SHAKING AND TRANSLATING knowledge as the waters cover the sea?'' Should our spirits sink for fear of this or that persecutor or oppressor, were it discovered unto us that in a short time ' nothino- shall hurt or destroy in the whole mountain of t'…
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2 B 2 372 tup: shaking and traxsi.ating them apply themselves unto. The best almost live from hand to mouth, following present appearances, to the great neglect of tiie work, which the Lord would have hastened amongst us. All this comes from the same root. But now, if all these sad and sinful consequences attend thi…
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Now what, 1 pray, are the works that the Lord is bring- ing forth upon the earth? what is he doing in our own and the neighbouring nations ? Shew me the potentate upon the earth, that hath a peaceable molehill, to build himself & habitation upon ? Are not all the controversies, or the most of them, that at this day are…
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(2.) As to your employments. (1.) As to your persons. Give the Lord Jesus a throne in your hearts, or it will not be at all to your advantage, that he hath a throne and kingdom in the world. Perhaps you will see the plenty of it, but not taste one morsel. Take first that which comes not by observation, that which is w…
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Use 3. Wonder not when the heaven is shaken, if you seethe stars fall to the ground. We had some, who pretended to be church stars, that were merely fixed to all men's view, and by their own confession in the political heavens. The first shaking of this nation shook them utterly to the ground. If others also tremble li…
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382 THE KPISTIK DEDICATORT. is sometimes attended. Tliis hath been my desire to pursue, and that with the weapons which are not car- nal. And though some may be so seasoned with the leaven of contention about carnal thino^s, or at best the tithing of mint and cummin, as to disrelish the weightier things of the gospel,…
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2. Spiritually, for the church of Christ to be gathered to him out of all nations; the house wherein 'juge sacrificium/ a continual spiritual sacrifice is to be offered to him : this is peculiarly intended. So then observe, I. Christ's church of saints, of believers, is God's house. II. The church of Christ under the…
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(1.) Shew you what are the chief properties of this house. (2.) Declare what is the relation wherein Jesus Christ stands to this house, having called it all along the church of Christ. (1.) For the properties, or chief qualities of this house, they are three : [1.] It is a living house; [2.] It is strong; [3.] It is …
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390 THE BRANCH OK THE LORD doth Stand the queen in gold of Ophir ;' Psal. xlv. 8, 9. ' His goings are seen, the goings of our God and King in the sanctuary ;' Psal. Ixviii. 24, 25, &c. The apostle ex- alteth the glory of gospel administrations exceedingly above the old tabernacle and temple worship, which yet was ex- …
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[2dly.] In respect of outward manifestation. God first manifests and declares him, before he laid one stone in this building. Gen. iii. 15. 'The seed,' saith he, 'of the woman shall break the serpent's head :' in that was laid the first stone of this building: then was the 'Lamb slain,' airb ko- rajSoX^C Koa/biov, Rev.…
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THE BEAUTY OF ZION. 395 (1st.) In behalf of this house, and every stone thereof, he hides the law with its condemning power, that nothing from thence shall be laid to their charge. If a man have a suit to be tried in any court, and a powerful friend engage him- self, that the only evidence which is against him shall n…
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THE BEAUTY OF ZION. 397 it, receiving light from it, to communicate to others : they empty the golden oil out of themselves, which they receive from the candlestick. For this candlestick hath ' seven lamps/ ver. 2. which lamps, that burn before the throne, are the ' seven spirits of God ;' Rev. iv. 5. seven spirits, t…
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THE BEAUTY OF ZIOK. 39^ And this is the fourfold relation wherein the Lord Christ stands unto this house, as it is a spiritual building. [2,] In respect of state and condition, Jesus Christ stands in a fivefold relation to this house, viz. 1st. As the owner; 2dly. The builder; Sdly. The watchman, or keeper ; 4thly. …
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THK BEAUTY OF ZIOY. 401 Observation 1. Is this the house of Christ? Is he the owner of it? Let men take heed how they spoil it for them- selves. The psalmist makes this a great argument in his pleading against opposers, that they came 'into the Lord's inheritance;' Psal. Ixxix. 1. The title of Christ's purchase was no…
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THE BEAUTY OF ZION. 403 Christ. If dead stones live, it must be by hearing the voice of the Son of God. Christ's building of his mystical house is his giving life unto dead stones, or rather being life unto them. Of those who will attempt to build themselves, and draw a principle of spiritual life from the broken cist…
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THE BEAUTY OF ZION. 405 manner are the pastors of the churches, 'they watch,' Heb. xiii. 17. as the priests and Levites heretofore kept the watch of the Lord. It cannot be denied, but that many who have taken upon them to be these watchmen, have watched only for their own advantage, have been very dogs, yea, dumb dogs…
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(1st.) By his Spirit. Clirist dwells in this house, and every stone of it, by his Spirit : * Know ye not that Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates ?' 2 Cor. xiii. 5. ' Christ in you:' that is, the Spirit of Christ, Christ by his Spirit. So the Holy Ghost expounds it, Rom. viii. 9. ' If the Spirit of God dwell in y…
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(1.) *I will sup with him:' I will delight and satisfy myself with him. Jesus Christ takes abundance of delight and contentment in the hearts of his saints. When they are faithful, when they are fruitful, he is marvellously re- freshed with it. Hence is that prayer of the spouse : * Awake, O north wind, and come thou s…
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(2.) He will depart, as to the efficacy of his working in thee, and leave thee so weak, that thou shalt not be able to walk with God. His Spirit is *a Spirit of grace and suppli- cations.' He will so withdraw it, that thou shalt find thy heart in a poor condition, as to those things. To be cold in prayer, dead in heari…
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And these are some of the relations, wherein the Lord Christ stands unto this house of God, being made thereby unto it, beauty and glory, comeliness and excellency. The carrying on of this building, by the union of all the stones thereof to the foundation, and their cementing one to an- other by faith, love, and order,…
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VOL. XV. 2 E CCCCXVlll THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. reformation, and such like things, which never came into their hearts. Therefore that the God of all our mercies and deliverances vv^ould for ever keep alive in your hearts a faithful acknowledgment of his grace, and a practical detestation of those ways which are such a…
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• Ezck. XX. 45. ' xvii. 2. 6 2 Chron. xxxvi. 17. * 2 Kings xiv, 1 — 3. ' Jer. xxxvii. 1 Kings xxiv. 17. 2 Chron. xxxvi. 10. THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST, &C. 421 advantage of that people ; for he had long before chosen and established another, consisting of * seventy elders of the people,' Numb. xi. 24. to whom he add^d pr…
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THE KIXGDOM OF CHRIST, &C. 423 2 Sam. xxiii. 3, 4. The hand of the Lord hath been wonder- fully exalted in all these things ; but yet should we rest in them, should they not be brought into an immediate sub- serviency to the kingdom of the Lord Jesus, the Lord will quickly distinguish between them, and his own peculia…
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II. The actings of God's providence in carrying on the interest of Christ, shall be exceedingly unsuited to the rea- sonings and expectations of the most of the sons of men. Some trees must be plucked down, and some raised up ; yea, high trees thrown down, and the low caused to flourish. There is the issue of God's th…
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3. The most signal is the coming of the Lord Christ to recover his people from antichristian idolatry and oppres- sion ; which of all others is and shall be attended with the most astonishing alterations and desolations, pulling down of high trees, and exalting them that are low : thence is that war, described Rev. xvi…
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I shall but touch on each. [1 .] He hath great revenges to take, and that on three sorts of persons : 1st. On oppressing Babylonians; false worshippers and persecutors ; whilst the bride is preparing for the Lord Christ, he goes forth, with the armies of heaven following him, to take vengeance on these his enemies; R…
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432 THE ADVANTAGE OF Use 2. To magnify the goodness of God, who unto us hath sweetened and seasoned all his dreadful dispensations, and all the alterations in those nations, with this his gracious design running through them all : this is that which puts all their beauty and lustre on them, being outwardly dreadful an…
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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.